I shouldn't
wonder if she has missed her note, and hurried back in search of it.
Come! I'll take a hint from Grim, and drop it where I found it, and say
nothing."
And so soliloquizing, the fairy glided back into the breakfast-room, let
the note fall, and turned away just in time to allow Marian to enter,
glance around, and pick up her lost treasure. Then joining Marian, she
invited her up-stairs to look at some new finery just come from the city.
The forenoon passed heavily at Luckenough. When the dinner hour
approached, and the family collected in the dining-room, Dr. Grimshaw
was missing; and when a messenger was sent to call him to dinner, an
answer was returned that the professor was unwell, and preferred to keep
his room.
Jacquelina was quivering between fun and fear--vague, unaccountable
fear, that hung over her like a cloud, darkening her bright frolic
spirit with a woeful presentiment.
After dinner Marian asked for the carriage, and Mrs. Waugh gave orders
that it should be brought around for her use. Jacquelina prepared to
accompany Marian home, and in an hour they were ready, and set forth.
"You may tell Grim, if he asks after me, that I am gone home with Marian
to Old Fields, and that I am not certain whether I shall return to-night
or not," said Jacquelina, as she took leave of Mrs.
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