"I have a word of advice for your private ear." At the same moment, Charlotte whispered to her mother: "Don't encourage him to prolong his visit." The Captain showed no intention to prolong his visit.

To Charlotte's surprise, when he took leave of the ladies, Percy also rose to go.

"His carriage," he said, "was waiting at the door; and he had offered to take Captain Bervie back to London." Charlotte instantly suspected an arrangement between the two men for a confidential interview.

Her obstinate distrust of Bervie strengthened tenfold.

She reluctantly gave him her hand, as he parted from her at the parlor-door.