ell you, though I said I would not. When Mr Donne was talking
to Leonard, he took off his watch and chain and put it round the
boy's neck, who was pleased enough, you may be sure. I bade him give
it back to the gentleman, when they were all going away; and I was
quite surprised, and very uncomfortable, when Mr Donne said he had
given it to Leonard, and that he was to keep it for his own. I could
see Mr Bradshaw was annoyed, and he and the other gentleman spoke to
Mr Donne, and I heard them say, 'too barefaced;' and I shall never
forget Mr Donne's proud, stubborn look back at them, nor his way of
saying, 'I allow no one to interfere with what I choose to do with my
own.' And he looked so haughty and displeased, I durst say nothing
at the time. But when I told Thurstan, he was very grieved and angry;
and said he had heard that our party were bribing, but that he never
could have thought they would have tried to do it at his house.
Thurstan is very much out of spirits about this election altogether;
and, indeed, it does make sad work up and down the town. However, he
sent back the watch with a letter to Mr Bradshaw; and Leonard was
very good about it, so I gave him a taste of the new damson-preserve
on his bread for supper."

Although a stranger might have considered this letter wearisome
from the multiplicity of the details, Ruth craved greedily after
more. What had Mr Donne said to Leonard? Had Leonard liked his new
acquaintance? Were they likely to meet again? After wondering and
wondering over these points, Ruth composed herself by the hope that
in a day or two she should hear again; and to secure this end, she
answered the letters by return of post. That was on Thursday. On
Friday she had another letter, in a strange hand. It was from Mr
Donne. No name, no initials were given. If it had fallen into another
person's hands, they could not have recognised the writer, nor
guessed to whom it was sent. It contained simply these words:

"For our child's sake, and in his name, I summon you to appoint a
place where I can speak, and you can listen, undisturbed. The time
must be on Sunday; the limit of distance may be the circumference of
your power of walking. My words may be commands, but my fond heart
entreats. More I shall not say now, but, remember! your boy's welfare
depends on your acceding to this request. Address B. D., Post-Office,
Eccleston."

Ruth did not attempt to answer this letter till the last five minutes
b