Theywanderedtoandfrowhenitwasday，andonceBarnabywentoffalonetoaclusteroflittlecottagestwoorthreemilesaway，topurchasesomebreadandmilk。Butfindingnobettershelter，theyreturnedtothesameplace，andlaydownagaintowaitfornight。
Heavenalonecantell，withwhatvaguehopesofduty，andaffection;withwhatstrangepromptingsofnature，intelligibletohimastoamanofradiantmindandmostenlargedcapacity;withwhatdimmemoriesofchildrenhehadplayedwithwhenachildhimself，whohadprattledoftheirfathers，andoflovingthem，andbeingloved;withhowmanyhalf-remembered，dreamyassociationsofhismother’sgriefandtearsandwidowhood;hewatchedandtendedthisman。Butthatavagueandshadowycrowdofsuchideascameslowlyonhim;thattheytaughthimtobesorrywhenhelookeduponhishaggardface，thattheyoverflowedhiseyeswhenhestoopedtokisshim，thattheykepthimwakinginatearfulgladness，shadinghimfromthesun，fanninghimwithleaves，soothinghimwhenhestartedinhissleep——ah！whatatroubledsleepitwas——andwonderingwhenSHEwouldcometojointhemandbehappy，isthetruth。Hesatbesidehimallthatday;listeningforherfootstepsineverybreathofair，lookingforhershadowonthegently-wavinggrass，twiningthehedgeflowersforherpleasurewhenshecame，andhiswhenheawoke;andstoopingdownfromtimetotimetolistentohismutterings，andwonderwhyhewassorestlessinthatquietplace。Thesunwentdown，andnightcameon，andhewasstillquitetranquil;busiedwiththesethoughts，asiftherewerenootherpeopleintheworld，andthedullcloudofsmokehangingontheimmensecityinthedistance，hidnovices，nocrimes，nolifeordeath，orcauseofdisquiet——nothingbutclearair。
Butthehourhadnowcomewhenhemustgoalonetofindouttheblindman(ataskthatfilledhimwithdelight)andbringhimtothatplace;takingespecialcarethathewasnotwatchedorfollowedonhiswayback。Helistenedtothedirectionshemustobserve，repeatedthemagainandagain，andaftertwiceorthricereturningtosurprisehisfatherwithalight-heartedlaugh，wentforth，atlast，uponhiserrand:leavingGrip，whomhehadcarriedfromthejailinhisarms，tohiscare。
Fleetoffoot，andanxioustoreturn，hespedswiftlyontowardsthecity，butcouldnotreachitbeforethefiresbegan，andmadethenightangrywiththeirdismallustre。Whenheenteredthetown——itmightbethathewaschangedbygoingtherewithouthislatecompanions，andonnoviolenterrand;orbythebeautifulsolitudeinwhichhehadpassedtheday，orbythethoughtsthathadcomeuponhim，——butitseemedpeopledbyalegionofdevils。
Thisflightandpursuit，thiscruelburninganddestroying，thesedreadfulcriesandstunningnoises，wereTHEYthegoodlord’snoblecause！
Thoughalmoststupefiedbythebewilderingscene，stillbefoundtheblindman’shouse。Itwasshutupandtenantless。
Hewaitedforalongwhile，butnoonecame。Atlasthewithdrew;
andasheknewbythistimethatthesoldierswerefiring，andmanypeoplemusthavebeenkilled，hewentdownintoHolborn，whereheheardthegreatcrowdwas，totryifhecouldfindHugh，andpersuadehimtoavoidthedanger，andreturnwithhim。
Ifhehadbeenstunnedandshockedbefore，hishorrorwasincreasedathousandfoldwhenhegotintothisvortexoftheriot，andnotbeinganactorintheterriblespectacle，haditallbeforehiseyes。Butthere，inthemidst，toweringabovethemall，closebeforethehousetheywereattackingnow，wasHughonhorseback，callingtotherest！
Sickenedbythesightssurroundinghimoneveryside，andbytheheatandroar，andcrash，heforcedhiswayamongthecrowd(wheremanyrecognisedhim，andwithshoutspressedbacktolethimpass)，andintimewasnearlyupwithHugh，whowassavagelythreateningsomeone，butwhomorwhathesaid，hecouldnot，inthegreatconfusion，understand。Atthatmomentthecrowdforcedtheirwayintothehouse，andHugh——itwasimpossibletoseebywhatmeans，insuchaconcourse——fellheadlongdown。
Barnabywasbesidehimwhenhestaggeredtohisfeet。Itwaswellhemadehimhearhisvoice，orHugh，withhisupliftedaxe，wouldhaveclefthisskullintwain。
’Barnaby——you！Whosehandwasthat，thatstruckmedown？’
’Notmine。’
’Whose！——Isay，whose！’hecried，reelingback，andlookingwildlyround。’Whatareyoudoing？Whereishe？Showme！’
’Youarehurt，’saidBarnaby——asindeedhewas，inthehead，bothbytheblowhehadreceived，andbyhishorse’shoof。’Comeawaywithme。’
Ashespoke，hetookthehorse’sbridleinhishand，turnedhim，anddraggedHughseveralpaces。Thisbroughtthemoutofthecrowd，whichwaspouringfromthestreetintothevintner’scellars。
’Where’s——where’sDennis？’saidHugh，comingtoastop，andcheckingBarnabywithhisstrongarm。’Wherehashebeenallday？
Whatdidhemeanbyleavingmeashedid，inthejail，lastnight？
Tellme，you——d’yehear！’
Withaflourishofhisdangerousweapon，hefelldownuponthegroundlikealog。Afteraminute，thoughalreadyfranticwithdrinkingandwiththewoundinhishead，hecrawledtoastreamofburningspiritwhichwaspouringdownthekennel，andbegantodrinkatitasifitwereabrookofwater。
Barnabydrewhimaway，andforcedhimtorise。Thoughhecouldneitherstandnorwalk，heinvoluntarilystaggeredtohishorse，climbeduponhisback，andclungthere。Aftervainlyattemptingtodivesttheanimalofhisclankingtrappings，Barnabysprungupbehindhim，snatchedthebridle，turnedintoLeatherLane，whichwascloseathand，andurgedthefrightenedhorseintoaheavytrot。
Helookedback，once，beforeheleftthestreet;andlookeduponasightnoteasilytobeerased，evenfromhisremembrance，solongashehadlife。
Thevintner’shousewithahalf-a-dozenothersnearathand，wasonegreat，glowingblaze。Allnight，noonehadessayedtoquenchtheflames，orstoptheirprogress;butnowabodyofsoldierswereactivelyengagedinpullingdowntwooldwoodenhouses，whichwereeverymomentindangeroftakingfire，andwhichcouldscarcelyfail，iftheywerelefttoburn，toextendtheconflagrationimmensely。Thetumblingdownofnoddingwallsandheavyblocksofwood，thehootingandtheexecrationsofthecrowd，thedistantfiringofothermilitarydetachments，thedistractedlooksandcriesofthosewhosehabitationswereindanger，thehurryingtoandfrooffrightenedpeoplewiththeirgoods;thereflectionsineveryquarterofthesky，ofdeep，red，soaringflames，asthoughthelastdayhadcomeandthewholeuniversewereburning;thedust，andsmoke，anddriftoffieryparticles，scorchingandkindlingallitfellupon;thehotunwholesomevapour，theblightoneverything;thestars，andmoon，andverysky，obliterated;——madeupsuchasumofdrearinessandruin，thatitseemedasifthefaceofHeavenwereblottedout，andnight，initsrestandquiet，andsoftenedlight，nevercouldlookupontheearthagain。
