B. would not have his true love kidnapped to the plantations,
he had best keep watch on the river gate of Mistress Darke's garden
at Greenwich. No time to lose."
"Who brought you this?" demanded Betty, as well as she could speak
for horror.
"My mother's little negro boy, Syphax. He says Mrs. Loveday, her
waiting-woman, gave it to him privately on the stairs, as she was
about to get into a sedan, telling him I would give him a crown if
he gave it me as I came off parade."
"Noon! Is there time?"
"Barely, but there shall be time. There is no time to seek your
father."
"No, but I must come with you."
"The water is the quickest way. There are stairs near. I'll send
my fellow to secure a boat."
"I will be ready instantly, while you tell your uncle. It might be
better if he came."
Sir Amyas flew to his uncle's door, but found him gone out, and, in
too great haste to inquire further, came down again to find Betty in
cloak and hood. He gave her his arm, and, Eugene trotting after them,
they hurried to the nearest stairs, remembering in dire confirmation
what Betty had heard from the school-girl. Both had heard reports
that young women were sometimes thus deported to become wives to the
planters in the southern colonies or the West Indies, but that such
a destiny should be intended for their own Aurelia, and by Lady
Belamour, was scarcely credible.
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