I wish she would come back; I
would prime her a little as to what to say. Keep a look out, mother, lest
Mr. Buxton returns and find me here."
"I wish Maggie would come in too," said Mrs. Browne. "I'm afraid she'll
catch cold this damp day, and then I shall have two to nurse. You think
she'll give it up, don't you, Edward? If she does not I'm afraid of harm
coming to you. Had you not better keep out of the way?"
"It's fine talking. Where am I to go out of sight of the police this wet
day: without a shilling in the world too? If you'll give me some money I'll
be off fast enough, and make assurance doubly sure. I'm not much afraid of
Maggie. She's a little yea-nay thing, and I can always bend her round to
what we want. She had better take care, too," said he, with a desperate
look on his face, "for by G---- I'll make her give up all thoughts of
Frank, rather than be taken and tried. Why! it's my chance for all my life;
and do you think I'll have it frustrated for a girl's whim?"
"I think it's rather hard upon her too," pleaded his mother. "She's very
fond of him; and it would have been such a good match for her."
"Pooh! she's not nineteen yet, and has plenty of time before her to pick
up somebody else; while, don't you see, if I'm caught and transported, I'm
done for life. Besides I've a notion Frank had already begun to be tired of
the affair; it would have been broken off in a month or two, without her
gaining anything by it.
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