As he went, making his way much quicker through the crowd
than he had done when he had no such object for haste, he purposely
avoided the door by which Mr. Kennedy had stood. It would have been
his nearest way, but his present service, he thought, required that
he should keep aloof from the man. But Mr. Kennedy passed through the
door and intercepted him in his path.
"Is she going?" he asked.
"Well. Yes. I dare say she may before long. I shall look for Lord
Brentford's carriage by-and-by."
"Tell her she need not go because of me. I shall not return. I shall
not annoy her here. It would have been much better that a woman in
such a plight should not have come to such an assembly."
"You would not wish her to shut herself up."
"I would wish her to come back to the home that she has left, and, if
there be any law in the land, she shall be made to do so. You tell
her that I say so." Then Mr. Kennedy fought his way down the stairs,
and Phineas Finn followed in his wake.
About half an hour afterwards Phineas returned to the two ladies with
tidings that the carriage would be at hand as soon as they could be
below. "Did he see you?" said Lady Laura.
"Yes, he followed me."
"And did he speak to you?"
"Yes;--he spoke to me."
"And what did he say?" And then, in the presence of Violet, Phineas
gave the message.
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