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to discover； but in vain； and the probability is that Barnaby
himself was equally in the dark。
It filled her with uneasiness to find him harping on this string；
but all that she could do； was to lead him quickly to some other
subject； and to dismiss it from his brain。 To caution him against
their visitor； to show any fear or suspicion in reference to him；
would only be； she feared； to increase that interest with which
Barnaby regarded him； and to strengthen his desire to meet him
once again。 She hoped； by plunging into the crowd； to rid herself
of her terrible pursuer； and then； by journeying to a distance and
observing increased caution； if that were possible； to live again
unknown； in secrecy and peace。
They reached； in course of time； their halting…place within ten
miles of London； and lay there for the night； after bargaining to be
carried on for a trifle next day； in a light van which was returning
empty； and was to start at five o’clock in the morning。 The driver
was punctual； the road good—save for the dust； the weather being
very hot and dry—and at seven in the forenoon of Friday the
second of June； one thousand seven hundred and eighty； they
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alighted at the foot of Westminster Bridge； bade their conductor
farewell； and stood alone； together； on the scorching pavement。
For the freshness which night sheds upon such busy
thoroughfares had already departed； and the sun was shining with
uncommon lustre。
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Chapter 48
ncertain where to go next； and bewildered by the crowd
Uof people who were already astir； they sat down in one of
the recesses on the bridge； to rest。 They soon became
aware that the stream of life was all pouring one way； and that a
vast throng of persons were crossing the river from the Middlesex
to the Surrey shore； in unusual haste and evident excitement。
They were； for the most part； in knots of two or three； or
sometimes half…a…dozen； they spoke little together—many of them
were quite silent； and hurried on as if they had one absorbing
object in view； which was common to them all。
They were surprised to see that nearly every man in this great
concourse； which still came pouring past； without slackening in
the least； wore in his hat a blue cockade； and that the chance
passengers who were not so decorated； appeared timidly anxious
to escape observation or attack； and gave them the wall as if they
would conciliate them。 This； however； was natural enough；
considering their inferiority in point of numbers； for the
proportion of those who wore blue cockades； to those who were
dressed as usual； was at least forty or fifty to one。 There was no
quarrelling； however： the blue cockades went swarming on；
passing each other when they could； and making all the speed that
was possible in such a multitude； and exchanged nothing more
than looks； and very often not even those； with such of the passers…
by as were not of their number。
At first； the current of people had been confined to the two
pathways； and but a few more eager stragglers kept the road。 But
after half an hour or so； the passage was completely blocked up by
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the great press； which； being now closely wedged together； and
impeded by the carts and coaches it encountered； moved but
slowly； and was sometimes at a stand for five or ten minutes
together。
After the lapse of nearly two hours； the numbers began to
diminish visibly； and gradually dwindling away； by little and little；
left the bridge quite clear； save that； now and then； some hot and
dusty man； with the cockade in his hat； and his coat thrown over
his shoulder； went panting by； fearful of being too late； or stopped
to ask which way his friends had taken； and being directed；
hastened on again like one refreshed。 In this comparative solitude；
which seemed quite strange and novel after the late crowd； the
widow had for the first time an opportunity of inquiring of an old
man who came and sat beside them； what was the meaning of that
great assemblage。
‘Why； where have you come from；’ he returned； ‘that you
haven’t heard of Lord George Gordon’s great association？ This is
the day that he presents the petition against the Catholics； God
bless him！’
‘What have all these men to do with that？’ she said。
‘What have they to do with it！’ the old man replied。 ‘Why； how
you talk！ Don’t you know his lordship has declared he won’t
present it to the house at all； unless it is attended to the door by
forty thousand good and true men at least？ There’s a crowd for
you！’
‘A crowd indeed！’ said Barnaby。 ‘Do you hear that； mother！’
‘And they’re mustering yonder； as I am told；’ resumed the old
man； ‘nigh upon a hundred thousand strong。 Ah！ Let Lord George
alone。 He knows his power。 There’ll be a good many faces inside
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them three windows over there；’ and he pointed to where the
House of Commons overlooked the river； ‘that’ll turn pale when
good Lord George gets up this afternoon； and with reason too！ Ay；
ay。 Let his lordship alone。 Let him alone。 He knows！’ And so； with
much mumbling and chuckling and shaking of his forefinger； he
rose； with the assistance of his stick； and tottered off。
‘Mother！’ said Barnaby； ‘that’s a brave crowd he tal