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"Sir," murmured Peterby, and coming forward, took that extended hand, looking down at Barnabas joyful-eyed, and would have spoken, yet uttered no other word. "John," said Barnabas, glancing round the faded splendors of the bed-chamber, "where am I, pray?" "At Ashleydown, sir." "Ashleydown?" repeated Barnabas, wrinkling his brow. "Sir, you have been very ill."
Oh, it's too hateful and and I am afraid, Barnabas. I ought to have been at Ashleydown an hour ago, but oh, I I couldn't, it was too horrible I couldn't! So I came the longest way; I made the post-boy drive very slowly, I I was waiting for you, Barnabas, praying God that you would come to me " "Because you were afraid, my lady." "Yes, Barnabas." "And behold, I am here!" said Barnabas.
And, as she gazed, Barnabas spoke again and motioned with his pistol hand. "Get back into the chaise, my lady." "No!" she answered, and, though her face was hidden now, he knew that she was weeping. "I'm going on, now to Ashleydown, to save Ronald, to redeem the promise I gave our mother; I must, I must, and oh nothing matters to me any more, so let me go!"
A distant clock was striking the hour as Barnabas rode in at the rusted gates of Ashleydown and up beneath an avenue of sombre trees beyond which rose the chimneys of a spacious house, clear and plain against the palpitating splendor of the stars. But the house, like its surroundings, wore a desolate, neglected look, moreover it was dark, not a light was to be seen anywhere from attic to cellar.
"Poor Jack," smiled the Duchess, "he is such a dear, good, obedient child, and he doesn't know it. And so your name is Beverley, hum! Of the Beverleys of Ashleydown? Yet, no, that branch is extinct, I know. Pray what branch are you? Why, here comes Sir Mortimer Carnaby, heavens, how handsome he is! And you thrashed him, I think? Oh, I know all about it, sir, and I know why!"
Which way?" "Home, Duchess." "Home, home indeed? You are home this is your home. Ashleydown is yours now." "Yes," nodded Barnabas, "I suppose it is, but I shall never live here, I leave today. I am going home, but before I " "Home? What home which home?" "But before I do, I would thank you if I could, but how may I thank you for all your motherly care of me?
So, talking thus, they reached a gate, and, beyond the gate, a road, white beneath the moon, winding away between shadowy hedges. "You are for London, I fancy, young sir?" "Yes." "Then we part here. But before I bid you God speed, I would know your name; mine is Darville Ralph Darville." "And mine, sir, is Barnabas Beverley." "Beverley!" said the Preacher, glancing up quickly, "of Ashleydown?"
"I think," said Barnabas, putting away his watch, "yes, I think I shall." "The house is called Ashleydown," continued Barrymaine feverishly, "a b-big house about a m-mile this side the village." "Ashleydown? I think I've heard mention of it before. But now, you must come with me, Smivvle is downstairs, you shall have my rooms to-night." "Thanks, Beverley, but do you m-mind giving me your arm?
"Headcorn," said Barnabas, nodding, "then Ashleydown should be near here?" "Why, sir," said the man, nodding in turn, "I do believe you leastways it were here about yesterday." "And where is it?" "Half a mile back down the road, you must ha' passed it, sir. A great house it be though inclined to ruination.
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