to be ready at the door at a certain time, so as to arrive at the
village before dusk. After he had passed through the village, he
ordered the postboy to stop about fifty yards on the other side of the
copse, and getting out desired him to remain till he returned. Joey was
already there, and soon afterwards Miss M made her appearance, coming
down the walk in a hurried manner, in her shawl and bonnet. As soon as
she gained the bench, Spikeman was at her feet; he told her he knew what
had passed between her and her cousin; that he could not, would not part
with her--he now came without disguise to repeat what he had so often
said to her, that he loved and adored her, and that his life should be
devoted to make her happy.

Melissa wept, entreated, refused, and half consented; Spikeman led her
away from the bench towards the road, she still refusing, yet still
advancing, until they came to the door of the chaise. Joey let down the
steps; Melissa, half fainting and half resisting, was put in; Spikeman
followed, and the door was closed by Joey.

"Stop a moment, boy," said Spikeman. "Here, Joey, take this."

As Spikeman put a packet into our hero's hand, Melissa clasped her hands
and cried, "Yes--yes! stop, do stop, and let me out; I cannot go, indeed
I cannot."

"There's lights coming down the gravel walk," said Joey; "they are
running fast."

"Drive on, boy, as fast as you can," said Spikeman.

"Oh, yes! drive on," cried Melissa, sinking into her lover's arms.

Off went the chaise, leaving Joey on the road with the packet in his
hand; our hero turned round and perceived the lights close to him, and,
not exactly wishing to be interrogated, he set off as fast as he could,
and never checked his speed until he arrived at the cottage where he and
Spikeman had taken up their quarters.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

A VERY LONG CHAPTER, NECESSARY TO FETCH UP THE REMAINDER OF THE CONVOY.

As it was late that night, Joey did not open the packet delivered to him
from Spikeman until he arose the next morning, which he did very early,
as he thought it very likely that he might be apprehended, if he was not
off in good time. The packet contained a key, 20 pounds in money, and a
paper, with the following letter:--

"My dear boy,--As we must now part, at least for some time, I have
left you money sufficient to set you up for the present; I have
inclosed a memorandum, by which I make over to you the knife-grinder's
wh