Mrs Sandford devoted herself to the doctor. Of course, a
sudden stop was put to our gay amusements. I could not ride or
drive out any more; nor would I go to entertainments anywhere.
The stir and the rush of the world had quietly dropped me out
of it.
Yet I was more than ever eager to be in it and know what was
doing; and above all, what one was doing. I studied the
newspapers, more assiduously than I had hitherto had time for.
They excited me almost unbearably with the desire to know more
than they told, and with unnumbered fears and anxieties. I
took to walking, to wear away part of the restless uneasiness
which had settled upon me. I walked in the morning; I walked
at evening, when the sun's light was off the avenue and the
air a little cooler; and kept myself out of the house as much
as I could.
It was so that I came upon my object, when I was not seeking
it. One evening I was walking up Pennsylvania avenue; slowly,
for the evening was warm, although the sun had gone down.
Slowly and disconsolately. My heart began to fail me. I
pondered writing a word to Mr. Thorold, now that I was
completely at liberty; and I wished I had done it at once upon
Dr. Sandford's becoming ill. Two or three days' time had been
lost. I should have to take the note to the post-office
myself; but that would not be impossible now, as it had been
until now. While I was thinking these things, I saw a horseman
riding down the avenue; a single horseman, coming at a fast
gallop. I had never seen Mr. Thorold on horseback; yet from
almost the first sight of this mounted figure my heart said
with a bound who it was. I stood still by the curbstone,
looking breathlessly. I felt more and more sure as he drew
nearer, if that can be when I had been sure all along; but,
would he know me? Would he even see me, in the first place? So
many ladies walk on Pennsylvania avenue; why should his eye
pick me out? and he was riding so fast too, there would be but
one instant to see or miss me. I would not like to go again
through the suspense of that minute, though it was almost too
intense to be conscious pain. I stood, all eyes, while that
figure came on, steady, swift, and moveless, but for the quick
action of the horse's muscles. I dared not make a sign,
although I felt morally sure who it was, until he was quite
close to me; then, I do not know whether I made it or not. I
think not; but the horse wheeled, just as he was past me; I
did not know a horse could wheel so short; and the rider had
dismounted at the same instant it seemed, for he was there, at
my side, and my hand in his. I certainly forgot at that minute
all I had stored up to say to Mr. Thorold, in the one great
throb of joy. He did not promise to be easily managed, either.