Jill looked down the road, and when the rider drew near, she saw to her intense delight that it was Sir Henry Talbot.
He stopped his horse directly he saw her.
"What!" he said; "another of you straying. Are you still looking for widows?"
"Oh no," Jill cried; "I'm looking for Jack. He is lost, and I've come out to find him, and a drunk tinker has driven him away!"
Sir Henry nodded gravely.
"I know all about it," he said; "I've sent Jack home in my carriage."
Jill's face brightened at once.
"Oh, I am so glad; why didn't he come home?"
"He couldn't very well. I was driving home last night from a dinner party between twelve and one, and I came upon the tinker and Jack under the cart and horse by the old bridge. It's a wonder they hadn't fallen into the river. The tinker had his ribs broken, and Jack a nasty cut on the head, but my housekeeper plastered him up, and he's quite himself this morning. What scamps you are! How are you going to get home? I think you had better come up on my horse. He'll carry us both."
So in a very short time Jill returned triumphantly to the house riding in front of Sir Henry.