Crown and Sceptre Part 64

"Coming home, Lil! Ah, who can say that? Well, I must soon be going.

If I stay, it is to be taken prisoner."

"My darling!"

"Hush, mother! the sentries may hear you speak. They are all around."

"I will be careful, dear," she whispered. "Then you must go? So soon?"

"Yes; and it is bad news to take to my father, but he will not care when he hears that you are safe and well. What's that?"

He ran softly to the window, and they realised that he was barefooted, and only dressed in light breeches and s.h.i.+rt.

There was the sound of a challenge, a reply, and then the trampling of horses came through the open cas.e.m.e.nt.

Lady Markham seized her son's hand as he stood listening at the deep mullioned window, while Lil clung to the other.

"A fresh detachment joined, I suppose," whispered Scarlett, as he drew back. "Perhaps I had better wait half an hour before I go back."

"Oh, Scar, Scar!" half sobbed Lil.

"And you so cold and wet, my darling," sighed Lady Markham.

"Pis.h.!.+ what of that. I don't mind. I would not go so soon, for it is quite delightful to be with you again, but I must be right away before it's light, and one never knows how far one may have to go round to escape notice from the enemy's men. They seem to swarm about here, mother."

Lady Markham could say nothing, only kiss and embrace her boy, torn as she was by conflicting emotions--the desire to keep him, and that of wis.h.i.+ng him safe away.

All at once, Scar started from his mother's encircling arm, and darted to the window, but only to draw back, for there were two sentinels talking just beneath.

Then he ran to the door, but drew back, for steps of armed men were heard coming along the corridor, and escape was cut off there.

"Caught," he said grimly. "Poor father will not get his news."

At that moment there was the sharp summons of a set of knuckles on the door.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

HOW LADY MARKHAM LEFT THE HALL.

"Hist!" whispered Lady Markham, in her agitation s.n.a.t.c.hing at the first straw that offered. "They may think we are asleep, and will go away."

Vain hope; there was another sharp rapping at the door.

"Answer," said Scarlett, in a low, firm voice. "Hear what they have to say."

"Who is there?"

"I, Fred Forrester, Lady Markham. Have the goodness to open."

"The traitor!" muttered Scar, glancing once more at the window, but the sounds from without told him that attempt to escape there was vain, for, if he dropped from the sill, the chances were that he would hurt himself, and even if he succeeded in reaching the ground unharmed, the alarm would be given by the sentinels, who would fire at him, and if they missed, there was a detachment of horse waiting to ride him down, for the steeds were stamping impatiently, and uttering a loud snort from time to time.

"Why am I disturbed at this time of the night?" said Lady Markham, trying to speak firmly and haughtily.

"I am sorry to have you disturbed, Lady Markham; but there is good reason. My mother is here."

"A ruse," said Scarlett, softly. "Never mind, dear. It is not the first time I have been a prisoner. It is madness to try to escape. I surrender."

"No, no," whispered Lady Markham. "You shall not." Then aloud. "I refuse to open my door at this time of night."

"Lady Markham, will you admit me alone to speak with you?" came now from outside.

"Hist!" whispered Scarlett. "They do not know I'm here. Open the door.

It will be best."

As soon as he had spoken, he ran toward the great bedstead, but came back and whispered quickly--

"Open, dear mother, and try to invent some plan to get them all away from this room. Then I can easily escape. Quick. Open."

He darted to the bedstead, and drew one of the head curtains round him; while driven, as it were, to obey the stronger will of her son, urged, too, by his words about escape, Lady Markham went to the door, opened it, and Mistress Forrester stepped in, to pause for a moment, then, forgetful of everything but their old friends.h.i.+p in the happy days, she threw her arms about the trembling woman, and kissed her pa.s.sionately.

"I have come to fetch you and dear Lilian," she said, "at my son's wish.

He has obtained permission from the general, and horses are waiting.

You are to come at once."

"Come--leave my husband's house?"

"Hus.h.!.+ do not oppose the plan," said Mistress Forrester, gently. "This is no longer a place for you. Perhaps for some time to come it may be the retreat of rough soldiery. My home is so near, and you will be at peace."

"I cannot leave my husband's home," said Lady Markham, firmly.

"You must," said her visitor. "It is for Lilian's sake as well as your own."

For Lilian's sake? Yes, and it was for Scarlett's sake. For what had he said? Get them away from this room, and he could escape. How or when she had no idea. All she knew was that he had said decidedly that he could, and she must believe him.

"Ah, you are hesitating!" said Mistress Forrester, tenderly. "You are thinking of enemies. What is this warfare to us? We are mothers, and our duty is toward our children. Say that you will come and stay with me in peace till better times are here."

Lady Markham hesitated no longer. It was a way of escape for her son, and protection for herself and daughter. Besides which, the old sisterly affection was as warm as ever.

"He would tell me to go, if he were here," she said to herself. "It is to save my boy;" and without another word she laid her hand in her visitor's.

Mistress Forrester kissed her eagerly, embraced Lilian, who stood there trembling and cold, and then ran to the door.

"Fred, my boy," she said quickly; "have all ready. Lady Markham will come."

There was the first sense of relief to the trembling mother's overladen heart as she heard the tramp of men in the corridor, and she glanced quickly toward the curtains which concealed her son.

"It will leave the way open for his escape," she said to herself. Then to Mistress Forrester, as she pointed at the farther door--

"Two of the servants who have remained with me through the troubles are there," she said.