nine by the time they reached the archway; but before they could pass
under its shadow they had to step aside to allow a carriage to dash past
them. It was a fly from the village, but Lady Audley's fair face peeped
out at the window. Dark as it was, she could see the two figures of the
young men black against the dusk.

"Who is that?" she asked, putting out her head. "Is it the gardener?"

"No, my dear aunt," said Robert, laughing; "it is your most dutiful
nephew."

He and George stopped by the archway while the fly drew up at the door,
and the surprised servants came out to welcome their master and
mistress.

"I think the storm will hold off to-night," said the baronet looking up
at the sky; "but we shall certainly have it tomorrow."




CHAPTER IX.

AFTER THE STORM.


Sir Michael was mistaken in his prophecy upon the weather. The storm did
not hold off until next day, but burst with terrible fury over the
village of Audley about half an hour before midnight.