Philip began to unharness the horse as he spoke, and did not look up. William, who knew the man and his ways well, thought there was something behind to tell.
"You have driven the horse fast, Philip."
"Mr. Carr did, sir; it was he who drove. I never sat in front at all after we got to the three-cornered field. He drove fast, to get on pretty far before the coach came up."
"What coach?" asked William.
"The London coach, sir. He's gone to London in it."
"What! did he take it at Purford?"
"We didn't go to Purford at all, Mr. William. He ain't gone alone, neither."
"Philip, what do you mean?"
"Miss Hughes—the young one—is gone with him."
"No!" exclaimed William.