Mrs. Ferrars told me.”

“And are they going farther westward?”

“Yes, ma'am — but not to bide long. They will soon be back again, and then they'd be sure and call here.”

Mrs. Dashwood now looked at her daughter; but Elinor knew better than to expect them. She recognised the whole of Lucy in the message, and was very confident that Edward would never come near them. She observed in a low voice, to her mother, that they were probably going down to Mr.

Pratt's, near Plymouth.

Thomas's intelligence seemed over. Elinor looked as if she wished to hear more.

“Did you see them off, before you came away?”