"Because, miss," said Jones with ready invention, though he had never heard of either of the persons mentioned, "one went for the doctor, and the other stayed to take care of him."
This seemed very plausible. Without a particle of suspicion Florence Douglas hastily dressed herself and entered the carriage in waiting.
CHAPTER XXV.
WALKING INTO A TRAP.
The thought that she was so soon to see Richard Dewey, and to minister to his comfort, was a source of pleasure to Florence. Her patient waiting was at length to be rewarded. What mattered it to her that he was poor and sick? He had all the more need of her.
"It's a long ride, miss," said Jones as he closed the carriage-door. "I hope you won't be tired before we get there."
"I shall not mind it," said Florence. "How far is it?"
"I don't rightly know. It's a matter of ten miles, I'm thinkin'."