The boy was near to the door. He reached it in a few quick, firm steps, turned, waved his hand smilingly, and went.
Mrs. Morland sprang up and moved some paces after him, then, with a helpless sigh, moved towards Frances. Why did not she run to stop the daring offender?
But Frances had sunk into a chair, and was sobbing bitterly. Shrugging her shoulders, Mrs. Morland stepped rapidly to the bell and rang it.
“John,” she said to the servant who appeared at the door, “I wish you to try to catch Master Austin. He has just left the room, and has, I think, gone out of doors.”
“I saw Master Austin in the hall just now, ma’am.”
“Make haste, then, and bring him back.”
John hurried off, much exercised in his mind concerning his mistress’s distressed manner; and though used to a dignified pace, he fairly ran down the carriage-drive, threw back the gate, and stood gazing, now this way, now that.
“Can hardly have got out of sight in this time,” reflected the puzzled servant. “Well! if that isn’t the sound of a pony coming down the drive! Master Austin must have got the beast saddled double-quick. What’s our young gentleman up to, I’d like to know? Well, I’ve got to stop him, I suppose.”
John stood prepared in the middle of the gateway; and as Austin trotted into close quarters the servant explained his mistress’s orders.
“Look here, John,” said Austin, his eyes glowing with mischief, “I’ve an excellent regard for you, and I’d be sincerely sorry to cut short your valuable career. But if you don’t move a bit to one side I’m afraid I’ll make short work of you. I’m going through that gate this instant!”