THE VICAB OP WBEXHIL . S5

at least ^x different times within that period^ she at last
determined to await his coming ; and concealing the douhts
and fears which worried her by confining herself to her room
under pretence of headach, the three girls were left to pass
the remainder of the day by themselves^ when^ as may easily
be imagined^ the important events of the morning were fully
discussed among them.
Fanny^ after the motives of the visits to Oakley had been
fully explained to her^ gave it as her opinion that Helen was
wrong in going without the consent of her mother, but that
her intention might plead in atonement for it. But her indig-
nation at hearing of the pertinacious obstinacy of Sir Gilbert
was unbounded.
" Oh ! how my poor father was deceived in him ! ** she
exclaimed. ''He must have a truly bad heart to forsake and
vilify my mother at the time she most wants the assistance of
a friend. For you know there is business, Helen, relative to
the will, and the property, and all that — Sir Gilbert under-
stands it all, — hard-hearted wretch 1 and I doubt not he
thinks he shall crush poor mamma to the dust by thus
leaving her, as he believes, without a friend. But, thank
God ! he will find he is mistaken."

" What do you mean, Fanny ? " said Rosalind sharply.
