great measure impervious to downright ill-nature; but still she was
open to teasing and bantering; and the more she was teased, and the
more she was bantered, the more impenetrable she became. We
endeavoured to find out from herself--but unsuccessfully--if she had
always led such a roving kind of existence, and also how it
originated; for General Jerningham had a nice villa near the
metropolis, and a small, amiable, domestic circle, ready to receive
and welcome the wanderer. But no: she came upon them unawares, and
at periods when they least expected her, and disappeared again as
suddenly, they knew not why nor whither. In this way she vanished
from the boarding-house where we first met her, with no intimation
of her intention even to our hostess, till her baggage was ready and
the coach at the door.

'Where is Miss Jerningham?' was the unanimous cry when she did not
appear in her usual place.

'She left us early this morning,' quietly replied the landlady.

'Gone--really gone?' was repeated in various tones of
disappointment; and one old gentleman, who had paid the absent lady
marked attention, demanded in a chagrined voice: 'Pray, where has
she gone? Can you tell us _that_, ma'am?--heigh!'

'No, sir, I cannot,' replied our hostess. 'All I can say is, that
Miss Jerningham is a very honourable and generous lady, and wherever
she is, I wish her well.'

'Humph!' said the old gentleman gruffly; 'she must have a good
fortune to do as she does.'