She stood amongst the nodding roses in the porch, waiting for the Palmers to call for her in their carriage, on the way to Alderbury. Aunt Sarah was, perhaps, to drive over and join the party later. Anna had dismissed all troublesome thoughts. She felt sure she was going to be very happy, and that nothing unlucky would happen to spoil her pleasure. She was in gay spirits, as she fastened a bunch of the little cluster-roses in her dress. Isabel had once told her that she looked very pretty in white, and she was glad to feel that she suited the beauty of the bright summer day. "Anna!" said Mrs Forrest's voice from the hall within. Anna turned. The hall looked dark and shadowy after the sunshine, but it was easy to see that there was vexation on her aunt's face as she studied the letter in her hand. "I have just had a note from Dr Hunt," she said. "Mr Goodwin, your grandfather, is not very well." "What is the matter?" asked Anna. She left the porch and went up to her aunt's side. "Why, I can't quite make out. Dr Hunt talks of fever, but says there is nothing infectious. Brought on by over-exertion in the heat, he thinks. He says you may safely go to see him--" There was a pause. Mrs Forrest and Anna looked at each other: each waited for the other to speak. Must I give up the picnic after all? thought Anna. "I don't gather that it's anything serious," said Mrs Forrest at length. "I think the best plan will be for me to go over to Dornton, after you've started, and see Dr Hunt. Then, if there's really no danger of infection, you can go there early to-morrow," She looked inquiringly at Anna, as though half-expecting her to make some other suggestion. The sound of wheels on the gravel, and the tramp of horses, told that the Palmers were approaching: the wagonette, full of gay young people, drove up to the porch. "Are you ready, Anna?" called out Isabel's voice. "Will that satisfy you?" said Mrs Forrest; "you must decide now." "We're late, Anna," said Isabel again, "why don't you come?" Anna hesitated. She looked out at the bright sunshine, where her companions called her to gaiety and pleasure, and then at the letter in her aunt's hand. "Here's your cloak, Miss Anna," said the maid waiting at the door. In another moment, it seemed almost without any will of her own, she was squeezed into the carriage amongst her laughing companions, had waved a farewell to Mrs Forrest standing smiling in the porch, and was whirled away to the picnic.