You will approve what I have done when we meet." This note a little perplexed Mr.Beaufort; but, as he was very hungry, he turned a deaf ear both to his wife's conjectures and his own surmises, till he had refreshed himself; and then he sent for the groom, and learned that, after the accident to the blind man, Mr.Arthur had been left at a hosier's in H----.

This seemed to him extremely mysterious; and, as hour after hour passed away, and still Arthur came not, he began to imbibe his wife's fears, which were now wound up almost to hysterics; and just at midnight he ordered his carriage, and taking with him the groom as a guide, set off to the suburban region.

Mrs.
Beaufort had wished to accompany him; but the husband observing that young men would be young men, and that there might possibly be a lady in the case, Mrs.Beaufort, after a pause of thought, passively agreed that, all things considered, she had better remain at home.

No lady of proper decorum likes to run the risk of finding herself in a false position.

Mr.Beaufort accordingly set out alone.