‘You are wanted,’ said Mr. Mohun.  ’I do not think your aunt would like Florence to go without you.’

Lily had trembled as much under her father’s praise as Emily under his blame.  She did not feel as if his commendation was merited, and longed to tell him of her faults and follies, but this was no fit time, and she hastened to prepare for her expedition, her spirits scarcely in time for a party of pleasure.  Jane talked about the 30th, and asked questions about London, all the way to Raynham, and both Emily and Lily were glad to join in her chatter, in hopes of relieving their own embarrassment.

On arriving at the place of meeting they found Lady Florence watching for them.

‘I am glad you are come,’ said she, ’Rotherwood will always set out either too soon or too late, and this time it was too soon, so here we have been full a quarter of an hour, but he does not care.  There he is, quite engrossed with his book.’

Lord Rotherwood was standing by the counter, reading so intently that he did not see his cousins’ arrival.  When they entered he just looked up, shook hands, asked after Ada, and went on reading.  Lily began looking for some books for the school, which she had long wished for, and was now able to purchase; Emily sat down in a melancholy, abstracted mood, and Florence and Jane stood together talking.

‘You know you are all to come early,’ said the former, ’I do not know how we should manage without you.  Rotherwood insists on having everything the same day—­poor people first, and gentry and farmers altogether.  Mamma does not like it, and I expect we shall be dreadfully tired; but he says he will not have the honest poor men put out for the fashionables; and you know we are all to dance with everybody.  But Jenny, who is this crossing the street?  Look, you have an eye for oddities.’

‘Miss Fitchett, the subscription-hunter,’ said Jane.

’She is actually coming to hunt us.  I believe I have my purse.  Oh!  Emily is to be the first victim.’

Miss Fitchett advanced to Emily, and saying that she believed she had the honour to address Miss Mohun, began to tell her that her friend having been prematurely informed of her small efforts, had with a noble spirit of independence begged that the subscription might not be continued, and that what had already been given might be returned, and she rejoiced in this opportunity of making the explanation.  But Miss Fitchett could not bear to relinquish the five-pound note, and added, that perhaps Miss Mohun might not object to apply her subscription to some other object, the Dorcas Society for instance.