I would have followed him and made sure that he did as I commanded; for, brought up among horses as I had been, I had learnt to care for them, and to see them properly provided for, but now, other matters were more pressing. So I threw him a crown piece, and hurried to the door.
Again the bell clanged through the old hall, again I stood with beating heart waiting for the answer, for now I was nearing the great crisis of my life—at least, it seemed so to me then.
The old servant I had seen a year before met me, and despite the dim light recognised me in a second—joyfully, I thought.
"Mr. Trewinion, sir," he said, quickly, "walk in."
Again I entered the house and with a fast beating heart.
"Is your mistress at home?" I said, hastily.
He looked up at me anxiously, I thought.
"Yes, sir," he replied, "she is at home; that is, sir, she is not at home now, but we expect her home every minute."
"Has she been far away?"
"No, sir; oh, no, she's only gone to the village."