Volume Ii Part 23 (1/2)
”Do you think you will be able to walk a bit?”
”I will try, Tom--and you will help me?”
”That I will. I could carry you, but it would draw attention upon us.
Perhaps we may get a cab. Then there will be no difficulty.”
”Tom, I will do everything you tell me.”
”Thank you, Miss Phoebe.”
They had taken the Croydon road to London Bridge, and in half an hour, when they reached a quiet street, in which no soul but themselves was to be seen, Tom lifted Phoebe from the horse.
”Hold on to me, Miss Phoebe, and turn your face a bit.”
She did so. With a branch which he had plucked from the hedge and had used as a whip Tom struck the horse a smart blow. Away it galloped with an empty saddle on its back, and in three moments was lost to his sight.
”Now, Miss Phoebe, if we can only find a cab!”
Angel Fortune was on their side. They had taken scarcely a dozen steps when a four-wheeler turned the corner of the street. The bargain was soon made, and Phoebe and Tom, safely ensconced in the cab, were on their way to Camden Town.
”My dear,” said Aunt Leth, shaking her husband, ”the street-door bell has rung; and, hark! do you hear the loud knocking? What can have happened?”
He was out of bed in a moment and gliding down the stairs, and Aunt Leth quickly drew on a dressing-gown, and hastened after him.
”Open the door,” cried Tom Barley, outside. ”It's all right! There's nothing to be frightened at.”
Uncle Leth threw open the door.
”Aunt Leth! oh, dear Aunt Leth!” murmured Phoebe, and fell sobbing into the good woman's arms.
”Phoebe! my poor dear Phoebe! Oh! look here! look here! There is blood upon her!”
”I am well and happy now!” sobbed Phoebe. ”Oh! so happy! so happy!
Dear aunt, dear uncle, don't let them take me from you again!”
”They never shall! they never shall! Oh, my poor dear! oh, my poor dear!”
Close, close, to the tender womanly heart, close to the faithful breast--closer, closer, closer!
”Phoebe!” screamed f.a.n.n.y, flying down the stairs. ”Oh, Phoebe!
Phoebe! Mother, give her to me! give her to me!”
And here was 'Melia Jane, in the most outrageous of costumes, quite scandalous, indeed, running down to the kitchen to light the fire.
”I will tell you all to-morrow,” said Tom Barley. ”n.o.body must know she is here. Good-night.”
”Tom!” murmured Phoebe.