He could see that she was trembling—­perhaps weeping.  It was the master of her fate she clung to.  They passed him without speaking.  As she went by, her head passively bent, Ripton had a glimpse of noble tresses and a lovely neck; great golden curls hung loosely behind, pouring from under her bonnet.  She looked a captive borne to the sacrifice.  What Ripton, after a sight of those curls, would have given for her just to lift her veil an instant and strike him blind with beauty, was, fortunately for his exchequer, never demanded of him.  And he had absolutely been composing speeches as he came along in the cab! gallant speeches for the lady, and sly congratulatory ones for his friend, to be delivered as occasion should serve, that both might know him a man of the world, and be at their ease.  He forgot the smirking immoralities he had revelled in.  This was clearly serious.  Ripton did not require to be told that his friend was in love, and meant that life and death business called marriage, parents and guardians consenting or not.

Presently Richard returned to him, and said hurriedly, “I want you now to go to my uncle at our hotel.  Keep him quiet till I come.  Say I had to see you—­say anything.  I shall be there by the dinner hour.  Rip!  I must talk to you alone after dinner.”

Ripton feebly attempted to reply that he was due at home.  He was very curious to hear the plot of the New Comedy; and besides, there was Richard’s face questioning him sternly and confidently for signs of unhesitating obedience.  He finished his grimaces by asking the name and direction of the hotel.  Richard pressed his hand.  It is much to obtain even that recognition of our devotion from the hero.

Tom Bakewell also received his priming, and, to judge by his chuckles and grins, rather appeared to enjoy the work cut out for him.  In a few minutes they had driven to their separate destinations; Ripton was left to the unusual exercise of his fancy.  Such is the nature of youth and its thirst for romance, that only to act as a subordinate is pleasant.  When one unfurls the standard of defiance to parents and guardians, he may be sure of raising a lawless troop of adolescent ruffians, born rebels, to any amount.  The beardless crew know that they have not a chance of pay; but what of that when the rosy prospect of thwarting their elders is in view?  Though it is to see another eat the Forbidden Fruit, they will run all his risks with him.  Gaily Ripton took rank as lieutenant in the enterprise, and the moment his heart had sworn the oaths, he was rewarded by an exquisite sense of the charms of existence.  London streets wore a sly laugh to him.  He walked with a dandified heel.  The generous youth ogled aristocratic carriages, and glanced intimately at the ladies, overflowingly happy.  The crossing-sweepers blessed him.  He hummed lively tunes, he turned over old jokes in his mouth unctuously, he hugged himself, he had a mind to dance down Piccadilly, and all because a friend of his was running away with a pretty girl, and he was in the secret.