Hope sprang to their
heads. They were young and scarcely trustworthy, their restless
movements showed alarm, and it was impossible to turn them without
both disturbing the crowd and giving them a fuller view of the object
of their terror. Mr. Kendal came down, and reconnoitring for a
moment, said, 'You had better get out while we try to lead them
round, we will go home by Squash Lane.'
Just then a brilliant glow of white flame, and a tremendous roar of
applause, put the horses in such an agony, that they would have been
too much for Mr. Hope, had not Mr. Kendal started to his assistance,
and a man standing by likewise caught the rein. He was a respectable
carpenter who lived on the heath, and touching his hat as he
recognised them, said, 'Sir, if the ladies would come into my house,
and you too, sir. The people are going on in an odd sort of way, and
Mrs. Kendal would be frightened. I'll take care of the carriage.'
Mr. Kendal went to the side of the carriage, and asked the ladies if
they were alarmed.
'O no!' answered Albinia, 'it is great fun;' and as the horses
fidgeted again, 'it feels like a review.'
'You had better get out,' he said; 'I must try to back the horses
till I can turn them without running over any one. Will you go into
the house? You did not expect to find Bayford so riotous,' he added
with a smile, as he assisted Genevieve out.
'You are not going to get up again,' said Albinia, catching hold of
him, and in her dread of his committing himself to the mercy of the
horses, returning unmeaning thanks to the carpenter's urgent requests
that she would take refuge in his house.
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