“Yes,” said Linnell quickly; “but your master?”
“I can’t think of him, sir,” said Bell hastily. “I must think of myself. Gentlemen, I thought we were chasing another lady whom I would have given my life to save. I stood by you; will you stand by me?”
“Yes,” said Mellersh quickly. “Take the horses back. I’ll stay by your master till help comes.”
“And you will not tell upon me about the horses, gentlemen?”
“No,” said Mellersh shortly. “Go.”
“And you, Mr Linnell?”
“You may trust me,” was the reply.
Bell went off with the horses on the instant, and a tedious time of waiting ensued, the end of which was that it was arranged when the fresh post-chaise came that Mellersh should ride with Cora and the injured man back to the posting house, Linnell walking by the side of the chaise.
On reaching the inn, Rockley was placed in the landlord’s care, with instructions to fetch a medical man, and the three afterwards had a perfectly silent ride back to Saltinville, where Mrs Dean was found sitting up in a high state of excitement, and ready to greet her daughter:
“Lor! Bet—Cora—you have give me a turn. I thought it was a real elopement, and now you’ve come back.”