"Roy," she said, "that was in times of peace, before this terrible emergency had arisen. As a woman, I shrink from bloodshed and everything that suggests it. It has been my constant dread that you, my boy, should follow your father's profession. `My boy a soldier!' I said, as I lay sleepless of a night, and I felt that I could not bear the thought. But Heaven's will be done, my son. The time has come when my weak, womanly fears must be crushed down, and I must fulfil my duty as your dear father's wife. We cannot question his wisdom. A terrible crisis has come upon our land, and we must protect ourselves and those who will look to us for help. Then, too, your father calls upon us to try to save his estate here from pillage and the ruthless wrecking of wicked men. Roy, my boy, I hope I shall not be such a weak woman now, but your help and strengthener, as you will be mine. You will not hurt my feelings, dear, in what you do. You see," she continued, smiling, as she laid her hand upon the hilt of the sword the lad had so hastily buckled on, "I do not wince and shudder now. Fate has decided upon your career, Roy, young as you are, and I know that my son's sword, like his father's, will never be drawn unless it is to protect the weak and maintain the right." "Never, mother," cried the boy, enthusiastically; and as Lady Royland tried to raise him, he sprang to his feet. "Oh," he cried, "I wish I were not such a boy!" "I do not," said his mother, smiling. "You are young, and I am only a woman, but our cause will make us strong, Roy. There," she continued, embracing him lovingly, "the time has come to act. You will consult with Martlet what to do about the defences at once, while I write back to your father. When do you think the men will be fit to go back?" "They'd go to-night, mother; they seem to be just the fellows; but their horses want two or three days' rest." "Roy!" "Yes, mother. It's a long journey, and they'll have to go by out-of-the-way roads to avoid attack." "But we have horses." "Yes, mother, but they would sooner trust their own." Lady Royland bowed her head. "The letters must go back by them," she said, "and they must start at the earliest minute they can. But there is another thing. It is right that Master Pawson should be taken into our counsels." "Master Pawson, mother?" "Yes, my boy. He is your father's trusted servant, and I must not slight any friends. Go and ask him to come here." "Can't," said Roy, shortly. "He went out this morning, and said he didn't think he would be back to dinner." "Indeed!" "Gone over to see the vicar." "Gone to Mr Meldew," said Lady Royland, whose face looked very grave. "Then it must be deferred till his return. Now, Roy, what will you do first?" "See to the gates, mother, and that no one goes out or comes in without leave." "Quite right, Captain Roy," said Lady Royland, smiling. The boy looked at her wonderingly.