Buttherewasaworsespectaclethanthis——worsebyfarthanfireandsmoke，oreventherabble’sunappeasableandmaniacrage。Theguttersofthestreet，andeverycrackandfissureinthestones，ranwithscorchingspirit，whichbeingdammedupbybusyhands，overflowedtheroadandpavement，andformedagreatpool，intowhichthepeopledroppeddowndeadbydozens。Theylayinheapsallroundthisfearfulpond，husbandsandwives，fathersandsons，mothersanddaughters，womenwithchildrenintheirarmsandbabiesattheirbreasts，anddrankuntiltheydied。Whilesomestoopedwiththeirlipstothebrinkandneverraisedtheirheadsagain，otherssprangupfromtheirfierydraught，anddanced，halfinamadtriumph，andhalfintheagonyofsuffocation，untiltheyfell，andsteepedtheircorpsesintheliquorthathadkilledthem。Norwaseventhistheworstormostappallingkindofdeaththathappenedonthisfatalnight。Fromtheburningcellars，wheretheydrankoutofhats，pails，buckets，tubs，andshoes，somemenweredrawn，alive，butallalightfromheadtofoot;who，intheirunendurableanguishandsuffering，makingforanythingthathadthelookofwater，rolled，hissing，inthishideouslake，andsplashedupliquidfirewhichlappedinallitmetwithasitranalongthesurface，andneithersparedthelivingnorthedead。Onthislastnightofthegreatriots——forthelastnightitwas——thewretchedvictimsofasenselessoutcry，becamethemselvesthedustandashesoftheflamestheyhadkindled，andstrewedthepublicstreetsofLondon。
Withallhesawinthislastglancefixedindeliblyuponhismind，Barnabyhurriedfromthecitywhichenclosedsuchhorrors;andholdingdownhisheadthathemightnotevenseetheglareofthefiresuponthequietlandscape，wassooninthestillcountryroads。
Hestoppedatabouthalf-a-milefromtheshedwherehisfatherlay，andwithsomedifficultymakingHughsensiblethathemustdismount，sunkthehorse’sfurnitureinapoolofstagnantwater，andturnedtheanimalloose。Thatdone，hesupportedhiscompanionaswellashecould，andledhimslowlyforward。
Chapter69
Itwasthedeadofnight，andverydark，whenBarnaby，withhisstumblingcomrade，approachedtheplacewherehehadlefthisfather;buthecouldseehimstealingawayintothegloom，distrustfulevenofhim，andrapidlyretreating。Aftercallingtohimtwiceorthricethattherewasnothingtofear，butwithouteffect，hesufferedHughtosinkupontheground，andfollowedtobringhimback。
Hecontinuedtocreepaway，untilBarnabywascloseuponhim;thenturned，andsaidinaterrible，thoughsuppressedvoice:
’Letmego。Donotlayhandsuponme。Youhavetoldher;andyouandshetogetherhavebetrayedme！’
Barnabylookedathim，insilence。
’Youhaveseenyourmother！’
’No，’criedBarnaby，eagerly。’Notforalongtime——longerthanI
cantell。Awholeyear，Ithink。Isshehere？’
Hisfatherlookeduponhimsteadfastlyforafewmoments，andthensaid——drawingnearertohimashespoke，for，seeinghisface，andhearinghiswords，itwasimpossibletodoubthistruth:
’Whatmanisthat？’
’Hugh——Hugh。OnlyHugh。Youknowhim。HEwillnotharmyou。
Why，you’reafraidofHugh！Hahaha！Afraidofgruff，old，noisyHugh！’
’Whatmanishe，Iaskyou，’herejoinedsofiercely，thatBarnabystoppedinhislaugh，andshrinkingback，surveyedhimwithalookofterrifiedamazement。
’Why，howsternyouare！Youmakemefearyou，thoughyouaremyfather。Whydoyouspeaktomeso？’——
’Iwant，’heanswered，puttingawaythehandwhichhisson，withatimiddesiretopropitiatehim，laiduponhissleeve，——’Iwantananswer，andyougivemeonlyjeersandquestions。Whohaveyoubroughtwithyoutothishiding-place，poorfool;andwhereistheblindman？’
’Idon’tknowwhere。Hishousewascloseshut。Iwaited，butnopersoncame;thatwasnofaultofmine。ThisisHugh——braveHugh，whobrokeintothatuglyjail，andsetusfree。Aha！Youlikehimnow，doyou？Youlikehimnow！’
’Whydoeshelieupontheground？’
’Hehashadafall，andhasbeendrinking。Thefieldsandtreesgoround，andround，androundwithhim，andthegroundheavesunderhisfeet。Youknowhim？Youremember？See！’
Theyhadbythistimereturnedtowherehelay，andbothstoopedoverhimtolookintohisface。
’Irecollecttheman，’hisfathermurmured。’Whydidyoubringhimhere？’
’BecausehewouldhavebeenkilledifIhadlefthimoveryonder。
Theywerefiringgunsandsheddingblood。Doesthesightofbloodturnyousick，father？Iseeitdoes，byyourface。That’slikeme——Whatareyoulookingat？’
’Atnothing！’saidthemurderersoftly，ashestartedbackapaceortwo，andgazedwithsunkenjawandstaringeyesabovehisson’shead。’Atnothing！’
Heremainedinthesameattitudeandwiththesameexpressiononhisfaceforaminuteormore;thenglancedslowlyroundasifhehadlostsomething;andwentshiveringback，towardstheshed。
’ShallIbringhimin，father？’askedBarnaby，whohadlookedon，wondering。
Heonlyansweredwithasuppressedgroan，andlyingdownupontheground，wrappedhiscloakabouthishead，andshrunkintothedarkestcorner。
FindingthatnothingwouldrouseHughnow，ormakehimsensibleforamoment，Barnabydraggedhimalongthegrass，andlaidhimonalittleheapofrefusehayandstrawwhichhadbeenhisownbed;
firsthavingbroughtsomewaterfromarunningstreamhardby，andwashedhiswound，andlavedhishandsandface。Thenhelaydownhimself，betweenthetwo，topassthenight;andlookingatthestars，fellfastasleep。
Awakenedearlyinthemorning，bythesunshineandthesongsofbirds，andhumofinsects，heleftthemsleepinginthehut，andwalkedintothesweetandpleasantair。Buthefeltthatonhisjadedsenses，oppressedandburdenedwiththedreadfulscenesoflastnight，andmanynightsbefore，allthebeautiesofopeningday，whichhehadsooftentasted，andinwhichhehadhadsuchdeepdelight，fellheavily。Hethoughtoftheblithemorningswhenheandthedogswentboundingontogetherthroughthewoodsandfields;andtherecollectionfilledhiseyeswithtears。Hehadnoconsciousness，Godhelphim，ofhavingdonewrong，norhadheanynewperceptionofthemeritsofthecauseinwhichhehadbeenengaged，orthoseofthemenwhoadvocatedit;buthewasfullofcaresnow，andregrets，anddismalrecollections，andwishes(quiteunknowntohimbefore)thatthisorthateventhadneverhappened，andthatthesorrowandsufferingofsomanypeoplehadbeenspared。Andnowhebegantothinkhowhappytheywouldbe——hisfather，mother，he，andHugh——iftheyrambledawaytogether，andlivedinsomelonelyplace，wheretherewerenoneofthesetroubles;andthatperhapstheblindman，whohadtalkedsowiselyaboutgold，andtoldhimofthegreatsecretsheknew，couldteachthemhowtolivewithoutbeingpinchedbywant。Asthisoccurredtohim，hewasthemoresorrythathehadnotseenhimlastnight;
andhewasstillbroodingoverthisregret，whenhisfathercame，andtouchedhimontheshoulder。
’Ah！’criedBarnaby，startingfromhisfitofthoughtfulness。’Isitonlyyou？’
’Whoshoulditbe？’
’Ialmostthought，’heanswered，’itwastheblindman。Imusthavesometalkwithhim，father。’
’AndsomustI，forwithoutseeinghim，Idon’tknowwheretoflyorwhattodo，andlingeringhere，isdeath。Youmustgotohimagain，andbringhimhere。’
’MustI！’criedBarnaby，delighted;’that’sbrave，father。That’swhatIwanttodo。’
’Butyoumustbringonlyhim，andnoneother。Andthoughyouwaitathisdoorawholedayandnight，stillyoumustwait，andnotcomebackwithouthim。’
’Don’tyoufearthat，’hecriedgaily。’Heshallcome，heshallcome。’
’Trimoffthesegewgaws，’saidhisfather，pluckingthescrapsofribbonandthefeathersfromhishat，’andoveryourowndresswearmycloak。Takeheedhowyougo，andtheywillbetoobusyinthestreetstonoticeyou。Ofyourcomingbackyouneedtakenoaccount，forhe’llmanagethat，safely。’
’Tobesure！’saidBarnaby。’Tobesurehewill！Awiseman，father，andonewhocanteachustoberich。Oh！Iknowhim，I
knowhim。’
Hewasspeedilydressed，andaswelldisguisedashecouldbe。
Withalighterhearthethensetoffuponhissecondjourney，leavingHugh，whowasstillinadrunkenstupor，stretcheduponthegroundwithintheshed，andhisfatherwalkingtoandfrobeforeit。
