"He could not get his business done in time," she said to herself. "He will not come to-day."
But the next day passed also, and the next, and still John Johnstone had not come home.
On the fourth day Mr. Ives rode into Wancote to hear the news, and promised his daughter that he would go over to Belton, and find out from the servants whether they had had any news of their master, and when they expected him to return.
Mary Jones came over to the parsonage—it was an important day, for Betty was to try on her wedding-gown, finished the night before.
She looked very beautiful in it, the soft colour flushing on her cheek, her sweet eyes shining. When the little ceremony was over, Betty put her arm round the waist of her friend, and led her away out of earshot of busy Dame Martha, and the smart dressmakers.
"Dear Mary!" she said, "my great wish now is to see you don just such a dress as this wedding-gown of mine."
"Oh la! Betty, bethink you of my age," cried Mary, but tears of genuine emotion rose to her eyes.
"Yet would I fain see you my father's wife," said Betty. She put her hands on her shoulders, and looked down from her greater height into her face.
"Say yes, Mary, say yes," she said.
"I must wait till the right person asks me that question," answered Mary, half sobbing, half laughing; but Betty persisted: