"No objection, my dear one. You have never made any to my will yet, and you must not begin now. Understand, child: I am sending you away for _the best_; the best for you and for me; and you must be guided by me implicitly, as you ever have been." Ella sighed--and would not let him see her tears. The yellow sunlight faded and vanished from the gloomy room, the old portraits on the walls shrank farther back into the twilight of their frames and were lost to view, the log on the hearth crackled and glowed more redly bright as darkness crept on apace, and still those two sat hand in hand, speaking a few words now and then, but mostly silent. At length the moment of departure came, the carriage was at the door, and Mrs. Carlyon entered, ready for travelling. The Squire grasped the back of his chair with one hand; he was trembling in every limb. Mrs. Carlyon bade him goodbye quietly and without fuss. He kissed her, and held her hand. "Gertrude," he said, "into your hands I commit my one earthly treasure. I charge you with the care of it. Never forget!" Ella clung to him, and laid her head upon his breast. His rugged features worked convulsively. He lifted her face tenderly between his hands and kissed her several times. "Let me stay with you, uncle. Why drive me away?" she said imploringly. For a moment there came into his eyes a gleam of agony terrible to see: it was a look which Ella never forgot. "No--no--it must not be: I am doing for the best," he repeated, in a hoarse whisper; "I tell it you. Farewell, my sweetest and best--farewell. Go now--go now," he whispered, as he sank into his chair and pointed to the door. Hubert Stone, looking every inch a gentleman, attended them to the station, sitting on the box with Barnet. Higson went inside with the ladies. At the station, Ella took Hubert aside for a private word. "You will be sure not to forget your instructions, Hubert?" "I shall not forget one of them, Miss Ella," was his answer. "You may rely upon that." "You must watch my uncle narrowly. Should you see the approach of any change in him, telegraph to me. Question your friend, Dr. Jago, continually of his state. Say nothing to my uncle. I will take the responsibility if you send for me. You will always know where we are, for I shall keep you well informed." The young man bowed. He was afraid to let his eyes meet hers: she might perhaps have fathomed the burning secret that lay half hidden there--his passionate love. "I trust you, Hubert; remember that: I have only you to trust to now at Heron Dyke. And now, goodbye." Hubert clasped the hand she extended to him. And the next moment he assisted her into the carriage. "Ah, if I might dare to think it would ever be!" he groaned, watching the train as it puffed out of the station. "And, I do think it may, I fear, more than is wholesome for me; for the hope is little short of madness."