He had brought these great people to a pretty low pitch.

He had welcomed them hospitably, as a British yeoman should; but not budged a foot in his demands: not to the baronet: not to the Captain: not to good young Mr.Wentworth.For Farmer Blaize was a solid Englishman; and, on hearing from the baronet a frank confession of the hold he had on the family, he determined to tighten his hold, and only relax it in exchange for tangible advantages--compensation to his pocket, his wounded person, and his still more wounded sentiments: the total indemnity being, in round figures, three hundred pounds, and a spoken apology from the prime offender, young Mister Richard.

Even then there was a reservation.

Provided, the farmer said, nobody had been tampering with any of his witnesses.

In that ease Farmer Blaize declared the money might go, and he would transport Tom Bakewell, as he had sworn he would.