and have told him what he had
done and what he intended to do. Nothing now should stop him;--no
consideration, that is, either as regarded money or position. He had
pledged himself solemnly, and he was very glad that he had pledged
himself. He would write to Grace and explain to her that he trusted
altogether in her father's honour and innocence, but that no
consideration as to that ought to influence either him or her in any
way. If, independently of her father, she could bring herself to come
to him and be his wife, she was bound to do so now, let the position
of her father be what it might. And thus, as he drove his gig back
towards Guestwick, he composed a very pretty letter to the lady of
his love.

And as he went, at the corner of the lane which led from the main
road up to Guestwick cottage, he again came upon John Eames, who
was also returning to Guestwick. There had been a few words spoken
between Lady Julia and Johnny respecting Major Grantly after the
girls had left the cottage, and Johnny had been persuaded that
the strange visitor to Allington could have no connexion with his
arch-enemy. "And why has he gone to Allington," John demanded,
somewhat sternly, of his hostess.

"Well; if you ask me, I think he has gone there to see your cousin,
Grace Crawley."

"He told me that he knew Grace," said John, looking as though he were
conscious of his own ingenuity in putting two and two together very
cleverly.

"Your cousin Grace is a very pretty girl," said Lady Julia.

"It's a long time since I've seen her," said Johnny.

"Why, you saw her just this minute," said Lady Julia.

"I didn't look at her," said Johnny. Therefore, when he again met
Major Grantly, having continued to put two and two together with
great ingenuity, he felt quite sure that the man had nothing to do
with the arch-enemy, and he determined to be gracious. "Did you find
them at home at Allington," he said, raising his hat.

"How do you do again?" said the major. "Yes, I found your friend Mrs
Dale at home."

"But not her daughter, or my cousin? They were up there;--where I've
come from. But, perhaps, they had got back before you left."

"I saw them both. They found me on the road with Mr. Dale."

"What,--the squire? Then you have seen everybody?"

"Everybody I wished to see at Allington."

"But you wouldn't stay at the 'Red Lion'?"

"Well, no. I remembered that I wanted to get back to London; and as I
had seen my friends, I thoug