'
So rapidly had the carriage rolled through the rain, and so entirely
had my long pain robbed me of all presence of mind, that, by the time
I had recovered from the paralysing shock, we had reached Piccadilly
Circus. I pulled the check-string.
'Why, Henry!' said my mother, who had raised the window, 'what are
you doing? And what has made you turn so pale?'
My aunt sat in indignant silence. 'Ten thousand pardons,' I said, as
I stepped out of the carriage, and shook hands with them. 'A sudden
recollection--important papers unsecured at my hotel--business in--in
Lincoln's Inn Fields. I will call on you in the morning.'
And I reeled down the pavement towards the Haymarket. When I was some
little distance from the carriage, I took to my heels and hurried as
fast as possible towards the theatre, utterly regardless of the
people. I reached the spot breathless. I stood for a moment staring
wildly to right and left of me. Not a trace of her was to be seen. I
heard a thin voice from my lips, that did not seem my own, ask a
policeman, who was now patrolling the neighbourhood, if he had seen a
basket-girl singing.
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