'Us 'as enough shot to fight the battle o' Sedgemoor all over again,' declared the Cornishman.
'Then 'tis highly likely you won't pull the trigger once, Zacchary. But, Reuben, you need not fear these tales. The roads have been quieter, I think, since the coming and going of the King's men these months. My father and I came up to Kensington without being murdered on the coach steps. And, in any case, Captain Beckenham's servant is coming as outrider. From what I hear,' added Marion, 'he shoots three men at once.'
'Presarve 's!' said Zacchary. 'Like as not her'll shoot we, Mistress.'
Marion took up her quill. 'Be ready to start at eight o'clock,' she said briefly.
'Can't think what have come to the little maid,' mused Zacchary, as he lumbered downstairs in the wake of the delighted Reuben. 'Her's growing more like the Admur'l every day.'
Meanwhile Simone waited, sadly noting how soon the grave expression had overrun the smile with which her young mistress had talked to Zacchary.
'You had something to say, Simone?'
'Mademoiselle, have you thought about money?'
Marion laid down her pen again with an exclamation of dismay. 'I had quite forgotten money!'
'I had been wondering. You'll want a good deal, Mademoiselle.'