Then the squire made haste to rid himself of his guest by presenting him to the ladies in the music-room, who again, as on a previous occasion, loaded him with hypocritical expressions of horror at the smugglers and their conduct. Certain rumors of the adventures of the previous evening had reached their ears from the Parsonage, and they all endeavored to worm out of Tregenna the exact details of his visit to Rede Hall, and of Joan's late ride.
"They do say, you must know, dear Mr. Tregenna," lisped one young lady, with a prim little ghost of a malicious smile, "that Joan Langney was so afraid you were gone to make love to Ann Price, who is reckoned a great beauty in these parts (though I am sure I ha'n't a notion why), that she cantered after you on horseback!"
"The forward thing!" cried Miss Lucy.
"But maybe 'tis not true!" said Mrs. Waldron inquisitively.
"Do, pray, tell us how 'twas, sir," went on Miss Alathea, playing affectedly with her fan. "'Tis no breach of confidence; for you and she were seen to return to the Parsonage together,
