057 - Esther's Narrative

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Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

Chapter 57.

Esther's Narrative.

I had gone to bed and fallen asleep when my guardian knocked at the door of my room

and begged me to get up directly.

On my hurrying to speak to him and learn what had happened,

he told me after a word or two of preparation that there had been a discovery at Sir Lester

deadlocks that my mother had fled that a person was now at our door who was empowered to convey

to her the fullest assurances of affectionate protection and forgiveness

if he could possibly find her and that I was sought for to accompany him in the hope that my

entities might prevail upon her if his failed.

Something to this general purpose I made out, but I was thrown into such a tumult of alarm

and hurry and distress that in spite of every effort I could make to subdue my agitation,

I did not seem to myself fully to recover my right mind until hours had passed.

But I dressed and wrapped up expeditiously without waking Charlie or any other one

and went down to Mr. Bucket who was the person entrusted with the secret.

In taking me to him my guardian told me this and also explained how it was that he had come to think

of me. Mr. Bucket in a low voice by the light of my guardian's candle read to me in the hall

a letter that my mother had left upon her table and I suppose within ten minutes

of my having been aroused I was sitting beside him rolling swiftly through the streets.

His manner was very keen and yet considerate when he explained to me that a great deal might

depend on my being able to answer without confusion a few questions that he wished to ask me.

These were chiefly whether I had had much communication with my mother

to whom he only referred as Lady Deadlock when and where I had spoken with her last and how she had

become possessed of my handkerchief. When I had satisfied him on these points he asked me particularly

to consider taking time to think whether within my knowledge there was anyone no matter where

in whom she might be at all likely to confide under circumstances of the last necessity.

I could think of no one but my guardian but by and by I mentioned Mr. Boythorn.

He came into my mind as connected with his old chivalrous manner of mentioning my mother's name

and with what my guardian had informed me of his engagement to her sister and his unconscious

connection with her unhappy story. My companion had stopped the driver while we held this conversation

that we might the better hear each other. He now told him to go on again and said to me

after considering within himself for a few minutes that he had made up his mind how to proceed.

He was quite willing to tell me what his plan was but I did not feel clear enough to understand it.

We had not driven very far from our lodgings when we stopped in a bi-street at a public looking

place lighted up with gas. Mr. Bucket took me in and sat me in an armchair by a bright fire.

It was just past one as I saw by the clock against the wall. Two police officers looking

in their perfectly neat uniform not at all like people who were up all night were quietly

riding at a desk and the place seemed very quiet altogether except for some beating and

calling out at distant doors underground to which nobody paid any attention.

A third man in uniform whom Mr. Bucket called and to whom he whispered his instructions went out

and then the two others advised together while one wrote from Mr. Bucket's subdued dictation.

It was a description of my mother that they were busy with for Mr. Bucket brought it to me when

it was done and read it in a whisper. It was very accurate indeed. The second officer who had

attended to it closely then copied it out and called in another man in uniform. There were

several in an outer room who took it up and went away with it. All this was done with the greatest

dispatch and without the waste of a moment yet nobody was at all hurried. As soon as the paper

was sent out upon its travels the two officers resumed their former quite work of writing with

neatness and care. Mr. Bucket thoughtfully came and warmed the souls of his boots first one and

then the other at the fire. Are you well wrapped up Miss Summerson? He asked me as his eyes met mine.

It's a desperate shop night for a young lady to be out in. I told him I cared for no

weather and was warmly clothed. It may be a long job he observed but so that it ends well

never mind miss. I prayed to heaven it may end well said I. He nodded comfortingly. You see

whatever you do don't you go and fret yourself you keep yourself cool and equal for anything that

may happen and it'll be the better for you the better for me the better for Lady Deadlock

and the better for Sir Lester Deadlock Baronet. He was really very kind and gentle and as he stood

before the fire warming his boots and rubbing his face with his forefinger I felt a confidence

in his sagacity which reassured me. It was not yet accorded to two when I heard horses feet and

wheels outside. Now Miss Summerson said he we are off if you please. He gave me his arm

and the two officers courteously bowed me out and we found at the door a fainten or barouche

with a postillion and post horses. Mr. Bucket handed me in and took his own seat on the box.

