"
"Surprised, James! What was it?"
"I will tell you, my dear. You know that letter we had a fortnight ago
from Mrs. Conway, and that we puzzled over it a good deal. After
talking as usual about her being determined to find the will and set
matters straight, she said that we might possibly see her before long,
and begged us not to show any surprise or to seem to recognize her.
Well, you know, we talked it over, and could make nothing of it. Now I
know what she means."
"What! Did you see her in church to-day, James?"
"I did, Amy; and where do you think she was?"
"I can't guess, James. Why, where could she be, and where can she be
staying if not with us? I didn't see her. Are you sure you are not
mistaken?"
"She was sitting behind you, Amy, which will account for your not
seeing her. She was sitting in the Penfolds servants' pew, in a plain
straw bonnet and quiet clothes like the others."
"Among the Penfolds' servants, James! Are you dreaming?"
"Not at all, my dear; there she was, sure enough. I could not possibly
be mistaken."
Mrs. Withers was silent for some time with surprise.
"But what can she be doing there, James? Do you mean to say that you
think that she has really gone to service at the Hall?"
"That is what I do think," the clergyman replied. "You know how she
said over and over again that she was determined somehow to find the
will.
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