“Hush!” said the other sternly, as they reached the carriage.
Had he not been so preoccupied, Charley Vining would have seen that a strange man, rather shabbily-dressed, was close beside him, vainly attempting to gain his attention; for, after handing Laura and her sister into the barouche, he was about to leave them to return alone; but the imploring look of dread in Laura’s eyes stayed him, and yielding to her outstretched hand, he leaped in and took his place opposite.
Upon reaching Harley-street the strange man seemed to be there before them, and Charley would again have left, but Laura begged him to go with her upstairs; and seeing how pale and disturbed she was, he accompanied her to the drawing-room.
“There!—need I tell you on my honour,” he said, taking her hand gently, “you need be under no fear.”
“And—and, Charley,” she said appealingly, “you will not judge me harshly?”
“Judge you harshly?” he said; “no.” And as she held out her hands to him, he took her gently to his breast and kissed her.
“Do you know how happy you have made me?” she whispered, clinging to him and gazing up in his pale honest face.
“No,” he said in the same tone; “but I fear I have pained you sorely.”
“Charley!”
“Laura!”