That very evening he had done the same with Rifler, who was chewing at the straw in a queer fashion and seemed quarrelsome.

He had said nothing to the Squire, whose temper had been ugly for a week past.

He had hoped it was a false alarm--had thought it better to wait, and so on.
The Squire went down to the kennels with a lantern, Jim shivering behind him.

They had their horses saddled outside and ready, and the crowd was waiting along the drive and up by the great gates.
The Squire saw at a glance that two couples were missing, and in two seconds had their names on his tongue.

He was like a madman.
He shouted to Jim to open the doors.