"Yes; she is not in her room, nor in the house. The morning is so fine, and so sweet, it has very probably tempted her."
"But where can she have gone?" asked Earle. "I did not see her."
"No; you came from Lindenholm, while she is most probably gone to post the letters she wrote last night; gone to Quainton."
"Then I will go and meet her," said Earle. "But what a strange idea of her to go to Quainton alone. Why did she not wait for me?" He looked at Mattie as he spoke.
She answered him with a smile.
"When I can tell you what the birds are singing about," she said, "I shall be able to explain the caprices of Doris. Go and meet her; then you will understand."
Once more Earle hurried off in the sunshine, leaving mother and daughter busy with the fruit.
Mrs. Brace looked after him with a sigh.
"Poor Earle," she said. "Doris might be a little more civil to him. Although they are going to be married, Mattie, I do not think she cares for him a bit."
Mattie made no answer. She had long since arrived at the same conclusion. Whatever Doris might be going to marry Earle for, it certainly was not for love.