“Yes,” he said, with a half-laugh. “I had to swim across part of the lake.”
“Oh, my boy, my boy, how did you get here?” whispered Lady Markham.
“Oh, I found a way, mother dear.”
“But your father? Oh! There is no bad news?”
“No, no; don’t tremble so. He is quite well, and not many miles away.”
“Thank Heaven!” she sighed; “but, Scar, my darling, you do not know.”
“Oh yes, I do, dear,” he said calmly; “the house is full of rebels, and they have their outposts everywhere. I have had a fine task to get here without being seen.”
“And you must not stay a moment, my darling. You must escape before you are discovered.”
“Hush! don’t speak so loudly; we may be heard. There is no danger, if you keep still.”
“But, Scar, my boy, why have you run this terrible risk?”