Volume Iii Part 1 (2/2)

'What the deuce do you want?' said he angrily, holding up his riding-whip as if about to hit her.

'I've got something to say to yer honour.'

'Well, say on,' said he impatiently.

'But I cant say it here,' was the reply.

'I suppose,' said the Baronet, 'you want some money? There is half a crown,' continued he, hastily tossing it her. 'But don't spend it in beer, my good woman; you have had too much already.'

'No, 'tis not money. I can tell yer honour something you would like to know.'

'Much obliged, I am sure; but I fear you are labouring under a delusion.'

'No, no, Sir Watkin.'

'You're drunk, I tell you. Be off, or I'll give you in charge.'

'Me drunk, Sir Watkin? A poor lone widow as has lived respectable in Sloville for years, though unfortunate, but that is neither here nor there. Me drunk? No, no, Sir Watkin!'

'But I tell you you are, my good woman.'

'Drunk or sober, Sir Watkin, you must listen to me.'

'I'll do nothing of the kind.'

'If you don't hear me, Sir Watkin, you'll be sorry as long as you live.'

By this time the crowd had been attracted to the spot, and the situation was becoming unpleasant to the Baronet, who formed the centre of an amazed group, to whom the annoyance of the Baronet and the tipsy gravity of the woman were more than slightly amusing.

Sir Watkin attempted to move off.

The poor woman endeavoured to stop him. In the attempt she overbalanced herself, and fell prostrate on the earth, to the intense delight of the spectators, who enjoyed the scene amazingly.

'Sir Watkin, I say,' said his persecutor, rising slowly from her rec.u.mbent position; 'Sir Watkin, I say!'

But the baronet was gone, and, instead, the woman found herself being a.s.sisted gently off the ground by an efficient policeman, who, seeing a crowd of a peaceful character, thought it becoming to interfere.

Had the crowd been of a different complexion, and had there been any fighting going on, the chances are the policeman-with the usual instinct of his order for a sound skin or an uncracked skull-would have been looking steadfastly in quite an opposite direction. They all do it, and it is natural.

The man had already asked Sir Watkin if he would have her given in charge, an offer Sir Watkin declined. He had no wish, he said, to be hard on her; he only wished her to leave him alone. That was quite enough.

The crowd naturally sided with the Baronet. He was the great man of the district.

'What business had a wretched woman like that to interfere with him?

Just like her imperence!' said the majority.

One or two, more curious than the rest, followed the woman, with a view to learn further particulars; but she was, for a wonder, reticent. She was not Sall-but Sall's friend and ally. Not if wild horses were to drag her in twain would she disclose her secret. It was one between Sir Watkin and herself alone.

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