in the first chapter.

Mary and I (as you may remember) had left the bailiff alone at
the decoy, and had set forth on our way together to Dermody's
cottage.

As we approached the garden gate, I saw a servant from the house
waiting there. He carried a message from my mother--a message for
me.

"My mistress wishes you to go home, Master George, as soon as you
can. A letter has come by the coach. My master means to take a
post-chaise from London, and sends word that we may expect him in
the course of the day."

Mary's attentive face saddened when she heard those words.

"Must you really go away, George," she whispered, "before you see
what I have got waiting for you at home?"

I remembered Mary's promised "surprise," the secret of which was
only to be revealed to me when we got to the cottage. How could I
disappoint her? My poor little lady-love looked ready to cry at
the bare prospect of it.

I dismissed the servant with a message of the temporizing sort.
My love to my mother--and I would be back at the house in half an
hour.

We entered the cottage.