e shopping
commissions which would keep her occupied in the village for an hour to
come.

"I am going to have a talk with Ned in the summer-house. You will find
us there when you return. Come straight to me, and tell me how you have
succeeded."

These were her last instructions, and when she had given them she turned
sharply aside, lest her face should betray the meaning that lay behind
her words.

Ned was waiting for her with an evident nervousness mingling with his
usual kindly courtesy. He made no attempt to open the conversation with
meaningless commonplaces, and, after they were both seated, several
moments passed in silence. Then suddenly the two pairs of eyes met; the
young fellow flushed and paled, and laid a hand on his hostess's chair
with a boy-like pleading gesture.

"Oh, Mrs Rendell," he cried, "I have a great favour to ask you!"

CHAPTER TEN.

A TRAGIC SURPRISE.

Half an hour later, Nan Rendell let herself out of the front door, and
ran hurriedly down the steps. Her sailor hat was perched uncertainly on
the top of her heavy braids, the buttons of her jacket were unfastened,
and she drew on her gloves as she walked, as if she had been in too much
haste to finish dressing before leaving the house. Several
acquaintances saluted her as they passed, but she rushed along
unconscious of their greetings, and presently arrived at the point in
the high road where houses stopped and the little township began. The
shops which Mrs Rendell patronised were indiscriminately situated on
either side of the road, which no doubt accounted for Nan's erratic
dives to and fro. She peered her head round the corner of the draper's
door, dashed across the road and craned through the grocer's window,
stood on tip-toe to investigate the interior of the post office, then
ran back once more, to interview the fishmonger, and ask if Miss Rendell
had yet called to leave the morning order. It was in the confectioner's
that Maud was run to earth at last. She was coming out of the doorway
counting her change into her purse, when suddenly Nan's face confronted
her, and she started back in surprise.

"You?"

"Yes, it's me. I've been looking for you everywhere."

"But I thought your were going to work? I left you hard at it. Got a
headache?"

"Fer-ightful!" said Nan; and her looks justified the word, for her
cheeks were pale, and her eyes looked worn and strained. "I couldn't
work any longer. I thought a littl