“She is affording protection to my mother. Yes,” added the lad, after a pause, “I must go there.”
Sir Godfrey remained silent.
“Father.”
“Yes.”
“You frightened me by being so still.”
“I was only thinking, Scarlett,” replied Sir Godfrey, sadly—“thinking I was wrong to speak as I did. There, I have fought my best, and it is my turn to lie down. I would we were both prisoners in such good hands.”
“Then you consent to my going, father?”
There was another pause before Sir Godfrey said in a low, weary voice—
“Yes, my boy; you must throw yourself upon their mercy. This is no time to nurse one’s hatred against one’s foes. When shall you start?”
“Directly I can get unseen from the opening, for you must have refreshment, father, and it is absolutely necessary that I should be back to-night.”