第2章

TheagonizedappealwenttoostraighttoMrs。Dornell"sheartforhertohearitunmoved。Yet，thingshavingcometothispass，whatcouldshedo?Shewasdistracted，andforamomentwasonBetty"sside。HeroriginalthoughthadbeentowriteanaffirmativereplytoReynard，allowhimtocomeontoKing"s-Hintock，andkeepherhusbandinignoranceofthewholeproceedingtillheshouldarrivefromFallsonsomefinedayafterhisrecovery，andfindeverythingsettled，andReynardandBettylivingtogetherinharmony。Buttheeventsoftheday，andherdaughter"ssuddenoutburstoffeeling，hadoverthrownthisintention。Bettywassuretodoasshehadthreatened，andcommunicateinstantlywithherfather，possiblyattempttoflytohim。Moreover，Reynard"sletterwasaddressedtoMr。Dornellandherselfconjointly，andshecouldnotinconsciencekeepitfromherhusband。

"Iwillsendtheletterontoyourfatherinstantly，"sherepliedsoothingly。"Heshallactentirelyashechooses，andyouknowthatwillnotbeinoppositiontoyourwishes。Hewouldruinyouratherthanthwartyou。Ionlyhopehemaybewellenoughtobeartheagitationofthisnews。Doyouagreetothis?"

PoorBettyagreed，onconditionthatsheshouldactuallywitnessthedespatchoftheletter。Hermotherhadnoobjectiontooffertothis；butassoonasthehorsemanhadcantereddownthedrivetowardthehighway，Mrs。Dornell"ssympathywithBetty"srecalcitrationbegantodieout。Thegirl"ssecretaffectionforyoungPhelipsoncouldnotpossiblybecondoned。Bettymightcommunicatewithhim，mighteventrytoreachhim。Ruinlaythatway。StephenReynardmustbespeedilyinstalledinhisproperplacebyBetty"sside。

ShesatdownandpennedaprivatelettertoReynard，whichthrewlightuponherplan。

"ItisNecessarythatIshouldnowtellyou，"shesaid，"whatIhaveneverMentionedbefore——indeedImayhavesignifiedtheContrary——

thatherFather"sObjectiontoyourjoiningherhasnotasyetbeenovercome。AsIpersonallyWishtodelayyounolonger——amindeedasanxiousforyourArrivalasyoucanbeyourself，havingthegoodofmyDaughteratHeart——nocourseisleftopentomebuttoassistyourCausewithoutmyHusband"sKnowledge。He，Iamsorrytosay，isatpresentillatFalls-Park，butIfeltitmyDutytoforwardhimyourLetter。HewillthereforebeliketoreplywithaperemptoryCommandtoyoutogobackagain，forsomeMonths，whenceyoucame，tilltheTimeheoriginallystipulatedhasexpir"d。MyAdviceis，ifyougetsuchaLetter，totakenoNoticeofit，buttocomeonhitherasyouhadproposed，lettingmeknowtheDayandHour(afterdark，ifpossible)atwhichwemayexpectyou。DearBettyiswithme，andIwarrantyethatsheshallbeintheHousewhenyouarrive。"

Mrs。Dornell，havingsentawaythisepistleunsuspectedofanybody，nexttookstepstopreventherdaughterleavingtheCourt，avoidingifpossibletoexcitethegirl"ssuspicionsthatshewasunderrestraint。But，asifbydivination，Bettyhadseemedtoreadthehusband"sapproachintheaspectofhermother"sface。

"Heiscoming!"exclaimedthemaiden。

"Notforaweek，"hermotherassuredher。

"Heisthen——forcertain?"

"Well，yes。"

Bettyhastilyretiredtoherroom，andwouldnotbeseen。

Tolockherup，andhandoverthekeytoReynardwhenheshouldappearinthehall，wasaplancharminginitssimplicity，tillhermotherfound，ontryingthedoorofthegirl"schambersoftly，thatBettyhadalreadylockedandbolteditontheinside，andhadgivendirectionstohavehermealsservedwhereshewas，byleavingthemonadumb-waiteroutsidethedoor。

ThereuponMrs。Dornellnoiselesslysatdowninherboudoir，which，aswellasherbed-chamber，wasapassage-roomtothegirl"sapartment，andsheresolvednottovacateherpostnightordaytillherdaughter"shusbandshouldappear，towhichendshetooarrangedtobreakfast，dine，andsuponthespot。ItwasimpossiblenowthatBettyshouldescapewithoutherknowledge，evenifshehadwished，therebeingnootherdoortothechamber，exceptoneadmittingtoasmallinnerdressing-roominaccessiblebyanysecondway。

Butitwasplainthattheyounggirlhadnothoughtofescape。Herideasranratherinthedirectionofintrenchment:shewaspreparedtostandasiege，butscornedflight。This，atanyrate，renderedhersecure。AstohowReynardwouldcontriveameetingwithhercoydaughterwhileinsuchadefensivehumour，that，thoughthermother，mustbelefttohisowningenuitytodiscover。

