it had occurred to me last night

He said this, musing, in a low, frightened voice; and walked across the little room. 'And yet,' he added, 'Mas'r Davy, I have felt so sure as she was living - I have know'd, awake and sleeping, as it was so trew that I should find her - I have been so led on by it, and held up by it - that I doen't believe I can have been deceived. No! Em'ly's alive!' He put his hand down firmly on the table, and set his sunburnt face into a resolute expression. 'My niece, Em'ly, is alive, sir!' he said, steadfastly. 'I doen't know wheer it comes from, or how 'tis, but I am told as she's alive!' He looked almost like a man inspired, as he said it. I waited for a few moments, until he could give me his undivided attention; and then proceeded to explain the precaution, that, it had occurred to me last night, it would be wise to take. 'Now, my dear friend -'I began. 'Thankee, thankee, kind sir,' he said, grasping my hand in both of his. 'If she should make her way to London, which is likely - for where could she lose herself so readily as in this vast city; and what would she wish to do, but lose and hide herself, if she does not go home? -' 'And she won't go home,' he interposed, shaking his head mournfully. 'If she had left of her own accord, she might; not as It was, sir.' 'If she should come here,' said I, 'I believe there is one person, here, more likely to discover her than any other in the world. Do you remember - hear what I say, with fortitude - think of your great object! - do you remember Martha?' 'Of our town?' I needed no other answer than his face. 'Do you know that she is in London?' 'I have seen her in the streets,' he answered, with a shiver. 'But you don't know,' said I, 'that Emily was charitable to her, with Ham's help, long before she fled from home. Nor, that, when we met one night, and spoke together in the room yonder, over the way, she listened at the door.' 'Mas'r Davy!' he replied in astonishment. 'That night when it snew so hard?' 'That night. I have never seen her since. I went back, after parting from you, to speak to her, but she was gone. I was unwilling to mention her to you then, and I am now; but she is the person of whom I speak, and with whom I think we should communicate. Do you understand?' 'Too well, sir,' he replied. We had sunk our voices, almost to a whisper, and continued to speak in that tone.