312 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



which were not exhilarating, though intended to convey 

 comfort. 



It was not far across to the farm, but more than once 

 Lavvy stopped to listen for any sign of the hounds ; all she 

 heard was the rush of the wmd which buffeted her as it 

 passed. 



" Maister " was gone to Mulchester with the only horse 

 he possessed, and the sack-beclad man " lotted " 'twas near 

 ten mile to Cranston and four to the town. 



Lavvy was wet and depressed, and limped by reason of 

 her bruised knee ; the only cheerful person was " the Re- 

 former," he had overtaken his mistress and was content. 



Some time passed before Lavvy, having seen her horse 

 stabled, and having given many injunctions, together with 

 half a sovereign to the carter, started " across the grounds " 

 (said to be the nearest way) towards the high road, with the 

 idea of reaching Mulchester and obtaining some means of 

 conveyance, " the Reformer " her sole companion. 



The wind howled still, though the rain had almost ceased, 

 but darkness came rapidly on. Lavvy's boots were soaked 

 and rubbed her heels, and she suffered from the feeling of 

 general despondency and bedraggledness. 



" If anything could prove that Uncle Hugo was right it is 

 this," she thought as she plodded along. " A man could 

 smoke, and perhaps swear, and I feel inclined to sit down 



and " She stopped and listened. " Only the wind, 



Jack," she said to the terrier. *' I made sure it was — it 

 is ! " 



A bell-like note reached her, rising and falling in the gale, 

 and then there was a chorus close at hand. Misery was 

 forgotten. Lavvy ran towards a half-open gate ; but just 

 before she reached it a shadowy something paused there, 

 was promptly charged by " the Reformer," and turned in its 

 tracks. Fortunately for the terrier he ran the wrong way at 

 the gate, or in the darkness and scrimmage which ensued 

 his fate might have been that of the fox who, done to a turn, 

 rushed into the jaws of his enemies. 



