Mr. Bassett was aware of my condition. Next day I
consulted my husband, and he ordered me to leave Huntercombe Hall, and
put myself beyond the reach of trespassers and outrage.
"One motive has governed Mr. Bassett in all his acts, from his
anonymous letter to me before my marriage--which I keep for your
inspection, together with the proofs that he wrote it--to the barbarous
seizure of my husband upon certificates purchased beforehand, and this
last act of violence, which has driven me from the county for a time.
"Sir Charles and I have often been your hosts and your guests; we now
ask you to watch our property and our legal rights, so long as through
injustice and cruelty my husband is a prisoner, his wife a fugitive."
"There," said the gentleman, "these papers are going all round the
county."
Wheeler was most indignant, and said he had never been consulted, and
had never advised a trespass. He begged a loan of the paper, and took
it to Bassett's that very same afternoon.
"So you have been acting without advice," said he, angrily; "and a fine
mess you have made of it." And, though not much given to violent anger,
he dashed the paper down on the table, and hurt his hand a little.
Anger must be paid for, like other luxuries.
Bassett read it, and was staggered a moment; but he soon recovered
himself, and said, "What is the foolish woman talking about?"
He then took a sheet of paper, and said he would soon give her a Roland
for an Oliver.
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