“Certainly, sir,” said the man, hurrying from the room.
And General Lyon sat down to wait impatiently, while Dick and Anna stood withdrawn into the bay window, making their adieux.
“Indeed, dear Anna,” said Dick, “I would rather you should let Drusilla think it is some scrape of mine that has carried us off from London than that you should permit her to suspect the truth. It will not matter to let her deceive herself for a few hours or days, until the suspense and danger shall be over.”
“I will do the best I can; but, oh, Dick! do you think that you can possibly be in time? in time to prevent a fatal meeting?” she anxiously inquired.
“We must try to do so; we must do our utmost and trust the event to Providence.”
“Dick,” said the General, impatiently interrupting them, “our five minutes are up, and neither little Lenny, our servants, or the waiter has returned. Pray, Dick, oblige me by going out for a few minutes to see if they are coming. I hate to trouble you, my boy, but I must kiss little Lenny before we go.”
“Oh, I will look for him with pleasure, sir. I dare say he and his whole suite of attendants are gathered around some organ grinder, monkey, or dancing dog, and can’t tear themselves away from the attraction,” laughed Dick, as he hurriedly left the room.
Again the General sat down to wait, but being very restless and impatient, again started up and walked the floor with rapid strides for three or four minutes.
“Another five minutes gone!” he presently exclaimed—“another five minutes gone, and none of them returned yet; and now I have not a second more of time left. I will go down and look after them myself.”
And so saying, he picked up his hat and rushed down-stairs and out of the street door.