'We should be better without women,' said Barnaby, grumbling; 'I would as lief have a woman on shipboard as in a camp. To be sure, if Dad has set his heart upon it--and then he will not stay long in camp, where the cursing of the men is already loud enough to scare a preacher out of his cassock. Dad, I say'----But my father was fallen again into a kind of rapture, and heard nothing. 'When doth the Duke begin his march?' he said suddenly. 'I know not. But we shall find him, never fear.' 'I must have speech with him at the earliest possible time. Hours are precious, and we waste them--we waste them.' 'Well, Sir, it is bedtime. To-morrow we can ride; unless, because it is the Sabbath, you would choose to wait till Monday. And as to the women, by your leave, it is madness to bring them to a camp.' 'Wait till Monday? Art thou mad, Barnaby? Art thou mad? Why, I have things to tell the Duke. Shall we waste eight precious hours? Up! let us ride all night. To-morrow is the Sabbath, and I will preach. Yea--I will preach. My soul longeth--yea, even it fainteth, for the Courts of the Lord. Quick! quick! let us mount and ride all night!' At this moment Humphrey joined us. 'Lads,' said Sir Christopher, 'you are fresh from Holland. Knew you aught of this?' 'Sir,' said Humphrey, 'I confess that I have already told Dr. Eykin what to expect. I knew that the Duke was coming. Robin did not know, because I would not drag him into the conspiracy. I knew that the Duke was coming, and that without delay. I have myself had speech in Amsterdam with his Grace, who comes to restore the Protestant religion and to give freedom of worship to all good Protestant people. His friends have promises of support everywhere. Indeed, Sir, I think that the expedition is well planned, and is certain of support. Success is in the hands of the Lord; but we do not expect that there will be any serious opposition. With submission, Sir, I am under promise to join the Duke. I came over in advance to warn his friends, as I rode from London, of his approach. Thousands are waiting in readiness for him. But, Sir, of all this, I repeat, Robin knew nothing. I have been for three months in the counsels of those who desire to drive forth the Popish King, but Robin have I kept in the dark.' 'Humphrey,' said Robin, reproachfully, 'am not I, also, a Protestant?' CHAPTER XV. A NIGHT AND MORNING.