“It is not fair to you to keep you shut up in this dreadful place. Let us give up, and— No, you can leave me safely in Fred Forrester’s hands. He will not hinder your escape.”
“No, father,” said Scarlett, sadly, “he will not.”
“What do you mean, my boy?”
“You know, father.”
“Yes,” said Sir Godfrey, after a pause; and his voice sounded sadly weak and broken. “I have prayed to him to escape, Fred; but he would never leave me, and he will not go now.”
“No, father! I will not go now,” said Scarlett, turning away.
There was silence for a few minutes, and then Fred said slowly, and in a discontented way—
“I’m very sorry, Sir Godfrey, but I’m too stupid to think of anything better. This is a terrible place; but I suppose you must be here till you grow strong enough to walk or ride. We shall have to bring you food and things as well as we can.”
“No, my boy,” said Sir Godfrey, sadly; “you must not compromise yourself by helping the enemy.”
“But, then, I don’t feel as if you are an enemy, Sir Godfrey. There, it’s of no use; come what may, I will help you.”