She was compelled to be patient, or, at any rate, to assume that
outward aspect of calmness which seems like patience, while the heart
within her breast throbbed tumultuously as storm-driven waves.
At last the wearisome journey came to an end. She entered the arched
gateway of Raynham Castle; and, as she looked out of the carriage
window, she saw the big black letters, printed on a white broadside,
offering a reward of three hundred pounds for the early restoration of
the missing child.
Mr. Larkspur gave a scornful sniff as he perceived this bill.
"That won't bring her back," he muttered. "Those who've taken her away
will play a deeper game than to bring her back for the first reward
that's offered, or the second, or the third. She'll have to be found by
those that are a match for the scoundrel that stole her from her home;
and perhaps he _will_ find his match before long, clever as he is."
The meeting between Honoria and Captain Copplestone was a very quiet
one. She was far too noble, far too just to reproach the friend in whom
she had trusted, even though he had failed in his trust.
He had heard the approach of the post-chaise, and he awaited her on the
threshold of the door. He had gone forth to many a desperate encounter;
but he had never felt so heart-piercing a pang as that which he endured
this day when he went to meet Lady Eversleigh.
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