There was a strange resentful hauteur in her tone, and Linnell offered her his arm. "We will walk a little way if you wish it, Miss Dean," he said; "but we ought hardly to leave Major Rockley in this state. My friend Colonel Mellersh--" "Don't mind me, Dick," said the latter. "I'll play hospital nurse, if Miss Dean will trust me with the care of the Major." Cora did not condescend to reply, but stepped forward as if to walk back. "We are many miles from Saltinville, Miss Dean," said Linnell, "and a post-chaise will be here soon." Further conversation was prevented by James Bell whispering hurriedly: "It's all a mistake, Mr Linnell, and the consequences will be terrible if I am found to have taken the Major's horses. Can you do without me?" "Yes," said Linnell quickly; "but your master?" "I can't think of him, sir," said Bell hastily. "I must think of myself. Gentlemen, I thought we were chasing another lady whom I would have given my life to save. I stood by you; will you stand by me?" "Yes," said Mellersh quickly. "Take the horses back. I'll stay by your master till help comes." "And you will not tell upon me about the horses, gentlemen?" "No," said Mellersh shortly. "Go." "And you, Mr Linnell?" "You may trust me," was the reply. Bell went off with the horses on the instant, and a tedious time of waiting ensued, the end of which was that it was arranged when the fresh post-chaise came that Mellersh should ride with Cora and the injured man back to the posting house, Linnell walking by the side of the chaise. On reaching the inn, Rockley was placed in the landlord's care, with instructions to fetch a medical man, and the three afterwards had a perfectly silent ride back to Saltinville, where Mrs Dean was found sitting up in a high state of excitement, and ready to greet her daughter: "Lor! Bet--Cora--you have give me a turn. I thought it was a real elopement, and now you've come back." "Well, Dick," said Mellersh grimly, as they stood together in the latter's room. "What do you think of it now?" "I think I've been a fool," said Linnell shortly; "but I can't quite make it out." "Neither can I," responded Mellersh, after a pause. Volume Two, Chapter XXVIII. UNDER A THICK CLOAK. "You'll be so glad to hear, my dear," prattled on Mrs Barclay, who was exceedingly warm and happy. "There's quite a reconciliation, my dear." "Reconciliation?" "Yes, dear. Young Cornet Denville has just fetched her to take her round the grounds, which is just as it should be, you know. I'd have gone with them, but I'm afraid of the night air, and catching a bad cold, you see, and so I think it's better not to risk taking a chill, and--" "Who fetched her--Cornet Denville?" "Yes, my dear, her brother; and I've been thinking--" "Don't talk, Mrs Barclay," cried Cora quickly--"don't talk, pray, only tell me which way she went."