u meet her like that, she will have no
time to consider."

"That is what my grandmother says," Trelyon said with a triumphant
laugh.

"Yes, she was a girl once," Mabyn replied sagely. "Well, well, tell me
all about it. What arrangements have you made? You haven't got the
special license?"

"No," said he, "I didn't make up my mind to try this on till last night.
But the difference of a day is nothing when you are with her. We shall
be able to hide ourselves away pretty well in London, don't you think?"

"Of course," cried Mabyn, confidently. "But tell me more, Mr. Trelyon.
What have you arranged? What have you done?"

"What could I do until I knew whether you'd help me?"

"You must bring a fearful amount of wraps with you."

"Certainly--more than you'll want, I know. And I sha'n't light the lamps
until I hear you coming along, for they would attract attention down in
the valley. I should like to wait for you elsewhere, but if I did that
you couldn't get Wenna to come with you. Do you think you will get her
to come even there?"

"Oh yes," said Mabyn cheerfully: "nothing easier. I shall tell her she's
afraid, and then she would walk down the face of Black Cliff. By the
way, Mr. Trelyon, I must bring something to eat with me, and some
wine--she will be so nervous, and the long journey will tire her."

"You will be at Mr. Trewhella's, Mabyn: you can't go carrying things
about with you."

"I could bring a bit of cake in my pocket," Mabyn suggested, but this
seemed even to her so ludicrous that she blushed and laughed, and agreed
that Mr. Harry should bring the necessary provisions for the wild
night-ride to Plymouth.

"Oh, it does so please me to think of it!" she said with a curious
anxious excitement as well as gladness in her face. "I hope I have not
forgotten to arrange anything. Let me see: we start at ten; then down
through the wood to the road in the hollow--oh, I hope there will be
nobody coming along just then!--then you light the lamps; then you come
forward to persuade Wenna. By the way, Mr. Trelyon, where must I go?
Shall I not be dreadfully in the way?"

"You? You must stand by the horses' heads. I sha'n't have my man with
me. And yet they're not very fiery animals: they'll be less fiery, the
unfortunate wretches! when they get to Plymouth."

"At what time?"

"About half-past three in the morning if we go straight on," said he.

"Do you know a good hotel there?" said the practical Mabyn.

"Th