The man in uniform whom he had sent to fetch this equipage then handed him up a dark lantern

at his request and when he had given a few directions to the driver we rattled away.

I was far from sure that I was not in a dream. We rattled with great rapidity through such a

labyrinth of streets that I soon lost all idea where we were except that we had crossed and

recrossed the river and still seemed to be traversing a low-lying waterside dense neighborhood

of narrow thoroughfares checkered by docks and basins high piles of warehouses swing bridges

and masts of ships. At length we stopped at the corner of a little slimy turning which the

wind from the river rushing up it did not purify and I saw my companion by the light of his lantern

in conference with several men who looked like a mixture of police and sailors.

Against the motoring wall by which they stood there was a bill on which I could discern the words

found drowned and this and an inscription about drags possessed me with the awful suspicion

shattered forth in our visit to that place. I had no need to remind myself that I was not there

by the indulgence of any feeling of mine to increase the difficulties of the search or to

lessen its hopes or enhance its delays. I remained quiet but what I suffered in that dreadful spot

I never can forget and still it was like the horror of a dream a man yet dark and muddy in long

swollen sudden boots and a hat like them was called out of a boat and whispered with Mr. Bucket

who went away with him down some slippery steps as if to look at something secret that he had to

show. They came back wiping their hands upon their coats after turning over something wet but thank

God it was not what I feared. After some further conference Mr. Bucket whom everybody seemed to know

and deferred to went in with the others at a door and left me in the carriage while the driver

walked up and down by his horse to warm himself. The tide was coming in as I judged from the sound

it made and I could hear it break at the end of the alley with a little rush towards me.

It never did so and I thought it did so hundreds of times in what can have been at the most

quarter of an hour and probably was less but the thought shuddered through me that it would cast

my mother at the horse's feet. Mr. Bucket came out again exhorting the others to be vigilant,

darkened his lantern and once more took his seat. Don't you be alarmed Miss Summerson on

account of our coming down here he said turning to me. I only want to have everything in train

and to know that it is in train by looking after it myself. Get on my lad.

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We appear to retrace the way we had come not that I had taken note of any particular objects in

my perturbed state of mind but judging from the general character of the streets. We called

at another official or station for a minute and crossed the river again. During the whole of this

time and during the whole search my companion wrapped up on the box never relaxed in his vigilance

a single moment but when we crossed the bridge he seemed if possible to be more on the alert

than before. He stood up to look over the parapet he elided and went back after a shadowy

female figure that flitted past us and he gazed into the profound black pit of water

with a face that made my heart die within me. The river had a fearful look so overcast and secret

creeping away so fast between the low flat lines of shore so heavy with indistinct and awful

shapes both of substance and shadow so deathlike and mysterious. I have seen it many times since then

by sunlight and by moonlight but never free from the impression of that journey.

In my memory the lights upon the bridge are always burning dim the cutting wind is

edding around the homeless woman whom we pass the monotonous wheels are whirling on

and the light of the carriage lamps reflected back looks paley in upon me a face rising out of the

dreaded water. Clattering and clattering through the empty streets we came length from the pavement

onto dark smooth roads and began to leave the houses behind us. After a while I recognized the

familiar way to St. Albans at Barnett fresh horses were ready for us and we changed and went on.

It was very cold indeed and the open country was white with snow though none was falling then.

An old acquaintance of yours this road Miss Summerson said Mr. Bucket cheerfully.

Yes I returned have you gathered any intelligence none that can be quite dependent on as yet he answered

but it's early times as yet he had gone into every late or early public house where there was a

light there were not a few at that time the road being then much frequented by drovers and had got

down to talk to the turnpike keepers. I had heard him ordering drink and chinking money

and making himself agreeable and marry everywhere but whenever he took his seat upon the box again

his face resumed its watchful steady look and he always said to the driver in the same business

tone get on my lad with all these stoppages it was between five and six and we were yet a few

miles short of St. Albans when he came out of one of these houses and handed me in a cup of tea

drink it Miss Summerson it'll do you good you're beginning to get more yourself now ain't you

I thanked him and said I hoped so you was what you may call stunned at first he returned and

