ht be so; it always
struck me that the prejudice must be grounded upon some absurd notion,
the memory of which had passed away, while the impression remained."

"And do you think I could do anything towards removing it? You know I am
to go and wish Fred good-bye this afternoon."

"Why, yes; you might as well try to say something cheerful, which might
do away with the impression. Not that I think it will be of any use;
only do not let him think it has been under discussion."

Beatrice assented, and was silent again while they went on talking.

"Aunt Mary has held out wonderfully?" said her mother.

"Too wonderfully," said Mr. Geoffrey Langford, "in a way which I fear
will cost her dearly. I have been positively longing to see her give way
as she ought to have done under the fatigue; and now I am afraid of
the old complaint: she puts her hand to her side now and then, and I am
persuaded that she had some of those spasms a night or two ago."

"Ah!" said his wife, with great concern, "that is just what I have been
dreading the whole time. When she consulted Dr. ----, how strongly he
forbade her to use any kind of exertion. Why would you not let me come?
I assure you it was all I could do to keep myself from setting off."

"It was very well behaved in you, indeed, Beatrice," said he, smiling;
"a sacrifice which very few husbands would have had resolution either to
make themselves, or to ask of their wives. I thanked you greatly when I
did not see you."

"But why would you not have me? Do you not repent it now?"

"Not in the least. Fred would let no one come near him but his mother
and me; you could not have saved either of us an hour's nursing then,
whereas now you can keep Fred in order, and take care of Mary, if she
will suffer it, and that she will do better from you than from any one
else."

They were now reaching the entrance of Sutton Leigh Lane, and Queen Bee
was called upon for the full history of the accident, which, often as
it had been told by letter, must again be narrated in all its branches.
Even her father had never had time to hear it completely; and there was
so much to ask and to answer on the merely external circumstances, that
they had not begun to enter upon feelings and thoughts when they arrived
at the gate of the paddock, which was held open by Dick and Willy,
excessively delighted to see Aunt Geoffrey.

In a few moments more she was affectionately welcomed by old Mrs.
Langford, whose sent