"Yes, Aunt," said George, who was busy designing locomotives. "She asked me the way--at least the driver did. They were both strangers to me." "Quite a young gal, warn't she, Mr. George?" appealed Kezia. "Not more than eighteen, I should think. But she wore a wedding ring; I saw it distinctly." "Yes, mum; I saw her drive past, so bold and staring. They say she's an actress, mum." "How awful! I suppose she's his wife." "Well, mum, us all hopes she is." "The wretched young man! How can he be so wicked!" "Is anybody wicked?" asked Miss Yard vacantly. "Never mind, Sophy. It's nobody you care about. Has she been told? You know who I mean." "Oh no, mum. We wouldn't like to say anything much to her. But of course she mustn't go out with him any more." "Of course not," said George vigorously. "I suppose I must break it to her," said Mrs. Drake. "And he sings in the choir too--miserable wretch!" "I warned you, Aunt," said George. "He must never come into the house again. Ask Robert to tell him." "Oh no, mum! We couldn't drink coffee with him now. He seemed such a nice young man too. Robert thought him almost like a gentleman." "It's often these nice young men who turn out the greatest humbugs," said Mrs. Drake severely. "What is she saying? I do hope there are no such things in the house," Miss Yard cried anxiously. Nellie was thoroughly well told. Kezia, Bessie, and Robert were alike eager to play the part of candid friend because they liked her so much; indeed, they somewhat overwhelmed her with candid affection. According to Bessie, the mysterious lady had been overheard imploring Sidney to return with her; while Robert declared the young man had confessed the whole truth. Kezia could invent nothing, so contented herself with moaning over life's tragedies like the chorus of a Greek play. Nellie, being a wise maid, argued with nobody, and smiled at everyone; but her eyes made people sorry for her; and because of their sympathy they brought yet other charges against Sidney. Nellie waited for choir practice, when she hoped to hear a healthier story. She expressed no gratitude when the heroic George offered to accompany her to church, lest the dragon Sidney should abduct her forcibly and add her to his collection in the cupboard at home. He explained these references according to the best of his historical information, quoting the story of Bluebeard at some length. He was still talking when Nellie escaped from the house, and went to church by herself. During practice the other members of the choir shrank from Sidney, as if afraid he should make some evil communication; and they practised the hymns, which were of a penitential nature, at him. It was never the custom in Highfield to allow even one sinner to go unpunished. "At last!" exclaimed Nellie, when they were out of the church and alone together in Dartmoor wind and darkness. "Of course you know what I am going to say?" she added.