Bettyhadlookedsowildandpaleattheannouncementofherhusband"sapproachingvisit，thatMrs。Dornell，somewhatuneasy，couldnotleavehertoherself。Shepeepedthroughthekeyholeanhourlater。Bettylayonthesofa，staringlistlesslyattheceiling。

"Youarelookingill，child，"criedhermother。"You"venottakentheairlately。Comewithmeforadrive。"

Bettymadenoobjection。Soontheydrovethroughtheparktowardsthevillage，thedaughterstillinthestrained，strung-upsilencethathadfallenuponher。Theylefttheparktoreturnbyanotherroute，andontheopenroadpassedacottage。

Betty"seyefelluponthecottage-window。Withinitshesawayounggirlaboutherownage，whomsheknewbysight，sittinginachairandproppedbyapillow。Thegirl"sfacewascoveredwithscales，whichglistenedinthesun。Shewasaconvalescentfromsmallpox——adiseasewhoseprevalenceatthatperiodwasaterrorofwhichweatpresentcanhardlyformaconception。

AnideasuddenlyenergizedBetty"sapatheticfeatures。Sheglancedathermother；Mrs。Dornellhadbeenlookingintheoppositedirection。Bettysaidthatshewishedtogobacktothecottageforamomenttospeaktoagirlinwhomshetookaninterest。Mrs。

Dornellappearedsuspicious，butobservingthatthecottagehadnoback-door，andthatBettycouldnotescapewithoutbeingseen，sheallowedthecarriagetobestopped。Bettyranbackandenteredthecottage，emergingagaininaboutaminute，andresumingherseatinthecarriage。Astheydroveonshefixedhereyesuponhermotherandsaid，"There，Ihavedoneitnow!"Herpalefacewasstormy，andhereyesfullofwaitingtears。

"Whathaveyoudone?"saidMrs。Dornell。

"NannyPriddleissickofthesmallpox，andIsawheratthewindow，andIwentinandkissedher，sothatImighttakeit；andnowI

shallhaveit，andhewon"tbeabletocomenearme!"

"Wickedgirl!"crieshermother。"Oh，whatamItodo!What——bringadistemperonyourself，andusurpthesacredprerogativeofGod，becauseyoucan"tpalatethemanyou"vewedded!"

Thealarmedwomangaveorderstodrivehomeasrapidlyaspossible，andonarriving，Betty，whowasbythistimealsosomewhatfrightenedatherownenormity，wasputintoabath，andfumigated，andtreatedineverywaythatcouldbethoughtoftowardoffthedreadfulmaladythatinarashmomentshehadtriedtoacquire。

Therewasnowadoublereasonforisolatingtherebelliousdaughterandwifeinherownchamber，andtheresheaccordinglyremainedfortherestofthedayandthedaysthatfollowed；tillnoillresultsseemedlikelytoarisefromherwilfulness。

MeanwhilethefirstletterfromReynard，announcingtoMrs。Dornellandherhusbandjointlythathewascominginafewdays，hadspedonitswaytoFalls-Park。ItwasdirectedundercovertoTupcombe，theconfidentialservant，withinstructionsnottoputitintohismaster"shandstillhehadbeenrefreshedbyagoodlongsleep。

Tupcombemuchregrettedhiscommission，letterssentinthiswayalwaysdisturbingtheSquire；butguessingthatitwouldbeinfinitelyworseintheendtowithholdthenewsthantorevealit，hechosehistime，whichwasearlythenextmorning，anddeliveredthemissive。

TheutmosteffectthatMrs。DornellhadanticipatedfromthemessagewasaperemptoryorderfromherhusbandtoReynardtoholdaloofafewmonthslonger。WhattheSquirereallydidwastodeclarethathewouldgohimselfandconfrontReynardatBristol，andhaveitoutwithhimtherebywordofmouth。

"But，master，"saidTupcombe，"youcan"t。Youcannotgetoutofbed。"

"Youleavetheroom，Tupcombe，anddon"tsay"can"t"beforeme!

HaveJerrysaddledinanhour。"

Thelong-triedTupcombethoughthisemployerdemented，soutterlyhelplesswashisappearancejustthen，andhewentoutreluctantly。

NosoonerwashegonethantheSquire，withgreatdifficulty，stretchedhimselfovertoacabinetbythebedside，unlockedit，andtookoutasmallbottle。Itcontainedagoutspecific，againstwhoseusehehadbeenrepeatedlywarnedbyhisregularphysician，butwhosewarninghenowcasttothewinds。

Hetookadoubledose，andwaitedhalfanhour。Itseemedtoproducenoeffect。Hethenpouredoutatrebledose，swallowedit，leantbackuponhispillow，andwaited。Themiracleheanticipatedhadbeenworkedatlast。Itseemedasthoughtheseconddraughthadnotonlyoperatedwithitsownstrength，buthadkindledintopowerthelatentforcesofthefirst。Heputawaythebottle，andrangupTupcombe。

Lessthananhourlateroneofthehousemaids，whoofcoursewasquiteawarethattheSquire"sillnesswasserious，wassurprisedtohearaboldanddecidedstepdescendingthestairsfromthedirectionofMr。Dornell"sroom，accompaniedbythehummingofatune。Sheknewthatthedoctorhadnotpaidavisitthatmorning，andthatitwastooheavytobethevaletoranyotherman-servant。

Lookingup，shesawSquireDornellfullydressed，descendingtowardherinhisdrabcapedriding-coatandboots，withtheswingingeasymovementofhisprime。Herfaceexpressedheramazement。

"Whatthedevilbeestlookingat?"saidtheSquire。"Didyouneverseeamanwalkoutofhishousebefore，wench?"

