“Hist! Mr. Meadows.” He turned, and there was Crawley. “A word, sir. Will Fielding is in the town, in such a passion.”
“Come to stop the wedding?”
“He was taking a glass of ale at the 'Toad and Pickax,' and you might hear him all over the yard.”
“What is he going to do?”
“Sir, he has bought an uncommon heavy whip; he was showing it in the yard. 'This is for John Meadows' back,' said he, 'and I will give it him before the girl he has stolen from my brother. If she takes a dog instead of a man, it shall be a beaten dog,' says he.”
Meadows rang the bell. “Harness the mare to the four-wheeled chaise. You know what to do, Crawley.”
“Well, I can guess.”
“But first get him told that I am always at Grassmere at six o'clock.”
“But you won't go there this evening, of course.”
“Why not?”