An hour's ride brought them to Old Field Cottage. The sun had not yet
set, but the sky was dark with clouds that threatened rain or snow; and
therefore Jacquelina only took time to jump out and speak to Edith,
shake hands with old Jenny, kiss Miriam, and bid adieu to Marian; and
then, saying that she believed she would hurry back on her aunty's
account, and that she was afraid she would not get to Luckenough before
ten o'clock, anyhow, she jumped into the carriage and drove off.
And Marian, guarding her happy secret, entered the cottage to make
preparations for keeping her appointment with Thurston.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, at Luckenough, Dr. Grimshaw kept his room until late in the
afternoon. Then, descending the stairs, and meeting the maid Maria, who
almost shrieked aloud at the ghastly face that confronted her, he asked:
"Where is Mrs. Grimshaw?"
"Lord, sir!" cried the girl, half paralyzed by the sound of his
sepulchral voice, "she's done gone home 'long o' Miss Marian."
"When will she be back, do you know?"
"Lord, sir!" cried Maria, shuddering, "I heerd her tell old Mis', how
she didn't think she'd be back to-night."
"Ah!" said the unhappy man, in a hollow tone, that seemed to come from a
tomb, as he passed down.
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