Farmer Wright stared; there was something quite new in Miss Betsy's manner of talking. "You are a very active man, farmer, in the haymaking season," continued Miss Compton with a smile; "do you think, that to oblige and serve me, you could be as much on the alert for the next three or four hours as if you had a rick to save from a coming storm of rain?" "That I wool!" replied Wright heartily. "Do you but bid me do, Miss Betsy, and I'll do it." "Then go to your sister Appleby's, and inquire if her son William has left Squire Horton's yet." "I need not go so far for that, Miss Compton; Will is down stairs with my missus at this very minute," said the farmer. "That is fortunate!... He is not likely to go away directly, is he?" "No, not he, Miss Betsy; he is come to have a crack with our young 'uns, and it's more likely he'll stay all night than be off in such a hurry." "Then, in that case, have the kindness, Farmer Wright, to saddle a horse, while I write a line to the bank.... I want you to ride over to Silverton for me, to get some money." "And I'll do it," replied her faithful assistant, leaving the room. Fortunately for her present convenience, Miss Compton always kept a deposit of about one hundred pounds in the bank at Silverton in case of need, either for the purpose of making the loans which have been already mentioned as a principal feature in her works of charity, or for any accidental contingency. Beyond this, however, she had no pecuniary transactions there, as her habitual secrecy in all that concerned her money affairs made it desirable that her agent should be more distant. This fund, however, was quite sufficient for the moment, for, as will be easily believed, Miss Compton had no debts. Farmer Wright speedily re-appeared, equipped for his ride. "You will receive ninety-seven pounds sixteen and two-pence, Wright," said the spinster, giving her draught. "Would it suit you best to receive the rent, Miss Betsy, before you set off?" said the farmer. "It will make no difference, you know, ma'am, if I pays it a fortnight beforehand." "Not an hour, upon any account, Wright," replied his punctilious landlady. "I will leave written instructions with you as to what you are to do with it, and about all my other affairs in which you are concerned. And now send William Appleby to me." This young man, the nephew of her tenant, and the ex-footman of a neighbouring family, had been favourably known to her from his childhood; and a very few minutes sufficed to enrol him as her servant, with an understanding that his livery was to be ordered as soon as they reached London.