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about the stranger who had called at Number Two, Zion Place. I

was in doubt even about the landlord of the inn. Never did I know



what real suffering from suspense was, until that night, Whatever

my apprehensions might have been, they were none of them realized



the next morning.

Nobody followed me on my way to Zion Place, and no stranger had



called there before me a second time, when I made inquiries on

entering the house. I found Alicia blushing, and Mrs. Baggs



impenetrably wrapped up in dignified sulkiness. After informing

me with a lofty look that she intended to go to Scotland with us,



and to take my five-pound note--partly under protest, and partly

out of excessiveaffection for Alicia--she retired to pack up.



The time consumed in performing this process, and the further

delay occasioned by paying small outstanding debts to



tradespeople, and settling with the owner of the house, detained

us till nearly noon before we were ready to get into the



landlord's cart.

I looked behind me anxiously" target="_blank" title="ad.挂念地;渴望地">anxiously at starting, and often afterward on



the road; but never saw anything to excite my suspicions. In

settling matters with the landlord over night, I had arranged



that we should be driven to the nearest town at which a

post-chaise could be obtained. My resources were just as likely



to hold out against the expenses of posting, where public

conveyances could not be obtained, as against the expense of



waitingprivately at hotels, until the right coaches might start.

According to my calculations, my money would last till we got to



Scotland. After that, I had my watch, rings, shirtpin, and Mr.

Batterbury, to help in replenishing my purse. Anxious, therefore,



as I was about other things, money matters, for once in a way,

did not cause me the smallest uneasiness.



CHAPTER XV.

WE posted five-and-thirty miles, then stopped for a couple of



hours to rest, and wait for a night coach running northward.

On getting into this vehicle we were fortunate enough to find the



fourth inside place not occupied. Mrs. Baggs showed her sense of

the freedom from restraint thus obtained by tying a huge red



comforter round her head like a turban, and immediately falling

fast asleep. This gave Alicia and me full liberty to talk as we



pleased. Our conversation was for the most part of that

particular kind which is not of the smallest importance to any



third person in the whole world. One portion of it, however, was

an exception to this general rule. It had a very positive



influence on my fortunes, and it is, therefore, I hope, of

sufficient importance to bear being communicated to the reader.



We had changed horses for the fourth time, had seated ourselves

comfortably in our places, and had heard Mrs. Baggs resume the



kindred occupations of sleeping and snoring, when Alicia

whispered to me:



"I must have no secrets, now, from you-- must I, Frank?"

"You must have anything you like, do anything you like, and say



anything you like. You must never ask leave--but only grant it!"

"Shall you always tell me that, Frank?"



I did not answer in words, but the conversation suffered a

momentary interruption. Of what nature, susceptible people will



easily imagine. As for the hard-hearted I don't write for them.

"My secret need not alarm you," Alicia went on, in tones that



began to sound rather sadly; "it is only about a tiny pasteboard

box that I can carry in the bosom of my dress. But it has got



three diamonds in it, Frank, and one beautiful ruby. Did you ever

give me credit for having so much that was valuable about



me?--shall I give it you to keep for me?"

I remembered directly Old File's story of Mrs. Dulcifer's



elopement, and of the jewels she had taken with her. It was easy

to guess, after what I had heard, that the poor woman had



secretly preserved some of her little property for the benefit of




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