She reached that house, knocked hastily at the door, and said she must see Mr. Richard Bassett that moment.
“He is just gone out,” said the maid.
“Where to?”
The girl knew her, and began to gossip. “Why, to Huntercombe Hall. What! haven't you heard, Mrs. Meyrick? Master caught a robber last night. Laws! you should have seen him: he have got crape all over his face; and master, and the constable, and Mr. Musters, they be all gone with him to Sir Charles, for to have him committed—the villain! Why, what ails the woman?”
For Mary Meyrick turned her back on the speaker, and rushed away in a moment.
She went through the kitchen at Huntercombe: she was so well known there, nobody objected: she flew up the stairs, and into Lady Bassett's bedroom. “Oh, my lady! my lady!”
Lady Bassett screamed, at her sudden entrance and wild appearance.
Mary Meyrick told her all in a few wild words. She wrung her hands with a great fear.
“It's no time for that,” cried Mary, fiercely. “Come down this moment, and save him.”
“How can I?”