"It is very dark and the way is strange to us," she said, sadly and fearfully.
"Well, fortune has given us gentle masters, at least," Martha murmured.
"Yes—kind and good——"
"What if the Queen should hear of this?"
"Oh, Lord!" And at that moment came a soft knocking at the window. Both girls started. "What's that?" More knocking! "Gracious heaven! I am nearly dead with fear," Martha whispered, looking stealthily about. Nancy pointed to the window.
"Look——" Martha looked.
"Tristram—Sir Tristram!" she whispered excitedly. "Open the window. I can't move, I am so scared. Now, he'll rave—and I can't resent it. We deserve anything he may say." Nancy opened the window, and Sir Tristram stepped in softly, upon receiving a caution from the girls.
"Lady Harriet, this is most monstrous."
"Oh, my soul! Don't we know it. Don't wake the farmers up, in heaven's name! Things are bad enough without making them worse."
"Yes, let us fly, and make as little row about it as we can," Nancy implored.