Part 51 (1/2)
”But where are you going, dear?”
”I a to Aunt Lucia You will let me have a cab, and I will drive to Aunt Lucia's house in Eaton Square at once?”
Mrs Ward looked doubtful ”You have a very grave reason for this?”
she said
”Very, very grave; and I will tell you all presently”
”I have never had reason to doubt you,” said Mrs Ward, ”and I won't doubt you now Does Maggie know of this?”
”Yes--oh yes; but please don't question her until I return”
”Very well, dear; you shall have your way Oh, you want Mrs Martin's address It is Laburnum Villa, Clapham”
Aneta entered the address in a little tablet bound in gold which she alore at her waist
”Thank you ever so much,” she said, and then left the room
Astiff to learn--soht, dear Lucy,” she said
”I am off for a whole day's holiday, but I shall be back in the evening”
”That is very queer,” said Miss Johnson ”What does it mean?”
”I cannot explain, but Mrs Ward knows Be specially kind to dear Maggie, and givethat I don't like to do when I return”
Miss Johnson smiled ”You shall hem some dusters,” she said
Aneta made a wry face ”Thanks ever so et ready for her visit
Just before leaving the house she looked in at Maggie ”I'ht I shall probably see you about tea-tiie had time even to expostulate Aneta closed the door, and a nes had called for her The cabman was desired to drive Miss Lysle to Lady Lysle's house in Eaton Square This was accordingly done, and soon after ten o'clock Lady Lysle, who had not yet co infor for her downstairs
”Aneta! You don't mean Aneta, Purcell?”
”Yes, reat hurry”
”Then send her up to me”
Purcell disappeared Lady Lysle wondered rong Presently Aneta burst into the roo? Why have you left school? I do hope no illness has broken out there It would be very inconvenient for me to have you here at present”
”There is no illness whatever at the school, Aunt Lucia,” said Aneta, going up to her aunt and kissing her; ”only there is a girl there, one of ood bit of trouble, and I want to help her, and I have got a day off fro it to me, but trusts me all the same And now, auntie, I want you to come with me at once”
”Oh my dear child, where?”