"Again, madam, let me say, I am under orders; it is not I but my King who commands this. Once more, follow me, or by Heaven!" he cried, getting angry too at the delay, "I will recall those cruel men, as you call them, and leave you to their mercies."
"God's will be done, and may He show you more mercy than you show your fellow-creatures."
And with these words, followed by the officer, she went to her room and enveloped herself in a large Stuart tartan plaid, then, as slowly as she could, she descended, following the officer; behind her walked the two ruffians she so feared, barring all chance of escape. A carriage stood at the door, into it she was hurried; one of the men got up in front by the driver, a young lad of twenty, the other behind, she and the officer inside, and they drove off.
During the dialogue between the officer and his sister Johnny had stood in mute astonishment. Once he had neared the fender, and thought of seizing a poker and dealing a blow on the man's skull, but at that moment the two others entered, and he saw the uselessness of the attempt. When the end came, and his sister was gone, he still stood undecided. Maude had sunk down on the floor, where she was sobbing as if her little heart would break.
"What is to be done, Maude?" said Johnny, in a trembling voice.
"Oh, they will murder her! they will kill my own Ellen! Run, Johnny, run for help! Mr. Lennox, oh, run!"
"You are right," said Johnny, "you are right, I will run;" and rushing down stairs, he ran as if all the fiends were after him.
Mr. Lennox was just entering his house, where he had been dropped by Mr. Ravensworth, whose carriage passed Johnny on his way.
"Come!—for God's sake, come, Mr. Lennox!—quick, quick!—they have taken away Ellen!—they are murdering her!"
"Why, Johnny, what is all this excitement about? Be calm, young man, be calm!"