can be, and missed my lunch and all.' Then, as if a new idea had struck
her, she said,--'You lie back in that seat for a few minutes, and try
to eat the bunch of grapes, and I'll wait for you, and just be eating a
mouthful meanwhile. You are sure you don't want this chicken?'

Molly did as she was bid, and leant back, picking languidly at the
grapes, and watching the good appetite with which the lady ate up the
chicken and jelly, and drank the glass of wine. She was so pretty and
so graceful in her deep mourning, that even her hurry in eating, as if
she was afraid of some one coming to surprise her in the act, did not
keep her little observer from admiring her in all she did.

'And now, darling, are you ready to go?' said she, when she had eaten
up everything on the tray. 'Oh, come; you have nearly finished your
grapes; that's a good girl. Now, if you will come with me to the side
entrance, I will take you up to my own room, and you shall lie down on
the bed for an hour or two; and if you have a good nap your headache
will be quite gone.'

So they set off, Clare carrying the empty tray, rather to Molly's
shame; but the child had enough work to drag herself along, and was
afraid of offering to do anything more. The 'side entrance' was a
flight of steps leading up from a private flower-garden into a private
matted hall, or ante-room, out of which many doors opened, and in which
were deposited the light garden-tools and the bows and arrows of the
young ladies of the house. Lady Cuxhaven must have seen their approach,
for she met them in this hall as soon as they came in.

'How is she now?' she asked; then glancing at the plates and glasses,
she added, 'Come, I think there can't be much amiss! You're a good old