Mrs.Trevelyan and her sister had now been at Nuncombe Putney for more than a fortnight, and something in that matter of calling must have been done,--or have been left undone.

In answer to an ingeniously-framed question asked by Camilla French, Dorothy at once set the matter at rest.

"Mrs.Merton," said Camilla French, "must find it a great thing to have two new ladies come to the village, especially now that she has lost you, Miss Stanbury ?" "Mamma tells me," said Dorothy, "that Mrs.Trevelyan and Miss Rowley do not mean to know anybody.

They have given it out quite plainly, so that there should be no mistake." "Dear, dear," said Camilla French.
"I dare say it's for the best," said Arabella French, who was the elder, and who looked very meek and soft.

Miss French almost always looked meek and soft.
"I'm afraid it will make it very dull for your mother,--not seeing her old friends," said Mr.Gibson.
"Mamma won't feel that at all," said Dorothy.
"Mrs.Stanbury, I suppose, will see her own friends at her own house just the same," said Camilla.
"There would be great difficulty in that, when there is a lady who is to remain unknown," said Arabella.