It was all done so quickly that she was staggered, and she had not recovered from her confusion when she felt herself forced into a carriage--the chaise, evidently, of which she had heard. Then came the banging of a door as she was held back by two strong arms, the swaying and jerking of the chaise as it went over rough ground and ruts. Then she realised that it swayed more than ever as they turned on to a hard road, and she could hear the dull, smothered rattle of the wheels and the tramp of horses' feet. She was a woman of plenty of strength of mind; but, for the time being, the fact of having fallen into this trap laid for Claire stunned her, and she felt a depressing dread. But by degrees this gave place to her returning courage, and she struggled furiously, but found that she was tightly held, and a deep voice she knew kept on bidding her to be patient--not to be alarmed--and the like. In the midst of her excitement she ceased struggling and lay back in the corner of the chaise thinking, for the adventure had now assumed a ludicrous aspect. It was dramatic--a scene that might have happened in a play, and she laughed as she thought of Major Rockley's rage and disappointment when he realised his mistake. "I'm not afraid of him," she thought, "and I hate him with all my heart. It is only waiting till we stop, and then the tables will be turned." "Ah, that's more sensible," came through the thick cloak. "Promise to be patient and not call out, and I will take off the cloak." It was very hot. She could hardly breathe, but she dreaded having it removed till she recalled how dark it was; that it must be even darker, shut up in the chaise, and that she had on her large lace mantilla, with which she could well cover her face. "Shall I take off the cloak?" was said, after they had stopped and changed horses; and, feeling that she must have air, she made a gesture with her hands, passing them up towards her face as she felt the great cloth-covering partly removed, and, as it was drawn away, carefully covering her face and neck with the scarf. "At last!" exclaimed her companion, trying to pass his arm round her, but she struck at him so fiercely that he desisted, and just then the chaise slackened speed. "What is it?" he cried, gripping his prisoner's arm with one hand, as he leaned forward and let down a front window. "Like us to go on as fast as this, Captain? Road's getting a bit hilly." "Yes, and faster, you fools. On, quick! What's that?" "Sounds like horses, sir, coming on behind." "Oh, not after us, but go on as fast as you can." The chaise rumbled on as the window was drawn up, and the sound of the horses deadened; but Rockley let down the window on his side of the vehicle and thrust out his head.