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She gave him no answer, but as he had not yet checked her progress, continued to press forward as rapidly as she could. At length, between the hurry she had made, her terror, and the tightness of his embrace, her strength failed her, and she could go no further. Hugh, cried the panting girl, good Hugh; if you will leave me I will give you anythingeverything I haveand never tell one word of this to any living creature. You had best not, he answered. Harkye, little dove, you had best not. All about here know me, and what I dare do if I have a mind. If ever you are going to tell, stop when the words are on your lips, and think of the mischief youll bring, if you do, upon some innocent heads that you wouldnt wish to hurt a hair of. Bring trouble on me, and Ill bring trouble and something more on them in return. I care no more for them than for so many dogs; not so muchwhy should I? Id sooner kill a man than a dog any day. Ive never been sorry for a mans death in all my life, and I have for a dogs. There was something so thoroughly savage in the manner of these expressions, and the looks and gestures by which they were accompanied, that her great fear of him gave her new strength, and enabled her by a sudden effort to extricate herself and run fleetly from him. But Hugh was as nimble, strong, and swift of foot, as any man in broad England, and it was but a fruitless expenditure of energy, for he had her in his encircling arms again before she had gone a hundred yards. Softly, darlinggentlywould you fly from rough Hugh, that loves you as well as any drawing-room gallant? I would, she answered, struggling to free herself again. I will. Help! A fine for crying out, said Hugh. Ha ha ha! A fine, pretty one, from your lips. I pay myself! Ha ha ha! Help! help! help! As she shrieked with the utmost violence she could exert, a shout was heard in answer, and another, and another. Thank Heaven! cried the girl in an ecstasy. Joe, dear Joe, this way. Help! Her assailant paused, and stood irresolute for a moment, but the shouts drawing nearer and coming quick upon them, forced him to a speedy decision. He released her, whispered with a menacing look, Tell him: and see what follows! and leaping the hedge, was gone in an instant. Dolly darted off, and fairly ran into Joe Willets open arms. What is the matter? are you hurt? what was it? who was it? where is he? what was he like? with a great many encouraging expressions and assurances of safety, were the first words Joe poured forth. But poor little Dolly was so breathless and terrified that for some time she was quite unable to answer him, and hung upon his shoulder, sobbing and crying as if her heart would break. Joe had not the smallest objection to have her hanging on his shoulder; no, not the least, though it crushed the cherry-coloured ribbons sadly, and put the smart little hat out of all shape. But he couldnt bear to see her cry; it went to his very heart. He tried to console her, bent over her, whispered to hersome say kissed her, but thats a fable. At any rate he said all the kind and tender things he could think of and Dolly let him go on and didnt interrupt him once, and it was a good ten minutes before she was able to raise her head and thank him. What was it that frightened you? said Joe. A man whose person was unknown to her had followed her, she answered; he began by begging, and went on to threats of robbery, which he was on the point of carrying into execution, and would have executed, but for Joes timely aid. The hesitation and confusion with which she said this, Joe attributed to the fright she had sustained, and no suspicion of the truth occurred to him for a moment. |
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