"
"It's in the cupboard," growled Hardpiece. "Verily these arms would
tingle. But I am old, and that same Michael but a sorry brute--no
beating would mend him. An ass of most vicious propensities; he will
bite forwards and kick backwards. Friends get the benefit of his teeth,
and foes the favour of his heels."
Thus did the old man console himself for the rudeness he could not
restrain. It was not long ere a summons hurried them to the courtyard.
They found their beasts equipped and ready to depart; Harry and Julia
looking joyously on, vastly diverted with the horses' accoutrements.
Hildebrand stood by the gateway, looking moody and anxious for their
departure; Alice, full of sorrow, attended with some refreshments which
were stowed into the wallet. The journey was but short, and an hour's
ride that fine morning, Michael said, would bring them to their
destination. Hildebrand forbade him to mention the place where he wished
to conceal the children, lest it should be known to their iniquitous
relatives. Each horseman, with a child mounted before him, slowly passed
the outer court, at the entrance of which Alice disappeared.
Pages:
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716