The Story Continued by Marian Halcombe

“My lady came in a little while ago with Sir Percival,” answered the housekeeper. “I am afraid, Miss Halcombe, something very distressing has happened.” My heart sank within me. “You don’t mean an accident?” I said faintly. “No, no⁠—thank God, no accident. But my lady ran upstairs to her own room in tears, and Sir Percival has ordered me to give Fanny warning to leave in an hour’s time.” Fanny was Laura’s maid⁠—a good affectionate girl who had been with her for years⁠—the only person in the house whose fidelity and devotion we could both depend upon. “Where is Fanny?” I inquired. “In my room, Miss Halcombe. The young woman is quite overcome, and I told her to sit down and try to recover herself.” I went to Mrs. Michelson’s room, and found Fanny in a corner, with her box by her side, crying bitterly. She could give me no explanation whatever of her sudden dismissal. Sir Percival had ordered that she should have a month’s wages, in place of a month’s warning, and go. No reason had been assigned⁠—no objection had been made to her conduct. She had been forbidden to appeal to her mistress, forbidden even to see her for a moment to say goodbye. She was to go without explanations or farewells, and to go at once. After soothing the poor girl by a few friendly words, I asked where she proposed to sleep that night. She replied