'I'll see to that,' said his friend briefly; and laying the child out of his arms as soon as its arm was made secure, he went to Wych Hazel, pulled her hood on again, and drawing her hand through his arm took her out of the cabin. Then asked her 'how she expected to get home?' 'O Reo is here, somewhere.' 'With the carriage?" 'With an incognito gig.' Rollo put her into a chair, stationed Dr. Arthur to keep ward over her, and went to look for Reo. It seems that in the interest of the reading Reo had missed the episode of his mistress's leaving the assembly room, and had thereafter been wholly without a clue by which to seek her. Near the mill Rollo found him, and presently brought up the gig to Patrick Rafferty's cottage. Unsuspiciously Wych Hazel allowed herself to be put into it. Then, standing with the reins in his hand, Dane spoke to the doctor. 'It is late, Arthur; come up to my house and I'll take care of you. Reo, take the road straight up to Mrs. Boërresen's.' With which he jumped into the gig and put the horse in motion; with such good will that before Dr. Arthur could get to the foot of the hill the gig had climbed to Gyda's door, and Rollo had lifted Wych Hazel out. 'But I did not mean to come here!' she said dismayfully. 'I was thinking of something else! Mr. Rollo—what made you do so?' 'The obvious necessity of the case.' 'But I must go home.' 'To-morrow.' He staid no further question. He opened the gate and led the little lady across the few steps to the door. 'Gyda,' said he as they went in, 'let us have some coffee and anything else that can be had quickly. Three people wanting it.' And with that he went into the next room for the cushions. 'I shall stand for an upholsterer one of these days,' he remarked, as he arranged and prepared Wych Hazel's easy chair. 'There! Now!' He unfastened and threw off the rough cloak, much as if he did not like it; took Wych Hazel's hands and put her in her place. 'What have you got to say to me?' he queried softly. Hazel felt extremely shy and discomposed at the course things had taken. It had been no part of her plan to have her escapade known to any but the old servants at home; and here she was, not only discovered but carried off,—and that with Mr. Falkirk's strictures still sounding in her ears. Yet her first words went to another point. 'You should not touch me,' she said with a gentle little push,—'I have not washed my face. And you know I had to use every means I could think of to quiet the child.' Hazel shivered a little, thinking what the screams had been at first when she took the case in hand. Dane's eyes laughed and sparkled, but he only disregarded her admonitions, and remarked that she 'did not answer him?' 'Mr. Rollo, I _must_ go home. Mr. Falkirk will be so vexed.' 'What else have you got to say me?'