Themurderer，fullofanxiousthoughts，lookedafterhim，andpacedupanddown，disquietedbyeverybreathofairthatwhisperedamongtheboughs，andbyeverylightshadowthrownbythepassingcloudsuponthedaisiedground。Hewasanxiousforhissafereturn，andyet，thoughhisownlifeandsafetyhunguponit，feltareliefwhilehewasgone。Intheintenseselfishnesswhichtheconstantpresencebeforehimofhisgreatcrimes，andtheirconsequenceshereandhereafter，engendered，everythoughtofBarnaby，ashisson，wasswallowedupandlost。Still，hispresencewasatortureandreproach;inhiswildeyes，therewereterribleimagesofthatguiltynight;withhisunearthlyaspect，andhishalf-formedmind，heseemedtothemurdereracreaturewhohadsprungintoexistencefromhisvictim’sblood。Hecouldnotbearhislook，hisvoice，histouch;andyethewasforced，byhisowndesperateconditionandhisonlyhopeofcheatingthegibbet，tohavehimbyhisside，andtoknowthathewasinseparablefromhissinglechanceofescape。
Hewalkedtoandfro，withlittlerest，allday，revolvingthesethingsinhismind;andstillHughlay，unconscious，intheshed。
Atlength，whenthesunwassetting，Barnabyreturned，leadingtheblindman，andtalkingearnestlytohimastheycamealongtogether。
Themurdereradvancedtomeetthem，andbiddinghissongoonandspeaktoHugh，whohadjustthenstaggeredtohisfeet，tookhisplaceattheblindman’selbow，andslowlyfollowed，towardstheshed。
’WhydidyousendHIM？’saidStagg。’Don’tyouknowitwasthewaytohavehimlost，assoonasfound？’
’Wouldyouhavehadmecomemyself？’returnedtheother。
’Humph！Perhapsnot。IwasbeforethejailonTuesdaynight，butmissedyouinthecrowd。Iwasoutlastnight，too。Therewasgoodworklastnight——gaywork——profitablework’——headded，rattlingthemoneyinhispockets。
’Haveyou——’——
’Seenyourgoodlady？Yes。’
’Doyoumeantotellmemore，ornot？’
’I’lltellyouall，’returnedtheblindman，withalaugh。’Excuseme——butIlovetoseeyousoimpatient。There’senergyinit。’
’Doessheconsenttosaythewordthatmaysaveme？’
’No，’returnedtheblindmanemphatically，asheturnedhisfacetowardshim。’No。Thusitis。Shehasbeenatdeath’sdoorsinceshelostherdarling——hasbeeninsensible，andIknownotwhat。I
trackedhertoahospital，andpresentedmyself(withyourleave)
atherbedside。Ourtalkwasnotalongone，forshewasweak，andtherebeingpeoplenearIwasnotquiteeasy。ButItoldherallthatyouandIagreedupon，andpointedouttheyounggentleman’sposition，instrongterms。Shetriedtosoftenme，butthat，ofcourse(asItoldher)，waslosttime。Shecriedandmoaned，youmaybesure;allwomendo。Then，ofasudden，shefoundhervoiceandstrength，andsaidthatHeavenwouldhelpherandherinnocentson;andthattoHeavensheappealedagainstus——whichshedid;inreallyveryprettylanguage，Iassureyou。Iadvisedher，asafriend，nottocounttoomuchonassistancefromanysuchdistantquarter——recommendedhertothinkofit——toldherwhereIlived——
saidIknewshewouldsendtomebeforenoon，nextday——andlefther，eitherinafaintorshamming。’
Whenhehadconcludedthisnarration，duringwhichhehadmadeseveralpauses，fortheconvenienceofcrackingandeatingnuts，ofwhichheseemedtohaveapocketful，theblindmanpulledaflaskfromhispocket，tookadraughthimself，andofferedittohiscompanion。
’Youwon’t，won’tyou？’hesaid，feelingthathepusheditfromhim。’Well！Thenthegallantgentlemanwho’slodgingwithyou，will。Hallo，bully！’
’Death！’saidtheother，holdinghimback。’WillyoutellmewhatIamtodo！’
’Do！Nothingeasier。Makeamoonlightflittingintwohours’timewiththeyounggentleman(he’squitereadytogo;Ihavebeengivinghimgoodadviceaswecamealong)，andgetasfarfromLondonasyoucan。Letmeknowwhereyouare，andleavetheresttome。SheMUSTcomeround;shecan’tholdoutlong;andastothechancesofyourbeingretakeninthemeanwhile，whyitwasn’tonemanwhogotoutofNewgate，butthreehundred。Thinkofthat，foryourcomfort。’
’Wemustsupportlife。How？’
’How！’repeatedtheblindman。’Byeatinganddrinking。Andhowgetmeatanddrink，butbypayingforit！Money！’hecried，slappinghispocket。’Ismoneytheword？Why，thestreetshavebeenrunningmoney。Devilsendthatthesport’snotoveryet，forthesearejollytimes;golden，rare，roaring，scramblingtimes。
Hallo，bully！Hallo！Hallo！Drink，bully，drink。Whereareyethere！Hallo！’
Withsuchvociferations，andwithaboisterousmannerwhichbespokehisperfectabandonmenttothegenerallicenceanddisorder，hegropedhiswaytowardstheshed，whereHughandBarnabyweresittingontheground。
’Putitabout！’hecried，handinghisflasktoHugh。’Thekennelsrunwithwineandgold。Guineasandstrongwaterflowfromtheverypumps。Aboutwithit，don’tspareit！’
Exhausted，unwashed，unshorn，begrimedwithsmokeanddust，hishairclottedwithblood，hisvoicequitegone，sothathespokeinwhispers;hisskinparchedupbyfever，hiswholebodybruisedandcut，andbeatenabout，Hughstilltooktheflask，andraisedittohislips。Hewasintheactofdrinking，whenthefrontoftheshedwassuddenlydarkened，andDennisstoodbeforethem。
’Nooffence，nooffence，’saidthatpersonageinaconciliatorytone，asHughstoppedinhisdraught，andeyedhim，withnopleasantlook，fromheadtofoot。’Nooffence，brother。Barnabyheretoo，eh？Howareyou，Barnaby？Andtwoothergentlemen！
Yourhumbleservant，gentlemen。NooffencetoYOUeither，Ihope。
Eh，brothers？’
Notwithstandingthathespokeinthisveryfriendlyandconfidentmanner，heseemedtohaveconsiderablehesitationaboutentering，andremainedoutsidetheroof。Hewasratherbetterdressedthanusual:wearingthesamesuitofthreadbareblack，itistrue，buthavingroundhisneckanunwholesome-lookingcravatofayellowishwhite;and，onhishands，greatleathergloves，suchasagardenermightwearinfollowinghistrade。Hisshoeswerenewlygreased，andornamentedwithapairofrustyironbuckles;thepackthreadathiskneeshadbeenrenewed;andwherehewantedbuttons，heworepins。Altogether，hehadsomethingthelookofatipstaff，orabailiff’sfollower，desperatelyfaded，butwhohadanotionofkeepinguptheappearanceofaprofessionalcharacter，andmakingthebestoftheworstmeans。
’You’reverysnughere，’saidMrDennis，pullingoutamouldypocket-handkerchief，whichlookedlikeadecomposedhalter，andwipinghisforeheadinanervousmanner。
’Notsnugenoughtopreventyourfindingus，itseems，’Hughanswered，sulkily。
’WhyI’lltellyouwhat，brother，’saidDennis，withafriendlysmile，’whenyoudon’twantmetoknowwhichwayyou’reriding，youmustwearanothersortofbellsonyourhorse。Ah！Iknowthesoundofthemyouworelastnight，andhavegotquickearsfor’em;
that’sthetruth。Well，buthowareyou，brother？’
Hehadbythistimeapproached，andnowventuredtositdownbyhim。
’HowamI？’answeredHugh。’Wherewereyouyesterday？Wheredidyougowhenyouleftmeinthejail？Whydidyouleaveme？Andwhatdidyoumeanbyrollingyoureyesandshakingyourfistatme，eh？’
’Ishakemyfist！——atyou，brother！’saidDennis，gentlycheckingHugh’supliftedhand，whichlookedthreatening。
’Yourstick，then;it’sallone。’
’Lordloveyou，brother，Imeantnothing。Youdon’tunderstandmebyhalf。Ishouldn’twondernow，’headded，inthetoneofadespondingandaninjuredman，’butyouthought，becauseIwantedthemchapsleftintheprison，thatIwasagoingtodesertthebanners？’
