"Has been practising upon the weakness of that pretty little lass of ours--Fanny. He has gone up to town, and she promised him to follow. Go and stop her at any cost. Then send for her brother, and let him know the truth; and if he follows and thrashes--What?" "The girl has gone," said Aunt Sophia. "Gone?" "She asked Kate for a holiday, and went this afternoon. She was to be back to-morrow night." "Good heavens!" cried Scarlett. "I would sooner have given a thousand pounds.--What is it, Jack?" "Nothing--only this--so sad!" said the doctor hoarsely, as he sat where he had literally dropped--into a chair. "What is to be done?" cried Scarlett excitedly. "Here, send for William Cressy. Let a man gallop over at once." "Yes, I'll send," said the doctor; and he literally staggered out of the room. "Am I really out of my senses?" he said to himself as he hurried down. "Have I been blundering all this time; or is it a ruse of the poor fellow to throw us off the truth?--Good heavens! what am I to think!" he ran into the study and rang the bell loudly, when Martha Betts came into the room at once in her calm grave way. "Can you find the gardener--Monnick," he said, "quickly." "Yes, sir." "Send him here--at once." The girl hurried out, and the doctor paced the room. "If I am wrong, I shall never forgive myself. I can never look her in the face again. Good heavens!--good heavens! I must, have been mad and blind, and an utter scoundrel, to think such things of--Oh, what a villain I have been!" Just then, there was a heavy footstep in the passage, and the old gardener tapped at the door. "Come in," cried the doctor, running to meet him; and as the old man entered, he caught him by the arm. "Quick!" he cried--"tell me--speak out, man--the truth." "Ay, sir, I will," muttered the old fellow. "Who--who--now speak out; keep nothing back; I am your master's trusted friend. Who was in the summer-house last night with Mr Prayle?" "That poor foolish little wench, Fanny, sir; and--" "Fool, fool, fool!" cried the doctor, stamping upon the floor. "Ay, that's so, sir; that's so; and she'll know better soon, let's hope." "Quick!" cried the doctor. "Go--at once--and fetch her brother William Cressy here. Your master wants to see him instantly. Go yourself, or send some one who can run." The old man hesitated, and then hurried out. "I'd better go mysen," he muttered. "P'raps it's best; but I don't think Willyum Cressy will be here to-night." He had hardly closed the door before the doctor had opened it again, and was on his way upstairs, but only to be waylaid by Lady Scarlett, who caught him by the arm, and literally made him enter the drawing-room. "Doctor Scales, I am his wife," she pleaded. "I have borne so much; for pity's sake tell me. You see how I obey you and keep away; but tell me what is wrong--or I shall die."