Chapter 14 - Page 2

night, and the light of a young moon, which was then just rising, shed around that peace and tranquillity which gives to evening time its most delicious charm. The lengthened shadows of the trees, softened as if reflected in still water, threw their carpet on the path the travellers pursued, and the light wind stirred yet more softly than before, as though it were soothing Nature in her sleep. By little and little they ceased talking, and rode on side by side in a pleasant silence.

a€˜The Maypole lights are brilliant to-night,a€™ said Edward, as they rode along the lane from which, while the intervening trees were bare of leaves, that hostelry was visible.

a€˜Brilliant indeed, sir,a€™ returned Joe, rising in his stirrups to get a better view. a€˜Lights in the large room, and a fire glimmering in the best bedchamber? Why, what company can this be for, I wonder!a€™

a€˜Some benighted horseman wending towards London, and deterred from going on tonight by the marvellous tales of my friend the highwayman, I suppose,a€™ said Edward.

a€˜He must be a horseman of good quality to have such accommodations. Your bed too, sira€"!a€™

a€˜No matter, Joe. Any other room will do for me. But comea€"therea€™s nine striking. We may push on.a€™

They cantered forward at as brisk a pace as Joea€™s charger could attain, and presently stopped in the little copse where he had left her in the morning. Edward dismounted, gave his bridle to his companion, and walked with a light step towards the house.

A female servant was waiting at a side gate in the garden-wall, and admitted him without delay. He hurried along the terrace-walk, and darted up a flight of broad steps leading into an old and gloomy hall, whose walls were ornamented with rusty suits of armour, antlers, weapons of the chase, and suchlike garniture. Here he paused, but not long; for as he looked round, as if expecting the attendant to have followed, and wondering she had not done so, a lovely girl appeared, whose dark hair next moment rested on his breast. Almost at the same instant a heavy hand was laid upon her arm, Edward felt himself thrust away, and Mr Haredale stood between them.

He regarded the young man sternly without removing his hat; with one hand clasped his niece, and with the other, in which he held his riding-whip, motioned him towards the door. The young man drew himself up, and returned his gaze.

a€˜This is well done of you, sir, to corrupt my servants, and enter my house unbidden and in secret, like a thief!a€™ said Mr Haredale. a€˜Leave it, sir, and return no more.a€™

a€˜Miss Haredalea€™s presence,a€™ returned the young man, a€˜and your