Once she took it up and seemed about to open it again.

Her expression all this time was very strange; her colour came and went; she bit her lips, and twisted her fingers together.

At length she rang the bell, and when the servant came, gave the letter to be posted immediately.
Five minutes later she was in her bedroom, sitting in a low chair, crying like a very unhappy child.
The letter reached Eastbourne two days before that appointed for the departure of Annabel and her father for London.

They had accepted Mrs.
Tyrrell's invitation to her house; Mr.Newthorpe might remain only a fortnight, or might stay through the season--but Annabel would not come back to Eastbourne before August.

She said little, but her father saw with what pleasure she anticipated this change.