Lord no wonder don't speak loud my dear it's alright she's on ahead I don't know what joyful

exclamation I made always going to make but he put up his finger and I stopped myself

pass through here on foot this evening about eight or nine I heard of her first at the archway

toll over at high gate but couldn't make quite sure trace her all along on and off

picked her up at one place and dropped her at another but she's before us now safe

take hold of this cup and sauce sir austler now if you wasn't brought up to the butter trade

look out and see if you can catch half a crown in your the other hand one two three and there you are

now my lad try a gallop we were soon in St. Albans and a lighted a little before day when I was

just beginning to arrange and comprehend the occurrences of the night and really to believe

that they were not a dream leaving the carriage at the posting house and ordering fresh horses

to be ready my companion gave me his arm and we went towards home as this is your regular abode

Miss Somerson you see he observed I should like to know whether you've been asked for by any

stranger answering the description or whether Mr. John does has I don't expect much expected

but it might be as we ascended the hill he looked about him with a sharp eye the day was now

breaking and reminded me that I had come down at one night as I had reasoned for remembering

with my little servant and poor Joe whom he called Tuffy I wondered how he knew that

when you passed a man upon the road just yonder you know said Mr. Bucket yes I remembered that too

very well that was me said Mr. Bucket seeing my surprise he went on I drove down in a gig that afternoon

to look after that boy you might have heard my wheels when you came out to look after him yourself

for I was aware of you and your little maid going up what when I was walking the horse down

making an inquiry to about him in the town I soon heard what company he was in and was coming

among the brick fields to look for him when I observed you bringing him home here had he committed

any crime I asked none was charged against him said Mr. Bucket coolly lifting off his hat but I

suppose he wasn't over particular no what I wanted him for was in connection with keeping this

very matter of lady deadlock quiet he had been making his tongue more free than welcome as to a

small accidental service he had been paid for by the deceased Mr. Tolkien horn and it wouldn't

do at any sort of price to have him playing those games so having warned him out of London I made

an afternoon of it to warn him to keep out of it now he was away and go farther from it and maintain

a bright look out that I didn't catch him coming back again poor creature said I poor creature

ascended Mr. Bucket and trouble enough and well enough away from London or anywhere else

I was regularly turned on my back when I found him taken up by your establishment I do assure you

I asked him why why my dear said Mr. Bucket naturally there was no end to his tongue then

he might as well have been born with a yard and a half of it and a remnant over

although I remember this conversation now my head was in confusion at the time and my power of

attention hardly did more than enable me to understand that he entered into these particulars to

divert me with the same kind intention manifestly he often spoke to me of indifferent things while

his face was busy with the one object that he had in view he still pursued this subject as we

turned in at the garden gate ah said Mr. Bucket here we are and a nice retired place it is put

some man in mind of the country house in the woodpecker tapping that was known by the smoke which

so gracefully curled they're early with the kitchen fire and that denotes good servants

but what you've always got to be careful of with servants is who comes to see him you never

know what they're up to if you don't know that and another thing my dear whenever you find a young

man behind the kitchen door you give that young man in charge on suspicion of being secreted in a

dwelling house with an on lawful purpose we were now in front of the house he looked attentively

and closely at the gravel for footprints before he raised his eyes to the windows do generally

put that elderly young gentleman in the same room when he's on a visit here Miss Somerson he inquired

glancing at Mr. Skimpal's usual chamber you know Mr. Skimpal said I what do you call him again

return Mr. Bucket bending down his ear Skimpal is it I've often wondered what his name might be

Skimpal not John I should say nor yet Jacob Harold I told him Harold yes he's a queer bird is

Harold said Mr. Bucket eyeing me with great expression he is a singular character said I

no idea of money observe Mr. Bucket he takes it though I involuntarily return for answer

that I perceived Mr. Bucket knew him why now I'll tell you Miss Somerson he rejoined your mind will

be all the better for not running on one point to continually and I'll tell you for a change

it was him as pointed out to me where Tuffy was I made up my mind that night to come to the door

and ask for Tuffy if that was all but willing to try a move or so first if any such was on the board

