Had the sun been seven times as hot, or the flies venomous and deadly, he would have preferred it, for it would have shortened his misery considerably.

When at last the sun got across the window, and left him at peace, he was scarcely in a position to appreciate his mercies.
Not long after the distant Overstone chimes had sounded four, his heart (about the only unfettered portion of him) leapt to his mouth as he heard his name called in Raby's voice outside.

Nor was his the only heart whom that cheery sound caused to palpitate.

The two watchers in the wood above heard it, and prepared to decamp at a moment's notice, should the girl display any undue curiosity as to the contents of the hut.
But she did not.

She was used to seeing it padlocked, and to listen in vain for an answer to her call.