his returning from the markets in the evening, since
robberies had become so frequent as they now were, and the days so
short; and had at length persuaded him to sleep at the more distant
market-towns he had to visit, and return the next morning. From
Blickley he could get home before the evening closed in; but on two days
in the week he was to remain out all night. When he had agreed to this,
his family had applauded him and felt satisfied: but as the evening drew
on, on occasion of this his first absence, Mrs Grey and Sophia had
grown nervous on their own account. They recalled story after story,
which they had lately heard, of robberies at several solitary houses in
the country round; and, though their house was not solitary, they could
not reconcile themselves to going to rest without the comfort of knowing
that there was, as usual, a strong man on their premises. If they had
been aware how many strong men there were sometimes on their premises at
night, they would not have been satisfied with having one within their
walls. Not having been informed, however, how cleverly their dogs were
silenced, how much poached game was divided under the shelter of their
stacks of deals, and what dextrous abstractions were at such times made
from the store of corn in their granaries, and coal in their lighters,
they proposed nothing further than to beg the favour of Mr Hope that he
would take a bed in their house for this one night. They dared not
engage any of the men from the yards to defend them; they had not Mr
Grey's leave, and he might not be pleased if they showed any fear to
their own servants: but it would be the greatest comfort if Mr Hope
would come, as if to supper, and stay the night. The spare room was
ready; and Mrs Grey hoped he would not object to leaving his family
just for once. Mr Grey intended to do the same thing twice a week,
till the days should lengthen, and the roads become safer.

Though Sydney made the most of his message, he declared himself not
thoroughly pleased with it.

"They might have trusted me to take care of them," said he. "If they
had just let me have my father's pistols--."

"Come, come, Sydney, do not talk of pistols," said Hester, who did not
relish any part of the affair.

"He would not talk of them if he thought they were likely to be wanted,"
observed Margaret.

"Likely! when were they ever more likely to be wanted, I should like to
know! Did you hear what happened at t