ngherfire:mytrunk,whichhadbeencarrieddowntheeveningbefore,stoodcordedatthedoor.Itwaafewminutesofsix,andshortlyafterthathourhadstruck,thedistantrollofwheelsannouheingcoach;Iwenttothedoorandwatcheditslampsapproachrapidlythroughthegloom.

    “Isshegoingbyherself?”askedtheporter’swife.

    “Yes.”

    “Andhowfarisit?”

    “Fiftymiles.”

    “Whatalongway!IwonderMrs.Reedisnotafraidtotrusthersofaralone.”

    Thecoachdrewup;thereitwasatthegateswithitsfourhorsesanditstopladenwithpasseheguardandanloudlyurgedhaste;mytrunkwashoistedup;IwastakenfromBessie’sowhichIgwithkisses.

    “Besureandtakegoodcareofher,”criedshetotheguard,asheliftedmeintotheinside.

    “Ay,ay!”wastheahedoorwasslappedto,avoiceexclaimed“Allright,”andonwedrove.ThuswasIseveredfromBessieandGateshead;thuswhirledawaytounknown,and,asIthendeemed,remoteandmysteriions.

    Irememberbutlittleofthejourney;Ionlyknowthatthedayseemedtomeofapreternaturallength,andthatearedtotraveloverhundredsofmilesofroad.Wepassedthroughseveraltowns,andinone,averylargeohecoachstopped;thehorsesweretakenout,andthepassengersalightedtodine.Iwascarriedintoaninheguardwaohavesomedinner;but,asIhadnoappetite,heleftmeinanimmenseroomwithafireplaceatead,adelierpefromtheceiling,andalittleredgalleryhighupagainstthewallfilledwithmusistruments.HereIwalkedaboutforalongtime,feelirange,andmortallyapprehensiveofsomeoneinginandkidnappingme;forIbelievedinkidheirexploitshavingfrequentlyfiguredinBessie’sfiresideicles.Atlasttheguardreturned;oncemore