"Our conference must be postponed," said the doctor. He then sat down and tracing a few hasty lines on a sheet of paper, directed and sealed the note, and gave it to Atherton. "Take this to Sir Richard, without loss of time," he said. "You will render him an important service." "I shall be very glad to serve him," replied the young man. "But may I not know the nature of my mission?" "Be satisfied that it is important," said the doctor. "I shall see you again later on. Perhaps Sir Richard may have a message to send to me." Dr. Byrom then conducted the young man to the hall-door, and let him out himself; after which he returned to the study, not caring to go back to the drawing-room. Great was Beppy's disappointment that Atherton was carried off so suddenly by her father; but she had some suspicion of the truth. As to the two curates, they thought the doctor's conduct rather singular, but forebore to make any remarks. CHAPTER X. CONSTANCE RAWCLIFFE. On quitting Dr. Byrom's house, Atherton proceeded quickly along Old Mill Gate towards the market-place. This street, one of the oldest and busiest in the town, presented a very unwonted appearance--several of the shops being shut, while carts half-filled with goods were standing at the doors, showing that the owners were removing their property. Very little business seemed to be going on, and there were some symptoms of a disturbance, for a band of rough-looking fellows, armed with bludgeons, was marching along the street, and pushing decent people from the narrow footway. In the market-place several groups were collected, eagerly discussing the news; and at the doors of the Exchange, then newly erected, a few merchants were assembled, but they all had an anxious look, and did not seem to be engaged on business. Except the Exchange, to which we have just adverted, there was not a modern building near the market-place. All the habitations were old, and constructed of timber and plaster. In the midst of these, on the left, stood the Bull's Head. The old inn ran back to a considerable distance, and possessed a court-yard large enough to hold three or four post-chaises and an occasional stage-coach. Entering the court-yard, Atherton sought out Diggles, the landlord, and inquired for Sir Richard Rawcliffe, but, to his great disappointment, learnt that the baronet had just gone out. "That is unlucky," cried the young man. "I have an important communication for him." "He will be back presently," said the landlord. "But perhaps Miss Rawcliffe will see you. She is within. Her cousin, Miss Butler, is with her." Atherton assented to this proposition, and was conducted by the host to a room on the first floor, and evidently situated in the front part of the house. Tapping at the door Diggles went in, and almost immediately returned to say that Miss Rawcliffe would be happy to receive Mr. Atherton Legh.