rest, returning from a drive with her face full
of satisfaction, called Anna to her in her sitting-room. She had been
able, she said, to make a very nice arrangement for her to have some
lessons in German and French with the Palmers. Miss Wilson, their
governess, had been most kind about it, and it was settled that Anna
should go to Pynes twice every week for a couple of hours.

"It will be an immense advantage to you," concluded Mrs Forrest, "to
learn with other girls, and I hope, beside the interest of the lessons,
that you will make friendships which will be both useful and pleasant.
Isabel Palmer is about your own age, and her sister a little older.
They will be nice companions for you, and I hope you will see a good
deal of them."

From this time Anna's life was very much altered. Gradually, as her
interests and amusements became connected with the Palmers and all that
went on at their house, she saw less and less of Delia, and it was now
Mrs Forrest who had to remind her when a visit to Dornton was due.
There were no more country rambles, or meetings at the stile, and no
more confidential chats. Anna had other matters to attend to, and if
she were not occupied with lessons, there was always some engagement at
Pynes which must be kept. And yet, she often thought, with a regretful
sigh, there was really no one like Delia! Isabel Palmer was very
pleasant, and there was a great deal she enjoyed very much at Pynes, but
in her heart she remained true to her first friend. If only it had been
possible to please every one! If only Delia would be kind and agreeable
when they did meet, instead of looking so cold and proud! By degrees
Anna grew to dread seeing her, instead of looking forward to it as one
of her greatest pleasures at Waverley. Everything connected with Pynes,
on the contrary, was made so easy and pleasant. Aunt Sarah's lips never
looked straight and thin when she asked to go there, and Isabel Palmer
was sure of a welcome at any time. The pony-cart could nearly always be
had if it were wanted in that direction, though it seemed so
inconvenient for it to take the road to Dornton. And then, with the
Palmers there was no chance of severe looks on the subject of Mr
Goodwin. Did they know, Anna wondered, that he was her grandfather?
Perhaps not, for they had lived at Pynes only a short time. There was
no risk of meeting him there, for Saturday, when he gave Clara a
music-lesson, was a specially busy