"Yes, indeed he is to Jenny Jenny Hitchcock; and a nice little wife she'll make him. You're a great friend of Jenny, I know."
"How soon?" said Ellen.
"Oh, not just yet by-and-by after we get a little smarted up, I guess; before a great while. Don't you think he'll be a happy man?"
Ellen could not help wondering, as the doctor just then came in and she looked up at his unfortunate three-cornered face, whether Jenny would be a happy woman. But as people often do, she only judged from the outside; Jenny had not made such a bad choice after all.
The doctor said he would go directly to Mr. Van Brunt after he had been over to Mrs. Sibnorth's; it wouldn't be a minute. Ellen meant to ride back in his company; and having finished her dinner, waited now only for him. But the one minute passed two minutes ten twenty she waited impatiently, but he came not.
"I'll tell you how it must be," said his sister, "he's gone off without his dinner calculating to get it at Miss Hitchcock's he'd be glad of the chance. That's how it is, dear; and you'll have to ride home alone; I'm real sorry. S'pose you stop till evening, and I'll make the doctor go along with you. But, oh dear! maybe he wouldn't be able to neither; he's got to go up to that tiresome Mrs. Robin's; it's too bad. Well, take good care of yourself, darling; couldn't you stop till it's cooler? well, come and see me as soon as you can again, but don't come without some one else along! Good-bye! I wish I could keep you."
She went to the door to see her mount, and smiled and nodded her off.
Ellen was greatly refreshed with her rest and her dinner; it grieved her that the Brownie had not fared as well. All the refreshment that kind words and patting could give him, she gave; promised him the freshest of water, and the sweetest of hay, when he should reach home; and begged him to keep up his spirits and hold on for a little longer. It may be doubted whether the Brownie understood the full sense of her words, but he probably knew what the kind tones and gentle hand meant. He answered cheerfully; threw up his head and gave a little neigh, as much as to say, he wasn't going to mind a few hours of sunshine; and trotted on as if he knew his face was towards home which no doubt he did. Luckily it was not a very hot day; for August, it was remarkably cool and beautiful; indeed, there was little very hot weather ever known in Thirlwall. Ellen's heart felt easier, now that her business was done; and when she had left the town behind her, and was again in the fields, she was less timid than she had been before; she was going towards home; that makes a great difference; and every step was bringing her nearer. "I am glad I came, after all," she thought; "but I hope I shall never have to do such a thing again. But I am glad I came."
She had no more than crossed the little bridge, however, when she saw what brought her heart into her mouth. It was Mr. Saunders, lolling under a tree. What could he have come there for, at that time of day? A vague feeling crossed her mind, that if she could only get past him she should pass a danger; she thought to ride by without seeming to see him, and quietly gave the Brownie a pat to make him go faster. But as she drew near, Mr. Saunders rose up, came to the middle of the road, and taking hold of her bridle, checked her pony's pace so that he could walk alongside to Ellen's unspeakable dismay.
"What's kept you so long?" said he "I've been looking out for you this great while. Had hard work to find the doctor?"