And they were all about leaving the music-room, when a servant
came running in and called out "Mr Bentley told me to say,
sir, they are in sight."
"Very well," said Mr Mountchesney in a calm tone but changing
colour. "You had better go to your mama, Joan, and take Maud
and our friend with you. I will stay below for a while," and
notwithstanding the remonstrances of his wife, Mr Mountchesney
went to the hall.
"I don't know what to do, sir," said the house steward. "They
are a very strong party."
"Close all the windows, lock and bar all the doors," said Mr
Mountchesney. "I am frightened," he continued, "about your
lord. I fear he may fall in with these people."
"My lord is at Mowbray," said Mr Bentley. "He must have heard
of this mob there."
And now emerging from the plantations and entering on the
lawns, the force and description of the invading party were
easier to distinguish. They were numerous, though consisting
of only a section of the original expedition, for Gerard had
collected a great portion of the Mowbray men, and they
preferred being under his command to following a stranger whom
they did not much like on a somewhat licentious adventure of
which their natural leader disapproved.
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