He wondered how soon Vallancey would come, and for what hour the encounter had been appointed.

Vallancey had remained behind at Scoresby Hall last night to make the necessary arrangements with Trenchard, who was to act for Mr.Wilding.
Now it chanced that Trenchard and Wilding had business--business of Monmouth's--to transact in Taunton that morning; business which might not be delayed.

There were odd rumours afloat in the West; persistent rumours which had come fast upon the heels of the news of Argyle's landing in Scotland; rumours which maintained that Monmouth himself was coming over from Holland.

These tales Wilding and his associates had ignored.

The Duke, they knew, was to spend the summer in retreat in Sweden, with (it was alleged) the Lady Henrietta Wentworth to bear him company, and in the mean time his trusted agents were to pave the way for his coming in the following spring.