gh the few passengers she met must perceive in her face that her
whole fortune was changed. It was hard for Nettie to realise that she
could do absolutely nothing at this moment, and still harder for her to
think that her fate lay undecided in Edward Rider's hands. Though she
had not a doubt of him, yet the mere fact that it was he who must take
the first step was somewhat galling to the pride and temper of the
little autocrat. Before she had reached the butcher, or even come near
enough to recognise Lucy Wodehouse, where she stood at the garden gate,
setting out for St Roque's, Nettie heard the headlong wheels of something
approaching which had not yet come in sight. She wound herself up in a
kind of nervous desperation for the encounter that was coming. No need
to warn her who it was. Nobody but the doctor flying upon wings of haste
and love could drive in that break-neck fashion down the respectable
streets of Carlingford. Here he came sweeping round that corner at the
Blue Boar, where Nettie herself had once mounted the drag, and plunged
down Grange Lane in a maze of speed which confused horse, vehicle, and
driver in one indistinct gleaming circle to the excited eyes of the
spectator, who forced herself to go on, facing them with an exertion
of all her powers, and strenuous resistance of the impulse to turn and
escape. Why should Nettie escape?--it must be decided one way or other.
She held on dimly with rapid trembling steps. To her own agitated mind,
Nettie, herself, left adrift and companionless, seemed the suitor. The
only remnants of her natural force that remained to her united in the
one resolution not to run away.

It was well for the doctor that his little groom had the eyes and activity
of a monkey, and knew the exact moment at which to dart forward and
catch the reins which his master flung at him, almost without pausing in
his perilous career. The doctor made a leap out of the drag, which was
more like that of a mad adventurer than a man whose business it was to
keep other people's limbs in due repair. Before Nettie was aware that he
had stopped, he was by her side.

"Dr Edward," she exclaimed, breathlessly, "hear me first! Now I am left
unrestrained, but I am not without resources. Don't think you are bound
in honour to say anything over again. What may have gone before I forget
now. I will not hold you to your word. You are not to have pity upon
me!" cried Nettie, not well aware what she was saying. Th