Page:Works of Charles Dickens, ed. Lang - Volume 2.djvu/390

 by—you cannot better testify your admiration of their beautiful form and colour than by kissing them at once. My uncle did so, and I honour him for it.

Hark!' cried the young lady, starting. The noise of wheels and horses!'

So it is,' said my uncle, listening. He had a good ear for wheels, and the trampling of hoofs; but there appeared to be so many horses and carriages rattling towards them, from a distance, that it was impossible to form a guess at their number. The sound The sound was like that of fifty breaks, with six blood cattle in each.

We are pursued!' cried the young lady, clasping her hands. We are pursued. I have no hope but in you!'

"There was such an expression of terror in her beautiful face, that my uncle made up his mind at once. He lifted her into the coach, told her not to be frightened, pressed his lips to hers once more, and then advising her to draw the window to keep the cold air out, mounted to the box.

Stay, love,' cried the young lady.

What's the matter?' said my uncle, from the coach-box.

I want to speak to you,' said the young lady; 'only a word. Only one word, dearest."

Must I get down?' inquired my uncle. The lady made no answer, but she smiled again. Such a smile, gentlemen! It beat the other one, all to nothing. My uncle descended from his perch in a twinkling.

What is it, my dear?' said my uncle, looking in at the coach window. The lady happened The lady happened to bend forward at the same time, and my uncle thought she looked more beautiful than she had done yet. He was very close to her just then, gentlemen, so he really ought to know.

What is it, my dear?' said my uncle.

Will you never love any one but me; never marry any one beside?' said the young lady.

"My uncle swore a great oath that he never would marry any body else, and the young lady drew in her head,