of the next words.

'Oh'--she had assumed an ingenuous air--'there's the Black Lead
that bears your name. Haven't you something to do with it?'

She durst not watch him, but a change of his countenance was
distinctly perceptible, and for the moment caused her a keen
gratification. His eyes had widened, his lips had set themselves; he
looked at once startled and mortified.

'Black lead?' The words fell slowly, in a voice unlike that she had
been hearing. 'No. I have nothing to do with it.'

The silence was dreadful. Nancy endeavoured to rise, but her limbs
would not do their office. Then, her eyes fixed on the grass, she
became aware that Tarrant himself had stood up.

'Where are the children?' he was saying absently.

He descried them afar off with Miss. Morgan, and began to saunter in
that direction. As soon as his back was turned, Nancy rose and began
to walk towards the house. In a few moments Jessica and the girls
were with her.

'I think we must go,' she said.

They entered, and took leave of Mrs. Baker, who sat alone in the
drawing-room.

'Did you say good-bye to Mr. Tarrant?' Jessica asked, as they came