"Why do you say twelve hours?" "Read that." It was the note she had just written; and, soon as the other had run her eyes over it, she added,-- "Now you understand?" "I do. But how is it to be taken there?" "By Winny. It's just for that I gave Rees orders to send her up." "Couldn't Rees have taken it himself? On horseback he would go much faster." "True, he might, if permitted to start. But he wouldn't be--not the least likelihood of it. If he return to the house--which I hope he won't--they'll not let him leave it again. But Win will do better every way. We can trust her, and for speed she'll get to her journey's end quick as any courier on horseback. She knows all the short cuts and by-ways through the Forest. That will be in her favour to save time-- besides safety otherwise. The fear I have is her not being at home. What a pity we didn't know of their coming, when she was with us in the morning!" "Perhaps not so much," rejoined Vaga, whose subtle ear had caught the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs; two sets of them, as told by the lighter and heavier tread. "That's Win now coming up with Gwenth. I'm almost sure of it." In a few seconds after both were sure of it, as the opened door discovered their maid outside on the landing with the cadgeress close behind. "Oh, Win! we're so glad!" exclaimed the sisters in a breath, as she was ushered into the room. "Glad o' what, my ladies?" asked the woman, with a puzzled look. She did not understand how they could be joyful under the circumstances. "At your being here," answered Sabrina. "We were afraid you might not be at home, or unable to come to us." "Well, mistress, I wor at home, an' comed soon's I got your message. But my comin' wor nigh all bein' for nothin'." "How so?" "The Cavaliere sodgers warn't for lettin' me in o' the house, nor yet through the back gate. They ha' got sentries all roun'. Besides, the yard be full o' them wi' their horses, an' their imperence too." "They were impudent to you?" "'Deed, yes, my ladies. Swored at me, an' said I mauna set foot inside the gate." "You see what courteous guests we've got, sister?" said Vaga. "The attendants of a Prince! I thought it would end so." "Me tried to get past they," continued the cadgeress, "by tellin' a bit fib. I sayed us wor the washwoman come for the clothes." "How clever!" exclaimed Vaga, admiringly. "Not much o' that, mistress. Anyways it warn't no use. Them wouldn't allow me in after all; if't hadn't been for a young officer, who chanced be near, an' ordered they let me pass. He spoke me kindly too, which wor the strangest thing o' all." "Why strange?" asked Sabrina. "On account o' who him wor, my lady." "Who?" "Captain Trevor, the one's used to come to Hollymead fores the war." She had no need to particularise which. The sisters knew, and exchanged glances; that of the elder showing a peculiar intelligence.