her for one moment you
ought to be deuced well ashamed of yourself."

"Well said, governor!" cried Tom, with beaming face. "Now, that is
exactly my own feeling, but there is so much to be explained. Why have
they left London, and where have they gone to?"

"No doubt that old scoundrel Girdlestone thought that your patience
would soon come to an end, so he got the start of you by carrying the
girl off into the country."

"And if he has done this, what can I do?"

"Nothing. It is entirely within his right to do it."

"And have her stowed away in some little cottage in the country, with
that brute Ezra Girdlestone hanging round her all the time. It is the
thought of that that drives me wild."

"You trust in her, my boy," said the old doctor. "We'll try our best in
the meantime to find out where she has gone to. If she is unhappy or
needs a friend you may be sure that she will write to your mother."

"Yes, there is always that hope," exclaimed Tom, in a more cheerful
voice. "To-morrow I may learn something at the office."

"Don't make the mistake of quarrelling with the Girdlestones.
After all, they are within their rights in doing what they appear to
have done."

"They may be within their legal rights," Tom cried indignantly; "but the
old man made a deliberate compact with me, which he has broken."

"Never mind. Don't give them an advantage by losing your temper." The
doctor chatted away over the matter for some time, and his words,
together with those of his mother, cheered the young fellow's heart.
Nevertheless, after they had retired to their rooms, Dr. Dimsdale
continued to be very thoughtful and very grave. "I don't like it," he
said, more than once. "I don't like the idea of the poor girl being
left entirely in the hands of that pair of beauties. God grant that no
harm come of it, Matilda!" a prayer which his good wife echoed with all
the strength of her kindly nature.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE JOURNEY TO THE PRIORY.

It was already dusk when John Girdlestone and his ward reached Waterloo
Station. He gave orders to the guard that the luggage should be
stamped, but took care that she should not hear the name of their
destination. Hurrying her rapidly down the platform amid the confused
heaps of luggage and currents of eager passengers, he pushed her into a
first-class carriage, and sprang after her just as the bell rang and the
wheels began to revolve.

They were alone. Kate crouched