“Gentlemen,” said I, “it appears that I owe you my thanks. Your stratagem in any case was kindly meant.”
“There was Miss Gilchrist to consider,” said the Major stiffly. But Ronald cried, “Quick, St. Ives! Make a dash back by the quarry path. I warrant we don’t hinder.”
“Thank you, my friend: I have another notion. Flora,” I said, and took her hand, “here is our parting. The next five minutes will decide much. Be brave, dearest; and your thoughts go with me till I come again.”
“Wherever you go, I’ll think of you. Whatever happens, I’ll love you. Go, and God defend you, Anne!” Her breast heaved, as she faced the Major, red and shame-fast, indeed, but gloriously defiant.
“Quick!” cried she and her brother together. I kissed her hand and sprang down the hill.
I heard a shout behind me; and, glancing back, saw my pursuers, three now, with my full-bodied cousin for whipper-in—change their course as I leapt a brook and headed for the crowded enclosure. A somnolent fat man, bulging, like a feather-bed, on a three-legged stool, dozed at the receipt of custom, with a deal table and a bowl of sixpences before him. I dashed on him with a crown-piece.
“No change given,” he objected, waking up and fumbling with a bundle of pink tickets.
“None required.” I snatched the ticket and ran through the gateway.
I gave myself time for another look before mingling with the crowd. The moleskin waistcoat was leading now, and had reached the brook; with red-head a yard or two behind, and my cousin, a very bad third, panting—it pleased me to imagine how sorely—across the lower slopes to the eastward. The janitor leaned against his toll-bar and still followed me with a stare. Doubtless by my uncovered head and gala dress he judged me an all-night reveller—a strayed Bacchanal fooling in the morrow’s eye.
Prompt upon the inference came inspiration. I must win to the centre of the crowd, and a crowd is invariably indulgent to a drunkard. I hung out the glaring sign-board of crapulous glee. Lurching, hiccoughing, jostling, apologising to all and sundry with spacious incoherence, I plunged my way through the sightseers, and they gave me passage with all the good-humour in life.