AT the steps of Huntercombe Hall the servants streamed out, and relieved the strangers of the sorrowful load.

Sir Charles was carried into the Hall, and Richard Bassett turned away, with one triumphant flash of his eye, quickly suppressed, and walked with impenetrable countenance and studied demeanor into Highmore House.
Even here he did not throw off the mask.

It peeled off by degrees.

He began by telling his wife, gravely enough, Sir Charles had met with a severe fall, and he had attended to him and taken him home.
"Ah, I am glad you did that, Richard," said Mrs.Bassett.

"And is he very badly hurt ?" "I am afraid he will hardly get over it.