The Escape

           Theshortwinterdaywasnearlyended.Thestreetsweredeserted,saveforafewrandomstragglers,andthesehurriedstraightalong,withtheintentlookofpeoplewhowereonlyanxioustoaccomplishtheirerrandsasquicklyaspossible,andthensnuglyhousethemselvesfromtherisingwindandthegatheringtwilight.Theylookedneithertotherightnortotheleft;theypaidnoattentiontoourparty,theydidnotevenseemtoseethem.EdwardtheSixthwonderedifthespectacleofakingonhiswaytojailhadeverencounteredsuchmarvellousindifferencebefore.By-and-bytheconstablearrivedatadesertedmarket-square,andproceededtocrossit.Whenhehadreachedthemiddleofit,Hendonlaidhishanduponhisarm,andsaidinalowvoice—

           "Bideamoment,goodsir,thereisnoneinhearing,andIwouldsayawordtothee."

           "Mydutyforbidsit,sir;pritheehindermenot,thenightcomeson."

           "Stay,nevertheless,forthematterconcernstheenearly.Turnthybackamomentandseemnottosee:letthispoorladescape."

           "Thistome,sir!Iarresttheein—"

           "Nay,benottoohasty.