Hughtoldhim，withanoath，thathehadthoughtso。
’Well！’saidMrDennis，mournfully，’ifyouan’tenoughtomakeamanmistrusthisfeller-creeturs，Idon’tknowwhatis。Desertthebanners！Me！NedDennis，aswassochristenedbyhisownfather！——Isthisaxeyour’n，brother？’
Yes，it’smine，’saidHugh，inthesamesullenmannerasbefore;
’itmighthavehurtyou，ifyouhadcomeinitswayonceortwicelastnight。Putitdown。’
’Mighthavehurtme！’saidMrDennis，stillkeepingitinhishand，andfeelingtheedgewithanairofabstraction。’Mighthavehurtme！andmeexertingmyselfallthetimetothewerybestadvantage。
Here’saworld！Andyou’renota-goingtoaskmetotakeasupoutofthat’erebottle，eh？’
Hughpassedittowardshim。Asheraisedittohislips，Barnabyjumpedup，andmotioningthemtobesilent，lookedeagerlyout。
’What’sthematter，Barnaby？’saidDennis，glancingatHughanddroppingtheflask，butstillholdingtheaxeinhishand。
’Hush！’heansweredsoftly。’WhatdoIseeglitteringbehindthehedge？’
’What！’criedthehangman，raisinghisvoicetoitshighestpitch，andlayingholdofhimandHugh。’NotSOLDIERS，surely！’
Thatmoment，theshedwasfilledwitharmedmen;andabodyofhorse，gallopingintothefield，drewupbeforeit。
’There！’saidDennis，whoremaineduntouchedamongthemwhentheyhadseizedtheirprisoners;’it’sthemtwoyoungones，gentlemen，thattheproclamationputsapriceon。Thisother’sanescapedfelon——I’msorryforit，brother，’headded，inatoneofresignation，addressinghimselftoHugh;’butyou’vebroughtitonyourself;youforcedmetodoit;youwouldn’trespectthesoundestconstitootionalprinciples，youknow;youwentandwiolatedtheweryframeworkofsociety。Ihadsoonerhavegivenawayatrifleincharitythandonethis，Iwoulduponmysoul——Ifyou’llkeepfastholdon’em，gentlemen，IthinkIcanmakeashifttotie’embetterthanyoucan。’
Butthisoperationwaspostponedforafewmomentsbyanewoccurrence。Theblindman，whoseearswerequickerthanmostpeople’ssight，hadbeenalarmed，beforeBarnaby，byarustlinginthebushes，undercoverofwhichthesoldiershadadvanced。Heretreatedinstantly——hadhiddensomewhereforaminute——andprobablyinhisconfusionmistakingthepointatwhichhehademerged，wasnowseenrunningacrosstheopenmeadow。
Anofficercrieddirectlythathehadhelpedtoplunderahouselastnight。Hewasloudlycalledon，tosurrender。Herantheharder，andinafewsecondswouldhavebeenoutofgunshot。Thewordwasgiven，andthemenfired。
Therewasabreathlesspauseandaprofoundsilence，duringwhichalleyeswerefixeduponhim。Hehadbeenseentostartatthedischarge，asifthereporthadfrightenedhim。Butheneitherstoppednorslackenedhispaceintheleast，andranonfullfortyyardsfurther。Then，withoutonereelorstagger，orsignoffaintness，orquiveringofanylimb，hedropped。
Someofthemhurrieduptowherehelay;——thehangmanwiththem。
Everythinghadpassedsoquickly，thatthesmokehadnotyetscattered，butcurledslowlyoffinalittlecloud，whichseemedlikethedeadman’sspiritmovingsolemnlyaway。Therewereafewdropsofblooduponthegrass——more，whentheyturnedhimover——
thatwasall。
’Lookhere！Lookhere！’saidthehangman，stoopingonekneebesidethebody，andgazingupwithadisconsolatefaceattheofficerandmen。’Here’saprettysight！’
’Standoutoftheway，’repliedtheofficer。’Serjeant！seewhathehadabouthim。’
Themanturnedhispocketsoutuponthegrass，andcounted，besidessomeforeigncoinsandtworings，five-and-fortyguineasingold。
Thesewerebundledupinahandkerchiefandcarriedaway;thebodyremainedthereforthepresent，butsixmenandtheserjeantwerelefttotakeittothenearestpublic-house。
’Nowthen，ifyou’regoing，’saidtheserjeant，clappingDennisontheback，andpointingaftertheofficerwhowaswalkingtowardstheshed。
TowhichMrDennisonlyreplied，’Don’ttalktome！’andthenrepeatedwhathehadsaidbefore，namely，’Here’saprettysight！’
’It’snotonethatyoucareformuch，Ishouldthink，’observedtheserjeantcoolly。
’Why，who，’saidMrDennisrising，’shouldcareforit，ifI
don’t？’
’Oh！Ididn’tknowyouwassotender-hearted，’saidtheserjeant。
’That’sall！’
’Tender-hearted！’echoedDennis。’Tender-hearted！Lookatthisman。DoyoucallTHISconstitootional？DoyouseehimshotthroughandthroughinsteadofbeingworkedofflikeaBriton？
Damme，ifIknowwhichpartytosidewith。You’reasbadastheother。What’stobecomeofthecountryifthemilitarypower’stogoasupersedingtheciwiliansinthisway？Where’sthispoorfeller-creetur’srightsasacitizen，thathedidn’thaveMEinhislastmoments！Iwashere。Iwaswilling。Iwasready。Thesearenicetimes，brother，tohavethedeadcryingoutagainstusinthisway，andsleepcomfortablyinourbedsarterwards;werynice！’
Whetherhederivedanymaterialconsolationfrombindingtheprisoners，isuncertain;mostprobablyhedid。Atalleventshisbeingsummonedtothatwork，divertedhim，forthetime，fromthesepainfulreflections，andgavehisthoughtsamorecongenialoccupation。
Theywerenotallthreecarriedofftogether，butintwoparties;
Barnabyandhisfather，goingbyoneroadinthecentreofabodyoffoot;andHugh，fastbounduponahorse，andstronglyguardedbyatroopofcavalry，beingtakenbyanother。
Theyhadnoopportunityfortheleastcommunication，intheshortintervalwhichprecededtheirdeparture;beingkeptstrictlyapart。
HughonlyobservedthatBarnabywalkedwithadroopingheadamonghisguard，and，withoutraisinghiseyes，thathetriedtowavehisfetteredhandwhenhepassed。Forhimself，hebuoyeduphiscourageasherodealong，withtheassurancethatthemobwouldforcehisjailwhereveritmightbe，andsethimatliberty。ButwhentheygotintoLondon，andmoreespeciallyintoFleetMarket，latelythestrongholdoftherioters，wherethemilitarywererootingoutthelastremnantofthecrowd，hesawthatthishopewasgone，andfeltthathewasridingtohisdeath。
Chapter70
MrDennishavingdespatchedthispieceofbusinesswithoutanypersonalhurtorinconvenience，andhavingnowretiredintothetranquilrespectabilityofprivatelife，resolvedtosolacehimselfwithhalfanhourorsooffemalesociety。Withthisamiablepurposeinhismind，hebenthisstepstowardsthehousewhereDollyandMissHaredalewerestillconfined，andwhitherMissMiggshadalsobeenremovedbyorderofMrSimonTappertit。
Ashewalkedalongthestreetswithhisleatherglovesclaspedbehindhim，andhisfaceindicativeofcheerfulthoughtandpleasantcalculation，MrDennismighthavebeenlikeneduntoafarmerruminatingamonghiscrops，andenjoyingbyanticipationthebountifulgiftsofProvidence。Lookwherehewould，someheapofruinsaffordedhimrichpromiseofaworkingoff;thewholetownappearedtohavebeenploughedandsown，andnurturedbymostgenialweather;andagoodlyharvestwasathand。
Havingtakenuparmsandresortedtodeedsofviolence，withthegreatmainobjectofpreservingtheOldBaileyinallitspurity，andthegallowsinallitspristineusefulnessandmoralgrandeur，itwouldperhapsbegoingtoofartoassertthatMrDennishadeverdistinctlycontemplatedandforeseenthishappystateofthings。
Heratherlookeduponitasoneofthosebeautifuldispensationswhichareinscrutablybroughtaboutforthebehoofandadvantageofgoodmen。Hefelt，asitwere，personallyreferredto，inthisprosperousripeningforthegibbet;andhadneverconsideredhimselfsomuchthepetandfavouritechildofDestiny，orlovedthatladysowellorwithsuchacalmandvirtuousreliance，inallhislife。
