--" but I could not finish my sentence, only Uncle Geoffrey understood.

"No, no, it is not so bad as that," putting his arm round me, for I
was trembling and shaking all over; "he is very ill--I dare not deny
that there is much ground for fear; but Esther, we ought to lose no
time in getting away from here. Will you swallow this glass of wine,
like a good, brave child, and then pack up your things as soon as
possible?"

There was no resisting Uncle Geoffrey's coaxing voice; all his
patients did what he told them, so I drank the wine, and tried to
hurry from the room, only my knees felt so weak.

"Miss Martin will assist you," whispered Miss Majoribanks, as I
passed her; and, sure enough, as I entered the dormitory, there was
Belle emptying my drawers, with Jessie helping her. Even in my
bewildered state of wretchedness I wondered why Miss Majoribanks
thought it necessary for me to take all my things. Was I bidding good-by
to Redmayne House?

Belle looked very kindly at me as she folded my dresses, but Jessie
came up to me with tears in her eyes. "Oh, Esther!" she whispered,
"how strange to think we were talking as we were, and now the
opportunity has come?" and though her speech was a little vague, I
understood it; she meant the time for me to display my greatness of
mind--ah, me! my greatness of mind--where was it? I was of no use at
all; the girls did it all between them, while I sat on the edge of my
little bed and watched them. They were as quick as possible, and yet
it seemed hours before the box was locked, and Belle had handed me
the key; by-and-by, Miss Majoribanks came and fetched me down, for