Resuminghishumming——whichwasofadefiantsort——heproceededtothelibrary，rangthebell，askedifthehorseswereready，anddirectedthemtobebroughtround。TenminuteslaterherodeawayinthedirectionofBristol，Tupcombebehindhim，tremblingatwhatthesemovementsmightportend。

Theyrodeonthroughthepleasantwoodlandsandthemonotonousstraightlanesatanequalpace。ThedistancetraversedmighthavebeenaboutfifteenmileswhenTupcombecouldperceivethattheSquirewasgettingtired——aswearyashewouldhavebeenafterridingthreetimesthedistancetenyearsbefore。However，theyreachedBristolwithoutanymishap，andputupattheSquire"saccustomedinn。DornellalmostimmediatelyproceededonfoottotheinnwhichReynardhadgivenashisaddress，itbeingnowaboutfouro"clock。

Reynardhadalreadydined——forpeopledinedearlythen——andhewasstayingindoors。HehadalreadyreceivedMrs。Dornell"sreplytohisletter；butbeforeactinguponheradviceandstartingforKing"s-Hintockhemadeuphismindtowaitanotherday，thatBetty"sfathermightatleasthavetimetowritetohimifsominded。ThereturnedtravellermuchdesiredtoobtaintheSquire"sassent，aswellashiswife"s，totheproposedvisittohisbride，thatnothingmightseemharshorforcedinhismethodoftakinghispositionasoneofthefamily。Butthoughheanticipatedsomesortofobjectionfromhisfather-in-law，inconsequenceofMrs。Dornell"swarning，hewassurprisedattheannouncementoftheSquireinperson。

StephenReynardformedthecompletestofpossiblecontraststoDornellastheystoodconfrontingeachotherinthebestparlouroftheBristoltavern。TheSquire，hot-tempered，gouty，impulsive，generous，reckless；theyoungerman，pale，tall，sedate，self-

possessed——amanoftheworld，fullybearingoutatleastonecoupletinhisepitaph，stillextantinKing"s-Hintockchurch，whichplacesintheinventoryofhisgoodqualities"EngagingManners，cultivatedMind，Adorn"dbyLetters，andinCourtsrefin"d。"

Hewasatthistimeaboutfive-and-thirty，thoughcarefullivingandaneven，unemotionaltemperamentcausedhimtolookmuchyoungerthanhisyears。

SquireDornellplungedintohiserrandwithoutmuchceremonyorpreface。

"Iamyourhumbleservant，sir，"hesaid。"Ihavereadyourletterwrittomywifeandmyself，andconsideredthatthebestwaytoansweritwouldbetodosoinperson。"

"Iamvastlyhonouredbyyourvisit，sir，"saidMr。StephenReynard，bowing。

"Well，what"sdonecan"tbeundone，"saidDornell，"thoughitwasmightyearly，andwasnodoingofmine。She"syourwife；andthere"sanendon"t。Butinbrief，sir，she"stooyoungforyoutoclaimyet；wemustn"treckonbyyears；wemustreckonbynature。

She"sstillagirl；"tisonpoliteof"eetocomeyet；nextyearwillbefullsoonenoughforyoutotakehertoyou。"

Now，courteousasReynardcouldbe，hewasalittleobstinatewhenhisresolutionhadoncebeenformed。Shehadbeenpromisedhimbyhereighteenthbirthdayatlatest——soonerifshewereinrobusthealth。Hermotherhadfixedthetimeonherownjudgment，withoutawordofinterferenceonhispart。Hehadbeenhangingaboutforeigncourtstillhewasweary。Bettywasnowaswoman，ifshewouldeverbeone，andtherewasnot，inhismind，theshadowofanexcuseforputtinghimofflonger。Therefore，fortifiedashewasbythesupportofhermother，heblandlybutfirmlytoldtheSquirethathehadbeenwillingtowaivehisrights，outofdeferencetoherparents，toanyreasonableextent，butmustnow，injusticetohimselfandherinsistonmaintainingthem。Hetherefore，sinceshehadnotcometomeethim，shouldproceedtoKing"s-Hintockinafewdaystofetchher。

Thisannouncement，inspiteoftheurbanitywithwhichitwasdelivered，setDornellinapassion。

"Ohdammy，sir；youtalkaboutrights，youdo，afterstealingheraway，amerechild，againstmywillandknowledge!Ifwe"dbeggedandprayed"eetotakeher，youcouldsaynomore。"

"Uponmyhonour，yourchargeisquitebaseless，sir，"saidhisson-

in-law。"Youmustknowbythistime——orifyoudonot，ithasbeenamonstrouscruelinjusticetomethatIshouldhavebeenallowedtoremaininyourmindwithsuchastainuponmycharacter——youmustknowthatIusednoseductivenessortemptationofanykind。Hermotherassented；sheassented。Itookthemattheirword。Thatyouwasreallyopposedtothemarriagewasnotknowntometillafterwards。"

Dornellprofessedtobelievenotawordofit。"Yousha"n"thavehertillshe"sdreesixesfull——nomaidoughttobemarriedtillshe"sdreesixes!——andmydaughtersha"n"tbetreatedoutofnater!"

