Barbara laughed mockingly behind mine host’s fat back while this conversation was toward. Her amusement increased as the game proceeded. She longed to add dramatic touches of her own, but prudently refrained. Nevertheless, she challenged the officer mischievously with her eyes, and he, accepting the challenge, cursed the lazy trooper roundly, rated mine host, and bade him keep sharp lookout lest the escort, missing the house, ride past unheeding. So they sat down to dinner, mocking at Fortune, jesting over the gulf which yawned at their feet. And Fortune, in revenge for their confidence, turned her wheel. For, as danger oft shows least when nearest to hand, scarcely had they commenced their meal when the sound of approaching horses broke upon their ears, and two minutes later after a confusion of shouts, the door was burst open, and mine host hurried into the room. "Your honour!" he cried joyously. "All is well. Your honour’s escort has arrived." Ralph dropped his knife with a rude clatter, and half started from his seat, while a quick gasp of fear escaped from Barbara’s white lips. Captain Protheroe paused for a moment, his glass to his lips; cool soldier though he was, his hand trembled and the red wine splashed over the brim and stained his sleeve. Then he turned on mine host with a sudden oath: "What mean you by this intrusion, blockhead?" he thundered. "Shut the door and say your say. What is’t?" "The escort, your honour," stammered mine host. "’Twas even as your honour supposed. They had mistaken the place, and would have ridden past, had I not hailed them, saying your honour was even here. They wait in the street below." "Let them wait, we cannot set out yet, before we have dined," retorted the captain sharply. "See the men have drink, and leave us. Shut the door behind you," he shouted as mine host left the room, "’tis most infernally cold here." Directly the door was closed, all three sprang to the window. ’Twas even as the man had said. In the street below six mounted troopers were drawn up; but their leader was not in sight, he stood talking to mine host at the door. "Heaven help us!" cried Ralph desperately. "What to do now, I wonder. What in heaven and earth can we do?" Barbara was silent, her eyes fixed on Captain Protheroe’s face. He strode the room fiercely as his custom was, in thought. Then he gave a short laugh. "So much for vainglorious boastings," he muttered. "Out of our own mouths we are betrayed. Certes, the game is against us now. We could hold the room—but that were folly. And escape is not to be thought on. Yet—Pah! what a fool! No. I see nought to be done, save wear a bold countenance, and play out the game to the end. ’Tis a wise maxim when the luck turns. And it may be the men have not yet heard——" Again the door was opened and mine host entered once more; the joyous importance had died from his face; he looked depressed and dubious.