I just pitched a morsel of gravel at the window where I saw a shadow as soon as Harold opens it

and I have had a look at him thinks I you're the man for me so I smoothed him down a bit about not

wanting to disturb the family after they were gone to bed and about it's being a thing to be

regretted that charitable young ladies should harbor vagrants and then when I pretty well

understood his ways I said I should consider a five pound note well bestowed if I could

relieve the premises of Tuffy without causing any noise or trouble then says he lifting up his

eyebrows in the gayest way it's no use mentioning a five pound note to me my friend because I'm a

mere child in such matters and have no idea of money of course I understood what is taking

it so easy meant and being now quite sure he was the man for me I wrapped the note round a little

stone and threw it up to him well he laughs and beams and looks as innocent as you like and says

but I don't know the value of these things what am I to do with this spend it sir says I

but I shall be taken in he says they won't give me the right change I shall lose it it's no use to

me Lord you never saw such a face as he carried it with of course he told me where to find Tuffy

and I found him I regarded this as very treacherous on the part of Mr. Skimple toward my guardian

and as passing the usual bounds of his childish innocence bounds my dear return Mr. Bucket bounds

now Miss Somerson I'll give you a piece of advice that your husband will find useful when you are

happily married and have got a family about you whenever a person says to you that they are as

innocent as can be in all concerning money look well after your own money for they are dead

certain to color it if they can whenever a person proclaims to you in worldly matters I'm a child

you consider that that person is only a crying off from being held accountable and that you have

got that person's number and it's number one now I am not a poetical man myself except in a

vocal way when it goes round a company but I'm a practical one and that's my experience so this

rule fast and loose in one thing fast and loose in everything I never know it fail no more will you

nor no one with which caution to the unwary my dear I take the liberty of pulling this here bell

and so go back to our business I believe it had not been for a moment out of his mind anymore

than it had been out of my mind or out of his face the whole household were amazed to see me

without any notice at that time in the morning and so accompanied and their surprise was not

diminished by my inquiries no one however had been there it could not be doubted that this was

the truth then Miss Somerson said my companion we can't be too soon at the cottage where those

brickmakers are to be found most inquiries there I leave to you if you'll be so good as to make

the naturalist ways the best and the naturalist way is your own way we set off again

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paid for by the electronic payments coalition finding great candidates to hire can be like well

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you can do is hope the right person comes along which is why you should try zippercruder for free

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on arriving at the cottage we found it shut up and apparently deserted but one of the neighbors

who knew me and who came out when I was trying to make someone here informed me that the two

women and their husbands now lived together in another house made of loose rough bricks which stood

on the margin of the piece of ground where the kilns were and where the long rows of bricks were

drying we lost no time in repairing to this place which was within a few hundred yards and as the

door stood ajar I pushed it open there are only three of them sitting at breakfast the child

lying asleep on a bed in the corner it was Jenny the mother of the dead child who was absent

the other woman rose on seeing me and the men though they were as usual sulky and silent

each gave me a morose knot of recognition a look passed between them when Mr. Bucket followed

me in and I was surprised to see that the woman evidently knew him I had asked leave to enter of

course Liz the only name by which I knew her rose to give me her own chair but I sat down on a stool

near the fire and Mr. Bucket took a corner of the bedstead now that I had to speak and was among

people with whom I was not familiar I became conscious of being hurried and giddy it was very

difficult to begin and I could not help bursting into tears Liz said I I have come a long way in

the night and through the snow to inquire after a lady who has been here you know Mr. Bucket stuck

in addressing the whole group with a composed propitiatory face that's the lady the young lady

the lady that was here last night you know and who told you as there was anybody here inquired

Jenny's husband who had made a surly stop in his eating to listen and now measured him with his

eye a person of the name of Michael Jackson with a blue velveteen waistcoat with a double row of

mother of pearl buttons Mr. Bucket immediately answered he had as good mind his own business

whoever he is growl the man he's out of employment I believe said Mr. Bucket

apologetically for Michael Jackson and so gets talking the woman had not resumed her chair but

stood faltering with her hand upon its broken back looking at me I thought she would have spoken

to me privately if she had dared she was still in this attitude of uncertainty when her husband

who was eating with a lump of bread and fat in one hand and his clasp knife in the other

struck the handle of the knife violently on the table and told her with an oath to mind her own

business and any rate and sit down I should like to have seen Jenny very much said I for I am sure

she would have told me all she could about this lady whom I am very anxious indeed you cannot

