Permission having been accorded, she explained that before she finally left Diana's Grove, where she had lived so long, she had a desire to know the depth of the well-hole.

Adam was really happy to meet her wishes, not from any sentiment, but because he wished to give some valid and ostensible reason for examining the passage of the Worm, which would obviate any suspicion resulting from his being on the premises.

He brought from London a Kelvin sounding apparatus, with a sufficient length of piano-wire for testing any probable depth.
The wire passed easily over the running wheel, and when this was once fixed over the hole, he was satisfied to wait till the most advantageous time for his final experiment.
* * * * * In the meantime, affairs had been going quietly at Mercy Farm.

Lilla, of course, felt lonely in the absence of her cousin, but the even tenor of life went on for her as for others.

After the first shock of parting was over, things went back to their accustomed routine.