"Then I must come along with you," poor Graves said, and getting near to Griselda, she seized her hand, and putting her mouth close to her face, whispered something which seemed to turn the graceful figure standing ready for departure into stone.
She put out her hand and supported herself against the back of a tall chair which stood near, but beyond this she never moved, till poor Graves, in a duffle-cloak with many capes and a large black beaver bonnet, returned, ready to accompany her on her errand. Then she took the hand which hung passive at Griselda's side.
"I am ready, my dear—I am ready," Graves said. "Show the way, boy. Have you a torch handy?"
"No, madam; but I can find the way in the dark."
Then Mrs. Abbott called Zach.
"Quick, Zach! quick! light a torch, and light these ladies on their way; or shall he call a chair, madam?"
"No," Griselda said, starting as if from a dream; "no. Now, Graves!" Then pulling her hood over her face, and taking Graves's offered arm, she said to Brian: "Lead the way; I am ready."
Zach trotted along with the link in his hand, keeping close to Brian, and the two women followed. Neither spoke till they were well within the shadow of the Alley, from which a noisy party of women and girls were coming out.
Brian, who was in advance, stopped, and Griselda stopped also.
"Are you sure?" she asked in a low voice—"are you sure? Is there no mistake?"