"That's well!" exclaimed Rainford. "You may now go back, John. All that I require of you is done." "But I have something to say to _you_, sir," observed the servant. "Just now, Sir Christopher sent for me up into the parlour to give me some orders; and I heard Mr. Frank, who is uncommon far gone with brandy-and-water, making a boast to the lawyer-fellow that he'd walk all round the grounds to see that every thing is safe. It seems that the lawyer has been twitting him about his little business with you just now up the lane, you know; and so Mr. Frank is as bumptious as possible. I only thought I'd better tell you of this—in case you've any business in hand that's likely to keep you about the place." "I am very much obliged to you, John," said Rainford. "Here's another five guineas for you—and I shall not forget to speak to Old Death in your favour. But you had better get back as soon as you can, for fear you should be missed." Jeffreys thanked the highwayman for the additional remuneration, and returned to the cottage. It was now past nine o'clock, and Rainford murmured to himself, "I wonder how much longer they will be?" His horse, which was a high-spirited animal, began to grow impatient of this long stoppage; and he himself shivered, in spite of the good great coat, with the nipping chill. Another quarter of an hour elapsed; and, to the infinite joy of Tom Rain, he suddenly beheld two female figures, well muffled in shawls and furs, emerge from the obscurity at a short distance. "All right, ladies," he said, in as loud a voice as he dared use consistently with prudence. Adelais and Rosamond hurried towards him, as affrighted lambs to their shepherd; and yet, when they were close to him, they seemed unable to utter a word. "Fear not, ladies," exclaimed the highwayman. "I am the friend to whom Mr. Villiers alluded in his note." "Save us, then, sir—save us," said Adelais, in an urgent and imploring tone; "for Mr. Curtis saw us leave the house: he was in the garden——" At that moment the sounds of voices were heard in the direction of the cottage; and they were evidently approaching. "Hasten up the lane, young ladies—hasten, for God's sake!" said Tom Rain. "Mr. Villiers is there with the post-chaise—and I will remain here to bar the way." Adelais and Rosamond could not even give utterance to the thanks which their hearts longed to express: terror froze the words that started to their lips; and, not daring to glance behind them, they hurried up the lane. Tom Rainford now mounted his horse, and took his station in the middle of the way; for several persons were rapidly approaching from the house. In a few moments they were near enough to enable Rainford to catch what they said. "The disobedient—self-willed girls!" exclaimed one, whom Tom was right in supposing to be Mr. Torrens. "But wasn't it fortunate that I twigged them?" said Curtis. "Egad!——" "It will be much more fortunate if we overtake them," observed the lawyer.