important tone, "I believe it's all 'long of that Jackson. You thought
he was a decent sort of fellow, you know. But you've to learn yet,
Jenny Lavender, as all isn't gold as glitters."

"I think I'm finding that out, Mrs Millicent," sighed Jenny; "didn't I
think I was made for life no further back than yesterday? However,
there's no time to waste."

She packed up her things, and made a hurried dinner; took leave of all
in the house, not without tears; and then, mounting Bay Winchester
behind Robin Featherstone, rode home in the cool of the evening.

"Farewell, sweetheart!" said Featherstone, gallantly kissing Jenny's
fingers. "I go to France, but I leave my heart in Staffordshire. Pray
you, sweet Mrs Jenny, what shall I bring you for a fairing from the gay
city of Paris? How soon we shall return the deer knows; but you will
wait for your faithful Robin?" And Mr Featherstone laid his hand
elegantly on his heart.

"Oh, you'll forget all about me when you are over there taking your
pleasure," said Jenny, in a melancholy tone.

Mr Featherstone was only half through a fervent asseveration to the
effect that such a catastrophe was a complete impossibility, when Farmer
Lavender came out.

"What, Jenny I come to look at us?" said he. "Thou'rt as welcome, my
lass, as flowers in May. But how's this--bags and all? Thou'st never
been turned away, child?"

"Not for nought ill, father," said Jenny, almost crying with conflicting
feelings; "but Mrs Jane, she's going to France, and all's that upset--"
and Jenny sobbed too much to proceed.

Mr Featherstone came to the rescue, and explained matters.

"Humph!" said the farmer; "that's it, is it? World's upset, pretty
nigh, seems to me. Well, folks can't always help themselves--that's
true enough. Howbeit, thou'rt welcome home, Jenny! there's always a
place for thee here, if there's none anywhere else. You'll come in and
take a snack, Mr Featherstone?"

Mr Featherstone declined with effusive thanks. He had not a moment to
spare. He remounted Winchester, shook hands with the farmer, kissed his
hand to Jenny, and rode away. And the question whether Jenny would wait
for his return was left unanswered.

"I'm glad to see thee back, my lass," said old Mrs Lavender. "Home's
the best place for young lasses. Maybe, too, thou'lt be safer at the
farm than at the Hall. The times be troublous; and if more mischief's
like to overtake the Colonel, though I shall be sor