Trenchard to the Bell Inn, in the High Street, whilst his bride,
escorted by Lord Gervase, was being driven to Zoyland Chase, of which
she was now the mistress.

But she was not destined just yet to cross its threshold. For scarcely
were they over the river when a horseman barred their way, and called
upon the driver to pull up. Lady Horton, in a panic, huddled herself
in the great coach and spoke of tobymen, whilst Lord Gervase thrust
his head from the window to discover that the rider who stayed their
progress was Richard Westmacott. His lordship hailed the boy, who,
thereupon, walked his horse to the carriage door.

"Lord Gervase," said he, "will you bid the coachman put about and drive
to Lupton House?"

Lord Gervase stared at him in hopeless bewilderment. "Drive to Lupton
House?" he echoed. The more he saw of this odd wedding, the less he
understood of it. It seemed to the placid old gentleman that he was
fallen among a parcel of Bedlamites. "Surely, sir, it is for Mistress
Wilding to say whither she will be driven," and he drew in his head and
turned to Ruth for her commands. But, bewildered herself, she had none
to give him. It was her turn to lean from the carriage window to ask
her brother what he meant.

"I mean you are to drive home again," said he. "There is something
I must tell you. When you have heard me it shall be yours to decide
whether you will proceed or not to Zoyland Chase."

Hers to decide? How was that possible? What could he mean? She
pressed him with some such questions.