“Haltez là!”
The horse came up short on his haunches. The terror-stricken men gaped round in a dazed way and tumbled off on the far side of the coach, while the maid within uttered a loud scream. But almost before any of them knew what had happened, I was bending beside the face at the window.
“Quick, Miss Kit, mount behind me.” And passing my arm round her, I drew her through the window and set her on the pillion behind me; and next moment we were galloping away as fast as the beast could carry us, with her dear arms clasping me, and her breath coming and going in quick tumult on my neck.
For a mile we rode thus without a word, when I heard her give a little laugh.
“What is it?” I asked.
“What a trouble for Martin!” said she, “He has Norah to console him.”
“I am not jealous of Norah.”
And I thought her arms held me a little firmer.
“How well you managed it,” said she in a little. “I was terrified too, just at first. Where are we going?”
“To Biddy McQuilkin’s, at the Hague.”