olks from the Hall
deriving all the excitement and amusement they could from an airing
through the village; and they were happily ignorant of the most
atrocious stories about Hope which were now circulating from mouth to
mouth, all round Deerbrook.

It was not long, however, before they found that they had been indebted
to the great folks from the Hall for a certain degree of protection,
partly from the equipage having drawn off the attention of some of the
idlers, and partly from the people having been unwilling to indulge all
their anger and impertinence in the presence of a magistrate. Scarcely
half an hour had elapsed after the sound of the carriage wheels had died
away, before a face was seen surmounting the blind of the windows
towards the street. Presently another appeared, and another. Men below
were hoisting up boys, to make grimaces at the family, and see what was
going on. The shutters were closed rather earlier than usual. Philip
went out to make a survey. He and Mr Grey soon returned, to advise
that the ladies should quit the house, and that a guard should enter it.
The first proposition was refused; the second accepted. Mr Grey
carried off all the money and small valuables. Hester and Margaret
bestirred themselves to provide refreshments for Messrs. Grey and
Rowland's men, who were to be ready to act in their defence. They
scarcely knew what to expect; but they resolved to remain where Edward
was, and to fear nothing from which he did not shrink.

There was much noise round the house--a multitude of feet and of voices.
Messengers were sent off to the Hall and to Dr Levitt, who must now be
disturbed, whatever might become of his sermon. Philip brought in Mr
Rowland's men, and declared he should not leave the premises again if
the ladies would not be persuaded to go. He took up his station in the
hall, whence he thought he could learn most of what it was that the
people had intended to do, and be most ready to act as occasion might
require. No one could imagine what was designed, or whether there was
any design at all on foot. The only fact at present apparent was, that
the crowd was every moment increasing.

Hester was stooping over the cellaret in the room where they had dined,
when a tremendous crash startled her, and a stone struck down the light
which stood beside her, leaving her in total darkness. Philip came to
her in a moment. No one had thought of closing the shutters of the back