ounted on a very knowing little
cob, came cantering up, exclaiming, as he reached the pony carriage, "My
dear Joan, I am looking after you. I have been in the greatest alarm for
you. There are riots on the other side of the river, and I was afraid
you might have crossed the bridge."

Upon this, Lady Joan related to Mr Mountchesney how she had just become
acquainted with the intelligence, and then they conversed together for
a moment or so in a whisper: when turning round to Sybil, she said, "I
think you had really better come home with us till affairs are a little
more quiet."

"You are most kind," said Sybil, "but if I could get back to the town
through Mowbray Park, I think I might do something for my father!"

"We are going to the Castle through the park at this moment," said the
gentleman. "You had better come with us. There you will at least be
safe, and perhaps we shall be able to do something for the good people
in trouble over the water," and so saying, nodding to a groom who,
advancing, held his cob, the gentleman dismounted, and approaching Sybil
with great courtesy, said, "I think we ought all of us to know each
other. Lady Joan and myself had once the pleasure of meeting you, I
think, at Mr Trafford's. It is a long time ago, but," he added in a
subdued tone, "you are not a person to forget."

Sybil was insensible to Mr Mountchesney's gallantry, but alarmed and
perplexed, she yielded to the representations of himself and Lady Joan,
and got into the phaeton. Turning from the river, they pursued a road
which entered after a short progress into the park, Mr Mountchesney
cantering on before them, Harold following. They took their way for
about a mile through a richly-wooded demesne, Lady Joan addressing many
observations with great kindness to Sybil, and frequently endeavouring,
though in vain, to distract her agitated thoughts, till they at length
emerged from the more covered parts into extensive lawns, while on
a rising ground which they rapidly approached rose Mowbray Castle, a
modern castellated building, raised in a style not remarkable for its
taste or correctness, but vast, grand, and imposing.

"And now," said Mr Mountchesney, riding up to them and addressing Sybil,
"I will send off a scout immediately for news of your father. In the
mean time let us believe the best!" Sybil thanked him with cordiality,
and then she entered--Mowbray Castle.

Book 6 Chapter 12

Less than an hour after th