When Belding returned, and, instead of being accompanied by Wallace, merely brought a letter from him, the unhappy Susan would sink into fits of lamentation and weeping, and repel every effort to console her with an obstinacy that partook of madness.
It was, at length, manifest that Wallace's delays would be fatally injurious to the health of his mistress.
Mr.Hadwin had hitherto been passive.

He conceived that the entreaties and remonstrances of his daughter were more likely to influence the conduct of Wallace than any representations which he could make.

Now, however, he wrote the contumacious Wallace a letter, in which he laid his commands upon him to return in company with Belding, and declared that by a longer delay the youth would forfeit his favour.
The malady had, at this time, made considerable progress.

Belding's interest at length yielded to his fears, and this was the last journey which he proposed to make.

Hence our impatience for the return of Wallace was augmented; since, if this opportunity were lost, no suitable conveyance might again be offered him.
Belding set out, as usual, at the dawn of day.