It had saved his life and hers, after all.

He fell into another mood, and began to laugh at himself for allowing himself to be disturbed by such a rival.
But what is this?
Jael Dence comes in sight again: she is making for the old church.
Coventry watched her unseen.

She went to the porch, and, after she had been there some time, the door was opened just a little, then wide, and she entered the building.

He saw it all in a moment: the girl was already bought by the other side, and had carried his rival a letter before his eyes.
A clandestine correspondence! All his plans and his resolutions melted away before this discovery.
There was nothing to be done but to save the poor girl from this miserable and degrading attachment, and its inevitable consequences.
He went home, pale with fury, and never once closed his eyes all night.
Next day he ordered his dog-cart early; and told Mr.Raby and Grace he was going to Hillsborough for medical advice: had a pain in his back he could not get rid of.
He called on the chief constable of Hillsborough, and asked him, confidentially, if he knew any thing about a workman called Little.
"What; a Londoner, sir?
the young man that is at odds with the Trades ?" "I shouldn't wonder.

Yes; I think he is.