Astobeingtakenup，himself，forarioter，andpunishedwiththerest，MrDennisdismissedthatpossibilityfromhisthoughtsasanidlechimera;arguingthatthelineofconducthehadadoptedatNewgate，andtheservicehehadrenderedthatday，wouldbemorethanaset-offagainstanyevidencewhichmightidentifyhimasamemberofthecrowd。Thatanychargeofcompanionshipwhichmightbemadeagainsthimbythosewhowerethemselvesindanger，wouldcertainlygofornought。Andthatifanytrivialindiscretiononhispartshouldunluckilycomeout，theuncommonusefulnessofhisoffice，atpresent，andthegreatdemandfortheexerciseofitsfunctions，wouldcertainlycauseittobewinkedat，andpassedover。Inaword，hehadplayedhiscardsthroughout，withgreatcare;hadchangedsidesattheverynickoftime;haddelivereduptwoofthemostnotoriousrioters，andadistinguishedfelontoboot;andwasquiteathisease。
Saving——forthereisareservation;andevenMrDenniswasnotperfectlyhappy——savingforonecircumstance;towit，theforcibledetentionofDollyandMissHaredale，inahousealmostadjoininghisown。Thiswasastumbling-block;foriftheywerediscoveredandreleased，theycould，bythetestimonytheyhaditintheirpowertogive，placehiminasituationofgreatjeopardy;andtosetthematliberty，firstextortingfromthemanoathofsecrecyandsilence，wasathingnottobethoughtof。Itwasmore，perhaps，withaneyetothedangerwhichlurkedinthisquarter，thanfromhisabstractloveofconversationwiththesex，thatthehangman，quickeninghissteps，nowhastenedintotheirsociety，cursingtheamorousnaturesofHughandMrTappertitwithgreatheartiness，ateverystephetook。
Whenbeenteredthemiserableroominwhichtheywereconfined，DollyandMissHaredalewithdrewinsilencetotheremotestcorner。
ButMissMiggs，whowasparticularlytenderofherreputation，immediatelyfelluponherkneesandbegantoscreamveryloud，crying，’Whatwillbecomeofme！’——’WhereismySimmuns！’——’Havemercy，goodgentlemen，onmysex’sweaknesses！’——withotherdolefullamentationsofthatnature，whichshedeliveredwithgreatproprietyanddecorum。
’Miss，miss，’whisperedDennis，beckoningtoherwithhisforefinger，’comehere——Iwon’thurtyou。Comehere，mylamb，willyou？’
Onhearingthistenderepithet，MissMiggs，whohadleftoffscreamingwhenheopenedhislips，andhadlistenedtohimattentively，beganagain，crying:’OhI’mhislamb！HesaysI’mhislamb！Ohgracious，whywasn’tIbornoldandugly！WhywasI
evermadetobetheyoungestofsix，andallof’emdeadandintheirblessedgraves，exceptingonemarriedsister，whichissettledinGoldenLionCourt，numbertwenty-sivin，secondbell-
handleonthe——！’
’Don’tIsayIan’ta-goingtohurtyou？’saidDennis，pointingtoachair。’Whymiss，what’sthematter？’
’Idon’tknowwhatmayn’tbethematter！’criedMissMiggs，claspingherhandsdistractedly。’Anythingmaybethematter！’
’Butnothingis，Itellyou，’saidthehangman。’Firststopthatnoiseandcomeandsitdownhere，willyou，chuckey？’
Thecoaxingtoneinwhichhesaidtheselatterwordsmighthavefailedinitsobject，ifhehadnotaccompaniedthemwithsundrysharpjerksofhisthumboveroneshoulder，andwithdiverswinksandthrustingsofhistongueintohischeek，fromwhichsignalsthedamselgatheredthathesoughttospeaktoherapart，concerningMissHaredaleandDolly。Hercuriositybeingverypowerful，andherjealousybynomeansinactive，shearose，andwithagreatdealofshiveringandstartingback，andmuchmuscularactionamongallthesmallbonesinherthroat，graduallyapproachedhim。
’Sitdown，’saidthehangman。
Suitingtheactiontotheword，hethrustherrathersuddenlyandprematurelyintoachair，anddesigningtoreassureherbyalittleharmlessjocularity，suchasisadaptedtopleaseandfascinatethesex，convertedhisrightforefingerintoanidealbradawlorgimlet，andmadeasthoughhewouldscrewthesameintoherside——
whereatMissMiggsshriekedagain，andevincedsymptomsoffaintness。
’Lovey，mydear，’whisperedDennis，drawinghischairclosetohers。’Whenwasyouryoungmanherelast，eh？’
’MYyoungman，goodgentleman！’answeredMiggsinatoneofexquisitedistress。
’Ah！Simmuns，youknow——him？’saidDennis。
’Mineindeed！’criedMiggs，withaburstofbitterness——andasshesaidit，sheglancedtowardsDolly。’MINE，goodgentleman！’
ThiswasjustwhatMrDenniswanted，andexpected。
’Ah！’hesaid，lookingsosoothingly，nottosayamorouslyonMiggs，thatshesat，assheafterwardsremarked，onpinsandneedlesofthesharpestWhitechapelkind，notknowingwhatintentionsmightbesuggestingthatexpressiontohisfeatures:
’Iwasafraidofthat。Isawasmuchmyself。It’sherfault。SheWILLentice’em。’
’Iwouldn’t，’criedMiggs，foldingherhandsandlookingupwardswithakindofdevoutblankness，’Iwouldn’tlaymyselfoutasshedoes;Iwouldn’tbeasboldasher;Iwouldn’tseemtosaytoallmalecreeturs“Comeandkissme“’——andhereashudderquiteconvulsedherframe——’foranyearthlycrownsasmightbeoffered。
Worlds，’Miggsaddedsolemnly，’shouldnotreduceme。No。NotifIwasWenis。’
’Well，butyouAREWenus，youknow，’saidMrDennis，confidentially。
’No，Iamnot，goodgentleman，’answeredMiggs，shakingherheadwithanairofself-denialwhichseemedtoimplythatshemightbeifshechose，butshehopedsheknewbetter。’No，Iamnot，goodgentleman。Don’tchargemewithit。’
Uptothistimeshehadturnedround，everynowandthen，towhereDollyandMissHaredalehadretiredandutteredascream，orgroan，orlaidherhanduponherheartandtrembledexcessively，withaviewofkeepingupappearances，andgivingthemtounderstandthatsheconversedwiththevisitor，underprotestandoncompulsion，andatagreatpersonalsacrifice，fortheircommongood。Butatthispoint，MrDennislookedsoveryfullofmeaning，andgavesuchasingularlyexpressivetwitchtohisfaceasarequesttohertocomestillnearertohim，thatsheabandonedtheselittlearts，andgavehimherwholeandundividedattention。
’WhenwasSimmunshere，Isay？’quothDennis，inherear。
’Notsinceyesterdaymorning;andthenonlyforafewminutes。Notallday，thedaybefore。’
’Youknowhemeantallalongtocarryoffthatone！’saidDennis，indicatingDollybytheslightestpossiblejerkofhishead:——’Andtohandyouovertosomebodyelse。’
MissMiggs，whohadfallenintoaterriblestateofgriefwhenthefirstpartofthissentencewasspoken，recoveredalittleatthesecond，andseemedbythesuddenchecksheputuponhertears，tointimatethatpossiblythisarrangementmightmeetherviews;andthatitmight，perhaps，remainanopenquestion。
’——Butunfort’nately，’pursuedDennis，whoobservedthis:’somebodyelsewasfondofhertoo，yousee;andevenifhewasn’t，somebodyelseistookforarioter，andit’salloverwithhim。’
MissMiggsrelapsed。
’NowIwant，’saidDennis，’toclearthishouse，andtoseeyourighted。WhatifIwastogetheroff，outoftheway，eh？’
MissMiggs，brighteningagain，rejoined，withmanybreaksandpausesfromexcessoffeeling，thattemptationshadbeenSimmuns’sbane。Thatitwasnothisfaults，buthers(meaningDolly’s)。
