And away walked Rachel, and as she went towards the gate two
artificial jets d'eau, making a considerable curve in the air,
alighted, the one just before her, the other, better aimed, in the
back of her neck. She had too much dignity to charge back upon the
offenders, but she went home full of the story of Fanny's lamentable
weakness, and prognostications of the misery she was entailing on
herself. Her mother and sister were both much concerned, and thought
Fanny extremely foolish; Mrs. Curtis consoling herself with the hope
that the boys would be cured and tamed at school, and begging that
they might never be let loose in the park again. Rachel could not
dwell much longer on the matter, for she had to ride to Upper Avon
Park to hold council on the books to be ordered for the book-club;
for if she did got go herself, whatever she wanted especially was
always set aside as too something or other for the rest of the
subscribers.

Mrs. Curtis was tired, and stayed at home; and Grace spent the
afternoon in investigations about the harrying of the thrushes, but,
alas! without coming a bit nearer the truth. Nothing was seen or
heard of Lady Temple till, at half-past nine, one of the midges, or
diminutive flies used at Avonmonth, came to the door, and Fanny came
into the drawing-room--wan, tearful, agitated.

"Dear Rachel, I am so afraid I was hasty, I could not sleep without
coming to tell you how sorry I am."

"Then you are convinced? I knew you would be."

"Oh, yes, I have just been sitting by him after he was gone to bed.