Greystock's
letter, so that she might sleep upon it. The sleeping on it meant that
further discussion which was to take place between Lady Fawn and her
second daughter in her ladyship's bedroom that night. During all this
period the general discomfort of Fawn Court was increased by a certain
sullenness on the part of Augusta, the elder daughter, who knew that
letters had come and that consultations were being held, but who was not
admitted to those consultations. Since the day on which poor Augusta had
been handed over to Lizzie Eustace as her peculiar friend in the family,
there had always existed a feeling that she by her position was debarred
from sympathising in the general desire to be quit of Lizzie; and then,
too, poor Augusta was never thoroughly trusted by that great guide of the
family, Mrs. Hittaway. "She couldn't keep it to herself if you'd give her
gold to do it," Mrs. Hittaway would say. Consequently Augusta was sullen
and conscious of ill-usage.
"Have you fixed upon anything?" she said to Lucy that evening.
"Not quite; only I am to go away."
"I don't see why you should go away at all. Frederic doesn't Come here so
very often, and when he does come he doesn't say much to any one.
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