Since the castigation Peace received from the hands of Mr. Philip Jamblin and the flight of the boy, Alf Purvis, we have had occasion to take but one cursory glance at the inmates of Stoke Ferry Farm, this being on the occasion of Richard Ashbrook’s visit to the hospitable English homestead.
The observation made by Mr. Jamblin, sen., to his son, Philip, respecting his falling into the same pitfall as young Ashbrook, had special significance.
After the departure of Peace from the neighbourhood young Jamblin had paid frequent visits to the grounds and house owned by Nelly’s aunt.
It was pretty plainly demonstrated to most persons who took the trouble to interest themselves in such matters that the farmer’s son had a sneaking fondness for Nell Fulford.
This was very wrong, seeing that he was supposed to be engaged to a young lady in a very superior position to Nell, but despite this an attachment was formed, and, as far as Nell herself was concerned, there was but little doubt that it was one of a self-sacrificing nature.
This fact was afterwards but too clearly demonstrated.
For many months after Peace’s departure a course of love-making was carried on between young Jamblin and Nell.
They did not appear to be able to break the spell which bound them—a spell, indeed, which ended in the death of one and long years of sorrow for the other.
But Nell was infatuated with the handsome young farmer, who had been her valiant champion when persecuted so persistently by our hero.
The man Giles, who had been worsted in a conflict with Peace, was also a devoted admirer of Nell’s.