That Thorold was not there, was the first thought with me.
Certainly the world had made a revolution; but all things else
looked as usual; and Miss Cardigan gave me a welcome just as
if the world had not turned round. She was busy with the
affairs of some poor people, and plunged me into them as her
custom was. But I fancied a somewhat more than usual of sober
gravity in her manner. I fancied, and then was sure of it;
though for a long time nothing was said which touched Thorold
or me. I had forgotten that it was to come; and then it came.

"And what have ye been doing, my bonnie lady, since ye went
away at eight o'clock o' the morn?"

I started, and found that I had lost myself in a reverie. I
said, I had been studying.

"You and me have need to study some new things," Miss Cardigan
said, soberly.

"Yes ma'am," I said. But then - "What, Miss Cardigan?"

"There's our duty" - she said, with a pause at that part of
her sentence; - "and then, how to do it. Yes, Daisy, you need
not look at me, nor call the bloom up into your cheeks, that
Christian says are such an odd colour. Don't you think you
have duties, lassie? and more to-day than a fortnight syne?"

"But - Miss Cardigan," I answered, - "yes, I have duties; but
- I thought I knew them."