quadrangle, archways, mullioned windows, cracked
battlements, and weed-grown garden, passed with the rest into the hands
of Anne.

XLI. JOHN MARCHES INTO THE NIGHT

During this exciting time John Loveday seldom or never appeared at the
mill. With the recall of Bob, in which he had been sole agent, his
mission seemed to be complete.

One mid-day, before Anne had made any change in her manner of living on
account of her unexpected acquisition, Lieutenant Bob came in rather
suddenly. He had been to Budmouth, and announced to the arrested senses
of the family that the --th Dragoons were ordered to join Sir Arthur
Wellesley in the Peninsula.

These tidings produced a great impression on the household. John had
been so long in the neighbourhood, either at camp or in barracks, that
they had almost forgotten the possibility of his being sent away; and
they now began to reflect upon the singular infrequency of his calls
since his brother's return. There was not much time, however, for
reflection, if they wished to make the most of John's farewell visit,
which was to be paid the same evening, the departure of the regiment
being fixed for next day. A hurried valedictory supper was prepared
during the afternoon, and shortly afterwards John arrived.

He seemed to be more thoughtful and a trifle paler than of old, but
beyond these traces, which might have been due to the natural wear and
tear of time, he showed no signs of gloom. On his way through the town
that morning a curious little incident had occurred to him. He was
walking past one of the churches when a wedding-party came forth, the
bride and bridegroom being Matilda and Festus Derriman. At sight of the
trumpet-major the yeoman had glared triumphantly; Matilda, on her part,
had winked at him slily, as much as to say--. But what she meant heaven
knows: the trumpet-major did not trouble himself to think, and passed on
without returning the mark of confidence with which she had favoured him.

Soon after John's arrival at the mill several of his friends dropped in
for the same purpose of bidding adieu. They were mostly the men who had
been entertained there on the occasion of the regiment's advent on the
down, when Anne and her mother were coaxed in to grace the party by their
superior presence; and their well-trained, gallant manners were such as
to make them interesting visitors now as at all times. For it was a
period when romance had not so greatly