"Ten days ago this happened, Isabella," said Richard reproachfully; "and you did not acquaint me with what had occurred?"
"Ah! Richard—you know well that circumstances forbade me;—or else—"
"Or else? Speak—dearest Isabella."
"Or else I believe you would have given my father the best advice how to proceed. He is too proud to apply to his friends; and he cannot—he must not remain in prison. His health would sink under the idea of degradation that has taken possession of him."
"That villain Greenwood!" said Markham, musing. "When will the day of retribution arrive for him?"
"We must now part, Richard," observed Isabella, as they came in view of the dingy wall of the Queen's Bench Prison, crowned by chevaux-de-frise.
"Yes—we must part again," said Markham mournfully. "But how happy should I have been had we met this morning under other circumstances! How I should have blessed the accident that brought me thus early this morning on some business of my own, to this neighbourhood! Oh! Isabella, you know not how constantly I think of you—how unceasingly I dwell upon your dear image!"
"And can you suppose, Richard, that I never devote a thought to you?" said Isabella, in a low and plaintive tone. "But we must not talk upon such a subject at present. Let us hope for happier times."
With these words the young lady returned the pressure of her lover's hand, and hurried towards the Queen's Bench.
Markham loitered about the spot for five minutes, and then proceeded to the lobby of the prison. There he inquired into the particulars of Count Alteroni's detention; and ascertained that he had been arrested for eighteen hundred pounds, with costs.