"You two lads can take the letter to the post," said he. But we had not got many yards from home when we heard the Squire coming after us. We all walked into Church Dykely together; and close to the post-office, which was at Dame Chad's shop, we met Duffham. Of course the Squire, who could not keep anything in had he been bribed to do it, told Duffham what steps he was about to take. "Going to enforce payment," nodded Duffham. "The man deserves no quarter. But he is ill." "Serve him right. What's the matter with him?" "Nervous fever. Has fretted or frightened himself into it. Report says that he is very ill indeed." "Don't you attend him?" "Not I. I did not please madam at the time the boy was born--would not give in to some of her whims and fancies. They have called in that new doctor who has settled in the next parish, young Bluck." "Why, he is no better than an apothecary's boy, that young Bluck! Caromel can't be very ill, if they have him." "So ill, that, as I have just heard, he is in great danger--likely to die," replied Duffham, tapping his cane against the ledge of Dame Chad's window. "Bluck's young, but he is clever." "Bless my heart! Likely to die! What, Nash Caromel! Here, you lads, if that's it, I won't annoy him just now about the money, so don't post the letter." "It is posted," said Tod. "I have just put it in." "Go in and explain to Dame Chad, and get it out again. Or, stay; the letter can go, and I'll write and say it's not to be acted on until he is well again. Nervous fever! I'm afraid his conscience has been pricking him." "I hope it has," said Duffham. II. A few days went on. Nash Caromel lay in the greatest danger. Nave was at the farm day and night. A physician was called in from a distance to aid young Bluck; but it was understood that there remained very little hope of recovery. We began to feel sorry for Nash and to excuse his offences, the Squire especially. It was all that strong-minded young woman's doings, said he; she had drawn him into her toils, and he had not had the pluck, first or last, to escape from them. But a change for the better took place; Nash passed the crisis, and would probably, with care, recover. I think every one felt glad; one does not wish a fellow quite to die, though he has misinterpreted the laws on the ticklish subject of matrimony. And the Squire felt vexed later when he learned that his lawyer had disregarded his countermanding letter and sent a peremptory threat to Nash of enforcing instant proceedings, unless the money was repaid forthwith. That was not the only threat conveyed to Caromel's Farm. Harry Tinkle returned; and, despite his sister's protestations, took the matter into his own hands, and applied for the warrant that had been so much talked about. As soon as Nash Caromel could leave his bed, he would be taken before the magistrates.