Meadows's, a grazier."
"Never heard tell on him, ma'am, but the master might, when he comes
in. But bless me," she added, after a moment's consideration, "what
will your master say? He'll be asking how it comes that a lady like
you, with a coach and horses of her own, should be coming after a
horse here. You ain't been and got into trouble with my Lady, my
dear?"
"Oh! Dame, indeed I have; pray help me!"
It was no wonder that Mrs. Wheatfield failed to gather more than that
young Madam had almost burnt the house, and had fallen under grievous
displeasure, so as even to fear the constable.
"Bless your poor heart! Think of that now! But I'm afeard we can't
do nothing for you. My master would be nigh about killing me if I
harboured you and got him into trouble, with the gentry."
"If you could only hide me in some loft or barn till I could meet the
coach for Bath! Then I should be almost at home."
"I dare not. The children are routing about everywhere on a Sunday
afternoon; and if so be as there's a warrant out after you" (Aurelia
shuddered) "my man would be mad with me. He ain't never forgot how
his grandfather was hanged up there in that very walnut for changing
clothes with a young gentleman in the wars long ago."
"Then I must go! Oh, what will become of me?"
"Stay a bit! It goes to my heart to turn you from the door, and you
so white and faint.
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