As I alighted they both paused with that unmistakable air of being
interrupted in a scene. I uncovered to the lady and placed my
services at their disposal.
It was the man who answered. 'There's no use in shamming, sir,'
said he. 'This lady and I have run away, and her father's after
us: road to Gretna, sir. And here have these nincompoops spilt us
in the ditch and smashed the chaise!'
'Very provoking,' said I.
'I don't know when I've been so provoked!' cried he, with a glance
down the road, of mortal terror.
'The father is no doubt very much incensed?' I pursued civilly.
'O God!' cried the hawbuck. 'In short, you see, we must get out of
this. And I'll tell you what--it may seem cool, but necessity has
no law--if you would lend us your chaise to the next post-house, it
would be the very thing, sir.'
'I confess it seems cool,' I replied.
'What's that you say, sir?' he snapped.
'I was agreeing with you,' said I. 'Yes, it does seem cool; and
what is more to the point, it seems unnecessary. This thing can be
arranged in a more satisfactory manner otherwise, I think. You can
doubtless ride?'
This opened a door on the matter of their previous dispute, and the
fellow appeared life-sized in his true colours. 'That's what I've
been telling her: that, damn her! she must ride!' he broke out.
Pages:
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305