for granted that she was free to use as she pleased a carriage
which had been already placed at her disposal.

"Tell your mistress," she said to the groom, "that I am going to Belford
instead of to Redwood Hall."

In a minute more, she and Mrs. Ellmother were on their way to join
Mirabel at the station.

CHAPTER LX. OUTSIDE THE ROOM.

Emily found Mirabel in the waiting room at Belford. Her sudden
appearance might well have amazed him; but his face expressed a more
serious emotion than surprise--he looked at her as if she had alarmed
him.

"Didn't you get my message?" he asked. "I told the groom I wished you
to wait for my return. I sent a note to my sister, in case he made any
mistake."

"The man made no mistake," Emily answered. "I was in too great a hurry
to be able to speak with Mrs. Delvin. Did you really suppose I could
endure the suspense of waiting till you came back? Do you think I can be
of no use--I who know Mrs. Rook?"

"They won't let you see her."

"Why not? _You_ seem to be waiting to see her."

"I am waiting for the return of the rector of Belford. He is at Berwick;
and he has been sent for at Mrs. Rook's urgent request."

"Is she dying?"

"She is in fear of death--whether rightly or wrongly, I don't know.
There is some internal injury from the fall. I hope to see her when the
rector returns. As a brother clergyman, I may with perfect propriety
ask him to use his influence in my favor."

"I am glad to find you so eager about it."

"I am always eager in your interests."

"Don't think me ungrateful," Emily replied gently. "I am no stranger to
Mrs. Rook; and, if I send in my name, I may be able to see her before
the clergyman returns."

She stopped. Mirabel suddenly moved so as to place himself between her
and the door. "I must really beg of you to give up that idea," he said;
"you don't know what horrid sight you may see--what dreadful agonies of
pain this unhappy woman may be suffering."

His manner suggested to Emily that he might be acting under some motive
which he was unwilling to acknowledge. "If you have a reason for wishing
that I should keep away from Mrs. Rook," she said, "let me hear what it
is. Surely we trust each other? I have done my best to set the example,
at any rate."

Mirabel seemed to be at a loss for a reply.

While he was hesitating, the station-master passed the door. Emily asked
him to direct her to the house in which Mrs. Rook had been received. He
le