As they were leaving the house, the poor boy told them, with a long face, "That ma'mselle had run away in a coach, and cook was frightened to stay alone with milady, and he hoped Miss Helen would come home."
"I don't wonder the poor wench is frightened; egad, she's afraid mam'selle's elopement may be followed by her lady's with a 'gentleman in black.' No wonder! for the creature that could practise on Riccardini, the most noble, simple, generous, self-denying of all human beings, could do any thing. Oh! here comes Dame Palmer. Well; how have you left Helen?"
"She still sleeps, and will do so till her usual time, between ten and eleven. Now is your time to go and choose Arthur's hat and other things, because at one he goes to the Admiralty. Pray take pains to choose it a becoming one; there is more in a hat than any other thing which belongs to a man's wardrobe."
Having seen them pursue their route, and satisfied herself that no sharp, loud knock at this early hour was likely to disturb Helen, Mrs. Palmer made her way to Lady Anne's room, and relieved the poor servant, equally to her satisfaction and that
