But
I've been thinking of it all since. (Puff.) There was my poor little
mamma in the mob; I double myself up for my spring, and I go at the
window, and through it; now, on this side of it I hear my mother cry,
'Edward come down;' on the other side I fall on two men perishing in an
oven; one is my own father, and the other is, who do you think? 'The
Wretch.'"
Mrs. Dodd held up her hands in mute amazement.
"I had promised to break every bone in his skin at our first meeting; and
I kept my promise by saving his skin and bones, and life and all."
(Puff.)
Mrs. Dodd groaned aloud. "I thought it was he," she said faintly. "That
tall figure, that haughty grace! But Mrs. Archbold told me positively it
was an attendant."
"Then she told you a cracker. It was not an attendant, but a madman, and
that madman was Alfred Hardie, upon my soul! Our Julia's missing
bridegroom."
He smoked on in profound silence waiting for her to speak. But she lay
back in her chair mute and all relaxed, as if the news had knocked her
down.
"Come, now," said Edward at last; "what is to be done? May I tell Julia?
that is the question.
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