This angry colloquy took place in the hall, and was overheard by several of the servants, who were ready to rush to Charles Radclyffe's assistance should he need them. Just then Jesmond and Hedgeley came in, and the magistrates called out to them. Profiting by this interval, Father Norham urged the rash young man to fly, and he yielded to the counsel. Drawing his sword, he ran along a passage communicating with the terrace. But he was quickly followed both by the magistrates and the officers, and it seemed that a conflict would take place on the terrace, for the servants were likewise hurrying to the same spot. The windows of the dining-room, in which the countess was still sitting, commanded the scene of action, and hearing a noise she came forward to see what was taking place. She beheld Charles Radclyffe standing there, with his drawn sword, threatening any one who approached him. Feeling however, that if any catastrophe occurred the consequences would be disastrous, he formed a different resolution, and at once acted upon it. Springing to the side of the terrace, that bordered the ravine, he flung his sword into the hollow, and then plunged down the rocky sides of the abyss, certain no one would follow him in this perilous descent. Those who looked down from the terrace, saw him reach the banks of the Devil's Water in safety, pick up his sword, and then disappear among the bushes. Jesmond, who had drawn a pistol, would have fired at him, but this Sir William Lorraine would not allow. “Capture him, if you can,” he said. “But he must not be wounded--unless he resists.” But it did not appear likely that anything more would be seen of him. VI.--HOW CHARLES RADCLYFFE JOINED THE EARL AT THE HUT. |AFTER slumbering tranquilly for three or four hours in the arm-chair Lord Derwentwater roused himself, and breakfasted with a very good appetite on the simple fare provided for him by Dame Blacklaw. He next occupied himself in examining some papers which he carried in a small portfolio, and was still thus employed when Cheviot, who had never left him, suddenly raised his head, and gave a low growl. “He hears something,” observed Dame Blacklaw. “But there can be no danger, or Nathan would have come to warn your lordship.” After listening for a moment, Cheviot got up and began to whine, and the door being opened, he rushed forth and a joyous bark was instantly heard outside. Curious to learn who was there, Lord Derwentwater hastily put up his papers, and went out. To his great surprise, he found the new-comer was his brother, who told him in a few words what had taken place, and though the earl blamed him for his imprudence, he felt greatly enraged against Sir William Lorraine. “I should like to drive these magistrates from the castle,” he said. “If you are of that mind, it may still be done,” rejoined Charles. “But for your express orders to the contrary, I would have shut the gates, and shown them fight.”