She walked still faster.
But between these and herself there was a carriage, apparently a brougham, coming in the same direction, with lighted lamps.

When it overtook her--which was not soon, on account of her pace--the scene was much darker, and the lights glared in her eyes sufficiently to hide the details of the equipage.
It occurred to Marty that she might take hold behind this carriage and so keep along with it, to save herself the mortification of being overtaken and picked up for pity's sake by the coming pair.
Accordingly, as the carriage drew abreast of her in climbing the long ascent, she walked close to the wheels, the rays of the nearest lamp penetrating her very pores.

She had only just dropped behind when the carriage stopped, and to her surprise the coachman asked her, over his shoulder, if she would ride.

What made the question more surprising was that it came in obedience to an order from the interior of the vehicle.
Marty gladly assented, for she was weary, very weary, after working all night and keeping afoot all day.

She mounted beside the coachman, wondering why this good-fortune had happened to her.