Master L. News enow, I warrant. One Greatheart hath stolen my sweetling away to a green nook i’ the forest, where an old hermit hath made them one. Canst thou give me a philtre to poison the well wherein they drink—or a charm to steal upon them while they sleep i’ the Lower, and slay them? Do so, good dame, and by Hecate’s crows I will make thee rich, when I come unto mine own.—The Game at Chess: a Comedy.
Mrs. Montmorency passed out into the sunshine, and speedily found herself on the quiet carriage-way which encircles Regent’s Park. Living not far away, she had come without her victoria, in which she generally took the air; and as she strolled along, her dress and general style were sufficiently peculiar to attract considerable attention among the passers-by. For her dress, as usual, was resplendent.
She carried on her back and round her neck
A poor man’s revenue.
Amorous shop-walkers, emancipated for the day, stared impudently into her face, and wheeled round on their heels to look at her. Shop-girls in their Sunday finery giggled as they passed her. Quite unconscious of and indifferent to the attention she attracted, she walked lightly on, holding up a black parasol lavishly ornamented with valuable lace.
As she walked, she reflected. In reality, she was rather sorry for Bradley than otherwise, though she still resented the indignant and scornful terms in which he had described her class to his congregation. But she was not malicious for the mere sake of malice; and she was altogether too indifferent to Bradley personally to feel the slightest interest in his affairs. She knew she had used him ill, that he and she were altogether unfit persons ever to have come together, and no persuasion whatever would have made her resume her old position in relation to him. Thus, unless she could gain something substantial by molesting him and reminding society of her existence, she was quite content to let him alone.
As she reached the south side of the park, she heard a footstep behind her, and the next moment George Craik joined her, out of breath.
‘Well?’ he said questioningly.
‘Well!’ she repeated, smiling.
‘Did you see him?’