Page:Joan, the curate.djvu/213

Rh I did well to warn you against accepting her invitation to Rede Hall!"

"It was more than I deserved that you should concern yourself with me and my folly!"

"Nay, sir, if 'twas a folly, I understand that you felt bound, in the exercise of your duty, to commit it. But now that you have learnt so much of their secrets as you have done tonight, I greatly fear they will make a strong effort to make your knowledge of no avail. It was with that fear in my mind I did suggest we should go by a less direct way than the one by which we came. You must now, sir, take that path to the left, and get down to the marsh, which we must cross on the way to the shore. Where will your boat be in waiting for you?"

"Down in a little creek near the cliff's end. But I will not let you accompany me so far. I am but endangering your safety. Let me descend when we reach the foot of this hill. Trust me, I shall be able to reach the shore without encountering the "free-traders." And for your kindness I can never sufficiently thank you."

"If you must thank me, sir, I must do some-