The Last of the Mortimers

y of them when they flutter my accounts and receipts about in setting things to rights. So in the course of nature the things get dusty; and I quite expected to see poor little Sara grow pale and

s regular order as I could have done myself. It was not such a very important business after all, but still it's a comfort to see a perso

looking up, waiting for him to speak. But while I sat quietly going on with my business, with Sara close by rustling her papers, I was quite star

oking up at the sound, being really too m

cular. "But my missis is not come in, ma'am, from her drive, and I th

king at my watch; "why, we've had lights this hal

fly, not allowing for my surpri

pose; but I was seriously put out about Sa

the window; though of course nothing was to be seen there but the shrubbery and a corner of the flower-garden. "But I can't think what could have happened either. The horses are very

'am," said Carson, li

the way, or something. Bless me, to think of Sarah out after nightfall! Why don't you run out to the road and look for the carriage?

kling out of the windows. I said to myself, "Nothing I should like better than a brisk walk down to the village; but Sarah, you know-Sarah's different." What could keep her out so late? I can't say I was alarmed, but I did get a little uneasy, especially as I saw Ellis making his way up one road f

want? Who could it be? I certainly hear the carriage now, and there comes the houseboy up the road waving his arms about; but instead of looking for my sister, I looked after this figure that had passed me. It passed Ellis too, and looked in his face, making him start, as it appeared to me, and so went straight on, till the road turned and I could see it no longer. I felt quite as if I had met with an adventure. Could it be some lover of little Sar

has kept you so long? We were at our wi

hard to be quite composed and like herself as she took hold of Carson's arm. "T

y suspicions or doubt I might have. Her very determination to show that there was no

into the servants' heads to wonder. So I stood still and asked no more questions, while Sarah passed before me, leaning on Carson's{30} arm, to go upstairs. It

creature did not seem to have moved during my absence. She was as busy and absorbed as if there was nothing else to do or think of in the wor

," said I, "were you not a

rely all take care of each other. I wasn't frightened, godmamma. I never heard of any accidents happenin

but still, you know, an intelligent young person might have guessed by my looks and been a little sympathetic;-though to be sure there is no use pretendi

room. I said nothing at all, but handed her the Times. I don't doubt Sarah had her tea very snug in her nice cosy dressing-room, with Carson purring round her and watching every move s