They had scarcely risen from the table, before the messenger returned with the news that Squire Johnson had left home for Washington City, and would be absent for several days.
“Oh, Heaven of heavens! What now can be done?” exclaimed Margaret, in anguish.
“Nothing can be done by compulsion, of course, but something may be accomplished by persuasion. I will go with you, Miss Helmstedt, to the ground, and use every friendly exertion to effect an adjustment of the difficulties between these antagonists,” said Dr. Hartley.
“Oh, then, sir, let us hasten at once. No time is to be lost!” cried Margaret, in the very extremity of anxiety.
“It is but a short distance, Miss Helmstedt. Doubtless we shall be in full time,” replied the doctor, buttoning up, his coat and taking down his hat from the peg.
Margaret had already, with trembling fingers, tied on her hood.
They immediately left the house.
“What time did you say they met, Miss Helmstedt?”
“I said, ‘very early,’ sir. Alas, I do not know the time to the hour. I fear, I fear—oh, let us hasten, sir.”
“It is but five o’clock, Margaret, and the distance is short,” said the doctor, beginning to pity her distress.