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Lane led into lane, buried betwixt deep banks and lofty hedges, or passing through small woods, until I ascended a rising ground, whence I got a view of the country. At once its features began to dawn upon me: I was close to the village of Aldwick, where I had been at school, and in a few minutes I rode into its wide straggling street. Not a mark of change had passed upon it.
Down in the meadow it was growing dark. Before we reached the lodge, it had begun to rain, and the wind, when we got out upon the road, was blowing a gale. We were seven miles from home. Happily the wind was in our back, and, wet to the skin, but not so weary because of the aid of the wind, we at length reached Aldwick.
'Yes, Sir Giles, answered a tall, stiff-looking elderly woman who presently appeared descending, with upright spine, a corkscrew staircase of stone. 'Here is a young gentleman, Mrs Wilson, who seems to have lost his way. He is one of Mr Elder's pupils at Aldwick. Will you get him something to eat and drink, and then send him home? 'I will, Sir Giles.
'I am at school at Aldwick, at Mr Elder's. 'You're a long way from home! 'Am I, sir? Will you tell me how to go? But it's of no consequence. I don't mind anything now you've forgiven me. I shall soon run home. 'Come with me first. You must have something to eat. I wanted nothing to eat, but how could I oppose anything he said? I followed him at once, drying my eyes as I went.
I strolled back to Aldwick with my head fuller than ever of fancies new and old. But Mrs Wilson had said nothing of going to see her again, and without an invitation I could not venture to revisit the Hall. In pondering over the events of the day, I gave the man I had met in the wood a full share in my meditations.
To children whose home is a happy one, the exile to a school must be bitter. Mine, however, was an unusual experience. Leaving aside the specially troubled state in which I was when thus carried to the village of Aldwick, I had few of the finer elements of the ideal home in mine. The love of my childish heart had never been drawn out.
'It does not follow however that the ghost took it. It is more likely Mrs Wilson came in to see you after you were asleep, and carried it off. 'Oh yes! I cried, rejoiced at the suggestion; 'that must be it. I shall ask her. 'I am sure you will find it so. Are you going home soon? 'Yes as soon as I've had my breakfast. It's a good walk from here to Aldwick. 'So it is.
'If you will tell me the way 'Do you know how far you are from Aldwick? 'No, ma'am. 'Eight miles, she answered; 'and it's getting rather late. I was seated opposite the windows to the park, and, looking up, saw with some dismay that the air was getting dusky. I rose at once, saying 'I must make haste. They will think I am lost. 'But you can never walk so far, Master Cumbermede.
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