“What, the ’ell,” said he, lurching up his words; “ain’t one song as good as another in this here bordel, mister?”
Bob struck like Harlequin, and the wretch went down. I had once before heard the smack of flesh on flesh, and it made my blood jump.
There was a fine uproar: we had all risen to our feet; and in the midst I observed the girl (we had forgot the creature had a companion) slip out of the box and away, taking advantage of the confusion to mix with the crowd. I just saw her white face melt from me, and gave one gasp, and started in pursuit. My companions called; but I took no notice, and was lost in a moment.
She was making for the Druid’s Walk, unheeding my cries in her blindness. But in a little she began to falter, and then to sway, and I came up with her, and caught her into my arms.
“Patty!” I whispered, frantic, “Patty!”
She looked at me quite dumb and bewildered, the poor thing; and then sighed, and mechanically put her hair back from her temples.
“Patty!” I urged again, “don’t you know me?”
And at that, all of a sudden she had burst into tears, and was clinging to me.
“Is it you, Diana?” she sobbed, “really you at last? O, I have so longed, since we came, and I knew you was here in London! Take me away; don’t let me be carried back.”
She was near choking me with her arms.