The sobs of the clown's wife mingled with the inarticulate wailing, so low, yet so awful to hear; and both sounds were audible with a fearful, unnatural distinctness, through the merry melody of the jig, and the peals of hearty laughter from the audience in the circus.
"Oh, my God!" cried Valentine, horror-struck at what he heard, "stop her! don't let her moan in that way!" The woman started from her seat, and put the child down, then recognized Mr.Blyth and rushed up to him.
"Hush!" she whispered eagerly, "don't call out like that! The villain, the brutal, heartless villain is somewhere about the stables.

If he hears you, he'll come in and beat her again .-- Oh, hush! hush, for God's sake! It's true he beat her--the cowardly, hellish brute!--only for making that one little mistake with the cards.

No! no! no! don't speak out so loud, or you'll ruin us.

How did you ever get in here ?--Oh! you must be quiet! There, sit down--Hark! I'm sure he's coming! Oh! go away--go away!" She tried to pull Valentine out of the chair into which she had thrust him but the instant before.

He seized tight hold of her hand and refused to move.