Allen's feelings were far less keen as to Bobus than were Jock's, and
he liked the connection; so he let himself be infected with the
excitement, and roused himself not only to telegraph, but go himself
to Cecil's quarters to make sure of him. It was well that he did so,
for just as he got into Oxford Street, he beheld the well-known bay
fortunately caught in a block of omnibuses and carts round a tumble-
down cab-horse, and some gas-fitting. Such was the impatience of the
driver of the hansom, that Allen absolutely had to rush desperately
across the noses of half-a-dozen horses, making wild gestures, before
he was seen and taken up by Cecil's side.
"The most wonderful thing of all," said Cecil afterwards, "was to see
Allen going on like that!"
In consequence of his speed, Colonel and Mrs. Brownlow had hardly
arrived at Esther's faltered story, and come to a perception which
way her heart lay, when she started and cried, "Oh, that's his
hansom!" for she perfectly well knew the wheels.
So did her aunt and Babie, who had taken refuge in the studio, but
came out at Allen's call to hear his adventures, and thenceforth had
to remain easily accessible, Babie to take charge of Lina, who was
much aggrieved at her banishment, and Mother Carey to be the
recipient of all kinds of effusions from the different persons
concerned.
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