Dockett, pushing his hat down upon his head, took a step nearer. The gentleman, after another glance, drew back discreetly, saying, in a nonchalant manner:
"Come, Miss Nettie. We shall be late."
"I suppose you're not going with us, then, Miss Angel?" said Miss Mullin, with a toss of her plumed hat.
Dockett turned, and looked Phenie steadily in the face.
"Be you goin' with them?" he asked, in a low voice.
"N—no!" the girl faltered, faintly. "I'll go with you, Columbus."
A muffled remark of a profane nature was heard to proceed from the carriage, the door was violently closed, and the vehicle rolled rapidly away.
I had kept discreetly aloof, although an interested spectator of the scene. Phenie, after one swift glance in my direction, had not raised her eyes again.
"We'll go with you where you're goin', ma'am," said Dockett, as the carriage disappeared, but I would not permit this.
"Well, good evenin', ma'am," he said; "I'm a thousand times obliged to you—good evenin'."