“Do you feel strong enough for a journey, Richard?” she asked.
“To the world's end, Dolly, if you will but go with me.”
She smiled faintly. “I have sent off for my Lord and Mr. Fox, and pray that one of them may be here presently.”
Scarcely greater were the visible signs of apprehension upon Mrs. Manners. Her first care, and Dorothy's, was to catechise me most particularly on my state. And whilst they were so occupied Mr. Marmaduke entered, wholly frenzied from fright, and utterly oblivious to his own blame in the matter. He was sent out again directly. After that, with Aunt Lucy to assist, they hurriedly packed what few things might be taken. The costly relics of Arlington Street were untouched, and the French clock was left on the mantel to tick all the night, and for days to come, in a silent and forsaken room; or perhaps to greet impassively the King's officers when they broke in at the door. But I caught my lady in the act of wrapping up the Wedgwood cups and dishes.
In the midst of these preparations Mr. Fox was heard without, and was met at the door by Dorothy. Two sentences sufficed her to tell him what had occurred, and two seconds for this man of action to make his decision.
“In an hour you shall have travelling chaises here, Dorothy,” he said. “You must go to Portsmouth, and take ship for Lisbon. And if Jack does not arrive, I will go with you.”
“No, Charles, you must not!” she cried, her emotion conquering her for the nonce. “That might be to ruin your career, and perchance to lose your life. And suppose we were to escape, what would they say of you!”
“Fish!” Charles retorted, to hide some feelings of his own; “once our rebel is out of the country, they may speak their minds. They have never lacked for names to call me, and I have been dubbed a traitor before now, my dear lady.”
He stepped hastily to the bed, and laid his hand on me with affection.
“Charles,” I said, “this is all of a piece with your old recklessness. You were ever one to take any risk, but I will not hear of such a venture as this. Do you think I will allow the hope of all England to be staked for a pirate? And would you break our commander of her rank? All that Dorothy need do at Portsmouth is to curtsey to the first skipper she meets, and I'll warrant he will carry us all to the antipodes.”