Don't droop, my charming Cricket. We'll be as happy together as the days
are long. I love you with all my soul--I swear it by all that's good and
gracious; and I'll make you the best husband ever bright-eyed little
girl had. Trust me, Mollie, and cheer up. Yoicks! Here we are."
The carriage stopped with a jerk that precipitated Mollie into her
captor's arms; but, with an angry push, she was free again directly.
The man opened the door and sprung out. Wind howling, rain tailing,
trees surging, sea roaring, and a big dog barking, made the black night
hideous.
"Down, Tiger! Down, you big, noisy brute!" cried the man. "Here, Mollie,
let me help you out."
There was no escape--Mollie let him. The salt breath of the sea blew in
her face--its awful thunder on the shore drowned all lesser noises.
Through the blackness of the black night she could see the blacker
outline of a house, from one or two windows of which faint lights
shone. Tossing trees surrounded it--a high board fence and a tall,
padlocked gate inclosed it.
"All right, Mollie," the man said.
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