think how anxious to overtake will Jenny be here soon where is she the woman had a great desire

to answer but the man with another oath openly kicked at her foot with his heavy boot he left it

to Jenny's husband to say what he chose and after a dogged silence the latter turned his

shaggy head toward me I'm not partial to general folks coming into my place as you've heard me say

a for now I think miss I let their place be and it's curious they can't let my place be there'd

be a pretty shine made if I was to go a visiting them I think how so ever I don't much complain

of you as if some others and I'm agreeable to make you a civil answer though I give notice

that I'm not a going to be drawn like a badger will Jenny be here soon no she won't where is she

she's gone up to London did she go last night I asked did she go last night ah she went last night

he answered with a sulky jerk of his head but was she here when the lady came and what did the

lady say to her and where is the lady gone I beg and pray you to be so kind as to tell me

said I for I am in great distress to know if my master would let me speak and not say a word of

harm the woman timidly began your master said her husband muttering an implication with slow

emphasis will break your neck if you meddle with what don't concern you after another silence

the husband of the absent woman turning to me again answered me with his usual grumbling

unwillingness was Jenny here when the lady come yes she was here when the lady come what did the

lady say to her well I'll tell you what the lady said to her she said you remember me as come one

time to talk to you about the young lady as has been a visiting of you you remember me as give

you something handsome for a handkerchief what she had left ah she remembered so we all did

well then was that young lady up the house now no she weren't up the house now well then

look here the lady was upon a journey all alone strange as we might think it and could she rest

herself where you're a setting for an hour or so yes she could and so she did then she went

it might be at twenty minutes past eleven and it might be at twenty minutes past twelve we ain't got

no watches here to know the time by nor yet clocks where did she go I don't know where she

go she went one way and Jenny went another one went right to London and the other went right from

it that's about all ask this man he heard it all and see it all he knows the other man repeated

that's all about it was the lady crying I inquired devil a bit return the first man her shoes

was the worst and her clothes was the worst but she weren't not as I see the woman sat with her

arms crossed and her eyes upon the ground her husband had turned his seat a little so as to face her

and kept his hammer like hand upon the table as if it were in readiness to execute his threat

if she disobeyed him I hope you will not object to my asking your wife said I how the lady looked

come them he roughly cried to her you hear what she says cut it short and tell her

bad replied the woman pale and exhausted very bad did she speak much not much but her voice was

horse she answered looking all the while at her husband for leave was she faint said I did she

eat or drink here go on said the husband in answer to her look tell her cut it short

she had a little water miss and Jenny fetched her some bread and tea but she hardly touched it

and when she went from here I was proceeding when Jenny's husband impatiently took me up

when she went from here she went right away northward by the high road ask on the road if you doubt

me and see if it weren't so now there's the end that's all about it I glanced at my companion

and finding that he had already risen and was ready to depart thank them for what they had told

me and took my leave the woman looked full at Mr. Bucket as he went out and he looked full at her

now miss Somerson he said to me as we walk quickly away they've got her leadership's watch

among them that's a positive fact you saw it I exclaimed just as good as saw it he returned

else why should he talk about his 20 minutes passed and about his having no watch to tell the time

20 minutes he don't usually cut his time so fine as that if he comes to half hours it's as much

as he does now you see either her leadership gave him that watch or he took it I think she gave

it him now what should she give it him for what should she give it him for he repeated this

question to himself several times as we hurried on appearing to balance between a variety of

answers that arose in his mind if time could be spared said Mr. Bucket which is the only thing

that can't be spared in this case I might get it out of that woman but it's too doubtful a chance

to trust to under present circumstances they are up to keeping a close eye upon her and any

fool knows that a poor creature like her beaten and kicked and scarred and bruised from head to

foot will stand by the husband that ill uses her through thick and thin there's something kept

back it's a pity but what we had seen the other woman I regretted exceedingly for she was very

grateful and I felt sure would have resisted no in treaty of mine it's possible Miss Somerson

said Mr. Bucket pondering on it that her leadership sent her up to London with some word for you

and it's possible that her husband got the watch to let her go it don't come out altogether

so plain as to please me but it's on the cards now I don't take kindly to laying out the money

of Sir Leicester deadlock baronet on these ruffs and I don't see my way to the usefulness of it

at present no so far our road Miss Somerson is forward straight ahead and keeping everything quiet

we called at home once more that I might send a hasty note to my guardian and then we hurried back

to where we had left the carriage the horses were brought out as soon as we were seen coming

and we were on the road again in a few minutes access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees

