CHAPTER XXVIII.
AT FAULT.
Gilbert Fenton took up his abode at the dilapidated old inn at Crosber, thinking that he might be freer there than at the Grange; a dismal place of sojourn under the brightest circumstances, but unspeakably dreary for him who had only the saddest thoughts for his companions.

He wanted to be on the spot, to be close at hand to hear tidings of the missing girl, and he wanted also to be here in the event of John Holbrook's return--to come face to face with this man, if possible, and to solve that question which had sorely perplexed him of late--the mystery that hung about the man who had wronged him.
He consulted Ellen Carley as to the probability of Mr.Holbrook's return.
The girl seemed to think it very unlikely that Marian's husband would ever again appear at the Grange.

His last departure had appeared like a final one.

He had paid every sixpence he owed in the neighbourhood, and had been liberal in his donations to the servants and hangers-on of the place.

Marian's belongings he had left to Ellen Carley's care, telling her to pack them, and keep them in readiness for being forwarded to any address he might send.