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。