He left her and she went forward, passed under Down Tor, crossed the stream and skirted the great wood beyond. She reached the gate and stopped for her brother as she had promised: but he did not come, and presently she went her way through the edge of the trees. Then suddenly, going on silent feet, she heard voices at hand. A great stone towered there and in a moment she understood that her sister-in-law and Bartley Crocker were on one side of it, and knew not that she was upon the other. She guessed that the man had taken leave of the party at Coombeshead Farm and that Margaret had departed with him. This indeed had happened. Bartley made but a short stay at the Stanburys’ and Madge left when he did. They were now sitting together and talking. Rhoda listened but could not hear more than a chance word intermittently. "Your husband wanted to give me a spread and a send-off in the old-fashioned way, but, somehow, I’ve no stomach for any such thing just at present," declared Mr. Crocker. "’Tis natural you shouldn’t have." "I shall write to David. I can’t stand all these good-byes, and all the leave-taking business." "’Tis crushing to think you’re so nearly gone." "But mind you keep the secret of the day and tell none, Madge--till I’m off. Those I care for shall hear from me--t’others don’t matter. There’s nothing left to keep me but you, and I can’t make you happier by staying." "Don’t say that." "Not really I can’t. We’re beginning new lives in new places--you and me." "So we are in a way." "What does Rhoda do?" "She can’t make up her mind seemingly. She’s very sad." "She’s very mad, if you ask me. I wish to God some man could find how to sweeten her mind. And you’re sad because she is. I knew it the moment I heard your voice half an hour ago." "’Tis wonderful to think how you can always tell by my tone of voice how ’tis with me! But then there’s nobody like you for understanding us women. You’d have made a rare husband for the right one, Bartley." "Yes; and the right one--well, perhaps I’ll find her over the water. ’Tis the day after to-morrow I go. I sail off from Plymouth, so that’s all easy and straight-forward." "Be the _Shamrock_ a good big ship?" "Big enough for my fortunes." "We must see one another once more, Bartley." "Of course we must, Madge." They moved forward as they spoke, and Rhoda saw Bartley kiss Margaret and observed that her sister-in-law was weeping. Then came hasty feet and Napoleon appeared. He shouted from a distance. "She ban’t there! She’s gone! I waited a bit and had a dollop of figgy pudden and told ’em the bad news about faither." "Hullo!" said Bartley to Rhoda. "You!" He looked blankly at her, but she ignored him and turned to Margaret. Hate was in her voice. She spoke quickly and waited for no reply, then moved on with her brother.