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of mental anguish （which she gave them to understand was
occasioned by certain tender things he had had the presumption
and audacity to say）； that little Dolly’s heart was quite melted。
Indeed； she said and did so much to soothe the outraged feelings
of Miss Miggs； and looked so beautiful while doing so； that if that
young maid had not had ample vent for her surpassing spite； in a
knowledge of the mischief that was brewing； she must have
scratched her features； on the spot。
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Chapter 71
ll next day； Emma Haredale； Dolly； and Miggs； remained
Acooped up together in what had now been their prison for
so many days； without seeing any person； or hearing any
sound but the murmured conversation； in an outer room； of the
men who kept watch over them。 There appeared to be more of
these fellows than there had been hitherto； and they could no
longer hear the voices of women； which they had before plainly
distinguished。 Some new excitement； too； seemed to prevail
among them； for there was much stealthy going in and out； and a
constant questioning of those who were newly arrived。 They had
previously been quite reckless in their behaviour； often making a
great uproar； quarrelling among themselves； fighting； dancing；
and singing。 They were now very subdued and silent； conversing
almost in whispers； and stealing in and out with a soft and stealthy
tread； very different from the boisterous trampling in which their
arrivals and departures had hitherto been announced to the
trembling captives。
Whether this change was occasioned by the presence among
them of some person of authority in their ranks； or by any other
cause； they were unable to decide。 Sometimes they thought it was
in part attributable to there being a sick man in the chamber； for
last night there had been a shuffling of feet； as though a burden
were brought in； and afterwards a moaning noise。 But they had no
means of ascertaining the truth： for any question or entreaty on
their parts only provoked a storm of execrations； or something
worse； and they were too happy to be left alone； unassailed by
threats or admiration； to risk even that comfort； by any voluntary
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communication with those who held them in durance。
It was sufficiently evident； both to Emma and to the locksmith’s
poor little daughter herself； that she； Dolly； was the great object of
attraction； and that so soon as they should have leisure to indulge
in the softer passion； Hugh and Mr Tappertit would certainly fall
to blows for her sake； in which latter case； it was not very difficult
to see whose prize she would become。 With all her old horror of
that man revived； and deepened into a degree of aversion and
abhorrence which no language can describe； with a thousand old
recollections and regrets； and causes of distress； anxiety； and fear；
besetting her on all sides； poor Dolly Varden—sweet； blooming；
buxom Dolly—began to hang her head； and fade； and droop； like a
beautiful flower。 The colour fled from her cheeks； her courage
forsook her； her gentle heart failed。 Unmindful of all her
provoking caprices； forgetful of all her conquests and inconstancy；
with all her winning little vanities quite gone； she nestled all the
livelong day in Emma Haredale’s bosom； and； sometimes calling
on her dear old grey…haired father； sometimes on her mother； and
sometimes even on her old home； pined slowly away； like a poor
bird in its cage。
Light hearts； light hearts； that float so gaily on a smooth stream；
that are so sparkling and buoyant in the sunshine—down upon
fruit； bloom upon flowers； blush in summer air； life of the winged
insect； whose whole existence is a day—how soon ye sink in
troubled water！ Poor Dolly’s heart—a little； gentle； idle； fickle
thing； giddy； restless； fluttering； constant to nothing but bright
looks； and smiles and laughter—Dolly’s heart was breaking。
Emma had known grief； and could bear it better。 She had little
comfort to impart； but she could soothe and tend her； and she did
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so； and Dolly clung to her like a child to its nurse。 In endeavouring
to inspire her with some fortitude； she increased her own； and
though the nights were long； and the days dismal； and she felt the
wasting influence of watching and fatigue； and had perhaps a
more defined and clear perception of their destitute condition and
its worst dangers； she uttered no complaint。 Before the ruffians； in
whose power they were； she bore herself so calmly； and with such
an appearance； in the midst of all her terror； of a secret conviction
that they dared not harm her； that there was not a man among
them but held her in some degree of dread； and more than one
believed she had a weapon hidden in her dress； and was prepared
to use it。
Such was their condition when they were joined by Miss Miggs；
who gave them to understand that she too had been taken
prisoner because of her charms； and detailed such feats of
resistance she had performed （her virtue having given her
supernatural strength）； that they felt it quite a happiness to have
her for a champion。 Nor was this the only comfort they derived at
first from Miggs’s presence and society： for that young lady
displayed such resignation and long…suffering； and so much meek
endurance； under her trials； and breathed in all her chaste
discourse a spirit of such holy confidence and resignation； and
devout belief that all would happen for the best； that Emma