Discouraging, isn't it?
Goodnight." The next day but one was the day of the first full rehearsal.

On the previous evening Mrs.Vanstone's spirits had been sadly depressed.

At a private interview with Miss Garth she had referred again, of her own accord, to the subject of her letter from London--had spoken self-reproachfully of her weakness in admitting Captain Wragge's impudent claim to a family connection with her--and had then reverted to the state of her health and to the doubtful prospect that awaited her in the coming summer in a tone of despondency which it was very distressing to hear.

Anxious to cheer her spirits, Miss Garth had changed the conversation as soon as possible--had referred to the approaching theatrical performance--and had relieved Mrs.Vanstone's mind of all anxiety in that direction, by announcing her intention of accompanying Magdalen to each rehearsal, and of not losing sight of her until she was safely back again in her father's house.

Accordingly, when Frank presented himself at Combe-Raven on the eventful morning, there stood Miss Garth, prepared--in the interpolated character of Argus--to accompany Lucy and Falkland to the scene of trial.