"Ferdinand," said Louis, "it is not necessary to disturb your sister so early as she intimates. I have business at Morewick,—it is only a few miles off,—I shall take a horse immediately; and return—" His lip became convulsed, and he could not proceed.
"Why, what is the matter at Morewick?" hastily inquired the young Spaniard; "Your family are at Lindisfarne!"
"All excepting Cornelia. But spare me further questions. When we meet again—" Again he interrupted himself, and then resumed in a more collected voice. "Rest is necessary, both for your mother and your sister, after the hard travelling of three such days; therefore, do not allow them to be disturbed till noon. I shall be with you long, very long, before that!"
"This is very strange, de Montemar!" said Ferdinand, with rather a tone of offended pride.
"For no other cause than the one that impels me," returned Louis, "would I leave their side. But when you know it, they and you will pardon and pity me."
"I ask no farther," said Ferdinand.
CHAP. XXIII.
The horse was fleet that carried Louis that dreary night, without star, or guide of any kind, over the lonely heaths which lay between Alnwick, and the little bye road which led through Warkworth to Morewick hall. But he knew every dell and dingle in that near neighbourhood; and without once going out of the direct track, soon found himself under the tall elms of the avenue, which now groaned in the blast around the old walls that sheltered his outlawed friend.