Apparently surprised at the sight of Laura, he stopped for a moment to speak to her.
“What are you doing here, Laura?” he inquired.
“My mistress allowed me to drive the pony-carriage to Brackley, captain,” she replied, rather quickly, for she didn't like to be thus questioned; “and I brought these gentlemen with me.”
“But don't you know your mistress is dangerously ill?” cried the captain.
“Not the least idea of it, I assure you, captain, or I shouldn't be here!” cried Laura, looking dreadfully frightened. “But I'll go back immediately.”
“I don't think you'll find her alive,” was the captain's consolatory remark; “but you may be of some service.”
“What is it, sir?” cried Laura; “what is it?”
Captain Danvers, however, paid no attention to the inquiry, but dashed off as hard as he could to the Hall.
“It's something terrible--I'm sure of it!” said Laura. “I feel ready to faint.”
“Change places, and I'll drive you back,” said Tom. “It's lucky I'm here.”
“I don't know what I should have done without Mr. Tom,” said Laura, as she took his seat, and gave him the reins and whip. “Don't lose any time.”
“I won't, depend upon it,” rejoined Tom. “The ribbons are in good hands now they're in mine. Take my advice, dear girl, and don't make yourself uneasy till you get there. Time enough, then. All's for the best, you see, monsieur. If you hadn't given up that place, you'd 'a been forced to give it up, since you can't drive.”
“You're mistaken, sir, I _can_ drive--and very well, too,” rejoined Zephyrus.
“But not so well as me,” said Tom. “I'll bring you to Ouselcroft in no time,” he added to Laura.
And he soon got the ponies into such a pace as they had never travelled before.
XXV. CAPTAIN DANVERS BRINGS DISTRESSING NEWS.
|Leaping from his steed in the court-yard of the old Hall, Captain Danvers inquired for Lady Thicknesse; and learning that she was with Lady Barfleur, in the drawing-room, he hastened thither, and found the two ladies in question, with Lord Courland, Sir Bridgnorth, and his brother Scrope.
His looks caused general consternation, since all could perceive from them that some direful calamity-had happened.
Lord Courland rushed up to him, and, taking his hand, said:
“You bring us bad news, I'm afraid, Captain Danvers?”