To his surprise and dismay, he was informed by old Nance, who opened the door to him, that Miss Joan had gone away that very morning.
"Gone away!" repeated Tregenna, in stupefaction. "But whither?"
"That's more'n I can tell you, sir," grumbled Nance, who seemed in an ill-humor, as if resenting her own position of ignorance. "But if you'll step in, maybe the master'll be able to tell you more."
So Tregenna went into the little dining-parlor, where he found the good vicar looking rather gloomy.
"Hey-day!" cried Parson Langney, as soon as the young man entered, "what's this thou hast been about, Harry, to disturb thy sweetheart's peace as thou hast done?"
"I disturb her peace!" exclaimed Tregenna. "Nay, sir, I know not. I parted with her but last night the best of friends, as indeed you very well know, since it was here I passed the evening!"
"Well, she's taken herself away, this morning, to her aunt's at Hastings, and charged me not to tell you how to find the house."
