"Are you better?" he whispered anxiously.
"Yes, thank you. It was very silly to faint. I don't know what made me."
"Take my arm; do, please. Why, you can hardly stand."
It was true, and the arm which went round her waist was not wholly
unnecessary. She submitted without protest and they slowly walked a few
paces.
"Though it's hard to part from you 'tis best you should get home
quickly. Have you far to go? Shall I call a coach?"
These pertinent questions threw the girl into a sudden state of
confusion. She had no home. She had but little money, for Gay's guinea
was nearly gone after she had paid her fare from Hounslow and the
incidental expenses of the journey. But she dared not say as much to her
companion. He thought her a fine lady. It might be wise to keep him in
this mind. If he knew she was as poor as he, there would be an end to
the pleasure of helping him. She felt sure he would accept nothing more
from her.
What was she to say? She could think of nothing. She felt bewildered.
At the same time the effort to face the difficulty did her good. It
revived her energy.
"Indeed there's no necessity for me to ride. I can walk quite well and
it is but a little distance to my home. You may see me across the fields
if you will and then we will say good-night."
"I'd better walk with you beyond the fields," he urged. "The streets are
just as dangerous for you as this desolate place.
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