SohestormedontillTupcombe，whohadbeenalarmedlylisteninginthenextroom，enteredsuddenly，declaringtoReynardthathismaster"slifewasindangeriftheinterviewwereprolonged，hebeingsubjecttoapoplecticstrokesatthesecrises。ReynardimmediatelysaidthathewouldbethelasttowishtoinjureSquireDornell，andlefttheroom，andassoonastheSquirehadrecoveredbreathandequanimity，hewentoutoftheinn，leaningonthearmofTupcombe。

TupcombewasforsleepinginBristolthatnight，butDornell，whoseenergyseemedasinvincibleasitwassudden，insisteduponmountingandgettingbackasfarasFalls-Park，tocontinuethejourneytoKing"s-Hintockonthefollowingday。Atfivetheystarted，andtookthesouthernroadtowardtheMendipHills。Theeveningwasdryandwindy，and，exceptingthatthesundidnotshine，stronglyremindedTupcombeoftheeveningofthatMarchmonth，nearlyfiveyearsearlier，whennewshadbeenbroughttoKing"s-HintockCourtofthechildBetty"smarriageinLondon——newswhichhadproduceduponDornellsuchamarkedeffectfortheworseeversince，andindirectlyuponthehouseholdofwhichhewasthehead。BeforethattimethewinterswerelivelyatFalls-Park，aswellasatKing"s-

Hintock，althoughtheSquirehadceasedtomakeithisregularresidence。Hunting-guestsandshooting-guestscameandwent，andopenhousewaskept。TupcombedislikedtheclevercourtierwhohadputastoptothisbytakingawayfromtheSquiretheonlytreasurehevalued。

Itgrewdarkerwiththeirprogressalongthelanes，andTupcombediscoveredfromMr。Dornell"smannerofridingthathisstrengthwasgivingway；andspurringhisownhorseclosealongside，heaskedhimhowhefelt。

"Oh，bad；damnbad，Tupcombe!Icanhardlykeepmyseat。Ishallneverbeanybetter，Ifear!HavewepassedThree-Man-Gibbetyet?"

"Notyetbyalongways，sir。"

"Iwishwehad。Icanhardlyholdon。"TheSquirecouldnotrepressagroannowandthen，andTupcombeknewhewasingreatpain。"IwishIwasunderground——that"stheplaceforsuchfoolsasI!I"dgladlybethereifitwerenotforMistressBetty。He"scomingontoKing"s-Hintockto-morrow——hewon"tputitoffanylonger；he"llsetoutandreachthereto-morrownight，withoutstoppingatFalls；andhe"lltakeherunawares，andIwanttobetherebeforehim。"

"Ihopeyoumaybewellenoughtodoit，sir。Butreally——"

"IMUST，Tupcombe!Youdon"tknowwhatmytroubleis；itisnotsomuchthatsheismarriedtothismanwithoutmyagreeing——for，afterall，there"snothingtosayagainsthim，sofarasIknow；butthatshedon"ttaketohimatall，seemstofearhim——infact，caresnothingabouthim；andifhecomesforcinghimselfintothehouseuponher，why，"twillberankcruelty。WouldtotheLordsomethingwouldhappentopreventhim!"

HowtheyreachedhomethatnightTupcombehardlyknew。TheSquirewasinsuchpainthathewasobligedtoreclineuponhishorse，andTupcombewasafraideverymomentlesthewouldfallintotheroad。

Buttheydidreachhomeatlast，andMr。Dornellwasinstantlyassistedtobed。

NextmorningitwasobviousthathecouldnotpossiblygotoKing"s-

Hintockforseveraldaysatleast，andthereonthebedhelay，cursinghisinabilitytoproceedonanerrandsopersonalandsodelicatethatnoemissarycouldperformit。WhathewishedtodowastoascertainfromBetty"sownlipsifheraversiontoReynardwassostrongthathispresencewouldbepositivelydistastefultoher。Werethatthecase，hewouldhaveborneherawaybodilyonthesaddlebehindhim。

Butallthatwashinderednow，andherepeatedahundredtimesinTupcombe"shearing，andinthatofthenurseandotherservants，"I

wishtoGodsomethingwouldhappentohim!"

