Tom Troubridge, as upright, bravelooking a man as ever, and, thanks to bush-work, none the fatter.

William Lee, one of our oldest acquaintances, was getting a little grizzled, but otherwise looked as broad and as strong as ever.
They rode into the yard, and Lee took the horses.
"Well, cousin," said Tom; "I am glad to see you again." "You are welcome home, Tom; you have made good speed." Tom and Charles went into the house, and Mary was about following them, when Lee said, in so low a tone, that it did not reach the others,--"Mrs.Hawker!" She turned round and looked at him, she had welcomed him kindly when he came into the yard with Tom, and yet he stood still on horseback, holding Tom's horse by the bridle.

A stern, square-looking figure he was; and when she looked at his face, she was much troubled, at--she knew not what.
"Mrs.Hawker," he said, "can you give me the favour of ten minutes' conversation, alone this evening ?" "Surely, William, now!" "Not now,--my story is pretty long, and, what is more, ma'am, somebody may be listening, and what I have got to tell you must be told in no ear but your own." "You frighten me, Lee! You frighten me to death." "Don't get frightened, Mrs.Hawker.Remember if anything comes about, that you have good friends about you; and, that I, William Lee, am not the worst of them." Lee went off with the horses, and Mary returned to the house.

What mystery had this man to tell her, "that no one might hear but she" ?--very strange and alarming! Was he drunk ?--no, he was evidently quite sober; as she looked out once more, she could see him at the stable, cool and self-possessed, ordering the lads about: something very strange and terrifying to one who had such a dark blot in her life.
But she went in, and as she came near the parlour, she heard Charles and Tom roaring with laughter.

As she opened the door she heard Tom saying: "And, by Jove, I sat there like a great snipe, face to face with him, as cool and unconcerned as you like.