Not trusting even to this point of deception, Lady Ashton finally determined to suppress the letter altogether, in hopes that Lucy's impatience would induce her to condemn Ravenswood unheard and in absence.

In this she was disappointed.

The time, indeed, had long elapsed when an answer should have been received from the continent.

The faint ray of hope which still glimmered in Lucy's mind was well nigh extinguished.

But the idea never forsook her that her letter might not have been duly forwarded.