To Tom, therefore, Dorothy was gracious.
John had sent word to Dorothy, by Jennie Faxton, that he had gone to London, and would be there for a fortnight or more.
Sir George had given permission to his daughter to ride out whenever she wished to do so, but he had ordered that Dawson or I should follow in the capacity of spy, and Dorothy knew of the censorship, though she pretended ignorance of it.

So long as John was in London she did not care who followed her; but I well knew that when Manners should return, Dorothy would again begin manoeuvring, and that by some cunning trick she would see him.
[Illustration] One afternoon I was temporarily absent from the Hall and Dorothy wished to ride.

Dawson was engaged, and when Dorothy had departed, he ordered Tom to ride after his mistress at a respectful distance.

Nearly a fortnight had passed since John had gone to London, and when Dorothy rode forth that afternoon she was beginning to hope he might have returned, and that by some delightful possibility he might then be loitering about the old trysting-place at Bowling Green Gate.

There was a half-unconscious conviction in her heart that he would be there.