The Woodlanders

Melbury did not seem to be particularly enlightened by this explanation.

"You were caught in a man-trap?"

"Yes; my dress was. That's how it arose. Edgar is up-stairs in his

own sitting-room," she went on. "He would not mind seeing you, I am

sure."

"Oh, faith, I don't want to see him! I have seen him too often a'ready.

I'll see him another time, perhaps, if 'tis to oblige 'ee."

"He came to see me; he wanted to consult me about this large

partnership I speak of, as it is very promising."

"Oh, I am glad to hear it," said Melbury, dryly.

A pause ensued, during which the inquiring faces and whity-brown

clothes of Melbury's companions appeared in the door-way.

"Then bain't you coming home with us?" he asked.

"I--I think not," said Grace, blushing.

"H'm--very well--you are your own mistress," he returned, in tones

which seemed to assert otherwise. "Good-night;" and Melbury retreated

towards the door.

"Don't be angry, father," she said, following him a few steps. "I have

done it for the best."

"I am not angry, though it is true I have been a little misled in this.

However, good-night. I must get home along."

He left the hotel, not without relief, for to be under the eyes of

strangers while he conversed with his lost child had embarrassed him

much. His search-party, too, had looked awkward there, having rushed

to the task of investigation--some in their shirt sleeves, others in

their leather aprons, and all much stained--just as they had come from

their work of barking, and not in their Sherton marketing attire; while

Creedle, with his ropes and grapnels and air of impending tragedy, had

added melancholy to gawkiness.

"Now, neighbors," said Melbury, on joining them, "as it is getting

late, we'll leg it home again as fast as we can. I ought to tell you

that there has been some mistake--some arrangement entered into between

Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpiers which I didn't quite understand--an important

practice in the Midland counties has come to him, which made it

necessary for her to join him to-night--so she says. That's all it

was--and I'm sorry I dragged you out."

"Well," said the hollow-turner, "here be we six mile from home, and

night-time, and not a hoss or four-footed creeping thing to our name.

I say, we'll have a mossel and a drop o' summat to strengthen our

nerves afore we vamp all the way back again? My throat's as dry as a

kex. What d'ye say so's?"