"I am going to send you off by the night train to Tanfield,"--Mrs. Busby said without looking up from the trunk. "The _night_ train!" exclaimed Rotha. "It is the best you can do. It brings you there by daylight. The night train is as pleasant as any." "If you have company"--said Rotha. "And if the cars don't run off nor anything," added Antoinette. "All the awful accidents happen in the night." "I would not have Rotha go alone," said Mrs. Busby grimly; "but she don't want my companionship." Rotha would have been glad of it; however, she did not say so. She stood confounded. What possible need of this haste? "Put your things away, Rotha," said Mrs. Busby glancing up,--"and come down to dinner. You must leave at seven o'clock, and I have had dinner early for you." The dinner being early, Mr. Busby was not there; which Rotha regretted. From him she hoped for at least one of his dry, sensible remarks, and possibly a hint of sympathy. She must go without it. Dinner had no taste, and the talk that went on no meaning. Very poor as this home was, it was better than an unknown country, and uncongenial as were her companions, she preferred them to nobody. Gradually there grew a lump in her throat which almost choked her. Meantime she was silent, seemed to eat, and did quietly whatever she was told She put up sandwiches in a paper; accepted an apple and some figs; looked curiously at the old basement dining room, which she had never liked, but which had never seemed to her so comfortable as now; and at last left it to get herself ready. Taking her Russia bag in her hand, she seemed to grasp Mrs. Mowbray's love; and it comforted her. Her aunt and she had a silent drive through the streets, already dark and lamp-lit. All necessary directions were given her by the way, and a little money to pay for her drive out from Tanfield. Then came the confusion of the Station--not the Grand Central by any means; the bustle of getting her seat in the cars; her aunt's cold kiss. And then she was alone, and the engine sounded its whistle, and the train slowly moved away into the darkness.