’All quite well, ever since. You are not
very tired, are you? I’m afraid it will
be necessary for you to walk to “Redman’s
Farm,” dear Radie—but it is hardly
a mile, I think—for, you see, the fellow
must not know who you are; and I must go back with
him, for I have not been very well—indeed
I’ve been, I may say, very ill—and
I told that fellow, Larkin, who has his eyes about
him, and would wonder what kept me out so late, that
I would run down to some of the places near for a change,
and sleep a night there; and that’s the reason,
dear Radie, I can walk only a short way with you;
but you are not afraid to walk a part of the way home
without me? You are so sensible, and you have
been, really, so very kind, I assure you I appreciate
it, Radie—I do, indeed; and I’m very
grateful—I am, upon my word.’
Rachel answered with a heavy sigh.
HOW RACHEL SLEPT THAT NIGHT IN REDMAN’S FARM.
‘Allow me—pray do,’ and he
took her little bag from her hand. ’I hope
you are not very tired, darling; you’ve been
so very good; and you’re not afraid—you
know the place is so quiet—of the little
walk by yourself. Take my arm; I’ll go
as far as I can, but it is very late you know—and
you are sure you are not afraid?’
’I ought to be afraid of nothing now, Stanley,
but I think I am afraid of everything.’
’Merely a little nervous—it’s
nothing—I’ve been wretchedly since,
myself; but, I’m so glad you are home again;
you shall have no more trouble, I assure you; and
not a creature suspects you have been from home.
Old Tamar has behaved admirably.’
Rachel sighed again and said—
‘Yes—poor Tamar.’
’And now, dear, I’m afraid I must leave
you—I’m very sorry; but you see how
it is; keep to the shady side, close by the hedge,
where the trees stop; but I’m certain you will
meet no one. Tamar will tell you who has called—hardly
anyone—I saw them myself every day at Brandon,
and told them you were ill. You’ve been
very kind, Radie; I assure you I’ll never forget
it. You’ll find Tamar up and watching for
you—I arranged all that; and I need not
say you’ll be very careful not to let that girl
of yours hear anything. You’ll be very
quiet—she suspects nothing; and I assure
you, so far as personal annoyance of any kind is concerned,
you may be perfectly at ease. Good-night, Radie;
God bless you, dear. I wish very much I could
see you all the way, but there’s a risk in it,
you know. Good-night, dear Radie. By-the-bye,
here’s your bag; I’ll take the rug, it’s
too heavy for you, and I may as well have it to Dollington.’
He kissed her cheek in his slight way, and left her,
and was soon on his way to Dollington, where he slept
that night—rather more comfortably than
he had done since Rachel’s departure.
Rachel walked on swiftly. Very tired, but not
at all sleepy—on the contrary, excited
and nervous, and rather relieved, notwithstanding that
Stanley had left her to walk home alone.
