s I
ax's you is,--w'ot will she say? Oh Lord!" And here, Adam gave vent to
his great laugh which necessitated an almost superhuman exertion of
strength to keep the table from slipping from its precarious perch.
Whereupon Miss Priscilla screamed, (a very small scream, like herself)
and Prudence scolded, and the two rosy-cheeked maids tittered, and Adam
went chuckling upon his way.

And when the hall was, once more, its old, familiar, comfortable self,
when the floor had been swept of its litter, and every trace of the sale
removed,--then Miss Priscilla sighed, and Bellew put on his coat.

"When do you expect--she will come home?" he enquired, glancing at the
grandfather clock in the corner.

"Well, if she drove straight back from Cranbrook she would be here
now,--but I fancy she won't be so very anxious to get home to-day,--and
may come the longest way round; yes, it's in my mind she will keep away
from Dapplemere as long as ever she can."

"And I think," said Bellew, "Yes, I think I'll take a walk. I'll go and
call upon the Sergeant."

"The Sergeant!" said Miss Priscilla, "let me see,--it is now a quarter
to six, it should take you about fifteen minutes to the village, that
will make it exactly six o'clock. You will find the Sergeant just
sitting down in the chair on the left hand side of the fire-place,--in
the corner,--at the 'King's Head,' you know. Not that I have ever seen
him there,--good gracious no! but I--happen to be--acquainted with his
habits, and he is as regular and precise as his great, big silver watch,
and that is the most precise, and regular thing in all the world. I am
glad you are going," she went on, "because to-day is--well, a day apart,
Mr. Bellew. You will find the Sergeant at the 'King's Head,'--until half
past seven."

"Then I will go to the 'King's Head,'" said Bellew. "And what message do
you send him?"

"None," said Miss Priscilla, laughing and shaking her head,--"at
least,--you can tell him, if you wish,--that--the peaches are riper than
ever they were this evening."

"I won't forget," said Bellew, smiling, and went out into the sunshine.
But, crossing the yard, he was met by Adam, who, chuckling still, paused
to touch his hat.

"To look at that theer 'all, sir, you wouldn't never know as there'd
ever been any sale at all,--not no'ow. Now the only question as worrits
me, and as I'm a-axin' of myself constant is,--what will Miss Anthea
'ave to say about it?"

"Yes," said Belle