Venetia could not assure him that no wish of his should be neglected, because she was weeping.

‘I am glad the Doctor,’ he continued, ’is going to take me to town.  I should be very wretched by myself.  But he will put me in mind of Cherbury, and we can talk together of Lady Annabel and you.  Hark! the bell rings; we must go to breakfast, the last breakfast but one.’

Lady Annabel endeavoured, by unusual good spirits, to cheer up her little friends.  She spoke of Plantagenet’s speedy return so much as a matter of course, and the pleasant things they were to do when he came back, that she really succeeded in exciting a smile in Venetia’s April face, for she was smiling amid tears.

Although it was the last day, time hung heavily on their hands.  After breakfast they went over the house together; and Cadurcis, half with genuine feeling, and half in a spirit of mockery of their sorrow, made a speech to the inanimate walls, as if they were aware of his intended departure.  At length, in their progress, they passed the door of the closed apartments, and here, holding Venetia’s hand, he stopped, and, with an expression of irresistible humour, making a low bow to them, he said, very gravely, ’And good-bye rooms that I have never entered; perhaps, before I come back, Venetia will find out what is locked up in you!’

Dr. Masham arrived for dinner, and in a postchaise.  The unusual conveyance reminded them of the morrow very keenly.  Venetia could not bear to see the Doctor’s portmanteau taken out and carried into the hall.  She had hopes, until then, that something would happen and prevent all this misery.  Cadurcis whispered her, ’I say, Venetia, do not you wish this was winter?’

‘Why, Plantagenet?’

’Because then we might have a good snowstorm, and be blocked up again for a week.’

Venetia looked at the sky, but not a cloud was to be seen.

The Doctor was glad to warm himself at the hall-fire, for it was a fresh autumnal afternoon.

‘Are you cold, sir?’ said Venetia, approaching him.

‘I am, my little maiden,’ said the Doctor.

‘Do you think there is any chance of its snowing, Doctor Masham?’

‘Snowing! my little maiden; what can you be thinking of?’

The dinner was rather gayer than might have been expected.  The Doctor was jocular, Lady Annabel lively, and Plantagenet excited by an extraordinary glass of wine.  Venetia alone remained dispirited.  The Doctor made mock speeches and proposed toasts, and told Plantagenet that he must learn to make speeches too, or what would he do when he was in the House of Lords?  And then Plantagenet tried to make a speech, and proposed Venetia’s health; and then Venetia, who could not bear to hear herself praised by him on such a day, the last day, burst into tears.  Her mother called her to her side and consoled her, and Plantagenet jumped up and wiped her eyes with one of those very