"Oh! that would have been of no use. I did urge it on him--far as I could becomingly. But he had one of his obstinate, pig-headed fits upon him that day, and would listen to no reason. It's not pleasant having to speak so of him, whom we both look forward to as our future father-in-law; but when he's in that frame of mind Heaven and earth wouldn't move him. Nor the devil frighten him either. You remember how he braved Lunsford, and that precious cousin of yours, when they came to collect the King's loan. True, he had us, and something besides, at his back. But without that he'd have defied them all the same; ay, had the whole Royalist army been there threatening him with instant death." "That I fully believe. Yet one cannot help admiring his independence of spirit--so much of manhood in it, and so rare!" "Ay, true. But in that case too much recklessness. It has begot danger, and may bring disaster upon all of us--if it hasn't already." The last words, spoken in a grave, almost despondent tone, fell unpleasantly on the ear of Eustace Trevor, already sufficiently apprehensive of the thing hinted at. "In what way, colonel?" he queried anxiously. "Are you thinking of any special danger?" "I am, indeed; and to our dear ones." "But how? From what--whom?" "Rather ask `from where?' and I'll answer `Monmouth.' Now that the Royalists are masters there, almost for certain they'll be raiding up into the Forest; and likely, too likely, a party pay visit to Hollymead. That, as you know, Trevor, were danger enough to those we have fears for?" "But now that their father has gone to fetch them away? He should be there long before this." "And long before this may be too late. Just what I'm most anxious about--the time of his arrival at Hollymead; for I know he won't stay there an instant. Poor man! he's sadly repentant of his imprudent act, and will make all haste to bring them back with him. The fear is of the flood having delayed him too long at starting--my fear." "Good Heavens?" exclaimed the young officer; "let us hope not." "If Massey were here," continued the other, a thought striking him, "I'd ask leave to go after him. Indeed, I feel half-inclined to take it, without asking." "And why not, Colonel? We could be at Ruardean and back before morning--riding at a pace." Sir Richard was silent, seeming to ponder. Only for a few seconds; when, as if resolved, he sprang to his feet, saying,-- "I'll risk it, whatever the result. And we shall start at once, taking our own fellows along with us. Hubert!" Quick as the call came the trumpeter from aft ante-room, where he had stayed in waiting. To receive the order,-- "To the men's quarters, and sound the `Assembly'! Lose not a moment!"