Anna St. Ives | Page 6

chaise,
and were again proceeding on our journey, one of the servants of the
inn called to Sir Arthur to stop, for young Mr. Henley was coming up
full speed on the bay mare. Frank and the bay mare are both famous
through the whole country. My father immediately prognosticated
some bad accident, and I began to be alarmed. Our fears however were
soon dissipated, his only errand being to bring my charming favourite.
I confess I was not a little moved by this mark of attention, which
indeed is but one among many, as well as by the peculiarity of the
youth's manner in delivering the bird. He was fearful, visibly fearful,
that his desire to oblige should be thought officious. He attempted to
apologize, but knew not what to say. I thanked him very sincerely, and
in the kindest manner I could; and, seeing him booted, the thought
instantly struck me to request Sir Arthur's permission for him to
accompany us to London, which I imagined might give him pleasure.
The request happened to coincide with some new project of alteration
which Sir Arthur had conceived, and which, he said, after having
further digested, he could better communicate to Frank than describe on
paper. The mare is said to be one of the best travellers in the kingdom;
and, as she was very capable of performing the journey, and the
carriage being rather heavily loaded, he accordingly kept pace with us.
During the day we passed many delightful scenes, and enjoyed the
charming prospects which the rich cultivation of England, and the road
we travelled, afford. Frank Henley was scarcely ever out of sight,
though he was rather watchfully assiduous than communicative.
Sir Arthur, for his part, did not forget to point out to us what a

charming park such and such grounds might be turned into; how
picturesque a temple, or a church steeple, would look in this place;
what a fine effect a sheet of water would have in that bottom; and how
nobly a clump of trees would embellish the hill by which it was
overlooked.
I believe I am a sad wicked girl, Louisa! I was once strangely tempted
to tell him I was much afraid his father had mistaken the trade to which
his genius was best adapted, when he made him a baronet instead of a
gardener. However I had the grace to bite my tongue and be silent. He
might have had the retort courteous upon me, and have replied that
gardening was much the most honourable trade of the two. But he
would never have thought of that answer.
Thus the day, as I tell you, passed pleasantly and whimsically enough.
But the night! Oh!--The night!--You shall hear.
It was the dusk of evening when we were at Maidenhead. We had then
three stages to go, and Sir Arthur began to be alarmed by the rumours
of depredations which had lately been committed on the road. I really
do not know what to say to it; but there appears to be something deeper
in the doctrine of sympathies than such silly girls as I can either
account for or comprehend. I endeavoured with all my might to oppose
the sensation, and yet I found my father's fears were catching. Frank
Henley indeed begged of me, with great energy, not to be alarmed; for
that he would die sooner than I should be insulted. Upon my honour,
Louisa, he is a gallant youth!--You shall hear--But he is a brave, a
gallant youth.
I cannot say but I wished I were a man; though I am convinced it was a
foolish wish, and that it is a great mistake to suppose courage has any
connexion with sex; if we except, as we ought, the influence of
education and habit. My dear mother had not the bodily strength of Sir
Arthur; but, with respect to cool courage and active presence of mind, I
must say, Louisa, there was no comparison.
We set off, however, Frank having first provided himself with a hanger
and a pair of pistols; and he now kept close to the chaise-door, without
once quitting his station. I believe Sir Arthur was heartily glad at being
thus provided with a guard, as it were unexpectedly, and without any
foresight of his own. For, not to mention gold watches and trinkets, he
had more money with him than he would have chosen to have lost,

fright out of the question.
We proceeded thus without molestation as far as Brentford; but not
without receiving fresh hints that it was very possible we might be
visited; and then, though it began to be drawing toward midnight, Sir
Arthur thought the danger chiefly over. As it happened he was
mistaken. He was indeed, my dear! I