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 thought about it, there is nothing the matter with it."

"And this dreadful journey," Aileen said, "of course you have stopped that?"

"No, I have rather encouraged it."

"Oh dear, have you? what shall I do if she is taken ill on the road? and nothing but that silly Justine to help us, and I felt so sure you would stop it."

"There is nothing to stop, my dear Miss Grenville. Your sister has got into one of her nervous moods, because she has not heard from Lord Chester, She knows as well as I do that she cannot undertake the journey; if she had been opposed, she would have worked herself up to the attempt. Give her the composing draught I have ordered; she will probably hear from Lord Chester by this evening's post, and to-morrow we can have a good laugh at her;" and he hurried off.

Blanche was, in truth, rather disappointed that he had made so light of her ailments and her heroism, but continued reading her Bradshaw, and coughing till post time; then