“No.”
“Oh, father! think of Lady Markham and of little Lil.”
“I have thought about them, my boy,” said the colonel, speaking in a slow, measured voice, “and I have three times over begged of the general to spare the Hall and its defenders, and to let us go on at once.”
“And what did he say?” cried Fred, eagerly.
“He asked me if it was the voice of duty speaking, or that of friendship, and what could I say?”
Fred looked at him piteously.
“How could I leave that nest of hornets to harass our rear, and gather a fresh and stronger force together, so as to be ready for the next detachment which comes along west. No, boy, I am obliged as an officer to agree with my superior that every man must be cleared out of that Hall before we can stir. Sir Godfrey Markham has his fate in his own hands.”
“What do you mean, father? Surrender?”
“Of course. He shall have due respect paid to him and his followers; but it is madness to expect it of him, even for their sake.”
“For their sake, father?”