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Cantrowitz I'm the host of big technology podcast a longtime reporter and an on air contributor

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career choices and meetings with your colleagues and at dinner parties listen to big technology

podcast wherever you get your podcasts it had set in snowing at daybreak and now it snowed hard

the air was so thick with the darkness of the day and the density of the fall that we could see

but a very little way in any direction although it was extremely cold the snow was but partially frozen

and it churned with a sound as if it were a beach of small shells under the hoops of the horses

into mire and water they sometimes slipped and floundered for a mile together and we were obliged

to come to a standstill to rest them one chorus fell three times in that first stage and trembled

so and was so shaken that the driver had to dismount from his saddle and lead him at last

I could eat nothing and could not sleep and I grew so nervous under these delays and the slow pace

at which we traveled that I had an unreasonable desire upon me to get out and walk yielding to my

companions better sense however I remained where I was all this time kept fresh by a certain

enjoyment of the work in which we he was engaged he was up and down at every house we came to

addressing people whom he had never be held before as old acquaintances running into warm

himself at every fire he saw talking and drinking and shaking hands at every bar and tap friendly

with every wagoner wheel ride blacksmith and toll taker yet never seeming to lose time and always

mounting to the box again with his watchful steady face and his business like get on my lad

when we were changing horses the next time he came from the stable yard with the wet snow

encrusted upon him and dropping off him plashing and crashing through it to his wet knees as he had

been doing frequently since we left Saint Albans and spoke to me at the carriage side keep up your

spirits it's certainly true that she came on here Miss Somerson there's not a doubt of the dress

by this time and the dress has been seen here still on foot said I still on foot I think the

gentleman you mentioned must be the point she's aiming at and yet I don't like his living down

in her own part of the country neither I know so little said I there may be someone else near

here of whom I never heard that's true but whatever you do don't you fall a crying my dear

and don't you worry yourself no more than you can help get on my lad the sleet fell all that day

unceasingly a thick mist came on early and it never rose or lightened for a moment such roads I

had never seen I sometimes feared we had missed the way and got into the ploughed grounds or the

marshes if I ever thought of the time I had been out it presented itself as an indefinite period

of great duration and I seemed in a strange way never have to have been free from the anxiety

under which I then labored as we advanced I began to feel misgivings that my companion lost

confidence he was the same as before with all the roadside people but he looked graver

when he sat by himself on the box I saw his finger uneasily going across and across his mouth

during the whole of one long weary stage I overheard that he began to ask the drivers of coaches

and other vehicles coming towards us what passengers they had seen in other coaches and vehicles

that were in advance their replies did not encourage him he always gave me a reassuring

back of his finger and lift of his eyelid as he got upon the box again but he seemed perplexed

now when he said get on my lad at last when we were changing he told me that he had lost the track

of the dress so long that he began to be surprised it was nothing he said to lose such a track

for one while and to take it up for another while and so on but it had disappeared here

in an unaccountable manner and we had not come upon it since this corroborated the apprehensions

I had formed when he began to look at direction posts and to leave the carriage at crossroads

for a quarter of an hour at a time while he explored them but I was not to be downhearted he

told me for it was as likely as not that the next stage might set us right again the next stage

however ended as that one ended we had no new clue there was a spacious in here solitary

but a comfortable substantial building and as we drove in under a large gateway before I knew it

where a land lady and her pretty daughters came to the carriage door in treating me to a light

and refresh myself while the horses were making ready I thought it would be uncharitable to refuse

they took me upstairs to a warm room and left me there it was at the corner of the house I remember

looking two ways on one side to a stable yard open to a by-road where the Oscillars were unharnessing

the splashed and tired horses from the muddy carriage and beyond that to the by-road itself across

which the sign was heavily swinging on the other side to a wood of dark pine trees their branches

were encumbered with snow and it silently dropped off in wet heaps while I stood at the window

night was setting in and its bleakness was enhanced by the contrast of the pictured fire

