"It's a strange business," said the squire, "but I suppose it is the fault of the new wife. This pretty girl has perhaps gone to try her fortune in London, in preference to living at home in uncongenial company. But it's a pity." "Someone told me, I forget who," answered John, "that the new wife, as you call her, was bent on marrying this pretty girl to that brute young Henderson. In that case one can not wonder at her running away." "Well, I hope she'll come to no trouble; she's a very pretty girl." "Very," replied John, laconically, and then he turned away; but his uncle noticed that during the rest of the day there was a cloud upon his brow. Mr. Churchill, in the meanwhile, had returned home, and had told his news to his wife. May had gone to London alone, and the station-master had seen her off, and a strange boy had taken her trunk to the station. "Then it has been all planned beforehand!" exclaimed Mrs. Churchill. "How deceitful!" Mr. Churchill said nothing, and was certainly looking anything but happy. "Will you put it into the hands of the police?" asked Mrs. Churchill. "No," answered the farmer, decidedly. "May would have some little money with her--a matter of twenty pounds or so, at least, and she can't starve for a week or two with that. And when she wants money she can come home. Remember that, Sarah," he added, emphatically, "whenever my girl wants to come back, she's welcome here." CHAPTER XVIII. AT PEMBRIDGE TERRACE. While these inquiries about her flight were going on, May Churchill was safely sheltered in the home John Temple had provided for her in town. This she found to be an extremely comfortable one, and the two ladies of the establishment the most amiable of women. May had arrived at King's Cross terminus nervous, yet determined. She had left a home where she was no longer happy, and she was going to be married to the man she loved. What matter was it, she told herself, that for the present this marriage had to be a secret one? She had a perfect trust in John Temple, and she knew he would never deceive her. She easily got her small belongings collected, and then directed the cab driver to convey her to the address in Bayswater that John Temple had given her. She found herself there before she expected, and after the cabman had rung the doorbell it was quickly opened, and no less than four people appeared to welcome her. A servant first; behind, two middle-aged ladies; and behind the middle-aged ladies, a tall young man. This young man, however, hurried to the front, opened the cab door, and said, in a pleasant voice: "Miss Churchill, I presume? My aunts are expecting you." "Yes," gasped May, nervously. "Is this Miss Webster's house?" "Yes, my dear, it is!" screamed one of the middle-aged ladies from the top of the door-steps. "This is our house, mine and sister Eliza's, and we expect you are Mr. Temple's cousin." "Yes," faltered May.