Then turning to Hester, who had begun to be a little afraid he too had been drinking, he pulled off his fur cap, and making the lowest and politest of stage bows, said briefly,
"Miss Raymount—at your service, miss!"
"I am very glad to see you again, Mr. Franks," said Hester. "Do you think you could get us out of the crowd?"
"Easy, miss. I'll carry you out of it like a baby, miss, if you'll let me."
"No, no; that will hardly be necessary," returned Hester, with a smile.
"Go on before, and make a way for us," said the doctor, with an authority he had no right to assume.
"There is not the least occasion for you to trouble yourself about me farther," said Hester. "I am perfectly safe with this man. I know him very well. I am sorry to have vexed you."
Franks looked up sharply at the doctor, as if to see whether he dared acknowledge a claim to the apology; then turning to Hester,—
"Nobody 'ain't ha' been finding fault with you, miss?" he said—a little ominously.
"Not more than I deserved," replied Hester. "But come, Franks! lead the way, or all Bloomsbury will be here, and then the police! I shouldn't like to be shut up for offending Mr. Blaney!"