It surprised me to find how desolate I felt as I set out alone on the
last stage of my journey. For when I started from London not two weeks
ago I was blithe enough, and well content with my own company. But
since Ludar came across my path, I was conscious that there was some man
better and nobler in the world than Humphrey Dexter; and to be left now
to my own sweet society seemed a poor exchange for the companionship I
had had the last few days.
My first thought was to find my way to Master Udal's at Kingston, so as
to be near my friend and my enemy both at Richmond. But when I
remembered I had lost the minister's horse and failed to carry out his
errand, it seemed to me wiser not to go near him at present, but push on
to my master's house and make a clean breast of all to him.
The dawn was breaking as I got clear of the park and found the road to
Brentford Ferry. I cared not much if Sir William's men came after me,
nor was the prospect before me at my journey's end enough to urge me
forward with much eagerness. So I dawdled the morning away on the
river's bank, bathing and lying disconsolately in the shade, so that it
was well-nigh mid-day before I reached the ferry.
Here the strangest adventure befel me. For as I sat watching the boat
come over towards me, I perceived that it contained three persons, of
whom one was a serving man, and two were women. What was it which made
me tremble and catch my breath as my eyes lit on the upright, fearless
figure of the maiden who sat in the stern? I knew her a hundred yards
off. I stood irresolute, not knowing whether to fly or wait. If I
waited and she knew me not, 'twould be more than I could bear. Yet, if
I fled, I were a paltroon and a boor.
I waited, and the minutes seemed hours while the boat came over. There
were four horses also in the boat, one laden with baggage, as for a
journey. Were they then leaving London for some distant home where I
should never see her more? Yet if so, why came they this way?
As they came to shore, I summoned up courage to advance. She knew me in
a moment, despite my travel-stained garb and unkempt look; and held out
her hand with a smile of mingled surprise and welcome.
"My kind protector," she said. "To think of meeting you in a place like
this."
"I am returning from a long journey," said I.
"And we are starting on a longer," said she.
"And a pretty prey we be," said the old nurse, "to all the bandits, and
man slayers, and women eaters with which you English line your high
roads. In Ireland, my pretty lady might walk alone from Bengore to the
Head of Kinsale, and not a body would hurt her; but here, we durst not
turn a corner, for fear of one of ye."
"Nay, Judy, talk not to our friend here as if he were one of them we
fear. Besides," added she, seeing, I suppose, the trouble in my face,
"we are like to have a brave enough escort, if what Sir William promises
come true."
Sir William! A great terror came over me when I heard that name.
"Are you then going to Sir William Carleton's?" said I.
"Yes, and how came you to know it?" said the maiden.
"Madam," said I, "pardon my boldness. Do you know who is there?"