They shook hands together--poor Barnaby evidently
possessed with the idea that he was among the most virtuous and
disinterested heroes in the world--and Gashford laughed again.
'I hear,' he said smoothly, as he stood among them with a great measure
of liquor in his hand, and filled their glasses as quickly and as
often as they chose, 'I hear--but I cannot say whether it be true or
false--that the men who are loitering in the streets to-night are half
disposed to pull down a Romish chapel or two, and that they only want
leaders. I even heard mention of those in Duke Street, Lincoln's Inn
Fields, and in Warwick Street, Golden Square; but common report, you
know--You are not going?'
--'To do nothing, master, eh?' cried Hugh. 'No jails and halter for
Barnaby and me. They must be frightened out of that. Leaders are wanted,
are they? Now boys!'
'A most impetuous fellow!' cried the secretary. 'Ha ha! A courageous,
boisterous, most vehement fellow! A man who--'
There was no need to finish the sentence, for they had rushed out of the
house, and were far beyond hearing. He stopped in the middle of a laugh,
listened, drew on his gloves, and, clasping his hands behind him, paced
the deserted room for a long time, then bent his steps towards the busy
town, and walked into the streets.
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