“Bounderby!” she cried, in a suppressed voice, starting up from the table. “Oh hide me! Don’t let me be seen for the world. Don’t let him come up till I’ve got away. Pray, pray!” She trembled, and was excessively agitated; getting behind Rachael, when Rachael tried to reassure her; and not seeming to know what she was about.

“But hearken, missus, hearken,” said Stephen, astonished. “ ’Tisn’t Mr. Bounderby; ’tis his wife. Yo’r not fearfo’ o’ her. Yo was hey-go-mad about her, but an hour sin.”

“But are you sure it’s the lady, and not the gentleman?” she asked, still trembling.

“Certain sure!”

“Well then, pray don’t speak to me, nor yet take any notice of me,” said the old woman. “Let me be quite to myself in this corner.”