Wadsworth, it appeared from Cicely’s tale, was in as great a turmoil as Horwick. Her father had bidden her good-bye, given her an address in Liverpool, and was ready for flight. Many would have been glad to have Arthur, but what was the use? Arthur was safer in Horwick than in Wadsworth. Then, as she had stood distraught in the square, she had seen the parson coming out of the church, and had flown to him and well-nigh dragged him back into the building. There, on her knees, she had supplicated him (“Easy, lass,” said Matthew Moon, soothingly)--all was different now--oh! if the parson could but know!--Back o’ th’ Mooin, too, was against him ... she did not remember all she had said. At last the parson had consented to take him in for a night, during which he would pray for guidance; but it must be understood that after that all must be as God should direct. “Humph!” said the merchant. “And yourself; when can ye join him?” “Me?” exclaimed Cicely, “Oh, Matthew, I promised Sally I’d not leave her, and I can’t take that word back now----” “He’ll not clear out without ye.” “Oh, he must, he must!” “I don’t think Arthur right knows what that means,” Matthew observed drily. “Then he must trust i’ God and wait somewhere while I can meet him. It were the last word I passed Sally afore she went off. I’d see to Jimmy, too, I promised----” “Sally wouldn’t hold ye to it if she knew how it is; let Dooina see to her.” “No, no, I can’t; he must do the best he can while I can join him. It must come to pass as it will.” “Heigho!... Very well. Is aught heard o’ Ellah yet?” “No,” she answered distractedly. The merchant had not smoked during that day; he now rose for tobacco. Slowly he filled and lighted his pipe, and puffed thoughtfully for a time. “Well, we’ll manage somehow, no doubt,” he said composedly at last. “They’ll be here for me soon.” “You too!” Cicely moaned; and he made a slight gesture of impatience. “The devil take the women!... Yes, for me; but they’ve got a prickly piece when they’ve got me. I’ve made myself safe, as I’ve made all safe this many a year; they’d ha’ been badly to seek this last day or two wi’out Matthew. Now listen. Arthur ’ll have to chance it for himself now. ‘The parson’s, Wadsworth, to-night,’ was all I said in the note. I’m not going to tell ye where he is, and if ye love him keep away from the parson’s--keep out o’ Wadsworth. The parson’s! Nay, that caps me; who’d ha’ thought--hark!... Ay, I told ye; they’re here. Off wi’ ye, quick. Ye can go out o’ the front door now; good-bye for a bit.... Nay, don’t blubber all ower my hands!... off wi’ ye, and keep as far away from Wadsworth as ye can till all’s ready----” He closed the door behind her and sat down to his pipe again. He had not finished the pipe before he was put under close arrest, with a sentry on either side of his dining-room door.