Hey-day! cried Sir Charles, staring at her with great surprise: what's the meaning of all this? Do you think these fellows will mind your fine speeches, niece?
I hope they will, sir, said she: then, pulling her cousin—Show yourself, for Heaven's sake, miss, pursued she, and second my assurances, that we are not forced away. These generous men come to fight for our deliverance.
The highwaymen, who were near enough to hear Arabella's voice, though they could not distinguish her words, gazed on her with great surprise; and, finding they would be very well received, thought fit to abandon their enterprise, and galloped away as fast as they were able. Some of the servants made a motion to pursue them; but Mr. Glanville forbad it; and, entering again into the coach, congratulated the ladies upon the escape they had had.
Since these men, said Arabella, did not come to deliver us, out of a mistaken notion, that we were carried away by force, it must necessarily follow, they had some bad design; and I protest I know not who to suspect is the author of it, unless the person you vanquished, said she to Mr. Glanville, the other day in a single combat; for the disguised Edward, you assured me, is dead. But perhaps, continued she, it was some lover of Miss Glanville's who designed to make an attempt to carry her away. Methinks he was too slenderly attended for such an hazardous undertaking.
I'll assure you, madam, said Miss Glanville, I have no lovers among highwaymen.
Highwaymen! repeated Arabella.
Why, aye, to be sure, madam, rejoined Sir Charles: what do you take them for?
For persons of quality, sir, resumed Arabella; and though they came, questionless, either upon a good or bad design, yet it cannot be doubted but that their birth is illustrious; otherwise they would never pretend either to fight in our defence, or to carry us away.
I vow, niece, said Sir Charles, I can't possibly understand you.
My cousin, sir, interrupted Mr. Glanville, has been mistaken in these persons; and has not yet, possibly, believed them to be highwaymen who came to rob us.