'Be quaite, Maud,' whispered Madame, with an awful adjuration, which I do
not care to set down. 'They are teepsy; don't seem 'fraid.'

I _was_ afraid--terrified. The circle had now so narrowed that they might
have placed their hands on my shoulders.

'Pray, gentlemen, wat you want? _weel_ a you 'av the goodness to permit us
to go on?'

I now observed for the first time, with a kind of shock, that the shorter
of the two men, who prevented our advance, was the person who had accosted
me so offensively at Church Scarsdale. I pulled Madame by the arm,
whispering, 'Let us run.'

'Be quaite, my dear Maud,' was her only reply.

'I tell you what,' said the tall man, who had replaced his high hat more
jauntily than before on the side of his head, 'We've caught you now, fair
game, and we'll let you off on conditions. You must not be frightened,
Miss. Upon my honour and soul, I mean no mischief; do I, Lollipop? I call
him Lord Lollipop; it's only chaff, though; his name's Smith. Now, Lolly,
I vote we let the prisoners go, when we just introduce them to Mrs. Smith;
she's sitting in the carriage, and keeps Mr. S. here in precious good
order, I promise you. There's easy terms for you, eh, and we'll have a
glass o' curaçoa round, and so part friends. Is it a bargain? Come!'

'Yes, Maud, we must go--wat matter?' whispered Madame vehemently.

'You shan't,' I said, instinctively terrified.