Thissentiment，reiteratedbytheSquireashetossedintheagonyinducedbythepowerfuldrugsofthedaybefore，enteredsharplyintothesoulofTupcombeandofallwhowereattachedtothehouseofDornell，asdistinctfromthehouseofhiswifeatKing"s-

Hintock。Tupcombe，whowasanexcitableman，washardlylessdisquietedbythethoughtofReynard"sreturnthantheSquirehimselfwas。Astheweekdrewon，andtheafternoonadvancedatwhichReynardwouldinallprobabilitybepassingnearFallsonhiswaytotheCourt，theSquire"sfeelingsbecameacuter，andtheresponsiveTupcombecouldhardlybeartocomenearhim。Havinglefthiminthehandsofthedoctor，theformerwentoutuponthelawn，forhecouldhardlybreatheinthecontagionofexcitementcaughtfromtheemployerwhohadvirtuallymadehimhisconfidant。HehadlivedwiththeDornellsfromhisboyhood，hadbeenbornundertheshadowoftheirwalls；hiswholelifewasannexedandweldedtothelifeofthefamilyinadegreewhichhasnocounterpartintheselatterdays。

Hewassummonedindoors，andlearntthatithadbeendecidedtosendforMrs。Dornell:herhusbandwasingreatdanger。Thereweretwoorthreewhocouldhaveactedasmessenger，butDornellwishedTupcombetogo，thereasonshowingitselfwhen，Tupcombebeingreadytostart，SquireDornellsummonedhimtohischamberandleaneddownsothathecouldwhisperinhisear:

"PutPeggyalongsmart，Tupcombe，andgettherebeforehim，youknow——beforehim。Thisisthedayhefixed。HehasnotpassedFallscross-roadsyet。IfyoucandothatyouwillbeabletogetBettytocome——d"yesee?——afterhermotherhasstarted；she"llhaveareasonfornotwaitingforhim。Bringherbythelowerroad——

he"llgobytheupper。Yourbusinessistomake"emmisseachother——d"yesee?——butthat"sathingIcouldn"twritedown。"

Fiveminutesafter，Tupcombewasastridethehorseandonhisway——

thewayhehadfollowedsomanytimessincehismaster，afloridyoungcountryman，hadfirstgonewooingtoKing"s-HintockCourt。Assoonashehadcrossedthehillsintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthemanor，theroadlayoveraplain，whereitraninlongstraightstretchesforseveralmiles。Inthebestoftimes，whenallhadbeengayintheunitedhouses，thatpartoftheroadhadseemedtedious。Itwasgloomyintheextremenowthathepursuedit，atnightandalone，onsuchanerrand。

Herodeandbrooded。IftheSquireweretodie，he，Tupcombe，wouldbealoneintheworldandfriendless，forhewasnofavouritewithMrs。Dornell；andtofindhimselfbaffled，afterall，inwhathehadsethismindon，wouldprobablykilltheSquire。Thinkingthus，Tupcombestoppedhishorseeverynowandthen，andlistenedforthecominghusband。ThetimewasdrawingontothemomentwhenReynardmightbeexpectedtopassalongthisveryroute。Hehadwatchedtheroadwellduringtheafternoon，andhadinquiredofthetavern-

keepersashecameuptoeach，andhewasconvincedthattheprematuredescentofthestranger-husbanduponhisyoungmistresshadnotbeenmadebythishighwayasyet。

Besidesthegirl"smother，TupcombewastheonlymemberofthehouseholdwhosuspectedBetty"stenderfeelingstowardsyoungPhelipson，sounhappilygeneratedonherreturnfromschool；andhecouldthereforeimagine，evenbetterthanherfondfather，whatwouldbeheremotionsonthesuddenannouncementofReynard"sadventthateveningatKing"s-HintockCourt。

Soherodeandrode，despondingandhopefulbyturns。Hefeltassuredthat，unlessintheunfortunateeventofthealmostimmediatearrivalofherson-inlawathisownheels，Mrs。DornellwouldnotbeabletohinderBetty"sdepartureforherfather"sbedside。

Itwasaboutnineo"clockthat，havingputtwentymilesofcountrybehindhim，heturnedinatthelodge-gatenearesttoIvellandKing"s-Hintockvillage，andpursuedthelongnorthdrive——itselfmuchlikeaturnpikeroad——whichledthencethroughtheparktotheCourt。ThoughthereweresomanytreesinKing"s-Hintockpark，fewborderedthecarriageroadway；hecouldseeitstretchingaheadinthepalenightlightlikeanunrolleddealshaving。Presentlytheirregularfrontageofthehousecameinview，ofgreatextent，butlow，exceptwhereitroseintotheoutlinesofabroadsquaretower。

AsTupcombeapproachedherodeasideuponthegrass，tomakesure，ifpossible，thathewasthefirstcomer，beforelettinghispresencebeknown。TheCourtwasdarkandsleepy，innorespectasifabridegroomwereabouttoarrive。

Whilepausinghedistinctlyheardthetreadofahorseuponthetrackbehindhim，andforamomentdespairedofarrivingintime:

here，surely，wasReynard!Pullingupclosertothedensesttreeathandhewaited，andfoundhehadretreatednothingtoosoon，forthesecondrideravoidedthegravelalso，andpassedquiteclosetohim。

