There was much Conjecture bestowed as to whether the _Heavitrees_ would come in the Evening to return our Visit, according to Promise. _Gatty_ thought they would not; all the others thought they would, and the two youngest Girls spent the best of the Morning in making Cakes. The young People came, without the Squire, and we had a pleasant Evening, but not so lively as the last, partly because the Parlour was so much smaller than the Hall, and partly because Mrs. _Bowerbank_ was not so convivial and humorous as the Squire. After this, came two or three Days of incessant Snow; and after the Snow, a Frost. All were glad the Snow left off falling, because we were expected at _Roaring House_, and Mrs. _Bowerbank_ said she could not consent to our going if the Snow continued to fall. So we made our Preparations full early; and meantime, a Servant who had been into _Larkfield_ and had called at the Post-Office, among other Places, (it being the principal Linen-Draper's and Tea-Grocer's of the Town,) brought _Gatty_ a Letter from Lady _Betty_, which had been lying there a Day and a Half, and the Contents of which threw us all into Flurry and Dismay. My _Lady_ wrote, in a very few Words, by another Hand, to desire Mrs. _Gatty_ would return to her Duties _immediately_, for that Madam _Pompon_ had left. This was a sad Blow to us all: poor _Gatty_ could not help crying; and we all cried to keep her Company. Lady _Betty_ would not have been much flattered, could she have seen the Reception her Letter got. "Oh, poor _Gatty_! poor _Gatty_!" resounded on all Sides; but after intermingling Kisses and Tears, she was the first to pluck up Courage, and say we were only making Things worse by grieving, and she would pack up at once, to be ready for the Morning Coach, and then think nothing more about it till the Time came. So her Sisters dispersed, to dress for our Party, and _Gatty_ and I went up-Stairs to do the same, and pack her Box; several Times in the Course of doing which, she burst out crying; and I thought I had never beheld a Girl so loth to quit Home, nor so resolved to do her Duty. At length we set off; and when we got to _Roaring House_, there was pretty much the same Thing over again, for Jokes and Laughing were exchanged for Lamentations; and the Gaiety of the Evening was completely clouded. I cannot help thinking, however, that it was Balm to _Gertrude's_ Heart to find herself so unaffectedly sympathised with: the Squire patted her on the Shoulder several Times, and called her "poor Girl," and "dear _Gatty_;" Miss _Clary_ more than once shed a Tear; and Mr. _Heavitree_ seemed quite mute and confounded.