Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 230: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

, ¥. AY Bh) Re AL. 8 wy Rute Shae a et md ‘ ee’ ; 3S ? 7 , .e. We. 8 c ‘ 5 i ww " Yee ee 5 », fal rin ry + f ” yw? Col y, . xa - : . . - ‘ © 220 OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. and hide you behind the tallest man I can find. He is looking to see you in Will Yarrel’s clothing, I am positive.” Lhey heard the approach of the train, and the shouting of the guard, and people began to gather up their bundles hastily, and hurry down to the platform. ‘*Come,” said Maurice, steadily, “understand that, even if he knows you, I shall not give youup to him. I will fight for you, ifit isnecessary. Can you not trust to my prowess?” cl oan np ast Wilhelmine’s clear, sweet voice. ‘‘ I will trust you.” And she put her hand into his arm, and walked beside him steadily. Maurice took good care to fall into the crowd of ladies, and to keep the shawls half over her slender, sloping shoulders, which had made Will Yarrel’s form so airy and graceful. ‘They were safely in the carriage at last, and, after what seemed an interminable delay, the train started. Wilhelmine drew one long, shuddering breath of unutter- able relief, and answered his congratulatory smile. ‘<The rubicon is passed. Adieu, Mathew Merle! Now, Miss a ate I think you ought to ask where I am taking you.” She looked up trustfully with her innocent brown eyes. “*T have little apprehension. Iknow it will be some place where I shall have peace and quiet. It only needs for me to find Jane, and to escape his search three months longer. I shall be free then from his guardianship, for then the law . which gives him such power will itself defend me.” ‘How thoroughly she trusts me,” thought Maurice, all the chivalry and delicacy of his nature vowing to deserve her confidence. ‘© And since you have so little of the reputed womanly cu- riosity,” he said, aloud, ‘‘I must. tell my story unsought. I have determined not to venture into London just yet, for I think Mathew Merle will search there as soon as he is sat- comicboo