"They call me Hubert--for want of a better name, I suppose," said

the lad, easily. "And may I ask, Sir Norman, if you are shod with

seven-leagued boots, or if your errand is one of life and death, that

you stride along at such a terrific rate?"

"And what is that to you?" asked Sir Norman, indignant at his

free-and-easy impudence.

"Nothing; only I should like to keep up with you, if my legs were long

enough; and as they're not, and as company is not easily to be had in

these forlorn streets, I should feel obliged to you if you would just

slacken your pace a trifle, and take me in tow."

The boy's face in the moonlight, in everything but expression, was

exactly that of Leoline, to which softening circumstance may be

attributed Sir Norman's yielding to the request, and allowing the page

to keep along side.

"I've met you once before to-night?" inquired Sir Norman, after a

prolonged and wondering stare at him.

"Yes; I have a faint recollection of seeing you and Mr. Ormiston on

London Bridge, a few hours ago, and, by the way, perhaps I may mention I

am now in search of that same Mr. Ormiston."

"You are! And what may you want of him, pray?"

"Just a little information of a private character--perhaps you can

direct me to his whereabouts."

"Should be happy to oblige you, my dear boy, but, unfortunately, I

cannot. I want to see him myself, if I could find any one good enough to

direct me to him. Is your business pressing?"

"Very--there is a lady in the case; and such business, you are aware,

is always pressing. Probably you have heard of her--a youthful angel,

in virgin white, who took a notion to jump into the Thames, not a great

while ago."

"Ah!" said Sir Norman, with a start that did not escape the quick eyes

of the boy. "And what do you want of her?"

The page glanced at him.

"Perhaps you know her yourself, sir Norman? If so, you will answer quite

as well as your friend, as I only want to know where she lives."

"I have been out of town to-night," said Sir Norman, evasively, "and

there may have been more ladies than one jumped into the Thames, daring

my absence. Pray, describe your angel in white."

"I did not notice her particularly myself," said the boy, with easy

indifference, "as I am not in the habit of paying much attention

to young ladies who run wild about the streets at night and jump

promiscuously into rivers. However, this one was rather remarkable, for

being dressed as a bride, having long black hair, and a great quantity

of jewelry about her, and looking very much like me. Having said she

looks like me, I need not add she is handsome."




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