Thatmendidnotseethroughthesedreadfulartsaswomendid，andthereforewascagedandtrapped，asSimmunhadbeen。Thatshehadnopersonalmotivestoserve——farfromit——onthecontrary，herintentionswasgoodtowardsallparties。ButforasmuchassheknowedthatSimmun，ifunitedtoanydesigningandartfulminxes(shewouldnamenonames，forthatwasnotherdispositions)——toANYdesigningandartfulminxes——mustbemademiserableandunhappyforlife，sheDIDinclinetowardsprewentions。Such，sheadded，washerfreeconfessions。Butasthiswasprivatefeelings，andmightperhapsbelookeduponaswengeance，shebeggedthegentlemanwouldsaynomore。Whateverhesaid，wishingtodoherdutybyallmankind，evenbythemashadeverbeenherbitterestenemies，shewouldnotlistentohim。Withthatshestoppedherears，andshookherheadfromsidetoside，tointimatetoMrDennisthatthoughhetalkeduntilhehadnobreathleft，shewasasdeafasanyadder。
’Lookeehere，mysugar-stick，’saidMrDennis，’ifyourview’sthesameasmine，andyou’llonlybequietandslipawayattherighttime，Icanhavethehouseclearto-morrow，andbeoutofthistrouble——Stopthough！there’stheother。’
’Whichother，sir？’askedMiggs——stillwithherfingersinherearsandherheadshakingobstinately。
’Why，thetallestone，yonder，’saidDennis，ashestrokedhischin，andadded，inanundertonetohimself，somethingaboutnotcrossingMusterGashford。
MissMiggsreplied(stillbeingprofoundlydeaf)thatifMissHaredalestoodinthewayatall，hemightmakehimselfquiteeasyonthatscore;asshehadgathered，fromwhatpassedbetweenHughandMrTappertitwhentheywerelastthere，thatshewastoberemovedalone(notbythem，butbysomebodyelse)，to-morrownight。
MrDennisopenedhiseyesverywideatthispieceofinformation，whistledonce，consideredonce，andfinallyslappedhisheadonceandnoddedonce，asifhehadgotthecluetothismysteriousremoval，andsodismissedit。ThenheimpartedhisdesignconcerningDollytoMissMiggs，whowastakenmoredeafthanbefore，whenhebegan;andsoremained，allthrough。
Thenotableschemewasthis。MrDenniswasimmediatelytoseekoutfromamongtherioters，somedaringyoungfellow(andhehadoneinhiseye，hesaid)，who，terrifiedbythethreatshecouldholdouttohim，andalarmedbythecaptureofsomanywhowerenobetterandnoworsethanhe，wouldgladlyavailhimselfofanyhelptogetabroad，andoutofharm’sway，withhisplunder，eventhoughhisjourneywereincumberedbyanunwillingcompanion;indeed，theunwillingcompanionbeingabeautifulgirl，wouldprobablybeanadditionalinducementandtemptation。Suchapersonfound，heproposedtobringhimthereontheensuingnight，whenthetallonewastakenoff，andMissMiggshadpurposelyretired;andthenthatDollyshouldbegagged，muffledinacloak，andcarriedinanyhandyconveyancedowntotheriver’sside;wheretherewereabundantmeansofgettinghersmuggledsnuglyoffinanysmallcraftofdoubtfulcharacter，andnoquestionsasked。Withregardtotheexpenseofthisremoval，hewouldsay，ataroughcalculation，thattwoorthreesilverteaorcoffee-pots，withsomethingadditionalfordrink(suchasamuffineer，ortoast-
rack)，wouldmorethancoverit。ArticlesofplateofeverykindhavingbeenburiedbytheriotersinseverallonelypartsofLondon，andparticularly，asheknew，inStJames’sSquare，which，thougheasyofaccess，waslittlefrequentedafterdark，andhadaconvenientpieceofwaterinthemidst，theneedfulfundswerecloseathand，andcouldbehadupontheshortestnotice。WithregardtoDolly，thegentlemanwouldexercisehisowndiscretion。
Hewouldbeboundtodonothingbuttotakeheraway，andkeepheraway。Allotherarrangementsanddispositionswouldrestentirelywithhimself。
IfMissMiggshadhadherhearing，nodoubtshewouldhavebeengreatlyshockedbytheindelicacyofayoungfemale’sgoingawaywithastrangerbynight(forhermoralfeelings，aswehavesaid，wereofthetenderestkind);butdirectlyMrDennisceasedtospeak，sheremindedhimthathehadonlywastedbreath。Shethenwentontosay(stillwithherfingersinherears)thatnothinglessthanaseverepracticallessonwouldsavethelocksmith’sdaughterfromutterruin;andthatshefeltit，asitwere，amoralobligationandasacreddutytothefamily，towishthatsomeonewoulddeviseoneforherreformation。MissMiggsremarked，andveryjustly，asanabstractsentimentwhichhappenedtooccurtoheratthemoment，thatshedaredtosaythelocksmithandhiswifewouldmurmur，andrepine，iftheywereever，byforcibleabduction，orotherwise，tolosetheirchild;butthatweseldomknew，inthisworld，whatwasbestforus:suchbeingoursinfulandimperfectnatures，thatveryfewarrivedatthatclearunderstanding。
Havingbroughttheirconversationtothissatisfactoryend，theyparted:Dennis，topursuehisdesign，andtakeanotherwalkabouthisfarm;MissMiggs，tolaunch，whenhelefther，intosuchaburstofmentalanguish(whichshegavethemtounderstandwasoccasionedbycertaintenderthingshehadhadthepresumptionandaudacitytosay)，thatlittleDolly’sheartwasquitemelted。
Indeed，shesaidanddidsomuchtosoothetheoutragedfeelingsofMissMiggs，andlookedsobeautifulwhiledoingso，thatifthatyoungmaidhadnothadampleventforhersurpassingspite，inaknowledgeofthemischiefthatwasbrewing，shemusthavescratchedherfeatures，onthespot。
Chapter71
Allnextday，EmmaHaredale，Dolly，andMiggs，remainedcoopeduptogetherinwhathadnowbeentheirprisonforsomanydays，withoutseeinganyperson，orhearinganysoundbutthemurmuredconversation，inanouterroom，ofthemenwhokeptwatchoverthem。Thereappearedtobemoreofthesefellowsthantherehadbeenhitherto;andtheycouldnolongerhearthevoicesofwomen，whichtheyhadbeforeplainlydistinguished。Somenewexcitement，too，seemedtoprevailamongthem;fortherewasmuchstealthygoinginandout，andaconstantquestioningofthosewhowerenewlyarrived。Theyhadpreviouslybeenquiterecklessintheirbehaviour;oftenmakingagreatuproar;quarrellingamongthemselves，fighting，dancing，andsinging。Theywerenowverysubduedandsilent，conversingalmostinwhispers，andstealinginandoutwithasoftandstealthytread，verydifferentfromtheboisteroustramplinginwhichtheirarrivalsanddepartureshadhithertobeenannouncedtothetremblingcaptives。
Whetherthischangewasoccasionedbythepresenceamongthemofsomepersonofauthorityintheirranks，orbyanyothercause，theywereunabletodecide。Sometimestheythoughtitwasinpartattributabletotherebeingasickmaninthechamber，forlastnighttherehadbeenashufflingoffeet，asthoughaburdenwerebroughtin，andafterwardsamoaningnoise。Buttheyhadnomeansofascertainingthetruth:foranyquestionorentreatyontheirpartsonlyprovokedastormofexecrations，orsomethingworse;andtheyweretoohappytobeleftalone，unassailedbythreatsoradmiration，toriskeventhatcomfort，byanyvoluntarycommunicationwiththosewhoheldthemindurance。
Itwassufficientlyevident，bothtoEmmaandtothelocksmith’spoorlittledaughterherself，thatshe，Dolly，wasthegreatobjectofattraction;andthatsosoonastheyshouldhaveleisuretoindulgeinthesofterpassion，HughandMrTappertitwouldcertainlyfalltoblowsforhersake;inwhichlattercase，itwasnotverydifficulttoseewhoseprizeshewouldbecome。Withallheroldhorrorofthatmanrevived，anddeepenedintoadegreeofaversionandabhorrencewhichnolanguagecandescribe;withathousandoldrecollectionsandregrets，andcausesofdistress，anxiety，andfear，besettingheronallsides;poorDollyVarden——
