days
so full of meetings and schemes of all sorts away from home, that a bag
like that might have stood in their hall for days and she would not have
noticed it; and so, if it really got there, it might have been carried
off by the servants to the lumber-room, and may be there still."

Thomas Bradly smiled, and shook his head sorrowfully. "It's possible
enough, no doubt, sir, but I'm afraid it's too good to be true. But is
it sufficiently possible for me to do anything? Supposing the doctor
took it by mistake, and it went with him to his house, and is stowed
away there in some lumber-room or cupboard, from what you say neither he
nor his missus will remember anything about it."

"That's true, Thomas; and certainly it wouldn't be worth while your
going up to London on such a mere chance or possibility; but it suggests
itself to me that, if Lydia Philips would like the situation which the
doctor has to offer, and he is willing to take her on my recommendation,
it would be a great satisfaction to me if you would, at my expense, go
with her and see her safe to London, and introduce her to Dr Prosser,
and you could then take the opportunity of asking his servants about the
bag. You may be quite sure that if it is in the house _they_ will be
quite aware of the fact, and where it is to be found."

"You've just hit the right nail on the head, sir," replied Bradly
thoughtfully. "I'll go with pleasure; and don't say a word about the
expenses, for I shall feel it to be a privilege to give that little
trouble and money if I can only lend a helping hand in settling poor
Lydia in a better place than her own home, poor thing."

Three days after the above conversation Bradly called again at the
vicarage, by Mr Maltby's request.

"All is arranged, Thomas," said the vicar. "Lydia Philips is to go to
the situation; and as it has been vacant for some time, the doctor wants
her to go up to London as soon as possible; so she is to start next
Tuesday, if you can make it convenient to accompany her on that day."

"All right, sir; I can ask off a day or two at any time, and I'll be
ready."

"And, Thomas, I can't help having a sort of hope, and almost
expectation, that you will hear something satisfactory about the bag."

"Thank you, sir; it's very kind of you to say so, but I shan't say
anything to Jane about it. I don't want to raise hopes in her, as I
can't see much like a foundation for 'em; so I shall only tell her about
Ly