Towards the end of the morning, however, Catherine, having occasion for some indispensable yard of ribbon which must be bought without a moment's delay, walked out into the town, and in Bond Street overtook the second Miss Thorpe as she was loitering towards Edgar's Buildings between two of the sweetest girls in the world, who had been her dear friends all the morning.

From her, she soon learned that the party to Clifton had taken place.

"They set off at eight this morning," said Miss Anne, "and I am sure I do not envy them their drive.

I think you and I are very well off to be out of the scrape.

It must be the dullest thing in the world, for there is not a soul at Clifton at this time of year.