ibited this. And he, ever obedient to her behests, had sent the
conveyance to fetch her, remaining behind himself to complete the
preparations for her reception upon which he had been engaged for the
past two days at the tiny, incommodious shooting-box which his father had
bequeathed to him, and of which not very valuable piece of landed
property he was somewhat inordinately proud.

It had been a tedious cross-country journey, and the five miles from the
station seemed to Nan interminable. Already deep down in her heart were
stirring ghastly doubts regarding the advisability of this mad expedition
of hers. Jerry, as she well knew, was fully prepared to enjoy the
situation to the utmost. He was a trusty friend in need to her, no more,
and she had not the smallest misgiving so far as he was concerned.

He would be to her what he had ever been, breezy comrade, merry
friend--romantic cavalier, perhaps, but in such a fashion as to convince
her that he was only playing at romance. It had always been his attitude
towards her, and she anticipated no change. The boy's natural chivalry
had moved her to accept his help, though she well knew that the step she
had taken was a desperate one, even for one of the wild Everards. That
it would fulfil its purpose she did not doubt. Her husband, she was fully
convinced, would take no further steps to deprive her of her liberty. Her
notions of legal procedure in such a case were of the haziest, but she
had not the faintest doubt that this last, wildest escapade of hers would
sooner or later procure her her freedom from the chain that so galled
her.

And yet she started and shivered at every creak of the crazy vehicle that
was bearing her to the haven of her emancipation. She was horribly,
unreasonably afraid, now that she had taken this rash step. Would it
upset her father very greatly, she wondered? But surely he would not
think badly of her for making a way of escape for herself. He had been
powerless to deliver her. Surely, surely he would understand!

The cab jolted to a standstill, and out of the darkness came an eager,
boyish voice, bidding her welcome. An impetuous hand wrenched open the
door, and she and Jerry were face to face.

She never recalled afterwards crossing the threshold of his little abode.
She was numbed and weary in mind and body. But she found herself at
length seated before a bright fire, with a cup of steaming tea in her
hand, and Jerry hovering about her in hig