...Netty's situation now struck her in all seriousness. The house, garden and field were lost - by a few hours - and with them she had lost a home for herself and her lover. She couldn't believe that Jasper would carry out his threat, but she trembled at the thought. Why coudn't her uncle have lived just two hours longer, since he had lived so long? It was now pas three o'clock; the agend was to call at five. If all had gone well, by then minutes past five the house would have been hers. How that miserable old squire would rejoice at getting possession! Then an idea struck Netty. Perhaps on this dull December evening she could gain her right in spite of her uncle's neglect!...
