‘Humph,’ Ned expostulated, before adding, ‘well, well. Scott above Austen, eh? That is not without its significance.’ He turned around a sapling bent down by the breeze. ‘Marriage, Miss Knatchbull, ’tis an extraordinary stuff. Some thrive within it completely intact, while others are utterly changed. We must take good care, you and I both. Good care, indeed.’

They had begun their descent back to Hatch and their breakfast.

‘We must not have that happening to us when it is our turn to be settled.’

Norton relished his part in the young couple’s secret. He thought of Hatch not as a home – he had spent too little time there for that – but rather as the scene of an unending battle between children and parents. So on those terms, when he escorted his sister out every morning – enabling her escape – he was in his mind engaged in some great act of valour.

Some days her brother stayed with them; their outings were vigorous and sporting and amused them all equally. For the rest, though, he was content to politely withdraw and then, in relief, they were free to talk more.

‘So you, too, were at school when your own mother was taken? And yet so many years younger than I!’ Ned ran an agitated hand through his already wild hair and ruffled it yet further. ‘Then, madam, your suffering was more acute still … I take it, though, that you were brought home at once?’

Mary had to think deeply before she replied. It was vital that she present the facts in the best possible light – not only to save her good father from any unfair opprobrium, but also to spare herself. She had only rarely before discussed the subject, and each time the listener’s pity had made her feel oddly pathetic – as if she were no more than a victim of Sir Edward’s cruelty, rather than the great light of his life, which was the image she rather preferred.

So she proceeded to convey, with the most earnest sympathy, her father’s great love for her mother and the difficulties he faced, with six, then sadly five, motherless infants, and – unlike the Austens – no loving family to help and support him. ‘He would have thought me to be safe there at school, with its solid routine and my sweet little friends …’ Now almost adrift from the truth, Mary found she could no longer continue and took refuge in silence.

A fine rain started falling; dark clouds threatened worse. For protection, Ned guided her into the woods where once-bright morning was now gloaming like dusk.

‘You are very loyal to Sir Edward.’ Hooves clipped over acorns which cracked furiously at their weight, but Ned’s voice was gentle.

‘He is my only parent! How could I be otherwise?’ Mary refused to be pitied! She would not allow it! ‘It is my duty to love and support him.’