sweet，blooming，buxomDolly——begantohangherhead，andfade，anddroop，likeabeautifulflower。Thecolourfledfromhercheeks，hercourageforsookher，hergentleheartfailed。Unmindfulofallherprovokingcaprices，forgetfulofallherconquestsandinconstancy，withallherwinninglittlevanitiesquitegone，shenestledallthelivelongdayinEmmaHaredale’sbosom;and，sometimescallingonherdearoldgrey-hairedfather，sometimesonhermother，andsometimesevenonheroldhome，pinedslowlyaway，likeapoorbirdinitscage。
Lighthearts，lighthearts，thatfloatsogailyonasmoothstream，thataresosparklingandbuoyantinthesunshine——downuponfruit，bloomuponflowers，blushinsummerair，lifeofthewingedinsect，whosewholeexistenceisaday——howsoonyesinkintroubledwater！
PoorDolly’sheart——alittle，gentle，idle，ficklething;giddy，restless，fluttering;constanttonothingbutbrightlooks，andsmilesandlaughter——Dolly’sheartwasbreaking。
Emmahadknowngrief，andcouldbearitbetter。Shehadlittlecomforttoimpart，butshecouldsootheandtendher，andshedidso;andDollyclungtoherlikeachildtoitsnurse。Inendeavouringtoinspireherwithsomefortitude，sheincreasedherown;andthoughthenightswerelong，andthedaysdismal，andshefeltthewastinginfluenceofwatchingandfatigue，andhadperhapsamoredefinedandclearperceptionoftheirdestituteconditionanditsworstdangers，sheutterednocomplaint。Beforetheruffians，inwhosepowertheywere，sheboreherselfsocalmly，andwithsuchanappearance，inthemidstofallherterror，ofasecretconvictionthattheydarednotharmher，thattherewasnotamanamongthembutheldherinsomedegreeofdread;andmorethanonebelievedshehadaweaponhiddeninherdress，andwaspreparedtouseit。
SuchwastheirconditionwhentheywerejoinedbyMissMiggs，whogavethemtounderstandthatshetoohadbeentakenprisonerbecauseofhercharms，anddetailedsuchfeatsofresistanceshehadperformed(hervirtuehavinggivenhersupernaturalstrength)，thattheyfeltitquiteahappinesstohaveherforachampion。
NorwasthistheonlycomforttheyderivedatfirstfromMiggs’spresenceandsociety:forthatyoungladydisplayedsuchresignationandlong-suffering，andsomuchmeekendurance，underhertrials，andbreathedinallherchastediscourseaspiritofsuchholyconfidenceandresignation，anddevoutbeliefthatallwouldhappenforthebest，thatEmmafelthercouragestrengthenedbythebrightexample;neverdoubtingbutthateverythingshesaidwastrue，andthatshe，likethem，wastornfromallsheloved，andagonisedbydoubtandapprehension。AstopoorDolly，shewasroused，atfirst，byseeingonewhocamefromhome;butwhensheheardunderwhatcircumstancesshehadleftit，andintowhosehandsherfatherhadfallen，sheweptmorebitterlythanever，andrefusedallcomfort。
MissMiggswasatsometroubletoreproveherforthisstateofmind，andtoentreathertotakeexamplebyherself，who，shesaid，wasnowreceivingback，withinterest，tenfoldtheamountofhersubscriptionstothered-brickdwelling-house，inthearticlesofpeaceofmindandaquietconscience。And，whileonserioustopics，MissMiggsconsidereditherdutytotryherhandattheconversionofMissHaredale;forwhoseimprovementshelaunchedintoapolemicaladdressofsomelength，inthecoursewhereof，shelikenedherselfuntoachosenmissionary，andthatyoungladytoacannibalindarkness。Indeed，shereturnedsooftentothesesublects，andsofrequentlycalleduponthemtotakealessonfromher，——atthesametimevauntingand，asitwere，riotingin，herhugeunworthiness，andabundantexcessofsin，——that，inthecourseofashorttime，shebecame，inthatsmallchamber，ratheranuisancethanacomfort，andrenderedthem，ifpossible，evenmoreunhappythantheyhadbeenbefore。
Thenighthadnowcome;andforthefirsttime(fortheirjailershadbeenregularinbringingfoodandcandles)，theywereleftindarkness。Anychangeintheirconditioninsuchaplaceinspirednewfears;andwhensomehourshadpassed，andthegloomwasstillunbroken，Emmacouldnolongerrepressheralarm。
Theylistenedattentively。Therewasthesamemurmuringintheouterroom，andnowandthenamoanwhichseemedtobewrungfromapersoningreatpain，whomadeanefforttosubdueit，butcouldnot。Eventhesemenseemedtobeindarknesstoo;fornolightshonethroughthechinksinthedoor，norweretheymoving，astheircustomwas，butquitestill:thesilencebeingunbrokenbysomuchasthecreakingofaboard。
Atfirst，MissMiggswonderedgreatlyinherownmindwhothissickpersonmightbe;butarriving，onsecondthoughts，attheconclusionthathewasapartoftheschemesonfoot，andanartfuldevicesoontobeemployedwithgreatsuccess，sheopined，forMissHaredale’scomfort，thatitmustbesomemisguidedPapistwhohadbeenwounded:andthishappysuppositionencouragedhertosay，underherbreath，’AllyLooyer！’severaltimes。
’Isitpossible，’saidEmma，withsomeindignation，’thatyouwhohaveseenthesemencommittingtheoutragesyouhavetoldusof，andwhohavefallenintotheirhands，likeus，canexultintheircruelties！’
’Personalconsiderations，miss，’rejoinedMiggs，’sinksintonothing，aforeanoblecause。AllyLooyer！AllyLooyer！AllyLooyer，goodgentlemen！’
ItseemedfromtheshrillpertinacitywithwhichMissMiggsrepeatedthisformofacclamation，thatshewascallingthesamethroughthekeyholeofthedoor;butintheprofounddarknessshecouldnotbeseen。
’Ifthetimehascome——Heavenknowsitmaycomeatanymoment——whentheyarebentonprosecutingthedesigns，whatevertheymaybe，withwhichtheyhavebroughtushere，canyoustillencourage，andtakepartwiththem？’demandedEmma。
’Ithankmygoodness-gracious-blessed-starsIcan，miss，’returnedMiggs，withincreasedenergy——’AllyLooyer，goodgentlemen！’
EvenDolly，castdownanddisappointedasshewas，revivedatthis，andbadeMiggsholdhertonguedirectly。
’WHICH，wasyoupleasedtoobserve，MissVarden？’saidMiggs，withastrongemphasisontheirrelativepronoun。
Dollyrepeatedherrequest。
’Ho，graciousme！’criedMiggs，withhystericalderision。’Ho，graciousme！Yes，tobesureIwill。Hoyes！Iamaabjectslave，andatoiling，moiling，constant-working，always-being-
found-fault-with，never-giving-satisfactions，nor-having-no-
time-to-clean-oneself，potter’swessel——an’tI，miss！Hoyes！Mysituationsislowly，andmycapacitiesislimited，andmydutiesistohumblemyselfaforethebasedegeneratingdaughtersoftheirblessedmothersasis——fittokeepcompanieswithholysaintsbutisborntopersecutionsfromwickedrelations——andtodemeanmyselfbeforethemasisnobetterthanInfidels——an’tit，miss！Hoyes！
Myonlybecomingoccupationsistohelpyoungflauntingpaginstobrushandcombandtitiwatetheirselvesintowhiteningandsuppulchres，andleavetheyoungmentothinkthattherean’tabitofpaddinginitnornopinchinginsnorfillingsoutnorpomatumsnordeceitsnorearthlywanities——an’tit，miss！Yes，tobesureitis——hoyes！’
Havingdeliveredtheseironicalpassageswithamostwonderfulvolubility，andwithashrillnessperfectlydeafening(especiallywhenshejerkedouttheinterjections)，MissMiggs，frommerehabit，andnotbecauseweepingwasatallappropriatetotheoccasion，whichwasoneoftriumph，concludedbyburstingintoafloodoftears，andcallinginanimpassionedmanneronthenameofSimmuns。
