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，lettingmeknowtheDayandHourafterdark，ifpossibleatwhichwemayexpectyou。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。