Then the men demanded boisterously what he had done with Sir Charles,
and threatened to break the windows unless they were told; and, as
nobody in the house could tell them, the women egged on the men, and
they did break the windows; but they no sooner saw their own work than
they were a little alarmed at it, and retired, talking very loud to
support their waning courage and check their rising remorse at their
deed.
They left a house full of holes and screams, and poor little Mrs.
Bassett half dead with fright.
As for Lady Bassett, she spent a horrible night of terror, suspense,
and agony. She could not lie down, nor even sit still; she walked
incessantly, wringing her hands, and groaning for news.
Mary Wells did all she could to comfort her; but it was a situation
beyond the power of words to alleviate.
Her intolerable suspense lasted till four o'clock in the morning; and
then, in the still night, horses' feet came clattering up to the door.
Lady Bassett went into the hall. It was dimly lighted by a single lamp.
The great door was opened, and in clattered Moss and Drake, splashed
and weary and downcast.
"Well?" cried Lady Bassett, clasping her hands.
"My lady," said Moss, "we tracked the carriage into the next county, to
a place thirty miles from here--to a lodge--and there they stopped us.
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