Brooke was conscious of a sense of profound relief as he went out of the castle and away from Dolores.
On reaching the gate, Brooke explained to the guard that he and the lady were going out for a little walk.
The guard suggested that there might be danger.
Brooke said that he was not going far away, and that he would be back. In this he was not deceiving them, for he himself thought that he would be coming back again. He had a vague idea of keeping Talbot in the tower, and conveying her food, etc., from the castle, as he had done once before.
He now passed through the gates, accompanied by Talbot. The course which he took was the same that he had taken on the occasion of his first visit to the Carlists in his disguise of priest. After walking for some distance they descended into the chasm, and at length reached the bottom. By this time it was dusk, and twilight was coming on rapidly.
They then began the ascent, and reached the tower without any difficulty.
Here they paused to take breath.
But no sooner had they stood still than they were aware of a noise without. It was a noise rather distant, yet well defined, and sounded as if a multitude were approaching the place.
"Some one's coming," said Talbot.
"Yes," said Brooke; "we must go back."