"I have come to you," he said;
"these fellows have got in below. While there is time and we
can manage them, you must leave the place."
"I am ready for anything." said Lady de Mowbray.
Lady Joan and Lady Maud wrung their hands in frantic terror.
Sybil very pale said "Let me go down; I may know some of these
men."
"No, no," said Mr Mountchesney. "They are not Mowbray people.
It would not he safe."
Dreadful sounds were now heard; a blending of shouts and oaths
and hideous merriment. Their hearts trembled.
"The mob are in the house, sir," called out Mr Bentley rushing
up to them. "They say they will see everything."
"Let them see everything," said Lady de Mowbray, "but make a
condition that they first let us go. Try Alfred, try to
manage them before they are utterly ungovernable."
Mr Mountchesney again left them on this desperate mission.
Lady de Mowbray and all the women remained in the chamber.
Not a word was spoken: the silence was complete. Even the
maid-servants had ceased to sigh and sob. A feeling something
like desperation was stealing over them.
The dreadful sounds continued increased. They seemed to
approach nearer. It was impossible to distinguish a word, and
yet their import was frightful and ferocious.
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