ded very badly."

"Surprised, James! What was it?"

"I will tell you, my dear. You know that letter we had a fortnight ago
from Mrs. Conway, and that we puzzled over it a good deal. After
talking as usual about her being determined to find the will and set
matters straight, she said that we might possibly see her before long,
and begged us not to show any surprise or to seem to recognize her.
Well, you know, we talked it over, and could make nothing of it. Now I
know what she means."

"What! Did you see her in church to-day, James?"

"I did, Amy; and where do you think she was?"

"I can't guess, James. Why, where could she be, and where can she be
staying if not with us? I didn't see her. Are you sure you are not
mistaken?"

"She was sitting behind you, Amy, which will account for your not
seeing her. She was sitting in the Penfolds servants' pew, in a plain
straw bonnet and quiet clothes like the others."

"Among the Penfolds' servants, James! Are you dreaming?"

"Not at all, my dear; there she was, sure enough. I could not possibly
be mistaken."

Mrs. Withers was silent for some time with surprise.

"But what can she be doing there, James? Do you mean to say that you
think that she has really gone to service at the Hall?"

"That is what I do think," the clergyman replied. "You know how she
said over and over again that she was determined somehow to find the
will. Well, I believe that she has in some way in pursuance of that
purpose gone as a servant to the Penfolds. Now, my dear, you will not
be surprised that I found it somewhat difficult to keep my thoughts
from wandering."

"No, indeed, James. I am sure if I had been in your place I should
have stopped altogether. Well, if that is so, it explains what she
said in her letter about our not recognizing her; but how could she do
such a thing, and what will come of it?"

"I have no idea how she managed to get there, Amy; but certainly she
must have managed very cleverly somehow. What she is there to do is
clear enough. She is going to search herself for the will. Whether she
will ever find it or not is another matter; but I can hardly believe
she can succeed after the thorough search Tallboys said he made of the
house. Still that is what she means, I have not a shadow of doubt
about it."

"I should never have thought for a moment she was the sort of woman to
undertake such a thing," Mrs. Withers said. "Why, she will have to do
servant's work, and to r