She felt anxious to remove from the
neighbourhood of London, and to settle in this part of the
country. She came to me last summer, and asked my advice on
the subject. I felt much interested about her, for it was an
only son she had lost, and his children are, with the
exception of Henry, the only objects of interest she has in
the world. Her voice trembled with emotion whenever she
mentioned them; and though she is tolerably well off as to
money, I believe, I felt glad to afford her, in her
affliction, a quiet and pleasant home. Your uncle agreed to
her living in Bridman Cottage, and I hear she settled there a
short time ago. I should like to send her a kind message, and
to hear how she is going on."

"I shall be delighted to be your messenger, and will instantly
prepare for the ride. As you are going back to the
breakfast-room, pray tell Henry to be in readiness."

At twelve o'clock the horses came round; we mounted, and set
off at a brisk gallop across the Park. As I turned into the
lane that led in the direction of Bridman Manor, Henry asked
me where I meant to go.

"To pay a visit."

"To whom?"

"To an acquaintance of yours."

"Who can you mean?"

"A very old acquaintance of yours."

"My dear Ellen, you are taking quite a wrong road: this lane
leads to no house and to no cottage that we are acquainted
with."

"I beg your pardon; it leads to Bridman Manor, and I am going
there."

"Who do you know there?"

"Nobody; but I am going to make acquaintance with your old
nurse, Mrs. Tracy."

He muttered something which sounded to me like an oath, and as
I turned and looked at him, I was astonished at the singular
expression of his countenance. He smiled, however, and said:

"You will be making acquaintance in that case with one of the
most insupportable women that ever lived. I strongly recommend
you to keep out of her way. She wears my life out with her
querulous temper and tiresome complaints; and as I do not want
to go through a scene with her, you would greatly oblige me,
Ellen, by giving up this project."

"I am going there with a message from Mrs. Middleton: but you
need not appear. Hide yourself in the manor woods, if you dare
not face your nurse, and I will join you there on my way
home."

Henry looked both vexed and provoked, but made no answer. He
soon rallied, however, and began again talking and laughing in
his usual manner. As we were slowly mounting a hill, his horse
suddenly stumbl