"Don't, don't leave me, Dick," whispered Daisy, straining to reach him; but her wrist was tightly clasped, and she sank shivering on the bank by the deep chalk pit, whose side was separated from the lane by a low post and rail fence, beyond which the descent was a sheer precipice of seventy or eighty feet, the old weakened side being dotted with flowers; a place which, as she stood holding Daisy's wrist still tightly and watching her son till he disappeared down the road, Mrs Glaire remembered to have been a favoured spot in her girlhood for gathering nosegays; and where, more than once, she had met her dead husband in the happy days of her own courtship. As these thoughts came back from the past, a feeling of pity for the poor girl beside her stole into Mrs Glaire's heart, and she trembled in her purpose; but after a few moments' indecision, she told herself that it was for the happiness of all, and that Daisy Banks must suffer in place of Eve. The stars were beginning to peer out faintly and the glow in the west was paling; but still she stood holding the wrist tightly; while, after making a few energetic efforts to free herself, Daisy submitted like a trapped bird, and crouched there palpitating, and not daring once to raise her eyes to those of the angry mother of the man she believed she loved; but who had at all events obtained so strong a hold upon her that she was forced to submit her will to his, and obey his every command. Volume 2, Chapter VII. AT HOME. "Two can play at that game," said Richard to himself, as he walked sharply down the hill and back into the town, where, not heeding Eve, who was in the dining-room, he hastily wrote a short letter, and then putting on his hat, went out again, smoking a cigar, apparently to have a stroll, and sauntered down towards the Bull and Cucumber, where he gave a long, low whistle, uttered twice, and then walked on for some distance. His signal had the required effect, for Sim Slee came after him with a soft pace like a cat, and together the two men went on in the darkness, Richard talking earnestly to his companion, and passing money to him, whose chink was very audible. "Now you quite understand?" said Richard, earnestly. "Understand? He, he, he!" chuckled Sim. "I've got it quite by heart. I say, won't Joe Banks be popped?" "Hold your tongue, and keep names quiet. Now you quite understand. I shall not show my face in the matter at all." "Oh, no, of course not," said Sim. "All right, Mr Glaire, sir. You couldn't have a troostier man than me." "I don't know," said Richard; "perhaps I oughtn't to have given you the money till after." "Oh, you may troost me, Mr Richard, I'm square, sir, and honourable. It'll all be done lovely." "Then I shall not see you again," said Richard; and they parted. "Ho, ho, ho!" chuckled Sim, slapping his legs. "Here's a game. Some on 'em 'll be chattering all over the place 'bout this, and, ho, my!"