Then, as if a sudden thought struck her, she turned and darted away after Charles.
"I tell you what it is," said she, breathlessly, coming up with him, "I do not mind doing this little act of mercy for you; but at the same time I must first go and see Miss Neville. It would never do to have Isabella asking me how she looked? What was the matter with her? and lots of other questions, that I could not answer; so you must have patience and give me half-an-hour's start."
"Half-an hour!" cried he, looking at his watch. "Why it is nearly five o'clock now."
"I must have half-an-hour, I ought to have said an hour. Why, if it is so late, not put off your journey to Standale until to-morrow. Is your business there so very pressing?" asked she, slyly.
"Yes. I must go this evening," replied he, evading her look.
"Men are so obstinate, there is no reasoning with them. Is not that what you said of Miss Neville?"
"This is quite a different thing."
"Oh! of course, quite different, when it suits your convenience; but I am not convinced."
"Women never are," muttered Charles, turning on his heel.
In the meanwhile Fanny had carried the flower in safety to her governess, her little mind full of wonderment as to what her cousin Frances could have meant; why she had looked so strangely and spoken still more so?