CHAPTER XXIV: LOVE'S LABOUR LOST 



'And well, with ready hand and heart, Each task of toilsome duty taking, Did one dear inmate take her part, The last asleep, the earliest waking.' 

In the course of the afternoon Lord Rotherwood and Florence called, to see Eleanor, inquire after Ada, and make the final arrangements for going to a morning concert at Raynham the next day. Lady Rotherwood was afraid of the fatigue, and Florence therefore wished to accompany her cousins, who, as Eleanor meant to stay at home, were to be under Mrs. Weston's protection. Lady Florence and her brother, therefore, agreed to ride home by Broomhill, and mention the plan to Mrs. Weston, and took their leave, appointing Adam's shop as the place of rendezvous. 

Next morning Emily, Lilias, and Jane happened to be together in the drawing-room, when Mr. Mohun and Claude came in, the former saying to Lily, 'Here is the mason's account for the gravestone which you wished to have put up to Agnes Eden; it comes to two pounds. You undertook half the expense, and as Claude is going to Raynham, he will pay for it if you will give him your sovereign.' 

'I will,' said Lily, 'but first I must ask Emily to pay me for the London commissions.' 

Emily repented not having had a private conference with Lily. 

'So you have not settled your accounts,' said Mr. Mohun. 'I hope Lily has not ruined you, Emily.' 

'I thought her a mirror of prudence,' said Claude. 
what was Adam's place going to be used as?
 appointing Adam's shop as the place of rendezvous. 