IntheprofileherecognizedyoungPhelipson。

BeforeTupcombecouldthinkwhattodo，Phelipsonhadgoneon；butnottothedoorofthehouse。Swervingtotheleft，hepassedroundtotheeastangle，where，asTupcombeknew，weresituatedBetty"sapartments。Dismounting，heleftthehorsetetheredtoahangingbough，andwalkedontothehouse。

Suddenlyhiseyecaughtsightofanobjectwhichexplainedthepositionimmediately。Itwasaladderstretchingfrombeneaththetrees，whichtherecameprettyclosetothehouse，uptoafirst-

floorwindow——onewhichlightedMissBetty"srooms。Yes，itwasBetty"schamber；hekneweveryroominthehousewell。

Theyounghorsemanwhohadpassedhim，havingevidentlylefthissteedsomewhereunderthetreesalso，wasperceptibleatthetopoftheladder，immediatelyoutsideBetty"swindow。WhileTupcombewatched，acloakedfemalefiguresteppedtimidlyoverthesill，andthetwocautiouslydescended，onebeforetheother，theyoungman"sarmsenclosingtheyoungwomanbetweenhisgraspoftheladder，sothatshecouldnotfall。Assoonastheyreachedthebottom，youngPhelipsonquicklyremovedtheladderandhiditunderthebushes。

Thepairdisappeared；till，inafewminutes，Tupcombecoulddiscernahorseemergingfromaremoterpartoftheumbrage。Thehorsecarrieddouble，thegirlbeingonapillionbehindherlover。

Tupcombehardlyknewwhattodoorthink；yet，thoughthiswasnotexactlythekindofflightthathadbeenintended，shehadcertainlyescaped。Hewentbacktohisownanimal，androderoundtotheservants"door，wherehedeliveredtheletterforMrs。Dornell。ToleaveaverbalmessageforBettywasnowimpossible。

TheCourtservantsdesiredhimtostayoverthenight，buthewouldnotdoso，desiringtogetbacktotheSquireassoonaspossibleandtellwhathehadseen。Whetherheoughtnottohaveinterceptedtheyoungpeople，andcarriedoffBettyhimselftoherfather，hedidnotknow。However，itwastoolatetothinkofthatnow，andwithoutwettinghislipsorswallowingacrumb，TupcombeturnedhisbackuponKing"s-HintockCourt。

Itwasnottillhehadadvancedaconsiderabledistanceonhiswayhomewardthat，haltingunderthelanternofaroadside-innwhilethehorsewaswatered，therecameatravellerfromtheoppositedirectioninahiredcoach；thelanternlitthestranger"sfaceashepassedalonganddroppedintotheshade。Tupcombeexultedforthemoment，thoughhecouldhardlyhavejustifiedhisexultation。

ThebelatedtravellerwasReynard；andanotherhadsteppedinbeforehim。

YoumaynowbewillingtoknowofthefortunesofMissBetty。Leftmuchtoherselfthroughtheinterveningdays，shehadampletimetobroodoverherdesperateattemptatthestratagemofinfection——

thwarted，apparently，byhermother"spromptitude。Inwhatotherwaytogaintimeshecouldnotthink。Thusdrewonthedayandthehouroftheeveningonwhichherhusbandwasexpectedtoannouncehimself。

Atsomeperiodafterdark，whenshecouldnottell，atapatthewindow，twiceandthricerepeated，becameaudible。Itcausedhertostartup，fortheonlyvisitantinhermindwastheonewhoseadvancesshehadsofearedastoriskhealthandlifetorepelthem。

Shecrepttothewindow，andheardawhisperwithout。

"ItisI——Charley，"saidthevoice。

Betty"sfacefiredwithexcitement。Shehadlatterlybeguntodoubtheradmirer"sstaunchness，fancyinghislovetobegoingoffinmereattentionswhichneithercommittedhimnorherselfverydeeply。Sheopenedthewindow，sayinginajoyouswhisper，"OhCharley；I

thoughtyouhaddesertedmequite!"

Heassuredherhehadnotdonethat，andthathehadahorseinwaiting，ifshewouldrideoffwithhim。"Youmustcomequickly，"

hesaid；"forReynard"sontheway!"

Tothrowacloakroundherselfwastheworkofamoment，andassuringherselfthatherdoorwaslockedagainstasurprise，sheclimbedoverthewindow-sillanddescendedwithhimaswehaveseen。

Hermothermeanwhile，havingreceivedTupcombe"snote，foundthenewsofherhusband"sillnesssoserious，astodisplaceherthoughtsofthecomingson-in-law，andshehastenedtotellherdaughteroftheSquire"sdangerouscondition，thinkingitmightbedesirabletotakehertoherfather"sbedside。Ontryingthedoorofthegirl"sroom，shefounditstilllocked。Mrs。Dornellcalled，buttherewasnoanswer。Fullofmisgivings，sheprivatelyfetchedtheoldhouse-stewardandbadehimburstopenthedoor——anorderbynomeanseasytoexecute，thejoineryoftheCourtbeingmassivelyconstructed。However，thelocksprangopenatlast，andsheenteredBetty"schamberonlytofindthewindowunfastenedandthebirdflown。

