"If I had come in time, I should have taken you up before me, and cut short such a proceeding. Mrs. Powle, you do not make use of your authority."
"Seems hardly worth while, when it is on the point of expiring," said
Mrs. Powle blandly, with a smiling face.
"Why Eleanor had to come home," said Julia; "she spent the night in the village. She could not help walking—unless mamma had sent the carriage or something for her."
"Spent the night in the village!" said Mr. Carlisle.
"Eleanor took it into her head that she must go to take care of a sick girl there—the daughter of her nurse. It is great foolishness, I think, but Eleanor will do it."
"It don't agree with her very well," said Julia. "How you do look,
Eleanor, this morning!"
"She looks very well," said the Squire—"for all I see. Walking won't hurt her."
What Mr. Carlisle thought he did not say. When breakfast was over he drew Eleanor off into the library.
"How do you do this morning?" said he stopping to look at her.
"Not very well."