The afternoon brought relief to Rhoda's apprehensions. A messenger ran
up to the farm bearing a pencilled note to her from Robert, which said
that he, in company with her uncle, was holding Sedgett at a distance by
force of arm, and that there was no fear. Rhoda kissed the words,
hurrying away to the fields for a few minutes to thank and bless and
dream of him who had said that there was no fear. She knew that Dahlia
was unconscious of her imprisonment, and had less compunction in counting
the minutes of her absence. The sun spread in yellow and fell in red
before she thought of returning, so sweet it had become to her to let her
mind dwell with Robert; and she was half a stranger to the mournfulness
of the house when she set her steps homeward. But when she lifted the
latch of the gate, a sensation, prompted by some unwitting self-accusal,
struck her with alarm. She passed into the room, and beheld her father,
and Mrs. Sumfit, who was sitting rolling, with her apron over her head.

The man Sedgett was between them.




CHAPTER XLVI

No sooner had Rhoda appeared than her father held up the key of Dahlia's
bed-room, and said, "Unlock your sister, and fetch her down to her
husband."

Mechanically Rhoda took the key.

"And leave our door open," he added.