Once in the hall, I glanced back; the widow had changed her position,--she was stationed by a window,--I saw Mr. Lee approach her, and they began an earnest conversation. I turned and went up-stairs, growing sadder and more sick at heart. Mrs. Lee slept quietly nearly the whole time, so that I had ample opportunity for my sorrowful reflections,--more than I desired, since dwelling upon the things which troubled me only increased my restlessness, without bringing me any nearer a conclusion that could have been of the least value. After Mrs. Lee had gone to bed, I went into my own room, and saw no one again that night. When it was too late, I remembered that I had not spoken to Mr. Lee, but consoled myself with fancying that Jessie would tell him, or that I should have an opportunity in the morning. I was disappointed both ways. When I went down to breakfast, I found that Mr. Lee had been obliged to ride over to the iron works. He had gone before any one was stirring, and would not return until late in the afternoon. While one of the servants was giving me that information, Mrs. Dennison passed through the hall. She hurried on with a smile, but I noticed that the skirt of her dress was wet and soiled; I felt certain that she knew of Mr. Lee's intention, and had gone out to meet him, and hold one of her private conversations. Before she appeared again, Jessie joined me in the breakfast-room. "How late we all are!" she said; "it is too bad." "I quite overslept myself," I replied; then I remembered my thought of the last night. "Oh, my dear! did you ask your father to go with us to Mrs. Bosworth's?" "I had no opportunity," she answered, blushing crimson. "I am afraid, too, that I half forgot it." I knew the reason of that; Lawrence had been talking to her all the evening. "It does not make much difference," I said; "I will go with you." "I am sure papa would be willing," she observed, looking troubled at the idea of the visit. "I spoke of it to your mother; she desired you to go." "Very well then," replied Jessie; "suppose we start after breakfast; we can get back before mamma will want us in her room." "I shall be ready; we can walk across the fields." "Yes; then Mrs. Dennison need not know anything about it." "Hush!" I said; "there she is." CHAPTER XXXIV. OUR VISIT TO THE OLD MANSION. Mrs. Dennison came in airy and graceful as usual; I noticed that she had changed her dress. She kissed Jessie with as much affection as if she had not seen her for a week, and began discoursing with great volubility. "I was up before either of you," she said; "I have been out in the garden, ruining my white dress, and racing among the beds, to the great astonishment of the old gardener." "You look fresh and charming as the roses themselves," Jessie replied. "Of course. But don't pay compliments; Miss Hyde does not like them." "If they are sincere, I do," I said.