"This is an excellent whisky," continued Hardy, "and I drink your health"--here he sipped--"and the health of your worthy daughter"--here he sipped again--"in your very hospitable gift." Bax grinned, and said, "We make no charge. You're my guests, and you're welcome." "Bax," said Hardy, "haven't you a spring cart?" "Yes," answered Bax. "Got a horse?" "Got a pretty little mare." "Will you drive me over to Captain Armstrong's as soon as possible to fetch this young lady's luggage?" Julia started in her chair, and said, "Don't trouble, Mr. Hardy. My father will send the box on to me when he gets my address in London." "How d'ye know he will?" inquired Hardy. "Ah!" murmured Bax. "Suppose the stepmother declines to let the box go?" said Hardy. "Now you'll want all the clothes you've got and can get, Miss Armstrong, if you mean to colonise. Bax, bear a hand, my lad; clap your mare to the cart, and report when you're ready." He spoke as if he was on the quarter-deck of a ship and making the sailors jump for their lives, and Bax went out, saying, "I'll not be ten minutes." "How good you are to me!" exclaimed Julia, gathering the side of her pocket-handkerchief unconsciously, and looking at him with eyes that seemed to tremble with emotion. "What should I have done had you not found me? I might have died under that hedge." "Let me see," said Hardy; "how far off from here does your father live?" She reflected and answered, "Quite six miles." "Well, we shall be back with your box before ten. Don't sit up; you want all the rest you can get. To-morrow will be full of business." "Oh!" cried Julia, "I hope there will be no trouble. Father may--He won't like you to know that I have run away. He may insist upon returning with you, or coming here." "If he is at home he may, and we'll give him a lift with pleasure." "I should refuse to meet him," cried the girl, standing up in a sudden passion of indignation. "He has seen me suffer and has looked on. If he comes here it is not for me, but for _that_," and she pointed to the bottle of whisky. "You shall have your box of clothes, anyhow," said Hardy, smoking coolly and looking at the girl; and three minutes after he had said this Miss Bax came in, and reported that "father and the cart was at the gate." "Don't let Miss Armstrong sit up," said Hardy. "Do those chaps back talk very loud?" "When they arguefy," answered Miss Bax. "They're wrangling over the age of the queen now." "Well, when Miss Armstrong goes to bed silence them," said Hardy, "for I want the lady to sleep well. We shall meet at breakfast," said he, turning to Julia and taking her hand. "I shall wait up for you. How could I sleep?" she replied. He smiled, but answered nothing, filled and relighted his pipe, and walked out.