'It is growing late,' said Dr. Cruden; 'if we had gone when I first came'—

'I should not have found my nephew,' said the squire, looking with beaming affection on Eustace.

'You anticipate me, squire, but not correctly; I meant we should have had time to go without alarming them at so unseasonable an hour as we should now arrive at.'

'All right; then you think it is better to go to-morrow morning?'

'I am sorry for the delay.'

'Its importance,' said Eustace, 'depends on Sir Valary's state. Is he expecting my uncle?'

'Oh no; and he has nothing to fear from Bloodworth to-night. I trust, indeed, he will be kept calm till morning; and on the whole, perhaps'—

'Beaten, fairly beaten,' said the squire. 'Now that is settled; so draw close, and, Eustace, begin.'

CHAPTER IX.