The Chimes
a retail Friend and Father. “I wonder you an’t ashamed of yourself to carry such practices into a New Year. If you haven’t any business in the world, but to be always giving way, and always making disturbances between man and wife, you’d be better out of it. Go along with you.”
“Follow her! To desperation!”
Again the old man heard the voices. Looking up, he saw the figures hovering in the air, and pointing where she went, down the dark street.
“She loves it!” he exclaimed, in agonised entreaty for her. “Chimes! she loves it still!”
“Follow her!” The shadow swept upon the track she had taken, like a cloud.
He joined in the pursuit; he kept close to her; he looked into her face. He saw the same fierce and terrible expression in her eyes. He heard her say, “Like Lilian! To be changed like Lilian!” and her speed redoubled.
O, for something to awaken her! For any sight, or sound, or scent, to call up tender recollections in a brain on fire! For any gentle image of the Past to rise before her!
“I was her father! I was her father!” cried the old man, stretching out his hands to the dark shadows flying on above. “Have mercy on her, and on me! Where does she go? Turn her back! I was her father!”
But they only pointed to her, as she hurried on; and said,120
