What a millstone was that which thus fell on the sober happiness of Fair Manor. Mrs. Heritage, with her high notions of Christian truth and integrity, could scarcely realise such a calamity as the breach of so sacred an engagement with so estimable a man as Dr. Leroy. Earnestly did she entreat her daughter to pause before she made an irrevocable decision. Earnestly, wrestlingly did she lay all this great trouble before God. Scarcely less severe was the blow to Mr. Heritage. He looked at the happiness of his daughter but as connected with her reputation for integrity of purpose, and he deeply lamented the cruel blow given to Dr. Leroy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heritage wrote affectionate and tenderly sympathising letters to him, hoping that things might take a better turn. But the condition of Millicent occasioned them not only severe grief, but deep alarm. Though she had, in a mood of desperation, broken the link of attachment with Dr. Leroy, it had brought no peace to her own bosom. She felt the sharpness of the wound which she had given him. She recalled the long season of their youthful friendship, and his many merits and virtues. She saw in the grief of her parents the amazement and blame which would run through the circle of her friends; but in vain did she endeavour to recall a sense of the love which had flitted to another object. The effect upon her was that of a wasting fire upon her nerves. She had no violent illness, but she was miserable, pale, and sad. The least sudden sound shook her like an electric shock. She was the walking shadow of a withering despondency. Elizabeth Drury, who was shocked more and more at every fresh sight of her, proposed that they should go together to some cheerful, genial sea-coast; and as she had an aunt living at Ventnor, in the Isle of Wight, she suggested to Mr. and Mrs. Heritage that they should go there for a while. To this they eagerly agreed; and the two young ladies, with Tom Boddily as groom, set out for the south without delay. As for Millicent, she would have gone to the north or south Pole, or to any place, if she could have hoped to run away from her own feelings and reflections.