I came near to betraying mine emotion; but controlled myself in time and asked:—"But where doth Lord Stanley keep his camp?"
"To the North and West about a mile, sir."
I muttered a prayer of thanksgiving for mine escape from falling into the hands of mine enemies, and wheeling our horses about we retraced our steps until we came upon the road that we had left at the direction of the yeoman. This we pursued for some little distance, and then we beheld Lord Stanley's camp before us.
We rode up to before the noble Lord's tent and to the guard before the door I gave my name and asked to be admitted.
The soldier had scarcely entered when out rushed Harleston.
"Ah! my dear friends!" he cried to Michael and me, "how is it that I have the delight of having ye both here? Methought ye were with the noble Earl," and he nodded to the westward.
"But why are ye so glum; hath aught gone amiss?" he asked, with an anxious look.
"Ay, Frederick, everything has gone amiss." And then I told him all the sad news.
When I had finished he stood gazing thoughtfully before him. Then he put his hand upon my shoulder, and tenderly he said:—
"I need not tell thee to be brave; that thou ever art. But console thee I may. Bethink thee now of that which shall happen to-morrow. Then shalt thou have thy revenge; for the noble Richmond is not one to let go, with his head upon his shoulders, such an one as Catesby."