"Oh, no, she an't, sir! no, she an't—no sich a thing, sir! But she's been in this here comotious condition, knowing nothing nor nobody, ever since the baby arrove!" said Miss Tabby, coming from her concealment, for she saw in these two men only benevolent individuals who had come to deliver her and her lady.
"Who the demon are you?" demanded the elder, turning sharply towards her.
"I an't no demon, sir! though I am mistreated all as if I was one," whimpered Miss Tabby.
"Then who are you?"
"I'm her poor, faithful, misfortunate nurse, sir," snivelled Miss Tabby.
"Oh, you are!—Raphael, take the child into the boat! Never mind the old woman; let her drown!" said the elder man, laughing savagely.
"Oh, sir, don't you do that! Don't you leave me here to drown, sir! to die such a dismal death in this dark den!" pleaded Miss Tabby, catching hold of the man's coat-tails.
"Go to the devil!" exclaimed the stranger, trying to shake her off.
"But I an't prepared to go, sir, indeed I an't," persisted Miss Tabby, holding on.
"Go ahead, Raphael—I'm coming! And, confound you, so is the water! It will be too late in another minute!" savagely exclaimed the man, succeeding now in shaking himself free.