The lad's exultation was horrible. Marcella waved him aside and ran on.
A man on horseback appeared on the road in front of her leading from
Widrington to the village. She recognised Aldous Raeburn, who had
checked his horse in sudden amazement as he saw her talking to the boy.
"My darling! what are you here for? Oh! go home—go home!—out of this horrible business. They have sent for me as a magistrate. Dynes is alive—I beg you!—go home!"
She shook her head, out of breath and speechless with running. At the same moment she and he, looking to the right, caught sight of the crowd standing in front of Hurd's cottage.
A man ran out from it, seeing the horse and its rider.
"Muster Raeburn! Muster Raeburn! They've cotched 'im; Jenkins has got 'im."
"Ah!" said Aldous, drawing a long, stern breath; "he didn't try to get off then? Marcella!—you are not going there—to that house!"
He spoke in a tone of the strongest remonstrance. Her soul rose in anger against it.
"I am going to her" she said panting;—"don't wait."
And she left him and hurried on.
As soon as the crowd round the cottage saw her coming, they divided to let her pass.