there was nothing but respect and
feelings of gratitude on his part, and condescension and amiability on
hers, there was a rapid adhesion going on within. Their interviews were
more restrained, their words more selected; for both parties felt how
strong were the feelings which they would repress; they were both
pensive, silent, and distant--would talk unconnectedly, running from one
subject to another, attempting to be lively and unconcerned when they
were most inclined to be otherwise, and not daring to scrutinise too
minutely their own feelings when they found themselves alone; but what
they would fain conceal from themselves their very attempts to conceal
made known to other people who were standing by. Both Mrs Phillips and
Mr Small perceived how matters stood, and, had they any objections,
would have immediately no longer permitted them to be in contact; but
they had no objections, for our hero had long won the hearts of both
mother and uncle, and they awaited quietly the time which should arrive
when the young parties should no longer conceal their feelings for each
other.

It was when affairs were between our hero and Emma Phillips as we have
just stated, that a circumstance took place which for a time embittered
all our hero's happiness. He was walking down High Street, when he
perceived a file of marines marching towards him, with two men between
them, handcuffed, evidently deserters who had been taken up. A feeling
of alarm pervaded our hero; he had a presentiment which induced him to
go into a perfumer's shop, and to remain there, so as to have a view of
the faces of the deserters as they passed along, without their being
able to see him. His forebodings were correct: one of them was his old
enemy and persecutor, Furness, the schoolmaster.

Had a dagger been plunged into Joey's bosom, the sensation could not
have been more painful than what he felt when he once more found himself
so near to his dreaded denouncer. For a short time he remained so
transfixed, that the woman who was attending in the shop asked whether
she should bring him a glass of water. This inquiry made him recollect
himself, and, complaining of a sudden pain in the side, he sat down, and
took the water when it was brought; but he went home in despair, quite
forgetting the business which brought him out, and retired to his own
room, that he might collect his thoughts. What was he to do? This man
had been brought back to the barrack