It was past four when he started, and he found the squire seated on the terrace after an early dinner, and with him was Father Barham, the priest. The old man was shown at once round into the garden, and was not long in telling his story. There had been words between him and his granddaughter about her lover. Her lover had been accepted and had come to the farm to claim his bride. Ruby had behaved very badly. The old man made the most of Ruby's bad behaviour, and of course as little as possible of his own violence. But he did explain that there had been threats used when Ruby refused to take the man, and that Ruby had, this day, taken herself off.
"I always thought it was settled they were to be man and wife," said Roger.
"It was settled, squoire;--and he war to have five hun'erd pound down;--money as I'd saved myself. Drat the jade."

He found the squire seated on the terrace with Father Barham, the priest. The old man was not long in telling his story. He made the most of Ruby's bad behaviour, and of course as little as possible of his own violence. But he did explain that there had been threats used, and that Ruby had taken herself off.
"I thought it was settled they were to marry," said Roger. 