I have set my life upon a cast.
And I will stand the hazard of the die.--SHAKESPEARE.
It was yet so early in the morning that they drove ten miles out to a
small village on the road before they thought of breakfast. There Mr.
Berners reminded the officer in charge that Sybil had not yet broken her
fast. Whereupon Purley drew up before the one little tavern of the
place, alighted, and assisted his charge to alight, and then keeping
fast hold of her arm, led her into the house, and ordered breakfast.
While the meal was being got ready he kept his party of four well
together in the sitting-room where they waited. And as soon as breakfast
was over, they all reëntered the wagon and resumed their journey. They
travelled twenty miles before stopping to dine at a lonely roadside
tavern, where again Purley watched his charge with such vigilance that
she had no opportunity to speak privately either to her husband or their
friend. Still she hoped this opportunity would be afforded when they
should stop for the night. After an hour's rest they went on again,
travelling with moderate haste all the afternoon. They made fifteen more
miles before sunset, and then, having driven forty-five miles that day,
and finding their horses very tired, they determined to put up for the
night at a small hamlet, whose comfortable little hotel promised rest
and refreshment.
Still Purley kept close to his charge. They all had supper in a private
sitting-room. And when that meal was over and the hour for retirement
arrived, Purley himself accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Berners to their
bedroom to see that it was secure. It was a front chamber, on the upper
floor, with two front windows overlooking the village street, and but
one door, which opened upon the passage.
"That is all safe," said Purley, casting a glance around. "So I may
leave you two alone here together, where no doubt, you are glad enough
to be. But I'm sorry to say I must turn the key on you; not that I have
any right to lock you up, sir, without your consent; but of course you
will consent to that, for the sake of staying with your wife."
"Of course I will; and thank you for the privilege," answered Mr.
Berners.
"All right then. Good-night to you both," said Purley, closing and
locking the door, and withdrawing the key.
And then he took a farther precaution for the security of his charge, by
ordering a mattress to be brought and laid down before that chamber
door. And there he and his companion stretched themselves to rest like a
pair of watch dogs.
As soon as Sybil found herself alone with her husband, she beckoned him
to that end of the room which was farthest from the door, and when he
was close beside her she whispered in the lowest tone: "Did you observe anything peculiar in the manner of that younger
bailiff?"