Fox, usually ready with a word, was uncertain how to meet these sallies, and still remained silent. The old man rode on, casting an occasional glance, full of cynicism, at young Crymes, who walked at the side of the horse. Fox would not return till he was enlightened on this change in his manner; nor would he say much, resolving on silence as the best method of forcing old Cleverdon to show what was in his mind. "What dost say to Anthony coming home?" asked the Squire of his daughter, turning his head over his shoulder. "Anthony--is he really coming to Hall?" gasped Bessie, her heart leaping with gladness. "It will be a pleasure to thee to be able to retain the name of Crymes," sneered the Squire, turning to the walker. "A fine, ancient, gentle name; thou did'st doubt about exchanging it for one less venerable--that of Cleverdon, though of better sound, and the name that goes up, whilst Crymes goes down?" Anthony Crymes's colour changed; "I do not understand what you aim at," he said, in uncertain tone. "Nay, there is naught hard to be understood in what I say. If Anthony should come back to me, then there will be no need for Tony Crymes to spend some forty guineas to obtain license to call himself Cleverdon." "Then Anthony is coming back! Oh, father!" exclaimed Bessie, "this is glad tidings." She disregarded all his hints and allusions to her marriage with Fox. "This it is--you, Bess, say you are pleased to hear it, and I am very sure it will delight Tony Crymes. This it is--my Anthony has had the offer made him by me that he shall return to Hall, and all be forgiven and forgot that was between us." "Oh, father, and you will receive Urith!" "Not so fast, Bess. Anthony comes back, but never, never, will I suffer that hussy to cross my threshold. I swore that when he married her, and I will not go from my oath. No--Anthony returns, but not with that creature--that beggar wench. He comes himself. He comes alone." "He cannot, father; he cannot--she is his wife." "She is, as his madness made it to be--she is his wife. But he is tired of the folly; he repents it. He will be glad to be quit of her. He comes back to me, and she remains in her beggary at Willsworthy." "Never, father! never. Anthony could not have agreed to that." "I tell thee he did; that is, he has almost agreed to it. He did not close with the offer I made at once, but, for appearance sake, made some difficulty--yet only for appearance sake. I have given him three days, and in that time he will have let the matter be noised abroad, have broken his intention to the girl, and have made himself ready to return to me." "Father!" said Bessie, in a voice choked with agitation, "I can never regard--never think of Anthony again, in the old way, if he do this. He must not leave his wife. He swore before God to hold to her in poverty or in wealth till death, and thou wilt make him forswear himself?"