"He will find me near this spot," replied Atherton.
"But what will you do in the interim?" asked Constance, anxiously.
"Give yourself no concern about me," he rejoined. "You may be sure I will not expose myself to any needless risk. Adieu!"
With a rustic bow he then moved off, and the two damsels returned to the hall.
Constance's first business was to summon Markland and tell him what had occurred.
The old butler did not manifest much surprise at the intelligence, for when he had first heard of Atherton's escape he felt certain the young gentleman would seek refuge at the hall, and he had already made some quiet preparations for his concealment. He therefore expressed the utmost readiness to carry out his young mistress's instructions, and declared that he could easily manage matters so that none of the servants should be aware that Captain Legh was hidden in the house.
"Even if he should remain here for a month," he said, "with common caution I will engage he shall not be discovered."
"I am very glad to hear you speak so confidently, Markland," she rejoined; "for I feared it would be impossible to conceal him for more than a day or two."
Having made all needful arrangements, Markland stole out quietly as soon as it became dark, and found Atherton at the spot indicated.
"You are so well disguised, sir," he said, "that if I hadn't been prepared I should certainly not have known you. But don't let us waste time in talking here. I must get you into the house."