What then occurred has been told.
Not a word was said to Lady Carbury or her daughter of the real cause of Paul's sudden disappearance.

It had been necessary that he should go to London.

Each of the ladies probably guessed something of the truth, but neither spoke a word to the other on the subject Before they left the Manor the squire again pleaded his cause with Henrietta, but he pleaded it in vain.

Henrietta was colder than ever,--but she made use of one unfortunate phrase which destroyed all the effect which her coldness might have had.

She said that she was too young to think of marrying yet.