"If _you_ have made no mistake," said his lordship quickly; and he and his companion had hardly drawn aside into the convenient wood to swell the circle gathering round the intending evaders, when Richard Linnell made a step from his concealment and was arrested by Mellersh, as Burnett whispered: "What are they here for?" Just then one of the postboys yawned and stretched himself, making noise sufficient to awaken his fellow, who rose from the bank and flicked his whip. "How long have we been here?" said the man on the horse. "Hours, and not a soul come. My ticker's been asleep as well," he muttered, after pulling out his watch. "I believe the 'osses have been having a nap too. I say, I'm getting sick of this." "Think they'll come?" "Hang me if I know. Guv'nor seems to have been about right." "Why, what did he say?" "You was there and heard him." "No: I was in the stable." "Said two po'chays was ordered, and he'd only horses for one. That it was certain as it was a 'lopement, that both parties wouldn't come, and perhaps neither of 'em. If they did, Sir Matthy Bray and Sir Harry Payne had better fight it out, and the gals go home. Hist! Is that them?" The two men listened attentively as steps were heard, and the listeners in the wood were all on the _qui vive_. Directly after, Sir Harry Payne came up. "Seen a lady, my lads?" "No, sir. Been on the watch ever since we come, and no one's been near," said the first postboy. "Humph! Past time. Horses fresh?" "Fresh as daisies, Sir Harry. Don't you be afraid. No one'll catch us." "Are you sure you've both been watching? Not been asleep, have you?" "Sleep a-top of a horse, Sir Harry? Not we." "Mount!" cried Sir Harry to the second man. "Here she comes." What followed was the business of a few moments. A slight little veiled figure came panting up, and was caught in Sir Harry's arms. "At last!" he cried. "This way, little pet-curse the woman! What are you doing here?" Claire Denville's cloak dropped from her shoulders as, panting and utterly exhausted with the chase after her sister, she flung her arms about her and held her fast. "May!" she panted. "Sister, are you mad?" "You'll make me in a moment," cried Sir Harry. "Curse you! Why do you interfere?" "May!" cried Claire again. "For pity's sake--for the sake of your husband, do not do this wicked thing. Come back with me; come back. No one shall know. Sister, dear sister, before it is too late." "Nay, it is too late," whispered Sir Harry. "Choose; will you go back to misery and disgrace?" At the edge of the wood the scene was just visible, but the words were inaudible. Burnett had not at first recognised his wife; but Claire's voice rang out clear, and with a sneer he turned to Richard Linnell: "There!" he said. "What did I say? What are you going to do now?" "Try and save your foolish wife, idiot, if you are not man enough to interfere."