the meeting at Meadle, four long miles off.

I expected to have been talked with about it when I came home, but
heard nothing of it, my father resolving to watch me better next
time.

This I was aware of; and therefore on the next first day I got up
early, went down softly, and hid myself in a back room before the
maid was stirring.

When she was up she went into my father's chamber for the keys; but
he bade her leave them till he was up, and he would bring them down
himself; which he did, and tarried in the kitchen, through which he
expected I would go.

The manner was, that when the common doors were opened the keys were
hung upon a pin in the hall. While therefore my father stayed in
the kitchen expecting my coming, I, stepping gently out of the room
where I was, reached the keys, and opening another door, not often
used, slipped out, and so got away.

I thought I had gone off undiscovered; but whether my father saw me
through the window, or by what means he knew of my going, I know
not; but I had gone but a little way before I saw him coming after
me.

The sight of him put me to a stand in my mind whether I should go on
or stop. Had it been in any other case than that of going to a
meeting I could not in any wise have gone a step farther. But I
considered that the intent of my father's endeavouring to stop me