I
cannot"----
Here was a short pause; he continued, with a slow and tremulous accent--
"I hope the children are safe."
"Why, master," said Geoffery, "you have sent them out of harm's way, I
hope; but--I know not what ails me--an uneasy night of it I have had
about them."
"What hast thou seen?" eagerly demanded Hildebrand.
"Seen! I have seen nothing, but I have been haunted at all quarters by a
vast crowd of vexatious busy dreams--about cut-throats and murderers."
"Who says murderer?--I will have thee in the stocks."
Hildebrand attempted to lay hold on him as he spoke; but, accustomed to
these outbreaks of temper, Master Hardpiece merely stepped on one side,
still maintaining his usual forward and self-sufficient demeanour.
"Mr Hildebrand Wentworth, when an old servant"----
"Peace!" interrupted his master,--"I am chafed beyond endurance." He
struck his forehead violently, but suddenly recollecting himself, he
seized Geoffery by the arm.
"What sawest thou last night, knave?"
"Only dreams, master--but"----
"Say on--what makes thee hesitate?"
"A messenger arrived last night."
"A messenger!--from whence?" eagerly demanded Hildebrand.
Pages:
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726