When she
answered that she was, he said I had sent him to watch for her and to
take her to Sir Richard's house, the snow being deep and the storm
violent. My name and Sir Richard's fell so glibly from the fellow's
tongue that she, suspecting nothing, entered the coach. Within three or
four minutes the coach stopped, but she thought nothing of it, supposing
the way was blocked.
While waiting, two men wrapped to their eyes in greatcoats came up, one
on either side of the coach, entered, threw a cloak over her head, and
bound her hand and foot. Immediately the coach started, but presently it
stopped again, and Frances had an opportunity to speak to the girl who
had come to see Betty. Fortunately a buttonhole in the cloak which the
men had thrown over Frances's head happened to fall over one of her eyes,
and thus enabled her to see the girl.
* * * * *
When our pursuers turned back, we reduced our speed, so that the journey
might be easier for Betty, who had moaned at every jolt, and when the
coach went smoother she fell asleep.
After we had all been silent for a long time, Frances said:--
"I have been thinking it all over, cousin Ned, and if Master Hamilton,
that is, George, wishes it, I will go with him, regardless of
consequences. I am tired of the fight."
"What?" I cried, startled almost to anger.
"Do not run me through, Ned," cried Hamilton.
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