The time might come when her father would be beyond the reach of shame and disgrace, when she might find some manner of escape from her slavery.
In the meantime the days hurried on, and Providence offered her no present means of rescue.

The day of doom came nearer and nearer; for the bailiff took part with his future son-in-law, and would hear of no reasons which Ellen could offer for delay.

He was eager to squeeze the farmer's well-filled purse a little tighter, and he fancied he might do this when his daughter was Stephen Whitelaw's wife.

So suitor and father were alike pitiless, and the wedding was fixed for the 10th of March.
There were no preparations to be made at Wyncomb Farmhouse.

Mr.Whitelaw did not mean to waste so much as a five-pound note upon the embellishment of those barely-furnished rooms in honour of his bright young bride; although Mrs.Tadman urged upon him the necessity of new muslin curtains here, and new dimity there, a coat or so of paint and new whitewash in such and such rooms, and other small revivals of the same character; not sorry to be able to remind him in this indirect manner that marriage was an expensive thing.
"A young woman like that will expect to see things bright and cheerful about her," said Mrs.Tadman, in her most plausible tone, and rubbing her thin hands with an air of suppressed enjoyment.