ting down to
continue a letter which had long lain unfinished between the leaves of
her Bible, Kitty came running into the kitchen and said,--'Lor! Betty,
I'm all of a tremble; you might knock me down wi' a feather. I've just
looked into the missis's wardrobe, an' there's both her bonnets. She must
ha' gone wi'out her bonnet. An' then I remember as her night-clothes
wasn't on the bed yisterday mornin'; I thought she'd put 'em away to be
washed; but she hedn't, for I've been lookin'. It's my belief he's
murdered her, and shut her up i' that closet as he keeps locked al'ys.
He's capible on't.'

'Lors-ha'-massy, why you'd better run to Mrs. Raynor's an' see if she's
there, arter all. It was p'raps all a lie.'

Mrs. Raynor had returned home to give directions to her little maiden,
when Kitty, with the elaborate manifestation of alarm which servants
delight in, rushed in without knocking, and, holding her hands on her
heart as if the consequences to that organ were likely to be very
serious, said,--'If you please 'm, is the missis here?'

'No, Kitty; why are you come to ask?'

'Because 'm, she's niver been at home since yesterday mornin', since
afore we was up; an' we thought somethin' must ha' happened to her.'

'No, don't be frightened, Kitty. Your mistress is quite safe; I know
where she is. Is your master at home?'

'No 'm; he went out yesterday mornin', an' said he shouldn't be back
afore to-night.'

'Well, Kitty, there's nothing the matter with your mistress. You needn't
say anything to any one about her being away from home. I shall call
presently and fetch her gown and bonnet. She wants them to put on.'

Kitty, perceiving there was a mystery she was not to inquire into,
returned to Orchard Street, really glad to know that her mistress was
safe, but disappointed nevertheless at being told that she was not to be
frightened. She was soon followed by Mrs. Raynor in quest of the gown and
bonnet. The good mother, on learning that Dempster was not at home, had
at once thought that she could gratify Janet's wish to go to Paddiford
Church.

'See, my dear,' she said, as she entered Mrs. Pettifer's parlour; 'I've
brought you your black clothes. Robert's not at home, and is not coming
till this evening. I couldn't find your best black gown, but this will
do. I wouldn't bring anything else, you know; but there can't be any
objection to my fetching clothes to cover you. You can go to Paddiford
Church, now, if you like;