that.

The lights of Raby came in sight.

That house contained two women, who awaited the result of the nocturnal
expedition with terrible anxiety.

Its fate, they both felt, had been determined before they even knew that
the expedition had started.

They had nothing to do but to wait, and pray that Henry had made his
escape, or else had not been so mad as to attempt resistance.

In this view of things, the number and even the arms of his assailants
were some comfort to them, as rendering resistance impossible.

As for Mr. Coventry, he was secretly delighted. His conscience was
relieved. Raby would now drive his rival out of the church and out of
the country without the help of the Trades, and his act of treachery and
bad faith would be harmless. Things had taken the happiest possible turn
for him.

For all that, this courtier affected sympathy, and even some anxiety, to
please Miss Carden, and divert all suspicion from himself. But the true
ring was wanting to his words, and both the women felt them jar, and got
away from him, and laid their heads together, in agitated whispers. And
the result was, they put shawls over their heads, and went together out
into the night.

They ran up the road, sighing and clasping their hands, but no longer
speaking.

At the first turn they saw the whole body coming toward them.

"I'll soon know," said Jael, struggling with her agitation. "Don't
you be seen, miss; that might anger the Squire; and, oh, he will be a
wrathful man this night, if he caught him working in yonder church."

Grace then slipped back, and Jael ran on. But no sooner did she come
up with the party, than Raby ordered her back, in a tone she dared not
resist.

She ran back, and told Grace they were carrying him in, hurt, and the
Squire's eyes were like hot coals.

Grace slipped into the drawing-room and kept the door ajar.

Soon afterward, Raby, his men, and his prisoners, entered the hall, and
Grace heard Raby say, "Bring the prisoners into the dining-room."

Grace Carden sat down, and leaned her head upon her hand, and her little
foot beat the ground, all in a flutter.

But this ended in a spirited resolve. She rose, pale, but firm,
and said, "Come with me, Jael;" and she walked straight into the
dining-room. Coventry strolled in after her.

The room was still brilliantly lighted. Mr. Raby was seated at his
writing-table at the far end, and the prisoners, well guarded, stood
ready to be examin