“Back your horses, coachman, and drive out.”
But the crowd would by no means permit it, holding on to the wheels,
and shouts resounded of “Good for your ladyship! Hawkshaw for ever!”
Sir Peter lay back laughing, while Daphne, by way of encouraging the
people, clapped her hands and kissed Lady Hawkshaw on the cheek.
“And let me tell you, Sir Thomas,” continued that excellent and
indomitable woman, “that because no woman could ever be induced to
elope with _you_, there is no reason why runaway marriages should not
be the happiest in the world. I defied my family and as good as ran
away with Sir Peter Hawkshaw, and he was as poor as Giles Vernon; but,
like him, he was a true and gallant gentleman, and God bless the day I
married him!”
At this there was tremendous cheering for Sir Peter, and he took off
his hat and bowed, kissing Lady Hawkshaw’s hand.