His own breathing startled him. He
revolved a thousand plans of escape; but how was it possible to climb to
the pit-mouth without help, and in total darkness? The door, too, would
probably defy his attempts to remove it. Suspense was not to be endured.
He would have been glad to see the ugly dwarf again, rather than remain
in his present evil case.
He now tried to grope out his way, from that sort of undefinable feeling
which leads a person to identify change of place with improvement in
condition.
Ere he had gone many yards from the spot, however, he saw a light, and
presently the flaming torch was visible, with the ugly form he desired.
"Sir messenger, allez. Make scrape and go backward. Bah! What for make
lady chuse ugly lout as thee for page?--not know, not inquire. Up, this
way; now mind the steps. Bah, not that, fool!"
With some difficulty Gregory was initiated into the mysteries of the
ascent. The torch was brandished high above his head, and with fear and
trepidation he prepared to obey.
"But, master sooty-paws, my mistress will be a-wanting of some token;
some reply. Hast thou no memory of her sweet favours?"
"Begone, slave-dog, begone! Say we be snug as the fox that will keep in
the hole when dogs go hunt.
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