'I'll see to that,' said his friend briefly; and laying the child out of his arms as soon as its arm was made secure, he went to Wych Hazel, pulled her hood on again, and drawing her hand through his arm took her out of the cabin. Then asked her 'how she expected to get home?'
'O Reo is here, somewhere.'
'With the carriage?"
'With an incognito gig.'
Rollo put her into a chair, stationed Dr. Arthur to keep ward over her, and went to look for Reo. It seems that in the interest of the reading Reo had missed the episode of his mistress's leaving the assembly room, and had thereafter been wholly without a clue by which to seek her. Near the mill Rollo found him, and presently brought up the gig to Patrick Rafferty's cottage. Unsuspiciously Wych Hazel allowed herself to be put into it. Then, standing with the reins in his hand, Dane spoke to the doctor.
'It is late, Arthur; come up to my house and I'll take care of you.
Reo, take the road straight up to Mrs. Boërresen's.'
With which he jumped into the gig and put the horse in motion; with such good will that before Dr. Arthur could get to the foot of the hill the gig had climbed to Gyda's door, and Rollo had lifted Wych Hazel out.
'But I did not mean to come here!' she said dismayfully. 'I was thinking of something else! Mr. Rollowhat made you do so?'
'The obvious necessity of the case.'
'But I must go home.'