Sir Richard drew bridle opposite the house of Mr. Ingestrie, and called to an urchin who was passing to ring the bell for him. The boy complied and in a few moments a servant made an appearance, to whom Sir Richard said—
"If your master is stirring, pray tell him that a gentleman wishes to speak to him for a few moments."
These words were hardly past the lips of the magistrate, when some one, with a bunch of flowers in her hand, and one of the prettiest of pretty morning dresses, came to the door. It was our old, dear, young, kind friend, Johanna! We cannot help calling her Johanna still, although, perhaps, it would be more proper for us to name her Mrs. Ingestrie; but it seems so odd to append that title of "Mrs." to our gentle, youthful Johanna, whose dangers in Todd's shop we have watched and trembled at so often in times past.
"Ah! my dear friend," she cried, when she saw who it was. "I am so glad to see you!"
"And I am equally glad to see you," said Sir Richard, "particularly as you look so well and so happy."
Sir Richard Blunt Pays A Visit To Johanna, At Chelsea.
Sir Richard Blunt Pays A Visit To Johanna, At Chelsea.
"Yes, I am happy. Mark! Mark! here is Sir Richard come to breakfast with us."
"Nay, I did not think of dismounting."
"Oh, but you must. I will hold the bridle of the horse, and you will have to ride over me if you attempt to go away. Mark—Mark! where are you!"
Upon these repeated calls, Mark Ingestrie make his appearance at the door, and looked pleased enough to see Sir Richard, who, finding that they would take no sort of denial, he felt that he could not do otherwise than dismount and enter the house. A servant of the Ingestries took charge of his horse, and he was soon in the breakfast-room of the pretty house, inhabited by the young couple.
It did not escape the observation of Johanna that there was a cloud of seriousness upon the countenance of Sir Richard Blunt; but she did not make any remark, although each moment she felt more and more convinced that it was some matter of business that called the magistrate to their abode so early; for it will be remembered that although he had transacted a good quantity of business, the day was yet very young.
Mark Ingestrie did not appear to have any idea beyond the fact that it was very kind of the magistrate to visit them; but the reader will easily excuse him for not being so acute an observer as Johanna.
"I hope," said Mark, "that you will often take a canter over here, Sir Richard, before the business of the day commences, and breakfast with us. I know how very hopeless it is to expect you often at any other time."
"It is rather so," replied Sir Richard, "and my stay now must be very limited indeed. How do you both like your new house?"
"It is charming," said Johanna, "and the view from the windows is full of animation for the greater part of the day."
"It's the view in-doors," smiled Mark, "that to me is so delightful and so full of animation."
"That is just what I should have supposed," said the magistrate, glancing at Johanna with a smile.
"Now, positively, I must go and take my breakfast in some other room," said Johanna, "if there are to be any compliments. They are quite absurd, you know, among married folks."
"And a little unfair," said Sir Richard, "at meal times, I think, above all others."
"Indeed?" said Mark.
"Yes, to be sure," added Johanna, "for you know one is either obliged to hear the compliments, which feed no one but with false viands, or leave the table upon which there may be something much more substantial and decidedly more palatable."
"I give in," said Mark, "I give in. I don't for one moment profess to be a match for you alone, my dear; but when you get Sir Richard to side with you, I feel that I had better say as little as possible."
"A graceful defeat," said Sir Richard, "is almost as good as a clumsy victory."
"Much better," said Johanna, "a great deal better. But now, Sir Richard, you have not ridden over here to help us at our breakfast, or to talk badinage."
Mark opened his eyes very wide indeed, and looked from Johanna to the magistrate, and from the magistrate to Johanna, with evident surprise. An expression of great anxiety was each moment gathering over the face of Johanna, which Sir Richard saw, and with all that tact which with him was a kind of second nature, he said—
"I have had the pleasure of seeing your father this morning, and they are all well at the old house, and as comfortable as can be."
Johanna drew a long breath of relief, and then Mark Ingestrie cried in a voice of surprise—
"What? Do you mean to say you have been in the city before you came here, sir?"
"I have, my friend, and I have been to Colonel Jeffery's, too, before I came here. If I had not, I should not be able to indulge myself with the pleasure of staying here for even the short time that I have been beneath your roof. I must, however, go."
"Something has happened!" said Johanna.
"So there has," said the magistrate with a smile, "but it cannot be anything very serious, you know, as all our dear friends are well. Anything falls light in comparison with the health and happiness of those whom we love."
"Oh, yes—yes," said Johanna. "You are right, and you are very good to preface bad news in so kind a manner, Sir Richard. It is good, and kind, and grateful, and like you in all respects. I thank you from my heart."
"But what's it all about?" cried Mark Ingestrie. "Good gracious, what's it all about? Who talks of bad news? If all our friends are well, how can there be bad news? Do not keep us in suspense, Sir Richard!"
"No—no," said Johanna.
"I will not."
Both Johanna and Mark Ingestrie looked most intently at the magistrate, as he said in his quiet way—
"Sweeney Todd has escaped from Newgate, and is now at large!"
Mark Ingestrie sprang to his feet, and Johanna, for a moment, turned rather pale.
"The villain!" cried Mark.
"Hush!" said Johanna. "Oh, hush, Mark!"
"It was of the utmost importance," contin............