"I'll go if you promise me--" "I'll promise you anything, sir!" "You know the rectory! Doctor Joyce's--the clergyman--my kind friend--" "Yes, sir; I know it.

Do please, for little Mary's sake be quick as you can!" "Mary! Her name's Mary!" Valentine drew back into a corner, and began kissing the child again.
"You must be out of your senses to keep on in that way after what I've told you!" cried the clown's wife, wringing her hands in despair, and trying to drag him out of the corner.

"Jubber will be in here in another minute.

She'll be beaten again, if you're caught with her; oh Lord! oh Lord! will nothing make you understand that ?" He understood it only too well, and put the child down instantly, his face turning pale again; his agitation becoming so violent that he never noticed the hand which she held out towards him, or the appealing look that said so plainly and pathetically: "I want to bid you good-bye; but I can't say it as other children can." He never observed this; for he had taken Mrs.Peckover by the arm, and had drawn her away hurriedly after him into the passage.
The child made no attempt to follow them: she turned aside, and, sitting down in the darkest corner of the miserable place, rested her head against the rough partition which was all that divided her from the laughing audience.

Her lips began to tremble again: she took out the handkerchief once more, and hid her face in it.
"Now, recollect your promise," whispered Valentine to the clown's wife, who was slowly pushing him out all the time he was speaking to her.
"You must bring little Mary to the Rectory to-morrow morning at twelve o'clock exactly--you must! or I'll come and fetch her myself--" "I'll bring her, sir, if you'll only go now.