le and kind face looked relieved.

"Thank you, Annie--of course I trust you, dear. Take the children at once
to the meeting-place under the great oak, and wait there until Miss Good
appears." Annie suddenly sprang forward, and threw her arms round Miss
Danesbury's neck.

"Miss Danesbury, you comfort me," she said, in a kind of stifled voice,
and then she ran off with the children.

CHAPTER XXIII.

"HUMPTY-DUMPTY HAD A GREAT FALL."

All the stupor and languor which immediately followed Nan's fall passed
off during her drive home; she chatted and laughed, her cheeks were
flushed, her eyes bright. Hester turned with a relieved face to Miss
Danesbury.

"My little darling is all right, is she not?" she said. "Oh, I was so
terrified--oh, how thankful I am no harm has been done!"

Miss Danesbury did not return Hester's full gaze; she attempted to take
little Nan on her knee, but Nan clung to Hetty. Then she said:

"You must be careful to keep the sun off her, dear--hold your parasol
well down--just so. That is better. When we get home, I will put her to
bed at once. Please God, there _is_ nothing wrong; but one cannot be too
careful."

Something in Miss Danesbury's manner affected Hester strangely; she
clasped Nan's slight baby form closer and closer to her heart, and no
longer joined in the little one's mirth. As the drive drew to a close,
Nan again ceased talking, and fell into a heavy sleep.

Miss Danesbury's face grew graver and graver, and, when the wagonette
drew up at Lavender House, she insisted on lifting the sleeping child out
of Hester's arms, and carrying her up to her little crib. When Nan's
little head was laid on the cool pillow, she again opened her eyes, and
instantly asked for a drink. Miss Danesbury gave her some milk and water,
but the moment she drank it she was sick.

"Just as I feared," said the governess; "there is some little
mischief--not much, I hope--but we must instantly send for the doctor."

As Miss Danesbury walked across the room to ring the bell, Hester
followed her.

"She's not in danger?" she whispered in a hoarse voice. "If she is, Annie
is guilty of murder."

"Don't, my dear," said the governess; "you must keep quiet for Nan's
sake. Please God, she will soon be better. All I really apprehend is a
little excitement and feverishness, which will pass off in a few days
with care. Hester, my dear, I suddenly remember that the house is nearly
empty, for all the servants