dship, Mr
Mountchesney convinced that the country in August might be delightful,
and Lady Joan almost gay because Alfred was pleased. Lady de Mowbray
had been left in her boudoir with the "Morning Post." Sybil had just
finished a ravishing air, there was a murmur of luncheon--when suddenly
Harold, who had persisted in following his mistress and whom Mr
Mountchesney had gallantly introduced into the music-room, rose and
coming forward from the corner in which he reposed, barked violently.

"How now!" said Mr Mountchesney.

"Harold!" said Sybil in a tone of remonstrance and surprise.

But the dog not only continued to bark but even howled. At this moment
the groom of the chambers entered the room abruptly and with a face
of mystery said that he wished to speak with Mr Mountchesney. That
gentleman immediately withdrew. He was absent some little time, the
dog very agitated; Lady Joan becoming disquieted, when he returned. His
changed air struck the vigilant eye of his wife.

"What has happened Alfred?" she said.

"Oh! don't be alarmed," he replied with an obvious affectation of ease.
"There are some troublesome people in the park; stragglers I suppose
from the rioters. The gate-keeper ought not to have let them pass.
I have given directions to Bentley what to do, if they come to the
castle."

"Let us go to mama," said Lady Joan.

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