mind me—I think I know much of what you can tell me."
Lucy raised her face, carnationed with the most vivid blush, but hid it again. She strove to speak, but an inarticulate murmur was all that her tremulous lips could produce. Before Francesca could speak words of encouragement, fit answer to that mute but imploring look, their whole attention was aroused by the trampling of horses in the yard, a loud knocking at the door, and voices harsh and authoritative.
Lucy's own knowledge filled her with fears. "For God's sake," exclaimed she, "let us go and see what is the matter!" Her strength was unequal to the effort, and she sank back; while Francesca, who was quite ignorant of her secret cause for apprehension, attributed her alarm to her feverish state of excitement, so susceptible of sudden fears; and sprinkling the dewy leaves in her face, awaited her restoration with a tender calmness, soon to be destroyed.
"I was afraid you would be frightened," said Lawrence Aylmer, opening the door abruptly. "We do live in sad, troubled times. A party of the Commonwealth's troops have just demanded shelter for the night, and they have brought a prisoner with them. I do not at all like my
