I was awakened by a tap at my door. It was Peggy: she put in a hand with a note. I took it.

‘“It is not from Miss Horsman?” said I, half in joke, half in very earnest fright.

‘“No, sir; Mr Morgan’s man brought it.”

‘I opened it. It ran thus:

‘“My dear Sir – It is now nearly twenty years since I have had a little relaxation, and I find that my health requires it. I have also the utmost confidence in you, and I am sure this feeling is shared by our patients. I have, therefore, no scruple in putting in execution a hastily formed plan, and going to Chesterton to catch the early train on my way to Paris. If your accounts are good, I shall remain away probably a fortnight. Direct to Meurice’s.

‘“Yours, most truly,

‘“J. MORGAN.

‘“P.S. – Perhaps it may be as well not to name where I am gone, especially to Miss Tomkinson.”

‘He had deserted me. He – with only one report – had left me to stand my ground with three.

‘“Mrs Rose’s kind regards, sir, and it’s nearly nine o’clock. Breakfast has been ready this hour, sir.”

‘“Tell Mrs Rose I don’t want any breakfast. Or stay” (for I was very hungry), “I will take a cup of tea and some toast up here.”

‘Peggy brought the tray to the door.

‘“I hope you’re not ill, sir?” said she, kindly.

‘“Not very. I shall be better when I get into the air.”

‘“Mrs Rose seems sadly put about,” said she; “she seems so grieved like.”

‘I watched my opportunity, and went out by the side door in the garden.

Chapter XXIII

‘I HAD INTENDED to ask Mr Morgan to call at the vicarage, and give his parting explanation before they could hear the report. Now, I thought that if I could see Sophy, I would speak to her myself; but I did not wish to encounter the Vicar. I went along the lane at the back of the vicarage, and came suddenly upon Miss Bullock. She coloured, and asked me if I would allow her to speak to me. I could only be resigned; but I thought I could probably set one report at rest by this conversation.

‘She was almost crying.

‘“I must tell you, Mr Harrison, I have watched you here in order to speak to you. I heard with the greatest regret of papa’s conversation with you yesterday.” She was fairly crying. “I believe Mrs Bullock finds me in her way, and wants to have me married. It is the only way in which I can account for such a complete misrepresentation as she had told papa. I don’t care for you, in the least, sir. You never paid me any attentions. You’ve been almost rude to me; and I have liked you the better. That’s to say, I never have liked you.”

‘“I am truly glad to hear what you say,” answered I. “Don’t distress yourself. I was sure there was some mistake.”

‘But she cried bitterly.

‘“It is so hard to feel that my marriage – my absence – is desired so earnestly at home. I dread every new acquaintance we form with any gentleman. It is sure to be the beginning of a series of attacks on him, of which everybody must be aware, and to which they may think I am a willing party. But I should not much mind if it were not for the conviction that she wishes me so earnestly away.