"Well, and I honestly think she has. It is certain she did not
encourage Captain Stavers, for I went over to Graveleigh myself on the
sly, and lodged concealed with one of the cottagers who owed me a
kindness; and one day, as I was at watch, I saw the Captain peering
over the stile which divides Holmwood from the glebe,--you remember
Holmwood?"

"I can't say I do."

"The footway from the village to Squire Travers's goes through the
wood, which is a few hundred yards at the back of Will Somers's
orchard. Presently the Captain drew himself suddenly back from the
stile, and disappeared among the trees, and then I saw Jessie coming
from the orchard with a basket over her arm, and walking quick towards
the wood. Then, sir, my heart sank. I felt sure she was going to
meet the Captain. However, I crept along the hedgerow, hiding myself,
and got into the wood almost as soon as Jessie got there, by another
way. Under the cover of the brushwood I stole on till I saw the
Captain come out from the copse on the other side of the path, and
plant himself just before Jessie. Then I saw at once I had wronged
her. She had not expected to see him, for she hastily turned back,
and began to run homeward; but he caught her up, and seized her by the
arm. I could not hear what he said, but I heard her voice quite sharp
with fright and anger. And then he suddenly seized her round the
waist, and she screamed, and I sprang forward--"

"And thrashed the Captain?"

"No, I did not," said Tom; "I had made a vow to myself that I never