"My father fought for the king in the first Civil War," I replied. "But I have stayed at home all my life. I have not interested myself in politics. I have helped to look after what remains of my father's estates." "You have spent your life in idleness?" "I have sought to learn those things which may become a gentleman," I replied. "I can use a sword, and I am not altogether an ignoramus." "You love books then?" "I have read the writings of both William Shakespeare and John Milton," I replied, "and I know a little of such writings of Corneille and Molière as have been brought to this country." "You know French then?" "A little. But that hath nothing to do with my desire to befriend you. You are in trouble, and I would help you." "You desire not to harm me?" "So help me God, no." "But why are you here?" she asked suspiciously. "If your home is at Epping Forest, what are you doing at Folkestone?" "I came at my father's bidding," I replied after a moment's hesitation. "Ah, you have a secret, too," she cried. At this I was silent, while I wondered at the quickness with which she fastened upon the truth. Nevertheless, I was sure her voice was friendly, and I thought she was glad to have me near. And this was no wonder, for courageous although she might be, her mission was one which must strike terror in the bravest heart. But still she hesitated. What was passing in her mind I knew not; but I imagined that two fears fought one against the other in her heart. One, the fear of going alone to the haunted house situated amid the great Pycroft woods, and the other the fear of accepting the protection of one of whom she knew nothing, and whom she had never seen until that hour. The winds blew colder, while away in the distance I heard the rumble of thunder, and this I think decided her. Had it been day I do not believe she would have listened to me for a moment, but it was night and a thunderstorm was sweeping towards us; besides, although a courageous one, she was still a woman. "Promise me again that you will not seek to interfere with my mission, or to harm me," she said. "I promise," I replied. "I will accept your escort," she said. "Come quickly, for what is done must be done quickly." We walked together across the broad open land, while the black cloud grew larger and larger. The moon had also sunk low, and the night had grown dark. Even now a strange feeling comes into my heart as I think of our journey towards the old house, for reared in the country as I had been, ay, and in the very midst of the great forest which lies east of London town, I thought I never knew any place so lonely as this. Besides, I knew naught of my companion. That she was young, and fair to look upon, I could not help seeing, but I knew not her name, neither did I understand the mystery which surrounded her life.