The month rolled away, and the day came for Reginald's liberation. A
dogcart was sent for him, and the heir of the Bassetts emerged from a
county jail, and uttered a whoop of delight; he insisted on driving,
and went home at a rattling pace.
He was in high spirits till he got in sight of Huntercombe Hall; and
then it suddenly occurred to his mercurial mind that he should probably
not be received with an ovation, petty larceny being a novelty in that
ancient house whose representative he was.
When he did get there he found the whole family in such a state of
commotion that his return was hardly noticed at all.
Master Compton's dinner hour was two P.M., and yet, at three o'clock of
this day, he did not come in.
This was reported to Lady Bassett, and it gave her some little anxiety;
for she suspected he might possibly be in the company of Ruperta
Bassett; and, although she did not herself much object to that, she
objected very much to have it talked about and made a fuss. So she went
herself to the end of the lawn, and out into the meadow, that a servant
might not find the young people together, if her suspicion was correct.
She went into the meadow and called "Compton! Compton!" as loud as she
could, but there was no reply.
Then she came in, and began to be alarmed, and sent servants about in
all directions.
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