"Don't be so confident till we're sure she's safe off. It may be only a trap to catch us. How know we he hasn't followed to bring her back again, and so win favour from his princely patron. I wouldn't wonder if it's something of that kind. For in what other way is his conduct to be accounted for?" "Heaven help us if it be that! But I won't--can't believe it." "Well, we shall soon know, now. If Win get away, I'll think better of Rej Trevor than I've ever done." "If she do, to-morrow's sun may see soldiers here in green uniforms, with red ones as their prisoners, and you and I, sister, will have done something for the good cause--for Liberty!" In her most tranquil mien Sabrina Powell was an imposing personage; but now, excited to enthusiasm by the word "Liberty" on her lips, and its inspiration in her heart, with her grand eyes aglow, she looked its very Goddess. She had finished her toilette, and stood at the window, a front one, commanding view of the avenue and entrance gate of the park. But not long was she there before seeing that which brought a black shadow upon her brow, with chill fear into her heart. "Oh, Vaga?" she called to her sister, still at the mirror, "come hither! See what's down yonder!" The summons, in tone almost of agony, drew the other instantly to her side, with tresses trailing. To see three horsemen, who had just passed through the gate, and were coming on for the house. They rode abreast; he in the middle being in sombre civilian garb, the two who flanked him wearing the scarlet uniform of the soldiers already around the house. "'Tis Rees!" exclaimed Sabrina, recognising the groom. "They've taken him prisoner!" "Indeed, yes; 'tis he. Oh, sister, dear! if father should be coming home now? I hope he's still in Gloucester!" Vain hope; almost on the instant to know disappointment. For before those already entered were half-way up the long avenue, more red coats were seen riding through the gate, in their midst a man in dark dress-- he, too, evidently conducted as a prisoner. "'Tis father!" CHAPTER SIXTY. QUARTERED UPON THE ENEMY. Night had descended over Hollymead. A dark night, too, though there was no lack of light inside the house or around it. Nearing November the atmosphere had a frosty feel, and great wood fires were burning in the wide chimney places of the reception rooms. Without, in the centre of the courtyard, a very bonfire had been kindled, which sent its red glare and glow to the most distant corner of the inclosure. Around this were seated or standing, in every variety of attitude, such of the common soldiers of the escort as were not upon duty. Carousing, of course. For the rank and file of the Royalist army, especially that portion of it which acted under Rupert, followed the fashion of their officers; and one of the affectations of Cavalierism was to display a superior capacity for indulgence in drink.