WhatEmmaHaredaleandDollywouldhavedone，orhowlongMissMiggs，nowthatshehadhoistedhertruecolours，wouldhavegoneonwavingthembeforetheirastonishedsenses，itisimpossibletotell。Norisitnecessarytospeculateonthesematters，forastartlinginterruptionoccurredatthatmoment，whichtooktheirwholeattentionbystorm。
Thiswasaviolentknockingatthedoorofthehouse，andthenitssuddenburstingopen;whichwasimmediatelysucceededbyascuffleintheroomwithout，andtheclashofweapons。Transportedwiththehopethatrescuehadatlengtharrived，EmmaandDollyshriekedaloudforhelp;norweretheirshrieksunanswered;forafterahurriedinterval，aman，bearinginonehandadrawnsword，andintheotherataper，rushedintothechamberwheretheywereconfined。
Itwassomecheckupontheirtransporttofindinthispersonanentirestranger，buttheyappealedtohim，nevertheless，andbesoughthim，inimpassionedlanguage，torestorethemtotheirfriends。
’ForwhatotherpurposeamIhere？’heanswered，closingthedoor，andstandingwithhisbackagainstit。’WithwhatobjecthaveI
mademywaytothisplace，throughdifficultyanddanger，buttopreserveyou？’
Withajoyforwhichitwasimpossibletofindadequateexpression，theyembracedeachother，andthankedHeavenforthismosttimelyaid。Theirdeliverersteppedforwardforamomenttoputthelightuponthetable，andimmediatelyreturningtohisformerpositionagainstthedoor，baredhishead，andlookedonsmilingly。
’Youhavenewsofmyuncle，sir？’saidEmma，turninghastilytowardshim。
’Andofmyfatherandmother？’addedDolly。
’Yes，’hesaid。’Goodnews。’
’Theyarealiveandunhurt？’theybothcriedatonce。
’Yes，andunhurt，’herejoined。
’Andcloseathand？’
’Ididnotsaycloseathand，’heansweredsmoothly;’theyareatnogreatdistance。YOURfriends，sweetone，’headded，addressingDolly，’arewithinafewhours’journey。Youwillberestoredtothem，Ihope，to-night。’
’Myuncle，sir——’falteredEmma。
’Youruncle，dearMissHaredale，happily——Isayhappily，becausehehassucceededwheremanyofourcreedhavefailed，andissafe——hascrossedthesea，andisoutofBritain。’
’IthankGodforit，’saidEmma，faintly。
’Yousaywell。Youhavereasontobethankful:greaterreasonthanitispossibleforyou，whohaveseenbutonenightofthesecrueloutrages，toimagine。’
’Doeshedesire，’saidEmma，’thatIshouldfollowhim？’
’Doyouaskifhedesiresit？’criedthestrangerinsurprise。’IF
hedesiresit！ButyoudonotknowthedangerofremaininginEngland，thedifficultyofescape，orthepricehundredswouldpaytosecurethemeans，whenyoumakethatinquiry。Pardonme。Ihadforgottenthatyoucouldnot，beingprisonerhere。’
’Igather，sir，’saidEmma，afteramoment’spause，’fromwhatyouhintat，butfeartotellme，thatIhavewitnessedbutthebeginning，andtheleast，oftheviolencetowhichweareexposed，andthatithasnotyetslackenedinitsfury？’
Heshruggedhisshoulders，shookhishead，lifteduphishands;andwiththesamesmoothsmile，whichwasnotapleasantonetosee，casthiseyesupontheground，andremainedsilent。
’Youmayventure，sir，tospeakplain，’saidEmma，’andtotellmetheworst。Wehaveundergonesomepreparationforit。’
ButhereDollyinterposed，andentreatedhernottoheartheworst，butthebest;andbesoughtthegentlemantotellthemthebest，andtokeeptheremainderofhisnewsuntiltheyweresafeamongtheirfriendsagain。
’Itistoldinthreewords，’hesaid，glancingatthelocksmith’sdaughterwithalookofsomedispleasure。’Thepeoplehaverisen，toaman，againstus;thestreetsarefilledwithsoldiers，whosupportthemanddotheirbidding。Wehavenoprotectionbutfromabove，andnosafetybutinflight;andthatisapoorresource;
forwearewatchedoneveryhand，anddetainedhere，bothbyforceandfraud。MissHaredale，Icannotbear——believeme，thatIcannotbear——byspeakingofmyself，orwhatIhavedone，orampreparedtodo，toseemtovauntmyservicesbeforeyou。But，havingpowerfulProtestantconnections，andhavingmywholewealthembarkedwiththeirsinshippingandcommerce，Ihappilypossessedthemeansofsavingyouruncle。Ihavethemeansofsavingyou;
andinredemptionofmysacredpromise，madetohim，Iamhere;
pledgednottoleaveyouuntilIhaveplacedyouinhisarms。Thetreacheryorpenitenceofoneofthemenaboutyou，ledtothediscoveryofyourplaceofconfinement;andthatIhaveforcedmywayhere，swordinhand，yousee。’
’Youbring，’saidEmma，faltering，’somenoteortokenfrommyuncle？’
’No，hedoesn’t，’criedDolly，pointingathimearnestly;’nowIamsurehedoesn’t。Don’tgowithhimfortheworld！’
’Hush，prettyfool——besilent，’hereplied，frowningangrilyuponher。’No，MissHaredale，Ihavenoletter，noranytokenofanykind;forwhileIsympathisewithyou，andsuchasyou，onwhommisfortunesoheavyandsoundeservedhasfallen，Ivaluemylife。
Icarry，therefore，nowritingwhich，founduponme，wouldleadtoitscertainloss。Ineverthoughtofbringinganyothertoken，nordidMrHaredalethinkofentrustingmewithone——possiblybecausehehadgoodexperienceofmyfaithandhonesty，andowedhislifetome。’
Therewasareproofconveyedinthesewords，whichtoanaturelikeEmmaHaredale’s，waswelladdressed。ButDolly，whowasdifferentlyconstituted，wasbynomeanstouchedbyit，andstillconjuredher，inallthetermsofaffectionandattachmentshecouldthinkof，nottobeluredaway。
’Timepresses，’saidtheirvisitor，who，althoughhesoughttoexpressthedeepestinterest，hadsomethingcoldandeveninhisspeech，thatgratedontheear;’anddangersurroundsus。IfI
haveexposedmyselftoit，invain，letitbeso;butifyouandheshouldevermeetagain，domejustice。Ifyoudecidetoremain(asIthinkyoudo)，remember，MissHaredale，thatIleftyouwithasolemncaution，andacquittingmyselfofalltheconsequencestowhichyouexposeyourself。’
’Stay，sir！’criedEmma——onemoment，Ibegyou。Cannotwe——andshedrewDollyclosertoher——’cannotwegotogether？’
’Thetaskofconveyingonefemaleinsafetythroughsuchscenesaswemustencounter，tosaynothingofattractingtheattentionofthosewhocrowdthestreets，’heanswered，’isenough。Ihavesaidthatshewillberestoredtoherfriendsto-night。IfyouaccepttheserviceItender，MissHaredale，sheshallbeinstantlyplacedinsafeconduct，andthatpromiseredeemed。Doyoudecidetoremain？Peopleofallranksandcreedsareflyingfromthetown，whichissackedfromendtoend。Letmebeofuseinsomequarter。Doyoustay，orgo？’
’Dolly，’saidEmma，inahurriedmanner，’mydeargirl，thisisourlasthope。Ifwepartnow，itisonlythatwemaymeetagaininhappinessandhonour。Iwilltrusttothisgentleman。’
’Nono-no！’criedDolly，clingingtoher。’Pray，pray，donot！’
’Youhear，’saidEmma，’thatto-night——onlyto-night——withinafewhours——thinkofthat！——youwillbeamongthosewhowoulddieofgrieftoloseyou，andwhoarenowplungedinthedeepestmiseryforyoursake。Prayforme，deargirl，asIwillforyou;andneverforgetthemanyquiethourswehavepassedtogether。Sayone“Godblessyou！“Saythatatparting！’
ButDollycouldsaynothing;no，notwhenEmmakissedhercheekahundredtimes，andcovereditwithtears，couldshedomorethanhanguponherneck，andsob，andclasp，andholdhertight。
’Wehavetimefornomoreofthis，’criedtheman，unclenchingherhands，andpushingherroughlyoff，ashedrewEmmaHaredaletowardsthedoor:’Now！Quick，outsidethere！areyouready？’
’Ay！’criedaloudvoice，whichmadehimstart。’Quiteready！
