* * * * *
It was when she had been back nearly six weeks, and the August days were scorching the Mountain, that the strain became unbearable. She was not feeling well.
Reddin had made no sign. This had at first calmed her, then piqued her; now it hurt her. Mysteriously she felt that she must be with him.
'He'm that proud, he'd ne'er ask me to go back. And if I went, there'd
be no peace. Oh, Jack Reddin, Jack Reddin! You've put a spell on me!
There inna much peace, days, nor much rest, nights, in your dark house.
And yet—'
Yet, whenever she went for a walk, she felt her feet taking her towards
Undern.
Then, quite suddenly, one morning Reddin rode past the house. Mrs.
Marston saw him.
'Edward must know of this,' she said, very much flustered. 'You ought to go away somewhere, Hazel.'
'Away? Why ever?'
'Out of temptation. Why not to your aunt's?'
'Aunt Prowde wouldna have me. And Ed'ard wouldna like me to go.'