Of the two marriages she had
consented to, merely as preliminaries to a real marriage, Zoe despised
this the most; for the Scotch marriage was, at all events, ancient, and
respectable lovers had been driven to it again and again.
She was behind her time, and Severne thought her courage had failed her,
after all. But no: at half-past twelve she came out, and walked briskly
toward Bagley.
He was behind her, and followed her. She took his arm nervously. "Let me
feel you all the way," she said, "to give me courage."
So they walked arm-in-arm; and, as they went, his courage secretly
wavered, her's rose at every step.
About half a mile from the town they met a carriage and pair.
At sight of them a gentleman on the box tapped at the glass window, and
said, hurriedly, "Here they are _together."_
Mademoiselle Klosking said, "Stop the carriage": then, pausing a little,
"Mr. Vizard--on your word of honor, no violence."
The carriage was drawn up, Ashmead opened the door in a trice, and La
Klosking, followed by Vizard, stepped out, and stood like a statue before
Edward Severne and Zoe Vizard.
Severne dropped her arm directly, and was panic-stricken.
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