"Tell the ladies not to be alarmed. Say that Mr Trevor and I have gone out to reason with those rude visitors of yours, and see what terms we can make with them. If they won't listen to--" Whatever the alternative meant he left it unspoken, for chancing to turn his eyes up the stairway, he there saw that he was being listened to already. On its lowest landing were the sisters, who had overheard all. They were coming down, and now came on; Sabrina gliding forward to the knight, and laying her hand on his shoulder. He had stepped a little apart to receive her, with anticipation of something she might have to say confidential, and with her, he, too, wanted a word of that kind. "Oh, Richard!" she tremblingly exclaimed, "what are you going to do? Nothing rash, I hope?" "Certainly not, dearest. Have you ever known me to act rashly?" "No; but now--" "Well, now. I'm not likely to change my ways. In what I intend there may be no danger after all. A little risk true, but for a big stake. No less than three thousand pounds these royal miscreants demand from your father, and will have it if we don't do something. But we will, and they won't get it--not this day, unless I'm mistaken about the men who are gathering outside. Ah! we'll match them, never fear." He then spoke some words in a whisper, not to be overheard by the servants still rushing to and fro, which seemed further to reassure her. "Now, love! let me go," he said, in conclusion. "There isn't a second to spare. Mr Trevor and I must out." She neither questioned nor tried to detain him longer. Whatever he meant doing, she could confide in him; if to fight, believed him capable of conquering the whole world, and wisely ruling it after. For the woman who loves there is no fancy too wild, no feat seeming impossible to him who has her heart. More constrained was the speech passing neat at hand, for there were three taking part in it. Yet not less anxious than her sister seemed Vaga,--if anything in greater distress about the danger apprehended. Possibly but for her father being beside her, she would have addressed Eustace Trevor in a strain similar to that of Sabrina appealing to Sir Richard. As it was her looks were eloquent of fear for him, mingled with a confidence in his power to hold his own, whatever was to happen. The scene was short--of not more than a minute's duration--and ended by the two gentlemen guests of Hollymead House making all haste out of it-- not by the front door, but one at back, which opened into the stable-yard. Soon as on its stoop, Sir Richard called out,--"Horses, Hubert! Quick!" And quick they came. In an instant after, Hubert was seen leading two out of their stalls, another pair being led behind by the servant of Eustace Trevor. Saddled and bridled all; for word had been sent out before, and everything was ready--even to the varlet having been warned by the veteran and gained over to the good cause, now his master's.