Mr. Linchmore was away then; hence the reason of his not having fulfilled his promise. Amy was glad of the reprieve, perhaps before her return, things might wear a different aspect; at all events, her heart felt lighter, and she went to her room with a less weight on her spirits.
"Where is your governess?" asked Frances, entering the school-room soon after Amy had left it to seek Mrs. Linchmore.
Fanny was nursing her doll, and scarcely deigned to look up as she replied, "She is busy packing."
"Packing!" exclaimed Frances in bewilderment. "Packing! and for what?"
"To go away," was the curt answer.
Go away. Another step backwards in the wheel of fortune.
"She is not going for good?" she asked.
"Oh! no. Only for a week. Are you not sorry, cousin? I am," said Fanny, in somewhat of a saucy tone. The child still remembered the "Holy Work:" thought of her hurt arm.
"Very sorry," replied Frances sincerely enough. What could she be going away for? but anxious as Frances was, she disdained to ask the children, but sat down and awaited quietly Miss Neville's coming.