"They are saddled and standing in the yard."
"Come then," and both left the room without another word.
At that moment the farmer's wife came into the kitchen again. Thinking it would be unwise to tell her our reason for leaving suddenly, I threw two guineas on the table, and then with a hurried good-bye left.
By this time the sound had become nearer, and my conjecture became confirmed.
"It may not be you they are after," she said; "they would hardly come so far."
Perhaps she was right. I remembered that hours ere this papers might have been placed in Hugh Pyper's hands commanding him to set me at liberty.
"Still it will be safer farther south," I said.
By this time we had mounted our horses and were galloping along the farm lane which led to the high road. She whom in my heart I called my love was still clothed in her long gray cloak, her face still hidden from my sight. All weakness seemed to have left her now; she was the embodiment of resolution, and courage, and strength.
The sounds of pursuers became fainter and more distant.