That night was a purging. From thenceforward Reuben was to press on straight to his goal, with no more slackenings or diversions.During this time she saw very little of Harry and scarcely ever thought of him. She no longer had any doubts as to his being quite mad.
ONE:So it was throughout the crowd. Some said "poor man," others muttered "his own fault." But all words, either of pity or blame, were silenced when Backfield came out of the Court-house and walked through the people, his head high, his step firm, his back straight.
THREE:"Noble lady, I cannot tell you where Stephen Holgrave is concealed.""It is false!" he replied, "no human law have I violated, and to no man's capricious tyranny will I submit."
THREE:Handshut turned on his heel."You're tiredyou'd better go to bed," he whispered, and she at once gladly rose and slipped away, though she would not have gone without his suggestion.
About an hour later Reuben was down again at[Pg 320] Handshut's cottage, but this time a change had worked itself. The door hung wide openand the place was empty. He went through the two miserable little rooms, but there was no one, and nowhere for anybody to hide. The remains of a meal of bread and tea were on the table, and a fire of sticks was dying on the hearth. The lovers had flownto laugh at him from a safe distance.Sobs were still thick in Rose's throat, when they came to Handshut's cottage, a little tumble-down place, shaped like a rabbit's head. She stopped.A few days later he drove off in his trap to Rye. Though he had scarcely thought of her for ten years, he was now all aflame with the idea of meeting her. She would be pleased to see him, too. Perhaps their long-buried emotions would revive, and as old people they[Pg 444] would enjoy a friendship which would be sweeter than the love they had promised themselves in more ardent days."Peace, woman!" interrupted the abbot: "peacepresume not to interfere." And then, turning to the judge, he added, "Sir Robert Skipwith, I again demand of you the custody of this woman.""Oh, dear, oh, dear," said Bessie, "I never brought my cloak."