metimes the unhappy woman seemed to think that the net of Fate was
drawing around her. Mrs. Fanning was at Blue Cliffs. Mr. Lyle was at
Wendover. What next?

Why, next she got a letter from Emma Cavendish that struck all the color
from her cheeks and all the courage from her soul.

Miss Cavendish, after telling the domestic and social news of the week,
and adding that the Rev. Mr. Lyle was now settled permanently at
Wendover, as the assistant of the Rev. Dr. Goodwin, whose health
continued to be infirm, wrote:

"And now, dearest Mrs. Grey, I have reserved the best news for
the last.

"Laura Lytton and Electra have left school 'for good.' They will
arrive here this evening on a visit of some months.

"Next week we are all going to Charlottesville, to be present at
the Commencement of the Law College, when Mr. Alden Lytton
expects to take his degree.

"Aunt Fanning, whose health is much improved, will accompany us
as our chaperon, and the Rev. Mr. Lyle will escort us.

"So you see, my dear Mrs. Grey, though you will not come to us,
we will go to you.

"But we will form quite a large party. And I know that
Charlottesville will receive an inundation of visitors for the
Commencement, and that there will be a pressure upon all the
hotels and boarding-houses. Therefore I will ask you to be so
good as to seek out and engage apartments for us. There will be
four ladies and one gentleman to be accommodated; we shall want
at least three rooms--one for Mr. Lyle, one for Aunt Fanning and
myself, and one for Laura and Electra. We want our rooms all in
the same house, if possible; if not, then Mr. Lyle can be
accommodated apart from the set; but we women must remain
together.

"Please see to it at once, and write and let me know.

"By the way: after Mr. Lytton takes his degree he will make us a
short visit at Blue Cliffs, after which he will go to Richmond to
commence the practice of law, where _he_ thinks the prestige of
his father's name, and _I_ think his own talents, will speedily
advance him to fame and fortune.

"But what am I telling you? That of which you probably know much
more than I do; for of course Mr. Lytton must have informed you
of his plans.

"We confidently hope to persuade you to accompany us when we go
back to Blue Cliffs. Our summer party will be such a very
pleasant one: there will be Laura, Elec