ForamomentMrs。Dornellwasstaggered。ThenitoccurredtoherthatBettymighthaveprivatelyobtainedfromTupcombethenewsofherfather"sseriousillness，and，fearingshemightbekeptbacktomeetherhusband，havegoneoffwiththatobstinateandbiassedservitortoFalls-Park。Themoreshethoughtitoverthemoreprobabledidthesuppositionappear；andbindingherownhead-mantosecrecyastoBetty"smovements，whetherassheconjectured，orotherwise，Mrs。Dornellherselfpreparedtosetout。

Shehadnosuspicionhowseriouslyherhusband"smaladyhadbeenaggravatedbyhisridetoBristol，andthoughtmoreofBetty"saffairsthanofherown。ThatBetty"shusbandshouldarrivebysomeotherroadto-night，andfindneitherwifenormother-in-lawtoreceivehim，andnoexplanationoftheirabsence，waspossible；butneverforgettingchances，Mrs。Dornellasshejourneyedkepthereyesfixeduponthehighwayontheoff-side，where，beforeshehadreachedthetownofIvell，thehiredcoachcontainingStephenReynardflashedintothelamplightofherowncarriage。

Mrs。Dornell"scoachmanpulledup，inobediencetoadirectionshehadgivenhimatstarting；theothercoachwashailed，afewwordspassed，andReynardalightedandcametoMrs。Dornell"scarriage-

window。

"Comeinside，"saysshe。"Iwanttospeakprivatelytoyou。Whyareyousolate?"

"Onehindranceandanother，"sayshe。"ImeanttobeattheCourtbyeightatlatest。Mygratitudeforyourletter。Ihope——"

"YoumustnottrytoseeBettyyet，"saidshe。"TherebefarotherandnewerreasonsagainstyourseeinghernowthantherewerewhenI

wrote。"

ThecircumstancesweresuchthatMrs。Dornellcouldnotpossiblyconcealthementirely；nothingshortofknowingsomeofthefactswouldpreventhisblindlyactinginamannerwhichmightbefataltothefuture。Moreover，therearetimeswhendeeperintriguersthanMrs。Dornellfeelthattheymustletoutafewtruths，ifonlyinself-indulgence。SoshetoldsomuchofrecentsurprisesasthatBetty"shearthadbeenattractedbyanotherimagethanhis，andthathisinsistingonvisitinghernowmightdrivethegirltodesperation。"Bettyhas，infact，rushedofftoherfathertoavoidyou，"shesaid。"Butifyouwaitshewillsoonforgetthisyoungman，andyouwillhavenothingtofear。"

Asawomanandamothershecouldgonofurther，andBetty"sdesperateattempttoinfectherselftheweekbeforeasameansofrepellinghim，togetherwiththealarmingpossibilitythat，afterall，shehadnotgonetoherfatherbuttoherlover，wasnotrevealed。

"Well，"sighedthediplomatist，inatoneunexpectedlyquiet，"suchthingshavebeenknownbefore。Afterall，shemayprefermetohimsomeday，whenshereflectshowverydifferentlyImighthaveactedthanIamgoingtoacttowardsher。ButI"llsaynomoreaboutthatnow。Icanhaveabedatyourhouseforto-night?"

"To-night，certainly。Andyouleaveto-morrowmorningearly?"Shespokeanxiously，foronnoaccountdidshewishhimtomakefurtherdiscoveries。"Myhusbandissoseriouslyill，"shecontinued，"thatmyabsenceandBetty"sonyourarrivalisnaturallyaccountedfor。"

Hepromisedtoleaveearly，andtowritetohersoon。"AndwhenI

thinkthetimeisripe，"hesaid，"I"llwritetoher。Imayhavesomethingtotellherthatwillbringhertograciousness。"

Itwasaboutoneo"clockinthemorningwhenMrs。DornellreachedFalls-Park。Adoubleblowawaitedherthere。Bettyhadnotarrived；herflighthadbeenelsewhither；andherstrickenmotherdivinedwithwhom。Sheascendedtothebedsideofherhusband，wheretoherconcernshefoundthatthephysicianhadgivenupallhope。TheSquirewassinking，andhisextremeweaknesshadalmostchangedhischaracter，exceptintheparticularthathisoldobstinacysustainedhiminarefusaltoseeaclergyman。Heshedtearsattheleastword，andsobbedatthesightofhiswife。HeaskedforBetty，anditwaswithaheavyheartthatMrs。Dornelltoldhimthatthegirlhadnotaccompaniedher。

"Heisnotkeepingheraway?"

"No，no。Heisgoingback——heisnotcomingtoherforsometime。"

"Thenwhatisdetainingher——cruel，neglectfulmaid!"

"No，no，Thomas；sheis——Shecouldnotcome。"

"How"sthat?"

