But not as usual did she return.

It was near the hour of breakfast, when Ellesmere, with an unwonted degree of primness in her mouth and manner, came to acquaint her lady that Mistress Deborah had not thought proper to come back from the Park, though the breakfast hour approached so near.
"She will come, then, presently," said Lady Peveril with indifference.
Ellesmere gave a short and doubtful cough, and then proceeded to say, that Rachael had been sent home with little Master Julian, and that Mistress Deborah had been pleased to say, she would walk on with Miss Bridgenorth as far as Moultrassie Holt; which was a point at which the property of the Major, as matters now stood, bounded that of Sir Geoffrey Peveril.
"Is the wench turned silly," exclaimed the lady, something angrily, "that she does not obey my orders, and return at regular hours ?" "She may be turning silly," said Ellesmere mysteriously; "or she may be turning too sly; and I think it were as well your ladyship looked to it." "Looked to what, Ellesmere ?" said the lady impatiently.

"You are strangely oracular this morning.

If you know anything to the prejudice of this young woman, I pray you speak it out." "I prejudice!" said Ellesmere; "I scorn to prejudice man, woman, or child, in the way of a fellow-servant; only I wish your ladyship to look about you, and use your own eyes--that is all." "You bid me use my own eyes, Ellesmere; but I suspect," answered the lady, "you would be better pleased were I contented to see through your spectacles.

I charge you--and you know I will be obeyed--I charge you to tell me what you know or suspect about this girl, Deborah Debbitch." "I see through spectacles!" exclaimed the indignant Abigail; "your ladyship will pardon me in that, for I never use them, unless a pair that belonged to my poor mother, which I put on when your ladyship wants your pinners curiously wrought.