Sir Norman, deeply edified by the easy sang-froid of the speaker, turned
to take a second look at him. There was very little light; for the night
had grown darker as it wore on, and the few stars that had glimmered
faintly had hid their diminished heads behind the piles of inky clouds.
Still, there was a sort of faint phosphorescent light whitening the
gloom, and by it Sir Norman's keen bright eyes discovered that he wore
a long dark cloak and slouched hat. He discovered something else,
too--that he had seen that hat and cloak, and the man inside of them on
London Bridge, not an hour before. It struck Sir Norman there was a sort
of fatality in their meeting; and his pulses quickened a trifle, as he
thought that he might be speaking to the husband of the lady for whom
he had so suddenly conceived such a rash and inordinate attachment. That
personage meantime having reloaded his pistol, with a self-possession
refreshing to witness, replaced it in his doublet, gathered up the
reins, and, glancing slightly at his companion, spoke again, "I should thank you for saving my life, I suppose, but thanking people
is so little in my line, that I scarcely know how to set about it.
Perhaps, my dear sir, you will take the will for the deed."
"An original, this," thought Sir Norman, "whoever he is." Then aloud:
"Pray don't trouble yourself about thanks, sir, I should have dome
precisely the same for the highwaymen, had you been three to one over
them."
"I don't doubt it in the least; nevertheless I feel grateful, for you
have saved my life all the same, and you have never seen me before."
"There you are mistaken," said Sir Norman, quietly "I had the pleasure
of seeing you scarce an hour ago."
"Ah!" said the stranger, in an altered tone, "and where?"
"On London Bridge."
"I did not see you."
"Very likely, but I was there none the less."
"Do you know me?" said the stranger; and Sir Norman could see he was
gazing at him sharply from under the shadow of his slouched hat.
"I have not that honor, but I hope to do so before we part."
"It was quite dark when you saw me on the bridge--how comes it, then,
that you recollect me so well?"
"I have always been blessed with an excellent memory," said Sir Norman
carelessly, "and I knew your dress, face, and voice instantly."
"My voice! Then you heard me speak, probably to the watchman guarding a
plague-stricken house?"
"Exactly! and the subject being a very interesting one, I listened to
all you said."
"Indeed I and what possible interest could; the subject have for you,
may I ask?"