"He has not forgotten!" murmured Amy mournfully, as she rose and went to seek Dr. Bernard, "He has not forgiven!"
"Nor could he from his heart throw off The consciousness of his state; It was there with a dull, uneasy sense, A coldness and a weight.
It was there when he lay down at night, It was there when at morn he rose; He feels it whatever he does, It is with him wherever he goes.
No occupation from his mind That constant sense can keep; It is present in his waking hours, It is present in his sleep."
Mrs. Elrington could not resist Anne's pleading letter, but decided on going at once to Brampton; her heart was too compassionate to refuse to aid those in distress, and especially one who had ever held, as Amy had, a high place in her esteem and love.
As soon as Anne received the answer so favourable to her wishes, she prepared at once to return home, and went to Amy--not with the glad news of the now expected guest, that she decided had best not be mentioned--but to say good-bye, and a very sorrowful one she felt it.
Amy was sitting working in her own room, once poor Bertie's; her mind as busily employed as her fingers, only more mournfully; when Anne burst open the door in her usual hasty way.
"Here I am!" she said, "Did you expect to see me? Did you think I should come to say good-bye?"
"How should I?" answered Amy, "I never knew you were going to-day, and I am sorry to see you cloaked for your journey."
"And so am I; but Tom would not rest quiet without me any longer, so dear, I must go; the pony chaise will be round directly, and yet I should have liked to have sat with you for an hour or so before leaving."
"Then why did you put off coming to see me until the last moment, Anne?"
"I did not know I was going until half an hour ago. How is that wretched Frances? Will you say I had not time to stay and see her; I should so hate--although, mind, I pity her with all my heart,--giving her a sisterly embrace."
"But," said Amy, "What occasion is there for such a warm farewell?"
"Ah! thereby hangs a tale. The fact is I don't wish to see Frances Strickland."
"I wonder you can find it in your heart to pity her; but you were always an angel of goodness."
"You are wrong, Anne," sighed Amy, "and I think you should go and see Miss Strickland."