stranger whom
they did not much like on a somewhat licentious adventure of which
their natural leader disapproved. The invading section therefore were
principally composed of Hell-cats, though singular enough Morley of all
men in the world accompanied them, attended by Devilsdust, Dandy Mick,
and others of that youthful class of which these last were the idols
and heroes. There were perhaps eighteen hundred or two thousand persons
armed with bars and bludgeons, in general a grimy crew, whose dress and
appearance revealed the kind of labour to which they were accustomed.
The difference between them and the minority of Mowbray operatives was
instantly recognizable.

When they perceived the castle this dreadful band gave a ferocious
shout. Lady de Mowbray showed blood; she was composed and courageous.
She observed the mob from the window, and re-assuring her daughters and
Sybil she said she would go down and speak to them. She was on the point
of leaving the room with this object when Mr Mountchesney entered and
hearing her purpose, dissuaded her from attempting it. "Leave all to
me," he said; "and make yourselves quite easy; they will go away, I am
certain they will go away," and he again quitted them.

In the meantime Lady de Mowbray and her friends observed the proceedings
below. When the main body had advanced within a few hundred yards of
the castle, they halted and seated themselves on the turf. This step
re-assured the garrison: it was generally held to indicate that the
intentions of the invaders were not of a very settled or hostile
character; that they had visited the place probably in a spirit of
frolic, and if met with tact and civility might ultimately be induced to
retire from it without much annoyance. This was evidently the opinion
of Mr Mountchesney from the first, and when an uncouth being on a white
mule, attended by twenty or thirty miners, advanced to the castle and
asked for Lord de Mowbray, Mr Mountchesney met them with kindness,
saying that he regretted his father-in-law was absent, expressed his
readiness to represent him, and enquired their pleasure. His courteous
bearing evidently had an influence on the Bishop, who dropping his usual
brutal tone mumbled something about his wish to drink Lord de Mowbray's
health.

"You shall all drink his health," said Mr Mountchesney humouring
him, and he gave directions that a couple of barrels of ale should be
broached in the park before the castle. The Bis