Part 61 (1/2)
”Don't be afraid, dreadful enemy,” said Fred, smiling, as he saw the depth of his old playmate's hatred. ”I'll do everything I can, Lil dear, for all your sakes. Good-bye, if I do not see you again.”
She gave him a quick look, which seemed in an instant to bring up sunny days when he had swung her on the lawn, rowed on the lake, and climbed the apple-trees to get her fruit; and then she was gone, and he was listening to the trampling of horses, the shouting of orders, and he was called away.
Directly after, he was making use of his knowledge of the place to fulfil Lady Markham's wishes, and over these he worked the harder, because he felt that by hastening the production of the necessaries for the troops, much waste and destruction would be spared.
The result was that in less than an hour the Hall was occupied by the little force, which was in high good humour with its pleasant quarters, while sentries were put in different directions, and every precaution taken against surprise.
”Capital quarters, my boy,” said the general, as he sat with his officers in the old oak dining-room; ”and I wish your father was here to share them. But you have not taken care of yourself in all this business.”
”Oh, I have s.n.a.t.c.hed a little food, sir,” replied Fred. ”I'm not hungry, but--”
”Well, what is it? Speak out. What do you want?”
Fred hesitated for a moment, as if collecting himself.
”You know that the Manor is only two miles from here, sir?”
”Eh? So near. No; I knew it was somewhere about this part,” said the general, smiling. ”Oh, I see, my boy. Well, it's quite right, but risky. And besides, we may stay here a week or we may stay a minute.
How do I know how soon the enemy may rout us out? No, Fred, my boy, love must give way to duty. I cannot spare my young officer, even to go and see his mother, much as I should like to say 'Yes.'”
”You mistake me, sir,” said Fred, colouring a little. ”I would not have asked leave at this busy time for that.”
”Then what do you want, my boy?”
”Lady Markham and her daughter, sir. This is no place for them.”
”Humph! No. But we have no time for paying attentions to ladies.”
”No, sir; but what I want to do is a little thing. We may stay here some time, and other troops join us.”
”Yes, I am expecting reinforcements. What do you want to do?”
”As this may be quite a rendezvous for some time, to get them away.”
”I cannot undertake such duties, my boy; but Lady Markham and her daughter are free to go anywhere.”
”Thank you, sir. That is what I want; but the only asylum for them is our old home, and they would not go there unasked.”
”Well, ask them.”
”It would be of no use.”
”My good lad, I am tired out. I want to s.n.a.t.c.h a few hours' sleep.
What is it you want?”
”I want to take half a dozen men to ride over and fetch my mother here.
They were once dear friends, and if my mother came, she could persuade Lady Markham, for her child's sake, to go back with her.”
The general sat frowning for a few minutes, during which he poured out a little wine in a long Venice gla.s.s, filled up with water, and drank.