Through the roar of the storm I thought I heard the gallop of a horse. Major Lockwood lifted his eyes from his letters, fixing them on the rain-washed window.
Certainly a horseman had now pulled up at our very porch; Mr. Hunt laid aside his book very deliberately and walked to the parlour door, and a moment later the noise of the metal knocker outside rang loudly through the house.
We were now all rising and moving out into the hall, as though a common instinct of coming trouble impelled us. The black servant opened; a drenched messenger stood there, blinking in the candle light.
Major Lockwood went to him instantly, and drew him in the door; and they spoke together in low and rapid tones.
Mrs. Lockwood murmured in my ear:
"It's one of Luther's men. There is bad news for us from below, I warrant you."
We heard the Major say:
"You will instantly acquaint Colonels Thomas and Sheldon with this news. Tell Captain Fancher, too, in passing."
The messenger turned away into the storm, and Major Lockwood called after him:
"Is there no news of Moylan's regiment?"