glowing and gleaming in the window pane as I looked among the stems of the trees and followed

the discolored marks in the snow where the thaw was sinking into it and undermining it I thought of

the motherly face brightly set off by daughters that had just now welcomed me and of my mother lying

down in such a wood to die I was frightened when I found them all about me but I remembered

that before I fainted I tried very hard not to do it and that was some little comfort they cushioned

me up on a large sofa by the fire and then the calmly land lady told me that I must travel no

further tonight but must go to bed but this put me into such a tremble lest they should detain

me there that she soon recalled her words and compromised for a rest of a half an hour a good

endearing creature she was she and her three fair girls also busy about me I was to take hot soup

and broiled foul while mr. bucket dried himself and dined elsewhere but I could not do it

when a snug round table was presently spread by the fireside though I was very unwilling to disappoint

them however I could take some toast and some hot niggas and as I really enjoyed that refreshment

it made some recompense punctual to the time at the half hours and the carriage came rumbling

under the gateway and they took me down warmed refreshed comforted by kindness and safe I assured

them not to faint anymore after I had got in and had taken graceful leave of them all the youngest

daughter a blooming girl of nineteen who was to be the first married they had told me got

upon the carriage step reached in and kissed me I have never seen her from that hour but I think

of her to this hour as my friend the transparent windows with a fire and light looking so bright

and warm from the cold darkness out of doors were soon gone and again we were crushing and churning

the loose snow we went on with toil enough but the dismal roads were not much worse than they had

been and the stage was only nine miles my companions smoking on the box I had thought at the last

in of begging him to do so when I saw him standing at a great fire in a comfortable cloud of tobacco

was as vigilant as ever and as quickly down and up again when we came to any human abode or any

human creature he had lighted his little dark lantern which seemed to be a favorite with him

for we had lamps in the carriage and every now and then he turned it upon me to see that I was doing

well there was a folding window in the carriage head but I never closed it for it seemed like

shutting out hope we came to the end of the stage and still the lost trace was not recovered I looked

at him anxiously when we stopped to change but I knew by his yet graver face as he stood watching

the austler that he had heard nothing almost in an instant afterward as I leaned back in my seat he

looked in with his lighted lantern in his hand an excited and quite different man what is it said

I staring is she here no no don't deceive yourself my dear nobody's here but I've got it

the crystallized snow was in his eyelashes in his hair lying in ridges on his dress he had to

shake it from his face and get his breath before he spoke to me now miss Somerson said he

beating his fingers on his apron don't you be disappointed at what I'm going to do you know me

I'm in specter bucket and you can trust me we've come a long way never mind four horses out

there for the next stage up quick there was a commotion in the yard and a man came running out

of the stable to know if he meant up or down up I tell you up ain't it English up

up said I astonished to London are we going back miss Somerson he answered back straight back

as a die you know me don't be afraid I'll follow the other bike the other I repeated who you

called her Jenny didn't you I'll follow her bring those two pair out here for a crown a man wake

up some of you you will not desert this lady we are in search of you will not abandon her on

such a night and in such a state of mind as I know her to be in said I in agony and grasping

his hand you are right my dear I won't but I'll follow the other look alive here with them horses

send a man forward in the saddle to the next stage and let him send another forward again

and order four on up right through my darling don't you be afraid

these orders and the way in which he ran about the yard urging them caused a general excitement

that was scarcely less bewildering to me than the sudden change but in the height of the

confusion a mounted man galloped away to order the relays and our horses were put to with great

speed my dear said mister bucket jumping to his seat and looking in again you'll excuse me if

I'm too familiar don't you fret and worry yourself no more than you can help I say nothing

else at present but you know me my dear now don't you I endeavored to say that I knew he was far

more capable than I of deciding what we ought to do but he was sure that this was right could I not

go forward by myself in search of I grasped his hand again in my distress and whispered it to him

of my own mother my dear he answered I know I know and what I put you wrong do you think

inspector bucket now you know me don't you what could I say but yes then you keep up a good

heart as you can and you rely upon me for standing by you no less than bison's lester deadlock

baronnet now are you right there all right sir off she goes then and get on my lads

we were again upon the melancholy road by which we had come tearing up the myri sleet and

falling snow as if they were torn by a water wheel end of chapter 57