With what fervent gratitude to Heaven Fanny went to sleep that night! The next day Miss Elphinstone was even before her time. Her father accompanied her, one of those kind and warm-hearted people, whose frank and yet polished manner sets you at ease at once.
With a cold farewell from Mrs. Bennett, whose temper could scarcely restrain itself, and a most kind one from Mr. Bennett, Fanny left their house full of hope and thankfulness. Miss Elphinstone, who was in the gayest spirits, laughed and talked nearly the whole way to Richmond, and Fanny's gaiety rose too under their influence. The drive too was delightful, it was one of those bright sunny days of an early spring, which impart their own genial softness. The carriage turned into a sheltered lane, whose hedges were already beginning to put forth that pure yellow green which promises so much, and the starry clusters of the primroses were smiling on either side.
They stopped at a very pretty little cottage,
