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Updated: May 8, 2025
Suaby's room when he came in rather tired, and would not say a word till they gave him a cup of tea: then he brightened up and told his story. "We went to the railway to meet Sharpe. The muff did not come nor send by the first train. His clerk arrived by the second. We went to Huntercombe village together, and on the road I gave him some special instructions. Richard Bassett not at home.
The bells had scarcely done ringing for the happy event at Huntercombe, when joyful feet were heard running on the stairs; joyful voices clashed together in the passage, and in came a female servant with joyful tidings. Mrs. Bassett was safe, and the child in the world. "The loveliest little girl you ever saw!" "A girl!" cried Richard Bassett with contemptuous amazement.
The champing, the pawing, the mounting, and the clattering of these bright cavalcades, with the music of the women excited by motion, furnished a picture of wealth and gayety and happy country life that cheered the whole neighborhood, and contrasted strangely with the stern Spartan life of him who had persuaded himself he was the rightful owner of Huntercombe Hall.
And, as they say in the law reports, gave his reasons. "Certain, sir!" And gave no reasons. He still resisted. Thereupon she told him she should sit there all day and chaff his clients one after another, and that his connection with the Bassett and Huntercombe estates should end. Then he saw he had to do with a termagant, and consented, with a sigh.
The stable-boy, who had told the report in the kitchen of Huntercombe, said he had it from a gentleman's groom, riding by as he stood at the gates. The ill news thus flung in at the gate by one passing rapidly by was not confirmed by any further report, and Lady Bassett began to hope it was false. But a terrible confirmation came at last.
One morning Lord Harrowdale's foxhounds met at a large covert, about five miles from Huntercombe, and Sir Charles told Lady Bassett she must ride to cover. "Yes, dear. Charles, love, I have no spirit to appear in public. We shall soon have publicity enough." "That is my reason. I have not done nor said anything I am ashamed of, and you will meet the county on this and on every public occasion."
Bassett in the village, and he seemed delighted at the sight of her, and begged her to meet him that night at a certain place where Sir Charles's garden was divided from his own by a ha-ha. It was a very secluded spot, shut out from view, even in daylight, by the trees and shrubs and the winding nature of the walk that led to it; yet it was scarcely a hundred yards from Huntercombe Hall.
From the amount of food he took with him, and the way he took it, anyone would have thought he was an escaped convict. Guilty conscience, I suppose. One hears a good deal about record flights nowadays, but I'd back my miserable brother against any aviator. My husband's promised to look in about five, if he's back from Huntercombe. That's something. But they're a wretched lot.
She now gave her housekeeper minute instructions, settled the board wages of the whole establishment, and sent her home in the carriage, retaining her own boxes and packages at the inn. Richard Bassett soon found out that Lady Bassett had left Huntercombe. He called on Wheeler and told him. Wheeler suggested she had gone to be near her husband. "No," said Bassett, "she has joined her lover.
Sir Charles's party followed him, and supped at Huntercombe, every man Jack of them. Reginald, who had delivered a terrific cat-call, now ran off to Lady Bassett. There she was, still on her knees. "Found! found!" he shouted. She clasped him in her arms and wept for joy. "My eyes!" said he, "what a one you are to cry! You come home; you'll catch your death o' cold."
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