She hastily sealed her letter, and, without giving herself time to retract, she flew up-stairs, and told the nurse that she and Agnes were to remain at Belhanger—that only George and Caroline were to accompany her. The nurse was astonished at the sudden change; but her mistress looked so ghastly and so wild, she did not venture any question or any remark. Ellen snatched her child to her heart—kissed it with such vehemence that the terrified creature screamed—then, almost thrusting it again into the nurse’s arms, she rushed out of the room, not daring to trust herself another moment in its sight. She now hastened into her own apartments, and, without allowing herself time for tender emotions or reminiscences, she began to pack up her papers, her letters, a few favourite books of devotion, some of the many tokens of affection she had received from Algernon, and above all, his picture—that picture which she gazed upon every day, ten times every day, during his absence. While thus employed, she saw her maid arranging her diamonds, and other jewels, for the journey. “Do not put up those,” she said in a clear, calm voice; “they must be left here.” “Dear ma’am, we always take them with us wherever we go; I always think they are safest when they are under my own eye.” “They must remain, Stanmore,” answered Ellen almost sternly. “Just as you please, ma’am, certainly,” replied the abigail, whose feelings on the subject of the diamonds were so acute that she could not look with indifference upon any thing that concerned them, although she saw something had certainly happened which greatly discomposed her mistress, and was really tenderly attached to her. “Would you please to leave all the trinkets, ma’am?” she added with rather a mortified, injured accent. “No, Stanmore; I must take these rings, these bracelets, all these things—they were all given to me by dear friends.” “I am sure, ma’am, I should have thought you might have wished what Mr. Hamilton had given you to go along with us.” “Say no more, Stanmore; I cannot bear it.—Only make haste,—all possible haste!—I must go to my father to-day.” “Dear me! I beg your pardon, ma’am; but is Captain Wareham ill?” “No—Yes—I am not sure—I believe he is pretty well.” Ellen left the room, having secured the few articles she much valued; and having told Stanmore to carry the diamonds to the housekeeper, and bid her give them to Mr. Hamilton when he returned.