"No; but still there are barriers insuperable to the success of such a love."
"To the brave?" asked Florence proudly.
"Yea, to the bravest."
"God alone knoweth what you all mean by this cruel enigma; but in three days I will set forth to solve it—to solve it or to die!"
The old doctor smiled at the young man's energy, and kindly offered the assistance of his arm to enable him to walk about the chamber, after obtaining from him his parole of honour, that without permission duly accorded he would not attempt to leave it or penetrate into other parts of the mansion.
The evening of the third day had faded into night, and night was passing into morning, when Master Posset appeared and said,—"Come, sir, horses are in waiting; we leave this immediately."
"In the dark?" asked Florence, with surprise.
"'Tis within an hour of dawn."
"A fresh mystery!—for whence—Stirling?"——"No."
"Whither then?"