Stranica 122 [122]
84
power over the girl’s better feelings, and
for an instant thought of appealing to her
compassion for his helpless state. But
then the thought darted across his mind
that it was barely eleven o’clock, and that
many people were still in the street, of
whom surely some inight be found to give
credence to his tale. As the reflection
occurred to him, he stepped forward, and
said semewhat hastily that he was ready.
Neither his brief consideration nor its
purport were lost upon his companion.
She eyed him narrowly while he spoke,
. and cast upon him a look of intelligence
which sufficiently showed that she guess¬
ed what had been passing in his thoughts.
“ Hush!" said the girl, stooping over
him, and pointing to the door as she looked
cautiously round. ‘ You can’t help your¬
self. I have tried hard for you, but all to
no purpose. You are hedged round and
round ; and, if you are to get loose from
here, this is not the time."
Struck by the energy of her manner,
Oliver looked up in her face with great
surprise. She seemed to speak the
truth; her countenance was white and
agitated, and she trembled with very
earnestness,
“T have saved you from being ill-used
once, and [ will again, and I do now,”
continued the girl aloud ; ‘ for those who
would have fetched you, if I had not,
would have been far more rough than me.
I have promised for your being quiet and
silent; if you are not, you will only do
harm to yourself and me too, and perhaps
be my death. See here! J have borne
all this for you already, as true as God
sees me show it.”
She pointed hastily to some livid bruises
upon her neck and arms, and continued
with great rapidity.
‘“ Remember this, and don’t let me suf¬
fer more for you just now. If I could
help you I would, but I have not the
power; they don’t mean to harm you ;
and whatever they make you do, Is no
fault of yours.
you is a blow for me: give me your hand
—make haste, your hand!” ;
She caught the hand which Oliver in¬
stinctively placed in hers, and, blowing
out the light, drew him after her up the
stairs. ‘he door was opened quickly by
some one shrouded in the darkness, and
us quickly closed when they had passed
out. A hackney cabriolet was in waiting;
and, with the same vehemencé which she
had exhibited in addressing Oliver, the
girl pulled him in with her, and drew the
|
curtains close. "The driver wanted no di¬
rections, but lashed his horse into full
speed without the delay of an instant.
The girl still held Oliver fast by the
hand, and continued to pour into his ear
the warnings and assurances she had al¬
ready imparted. All was so quick and
hurried, that he had scarcely time to re¬
collect where he was, or how he came
there, when the carriage stopped at the
been directed on the previous evening.
For one brief moment Oliver cast a
hurried glance along the empty street,
and a ery for help oe upon his lips.
But the girl’s voice was in his ear, be¬
seeching him in such tones of agony to
remember her, that he had not the heart
to utter it; and while he hesitated, the
opportunity was gone, for he was already
in the house, and the door was shut.
c This way,” said the girl, releasing
her hold for the first time. “ Bill!”
“ Hallo!” replied Sikes, appearing at
the head of the stairs with a candle.
“Oh! that’s the time of day. Come
on !"
This was a very strong expression of
approbation, and an uncommonly hearty
welcome, from a person of Mr. Sikes s
temperament; Nancy, appearing much
gratified thereby, saluted him cordially.
Bullseye"s gone home with Tom,"
observed Sikes as he lighted them up.
“ He’d have been in the way."
That "s right," rejomed Nancy.
cc So you ve got the kid,” said Sikes,
when they had all reached the room:
closing the door as he spoke.
c Yes, here he is,” replied Nancy.
c Did he come quiet ?" inquired Sikes.
c Like a lamb,” rejoined Nancy.
6 ["m glad to hear-it,” said Sikes, look¬
ing grimly at Oliver, “ for the sake of his
young carcase, as would otherways have
suffered for it. Come here, young "un,
and let me read you a lectur’, which is
as well got over at once."
Thus addressing his new protégé, Mr.
Sikes pulled off his cap and threw it into
a corner; and then, taking him by the
shoulder, sat himself down by the table,
and stood Oliver in front of him.
6 Now first, do you know wot this is?”
inquired Sikes, taking up a pocket-pistol
which lay on the table.
Oliver replied in the affirmative.
c Well then, look here,” continued
c This is powder, that ’ere’s a
bullet, and this is a little bit of a old hat
for waddin’.”’ B