At nine o'clock the next morning Melbury dressed himself up in shining
broadcloth, creased with folding and smelling of camphor, and started
for Hintock House. He was the more impelled to go at once by the
absence of his son-in-law in London for a few days, to attend, really
or ostensibly, some professional meetings. He said nothing of his
destination either to his wife or to Grace, fearing that they might
entreat him to abandon so risky a project, and went out unobserved. He
had chosen his time with a view, as he supposed, of conveniently
catching Mrs. Charmond when she had just finished her breakfast, before
any other business people should be about, if any came. Plodding
thoughtfully onward, he crossed a glade lying between Little Hintock
Woods and the plantation which abutted on the park; and the spot being
open, he was discerned there by Winterborne from the copse on the next
hill, where he and his men were working. Knowing his mission, the
younger man hastened down from the copse and managed to intercept the
timber-merchant.

"I have been thinking of this, sir," he said, "and I am of opinion that
it would be best to put off your visit for the present."

But Melbury would not even stop to hear him. His mind was made up, the
appeal was to be made; and Winterborne stood and watched him sadly till
he entered the second plantation and disappeared.