Mollie essayed to laugh. He had not waited for her to decline his proffered arm this time—he had taken her hand and drawn it securely through.
"How does freedom feel, Mollie, after a week or two of close imprisonment?"
"Very delightful. You must suffer the imprisonment first, Mr. Ingelow, before you can realize it."
"I would prefer trying to realize it without. Ah, my worthy Doctor Oleander, I think I have outwitted you nicely!"
"I have been so bewildered, and so flurried, and so stunned from the first," said Mollie, "that I can not properly comprehend anything, but I should like to hear how you have brought all this about."
"Why," said Mr. Ingelow, "Mrs. Sharpe told me."
"Yes; but you sent Mrs. Sharpe here in the first place; she told me that. How did you know I was here?"
"Ah! thereby hangs a tale—too long to tell at this sharp pace. Wait until to-morrow, Miss Mollie. There's our vehicle yonder. I might tell you by the way, but the road is long, and the night is chill, and I am to be charioteer. I couldn't do proper justice to the subject, you perceive; and besides, I want you to cuddle up and go to sleep. Here we are. Pile in, Mrs. Sharpe; the back seat, if you please. Miss Dane and I will sit in front and shield you from the inclemency of the weather."
"Much obliged to you, sir," Mrs. Sharpe said, dryly, obeying orders, nevertheless.
"I'll sit back with Mrs. Sharpe," said Mollie, sensitively shrinking.