CHAPTER XLIV. 

BROOKE BURGESS TAKES LEAVE OF EXETER. 

[Illustration] 

The time had arrived at which Brooke Burgess was to leave Exeter. He had made his tour through the county, and returned to spend his two last nights at Miss Stanbury's house. When he came back Dorothy was still at Nuncombe, but she arrived in the Close the day before his departure. Her mother and sister had wished her to stay at Nuncombe. "There is a bed for you now, and a place to be comfortable in," Priscilla had said, laughing, "and you may as well see the last of us." But Dorothy declared that she had named a day to her aunt, and that she would not break her engagement. "I suppose you can stay if you like," Priscilla had urged. But Dorothy was of opinion that she ought not to stay. She said not a word about Brooke Burgess; but it may be that it would have been matter of regret to her not to shake hands with him once more. Brooke declared to her that had she not come back he would have gone over to Nuncombe to see her; but Dorothy did not consider herself entitled to believe that. 

On the morning of the last day Brooke went over to his uncle's office. "I've come to say good-bye, Uncle Barty," he said. 

"Good-bye, my boy. Take care of yourself." 

"I mean to try." 

"You haven't quarrelled with the old woman,--have you?" said Uncle Barty. 

"Not yet;--that is to say, not to the knife." 
How long after she got there did Brooke leave?
she arrived in the Close the day before his departure.