"
Again they sank into silence. Ellinor felt as if she would fain be away
and active in procuring his release; but she also perceived how precious
her presence was to him; and she did not like to leave him a moment
before the time allowed her. His voice had changed to a weak, piping old
man's quaver, and between the times of his talking he seemed to relapse
into a dreamy state; but through it all he held her hand tight, as though
afraid that she would leave him.
So the hour elapsed, with no more spoken words than those above. From
time to time Ellinor's tears dropped down upon her lap; she could not
restrain them, though she scarce knew why she cried just then.
At length the turnkey said that the time allowed for the interview was
ended. Ellinor spoke no word; but rose, and bent down and kissed the old
man's forehead, saying--
"I shall come back to-morrow. God keep and comfort you!"
So almost without an articulate word from him in reply (he rose up, and
stood on his shaking legs, as she bade him farewell, putting his hand to
his head with the old habitual mark of respect), she went her way,
swiftly out of the prison, swiftly back with Mr. Johnson to his house,
scarcely patient or strong enough in her hurry to explain to him fully
all that she meant to do. She only asked him a few absolutely requisite
questions; and informed him of her intention to go straight to London to
see Judge Corbet.
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