He had concluded his prayer, but still remained with his head buried in his hands, when a rustling noise aroused him.
Whats that! he cried, starting up, and catching sight of a figure standing by the door. Whos there?
Me only me, replied a tremulous voice.
Oliver raised the candle above his head, and looked towards the door. It was Nancy.
Put down the light, said the girl, turning away her head; it hurts my eyes.
Oliver saw that she was very pale, and gently inquired if she were ill. The girl threw herself into a chair, with her back towards him, and wrung her hands; but made no reply.
God forgive me! she cried after a while, I never thought of all this.
Has anything happened? asked Oliver, Can I help you? I will if I can; I will, indeed.
She rocked herself to and fro, caught her throat, and, uttering a gurgling sound, struggled and gasped for breath.
Nancy! cried Oliver, greatly alarmed, What is it?
The girl beat her hands upon her knees, and her feet upon the ground, and, suddenly stopping, drew her shawl close round her, and shivered with cold.
Oliver stirred the fire. Drawing her chair close to it, she sat there for a little time without speaking, but at length she raised her head, and looked round.
I dont know what comes over me sometimes, said the girl, affecting to busy herself in arranging her dress; its this damp, dirty room, I think. Now, Nolly, dear, are you ready?
Am I to go with you? asked Oliver.
Yes; I have come from Bill, replied the girl. You are to go with me.
What for? said Oliver, recoiling.
What for! echoed the girl, raising her eyes, and averting them again the moment they encountered the boys face. Oh! for no harm.
I dont believe it, said Oliver, who had watched her closely.
Have it your own way, rejoined the girl, affecting to laugh. For no good, then.
Oliver could see that he had some power over the girls better feelings, and for an instant thought of appealing to her compassion on his helpless state. But then the thought darted across his mind that it was barely eleven oclock, and that many people were still in the streets, of whom surely some might be found to give credence to his tale. As the reflection occurred to him, he stepped forward, and said somewhat hastily that he was ready.
Neither his brief consideration nor its purport were lost upon his companion. She eyed him narrowly while he spoke, and cast upon him a look of intelligence which sufficiently shewed that she guessed what had been passing in his thoughts.
Hush! said the girl, stooping over him, and pointing to the door as she looked cautiously round. You cant help yourself. I have tried hard for you, but all to no purpose. You are hedged round and round, and if ever you are to get loose from here, this is not the time.
Struck by the energy of her manner, Oliver looked up in her face with great surprise. She seemed to speak the truth; her countenance was white and agitated, and she trembled with very earnestness.
I have saved you from being ill-used once, and I will again, and I do now, continued the girl aloud; for those who would have fetched you, if I had not, would have been far more rough than me. I have promised for your being quiet and silent; if you are not, you will only do harm to yourself and me too, and perhaps be my death. See here! I have borne all this for you already, as true as God sees me shew it.
She pointed hastily to some livid bruises upon her neck and arms, and continued with great rapidity.
Remember this, and dont let me suffer more for you just now. If I could help you I would, but I have not the power. They dont mean to harm you, and whatever they make you do, is no fault of yours. Hush! every word from you is a blow for me. Give me your hand make haste, your hand!
She caught the hand which Oliver instinctively placed in hers, and, blowing out the light, drew him after her up the stairs. The door was opened quickly by some one shrouded in the darkness, and as quickly closed when they had passed out. A hackney-cabriolet was in waiting; and, with the same vehemence which she had exhibited in addressing Oliver, the girl pulled him in with her, and drew the curtains close. The driver wanted no directions, but lashed his horse into full speed without the delay of an instant.
The girl still held Oliver fast by the hand, and continued to pour into his ear the warnings and assurances she had already imparted. All was so quick and hurried that he had scarcely time to recollect where he was, or how he came there, when the carriage stopped at the same house to which the Jews steps had been directed on the previous evening.
For one brief moment Oliver cast a hurried glance along the empty street, and a cry for help hung upon his lips. But the girls voice was in his ear, beseeching him in such tones of agony to remember her, that he had not the heart to utter it; while he hesitated, the opportunity was gone, for he was already in the house, and the door was shut.
This way, said the girl, releasing her hold for the first time. Bill!