hour, that Godfrey Holmes had left Thwaite Hall and gone back to
Liverpool. To the girl she said nothing on the subject, but she
felt obliged to say a word or two to Bella. "It is his coming that
I regret," she said;--"that he should have had the trouble and
annoyance for nothing. I acknowledge that it was my fault, and I am
very sorry."

"It cannot be helped," said Miss Holmes, somewhat gravely. "As to
his misfortunes, I presume that his journeys between here and
Liverpool are not the worst of them."

After breakfast on that day Bessy was summoned into her father's
book-room, and found him there, and her mother also. "Bessy," said
he, "sit down, my dear. You know why Godfrey has left us this
morning?"

Bessy walked round the room, so that in sitting she might be close
to her mother and take her mother's hand in her own. "I suppose I
do, papa," she said.

"He was with me late last night, Bessy; and when he told me what had
passed between you I agreed with him that he had better go."

"It was better that he should go, papa."

"But he has left a message for you."

"A message, papa?"

"Yes, Bessy. And your mother agrees with me that it had better be