Mrs. Barnaby was aware that Agnes had engaged to pass this evening with them; and when she looked at her tranquil face as she entered the room she felt greatly disposed to plague her by saying that she must stay at home to pack, and could not go.... But a moment's reflection suggested to her that the less fuss she made about this packing the better, and therefore only told her that she was obliged to set off by seven o'clock the next morning for London, on business that would detain her for a day or two ... that she meant to take her, and leave her maid; and that before she set off upon her gossiping visit, it would be necessary to pack her trunk. Agnes laid down her book, and looked surprised. "Don't stare so like a fool, Agnes.... Do what I bid you instantly." "There will be no occasion for me to pack much, aunt, if we are only to stay a day or two," said Agnes. "When I tell you to pack your trunk, miss, I mean that your trunk shall be packed, and I won't trouble you to give me any opinion on the subject." "Am I to put everything into it, aunt?" "Plague of my life, yes!" replied Mrs. Barnaby, whose vexed spirit seemed to find relief in speaking harshly. Without further remonstrance Agnes set about obeying her; and the little all that formed her mourning wardrobe was quickly transferred from the two drawers allowed her to the identical trunk which aunt Betsy had provided for her first journey from Silverton to Empton. "And my books, aunt?..." said Agnes, fixing her eyes on the heated countenance of the widow with some anxiety. Mrs. Barnaby hesitated, and Agnes saw she did. It was not because the little library of her niece formed the chief happiness of her life that she scrupled at bidding her leave them behind, but because she suspected that they, and their elegant little case, were of some marketable value.... "You may take them if you will," she said at length.... "I don't care a straw what you take, or what you leave ... only don't plague me.... You must know, I suppose, if you are not quite an idiot, that when people go to London on business, it is possible they may stay longer than they expect." Agnes asked no more questions, but quietly packed up everything that belonged to her; and when the work, no very long one, was completed, she said,-- "Can I be of any use to you, aunt, before I go out?" "I should like to know what use you are ever likely to be of to anybody," ... was the reply. "Take yourself off, in God's name!--the sooner the better." The very simple toilet of Agnes was soon arranged; and having left everything in perfect order for departure, she uttered a civil but unanswered "Good-b'ye, aunt," and went away.