This news caused Lady Bassett both anxiety and terror. She divined bad faith and all manner of treachery, none the less terrible for being vague.
Down went her health again and her short-lived repose.
Meantime Reginald, in reality, was staying at the farm on a little business of his own.
He had concerted an expedition with the foreign gent, and was waiting for a dark and gusty night.
He had undertaken this expedition with mixed motives, spite and greed, especially the latter. He would never have undertaken it with a 500 pound check in his pocket; but some minds are so constituted they cannot forego a bad design once formed: so Mr. Reginald persisted, though one great motive existed no longer.
On this expedition it is now our lot to accompany him.
The night was favorable, and at about two o'clock Reginald and the foreign gent stood under Richard Bassett's dining-room window, with crape over their eyes, noses and mouths, and all manner of unlawful implements in their pockets.
The foreign gent prized the shutters open with a little crowbar; he then, with a glazier's diamond, soon cut out a small pane, inserted a cunning hand and opened the window.
Then Reginald gave him a leg, and he got into the room.
The agile youth followed him without assistance.