'You don't mean that there's any chance of—Oh! not that horrid Mr. Fane?'
'Certainly not.'
'Oh!' as a trim black figure appeared walking down the open space. 'That man!'
'I am not authorised to tell any one so, May.'
'Yes, I understand. The wretch, he is taking stock of the place already!'
'For shame. May, no one has deserved so well of them.'
'I don't care, he got you into that horrid concern.'
'And got me out of it, and found my work for me. I tell you, May, it is the best thing that could possibly happen to your parish, or the estate, or my poor uncle either! And you will soon come to a better mind.'
'Never, while he is to get into your place! Turn back before he comes within hailing distance.'
Before Mark could do anything towards bringing his sister to a better mind he was seized on by his stepmother to propound a scheme she had hatched, namely that, as a mutual benefit, Nurse Poole should be allowed the consolation of bringing her chief comforter, his little daughter, down with her on the visit Mrs. Egremont had invited her to pay at Redcastle. He was very grateful, though doubtful whether Annaple would accept the offer, for she was missing her children's company, though they were only at Springfield House, and she had been with them part of every day. And, sad as this month had been, it had been such a rest from sheer physical toil that she had gained almost as much by it as the little one.