"And Miss Curwen?" I asked. "What of her, since you come with us?"
"She will be safe at home now," said he, "and Mary Tyson is there to bear her company."
"She will be safe, no doubt," said I, "so long as we keep the upper hand."
We were by this time come to the top of the hill, and Dorothy was already talking to Lord Derwentwater.
"So," says he, coming forward and taking Mr. Curwen by the hand, "here are the four of us proscribed."
"We will wear our warrants for an order at St. James's Palace," cries Dorothy; and at that moment the trumpet sounded.
A brief leave-take between Dorothy and her father, and we were marching down the hill, Mr. Curwen joined to the Gentlemen Volunteers, his six henchmen enrolled in Lord Derwentwater's troop.
Dorothy remained behind upon the hilltop with the servant who was to convey her home, and though we marched away with our backs towards her, I none the less gathered, as we went, some very distinct impressions of her appearance. Nor can it be said that they were the outcome of my recollections. For when I first saw her riding towards the hill, I was only conscious that it was she riding towards me, and very wonderful it seemed. And afterwards, when I heard her voice, I was only conscious that it was she who was talking, and very wonderful that seemed too. But I did not remark the particulars of her appearance. Now as we were marching away, I gained very distinct impressions, as for instance of: item a little cocked hat like a man's, only jauntier; item a green riding-coat; item a red waistcoat, etc. The truth is, my head was turned backwards all the time, and we had not advanced more than a couple of hundred yards before my horse was turned in the same direction. For I let myself fall to the rear until I was on the edge of the troops, and then faced about and fairly galloped back to her.
She was looking with great intentness in the direction precisely opposite to that from which I came; and as I halted by her side:
"Oh!" said she, turning in the most perfect surprise, "I did not think that it would be you. I expected it would be my father."