The great wreaths of mist swept by them and filled the black hollows of the narrow way with yellow smoke; and into the sombre gleam of the lamp-light, from out the black murk, came the pallid faces of three dark figures—rough-looking fellows that strode down upon them.
One, more genial than the others, cried:
“Chi-hike! that you, Em’ly?”
They halted before the lamp-post.
The girl stood rigid; and faced the three men with contempt.
The wag of the party grinned:
“Engaged, Em’ly?” he asked.
He was set aside by an evil-looking ruffian:
“By God, Em’ly; two years has made a lady of you—don’t you make any mistake about it.”
She, handsome in her sudden dignity, stood facing the men calmly: