The fate of Menie Gray, connected with
such a man and such a woman, rushed on his fancy in the most horrid
colours, and he was struggling through the throng to get to some place
where he might collect his ideas, and consider what could be done for
her protection, when a black attendant touched his arm, and at the same
time slipped a card into his hand. It bore, "Miss Gray, Mrs.
Montreville's, at the house of Ram Sing Cottah, in the Black Town." On
the reverse was written with a pencil, "Eight in the morning."
This intimation of her residence implied, of course, a permission, nay,
an invitation, to wait upon her at the hour specified. Hartley's heart
beat at the idea of seeing her once more, and still more highly at the
thought of being able to serve her. At least, he thought, if there is
danger near her, as is much to be suspected, she shall not want a
counsellor, or, if necessary, a protector. Yet, at the same time, he
felt the necessity of making himself better acquainted with the
circumstances of her case, and the persons with whom she seemed
connected. Butler and Mercer had both spoke to their disparagement; but
Butler was a little of a coxcomb, and Mercer a great deal of a gossip.
While he was considering what credit was due to their testimony, he was
unexpectedly encountered by a gentleman of his own profession, a
military surgeon, who had had the misfortune to have been in Hyder's
prison, till set at freedom by the late pacification.
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