CHAPTER XXXIV
A LIFE FOR A LIFE
That moment was brief, as all such great and happy moments are.
But a few seconds had passed since both her hands had rested in his, and he forgot the world in that one kiss upon her finger-tips.
The next instant a fast-approaching noise of hurrying footsteps, accompanied by much shouting, roused them from their dream.
Both through the back and the front door a crowd of excited soldiers had pushed their way into the inn, whilst the folk in the bar-parlour, attracted by the sudden noise, pressed out into the narrow passage to see what was happening.
John Stich, foremost amongst these, made a rush for Patience's side. She found herself suddenly pressed back towards the foot of the stairs, and face to face with a noisy group of village folk, through which the Sergeant and some half-dozen soldiers were roughly pushing their way.
She looked round her, helpless and bewildered. Jack Bathurst had disappeared.
The whole thing had occurred in the brief space of a few seconds, even before Patience had had time to realise that anything was amiss.
The narrow staircase, at the foot of which she now stood, led straight up to the private parlour, where Philip was even now awaiting her return.