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He could not at first decide whither he should go to spend the intervening tis he found himself on the road ho a last glimpse of Cytherea there

5 MIDNIGHT It was a quarter to twelve when Manston drove into the station-yard

The train was punctual, and the bell, announcing its arrival, rang as he crossed the booking-office to go out upon the platform

The porter who had accompanied Mrs Manston to Carriford, and had returned to the station on his night duty, recognized the steward as he entered, and immediately came towards him

'Mrs Manston caave vent to an expression of vexation

'Her luggage is here, sir,' the porter said

'Put it up behindif it is not too much,' said Manston

'Directly this train is in and gone, sir' Thetrain

'Where is that fire?' Manston said to the booking-clerk

Before the clerk could speak, anotherheard it

'Half Carriford is burnt down, or will be!' he exclaimed 'You can't see the flames froe--'tis tremendous!' He also crossed the line to assist at the entry of the train, which came in the next hted, gave up his ticket, and crossed the roo and umbrella in his hand He passed out of the door, down the steps, and struck out into the darkness

'Who was that younghts after him

'He's an architect' 'My own old profession I could have sworn it by the cut of hiain

'Springrove--Farrove's son, Edward,' the steward repeated to himself, and considered a matter to which the words had painfully recalled hisman as Cytherea's lover, which, indeed, had scarcely ever been absent frohts

'But for the existence of ht have beenthe porter, who had now coe-roo in one box, which was sufficiently portable for the gig, Manston still thought, as his eyes watched the process-'But for ht have been , carefully laid out the reins,the turnpike-road towards Knapwater Park