“Hush, mother! the sentries may hear you speak. They are all around.”
“I will be careful, dear,” she whispered. “Then you must go? So soon?”
“Yes; and it is bad news to take to my father, but he will not care when he hears that you are safe and well. What’s that?”
He ran softly to the window, and they realised that he was barefooted, and only dressed in light breeches and shirt.
There was the sound of a challenge, a reply, and then the trampling of horses came through the open casement.
Lady Markham seized her son’s hand as he stood listening at the deep mullioned window, while Lil clung to the other.
“A fresh detachment joined, I suppose,” whispered Scarlett, as he drew back. “Perhaps I had better wait half an hour before I go back.”
“Oh, Scar, Scar!” half sobbed Lil.
“And you so cold and wet, my darling,” sighed Lady Markham.
“Pish! what of that. I don’t mind. I would not go so soon, for it is quite delightful to be with you again, but I must be right away before it’s light, and one never knows how far one may have to go round to escape notice from the enemy’s men. They seem to swarm about here, mother.”