Galloping Dick
“Go, go,” says Mrs Cynthia.
“Yes, go,” says her ladyship, taking me by the arm and pushing me to the door. “An’ you be my husband, ’tis in my chamber you must stay, not Cynthia’s.” And laughing she put me forth and pulled the door upon me.
Now, I was in no mind to be there in the dark for long, being indeed much taken now with the adventure, which promised better than I had dared imagine. And, moreover, I was anxious to witness the end myself, whatever it might be; and so in a very few minutes, and when, after a little, the sound of their chatter was gone, I opened the door and, creeping out upon the stairway, made for the next floor. Here a noise of voices attracted me to an oaken door, which shoving back, I came into a very spacious chamber, lit up as for the reception of guests. Here was several people in brisk conversation, and my two ladies among ’em, the one of which, she that was to husband me, was calling in a high voice.
“A highwayman!” she cries. “Lard,
108