Somehowthesolemnityoftheselastmomentsofhisgavehiminquisitorialpower，andthetoocoldwifecouldnotconcealfromhimtheflightwhichhadtakenplacefromKing"s-Hintockthatnight。

Toheramazement，theeffectuponhimwaselectrical。

"What——Betty——atrumpafterall?Hurrah!She"sherfather"sownmaid!She"sgame!Sheknewhewasherfather"sownchoice!Shevowedthatmymanshouldwin!Welldone，Bet!——haw!haw!Hurrah!"

Hehadraisedhimselfinbedbystartsashespoke，andnowfellbackexhausted。Heneverutteredanotherword，anddiedbeforethedawn。Peoplesaidtherehadnotbeensuchanungenteeldeathinagoodcountyfamilyforyears。

NowIwillgobacktothetimeofBetty"sridingoffonthepillionbehindherlover。Theylefttheparkbyanobscuregatetotheeast，andpresentlyfoundthemselvesinthelonelyandsolitarylengthoftheoldRomanroadnowcalledLong-AshLane。

Bythistimetheywereratheralarmedattheirownperformance，fortheywerebothyoungandinexperienced。Hencetheyproceededalmostinsilencetilltheycametoameanroadsideinnwhichwasnotyetclosed；whenBetty，whohadheldontohimwithmuchmisgivingallthiswhile，feltdreadfullyunwell，andsaidshethoughtshewouldliketogetdown。

Theyaccordinglydismountedfromthejadedanimalthathadbroughtthem，andwereshownintoasmalldarkparlour，wheretheystoodsidebysideawkwardly，likethefugitivestheywere。Alightwasbrought，andwhentheywereleftaloneBettythrewoffthecloakwhichhadenvelopedher。NosoonerdidyoungPhelipsonseeherfacethanheutteredanalarmedexclamation。

"Why，Lord，Lord，youaresickeningforthesmall-pox!"hecried。

"Oh——Iforgot!"falteredBetty。Andthensheinformedhimthat，onhearingofherhusband"sapproachtheweekbefore，inadesperateattempttokeephimfromherside，shehadtriedtoimbibetheinfection——anactwhichtillthismomentshehadsupposedtohavebeenineffectual，imaginingherfeverishnesstobetheresultofherexcitement。

TheeffectofthisdiscoveryuponyoungPhelipsonwasoverwhelming。

Better-seasonedmenthanhewouldnothavebeenproofagainstit，andhewasonlyalittleoverherownage。"Andyou"vebeenholdingontome!"hesaid。"Andsupposeyougetworse，andwebothhaveit，whatshallwedo?Won"tyoubeafrightinamonthortwo，poor，poorBetty!"

Inhishorrorheattemptedtolaugh，butthelaughendedinaweaklygiggle。Shewasmorewomanthangirlbythistime，andrealizedhisfeeling。

"What——intryingtokeepoffhim，Ikeepoffyou?"shesaidmiserably。"DoyouhatemebecauseIamgoingtobeuglyandill?"

"Oh——no，no!"hesaidsoothingly。"ButI——Iamthinkingifitisquiterightforustodothis。Yousee，dearBetty，ifyouwasnotmarrieditwouldbedifferent。Youarenotinhonourmarriedtohimwe"veoftensaid；stillyouarehisbylaw，andyoucan"tbeminewhilsthe"salive。Andwiththisterriblesicknesscomingon，perhapsyouhadbetterletmetakeyouback，and——climbinatthewindowagain。"

"IsTHISyourlove?"saidBettyreproachfully。"Oh，ifyouwassickeningfortheplagueitself，andgoingtobeasuglyastheOoserinthechurch-vestry，Iwouldn"t——"

"No，no，youmistake，uponmysoul!"

ButBettywithaswollenhearthadrewrappedherselfandgoneoutofthedoor。Thehorsewasstillstandingthere。Shemountedbythehelpoftheupping-stock，andwhenhehadfollowedhershesaid，"Donotcomenearme，Charley；butpleaseleadthehorse，sothatifyou"venotcaughtanythingalreadyyou"llnotcatchitgoingback。

Afterall，whatkeepsoffyoumaykeepoffhim。Nowonward。"

Hedidnotresisthercommand，andbacktheywentbythewaytheyhadcome，Bettysheddingbittertearsattheretributionshehadalreadybroughtuponherself；forthoughshehadreproachedPhelipson，shewasstaunchenoughnottoblamehiminhersecretheartforshowingthathislovewasonlyskin-deep。Thehorsewasstoppedintheplantation，andtheywalkedsilentlytothelawn，reachingthebusheswhereintheladderstilllay。

"Willyouputitupforme?"sheaskedmournfully。

Here-erectedtheladderwithoutaword；butwhensheapproachedtoascendhesaid，"Good-bye，Betty!"

"Good-bye!"saidshe；andinvoluntarilyturnedherfacetowardshis。

Hehungbackfromimprintingtheexpectedkiss:atwhichBettystartedasifshehadreceivedapoignantwound。Shemovedawaysosuddenlythathehardlyhadtimetofollowheruptheladdertopreventherfalling。

"Tellyourmothertogetthedoctoratonce!"hesaidanxiously。

Shesteppedinwithoutlookingbehind；hedescended，withdrewtheladder，andwentaway。