aunt believed her. That was a matter of
course, and she knew that they did not believe her. George's absence,
their recent experience of his moods, and the violence by which her
arm must have been broken, made them certain that Kate had more to
tell if she chose to tell it. But in her present condition they could
not question her. Mrs Greenow did ask as to the probability of her
nephew's return.

"I can only tell you," said Kate, "that he went away across the Fell
in the direction of Bampton. Perhaps he has gone on to Penrith. He
was very angry with us all; and as the house is not his own, he has
probably resolved that he will not stay another night under the roof.
But, who can say? He is not in his senses when he is angered."

John Vavasor, as he stood alone after the doctor's departure,
endeavoured to ascertain the truth by thinking of it. "I am sure,"
he said to himself, "that the doctor suspects that there has been
violence. I know it from his tone, and I can see it in his eye. But
how to prove it? and would there be good in proving it? Poor girl!
Will it not be better for her to let it pass as though we believed
her story?" He made up his mind that it would be better. Why should
he take upon himself the terrible task of calling this insane
relation to account for an act which he could not prove? The will
itself, without that trouble, would give him trouble enough. Then he
began to long that he was back at his club, and to think that the
signing-room in Chancery Lane was not so bad. And so he went up to
his bed, calling at Kate's door to ask after the patient.

In the meantime there had come a messenger to Mrs Greenow, who had
stationed herself with her niece. One of the girls of the house
brought up a scrap of paper to the door, saying that a boy had
brought it over with a cart from Shap, and that it was intended for
Miss Vavasor, and it was she who knocked at the sickroom door. The
note was open and was not addressed; indeed, the words were written
on a scrap of paper that was crumpled up rather than folded, and were
as follows: "Send me my clothes by the bearer. I shall not return to
the house." Mrs Greenow took it in to Kate, and then went away to see
her nephew's things duly put into his portmanteau. This was sent away
in the cart, and Mr Vavasor, as he went up-stairs, was told what had
been done.

Neither on that night or on the following day did Mrs Greenow ask any
further questions; but on the morning a