u down.'

An ironical laugh, with the words, 'Come, sir, be off!' was the only
rejoinder, and then Jack strode away out of sight.

'Will that big sulky fellow eavesdrop?' he heard as he was departing,
and the question was not likely to allay his wrath.

The conversation lasted for more minutes than Jack's patience held out,
and he fumed and chafed at the indignity passed on him.

'To be warned off by a brute like that!' he murmured. 'What right has he
to do it?'

Presently Betty's face appeared above the low wall which skirted the
farmyard.

'Oh! Jack,' she exclaimed, 'Bryda has been talking to the young Squire
ever so long. She sent me away. I do so wish she would come. It is all
about that money and grandfather; but I don't like her to be alone with
that man; he has a bad face. She has got Flick, but still I wish she
would come.'

'Hang it all!' Jack said, 'I won't stand this another minute,' and he
retraced his steps up the lane, reaching the down just as the Squire,
with a pointer at his heels, was bowing low and waving his hand in
farewell to Bryda.

Jack was at her side in an instant.

'What does that fellow want?'

Bryda had recovered her self-possession.

'He has promised to stay proceedings against grandfather for a month,'
and the swift colour came to her face, and then vanishing, left it pale
as death.

'What has he been saying to you?' Jack demanded, almost fiercely. 'Has
he been frightening you to death--it looks like it.'

'Don't be angry, Jack; you should be glad. I have got a month's respite.
I am tired, that is all. Come in to supper; Betty is sure to have
something good to-night to try and tempt grandfather.'

Jack was wondering when Bryda would ask what had been the result of his
journey to Bristol. He had walked some twenty miles in her service, and
yet she asked no questions about the letter.

'I have been to Bristol,' he began, 'and delivered your letter. Don't
you want to know what Madam Lambert said?'

'Oh, my letter! Yes--will she have me?' But Bryda did not seem eager for
an answer.

'Yes, you can ride with me on Monday in the cart, and I will put you
down at number six Dowry Square. Madam will give you ten pounds a year,
and you will get a lot of books--I saw shelves full in the parlour--and
you will see all the fine folks at the pump-room, and hear the band
play. Won't you like that--eh, Bryda?'

'Oh, yes, of course I shall. I thank you, Jack, for taking all this
trou