Then she took her poor aunt's arm within her own and supported her as they walked down-stairs together.
In the hall below they met Alden Lytton, also prepared for the journey.
He did not seem at all surprised to see Emma in her hat and paletot. He understood her too well for that. He merely inquired if the ladies were both quite ready. And being answered in the [affirmative], he took them out and put them into the carriage, that was immediately started at a rate that astonished the usually steady-going horses.
The journey was made almost in silence. Mrs. Fanning wept quietly behind her pocket-handkerchief, and Alden and Emma sat with their hands clasped in each other's in mute sympathy.
It was some time after midnight when the carriage entered Wendover and drew up before the old Reindeer Hotel.
Lights about the house at that hour showed that something very unusual was transpiring within.
Hezekiah Greenfield himself came out to meet the party from Blue Cliffs.
With much gravity he greeted them, and to Mrs. Fanning's agonized inquiries about her daughter, he answered:
"I can't well tell you how she is, ma'am. But I will call Sukey, and she will take you to her."
He then conducted them into the parlor and went out in search of his wife.