ding. The object of Mr
Mountchesney was to descend the side-step of the terrace and again the
flower-garden, from whence there were means of escape. But the throng
was still too fierce to permit Lady de Mowbray and her companions to
attempt the passage, and all that Sybil and her followers could at
present do, was to keep the mob off from entering the library, and to
exert themselves to obtain fresh recruits.

At this moment an unexpected aid arrived.

"Keep back there! I call upon you in the name of God to keep back!"
exclaimed a voice of one struggling and communing with the rioters,
a voice which all immediately recognised. It was that of Mr St Lys.
Charles Gardner, "I have been your friend. The aid I gave you was often
supplied to me by this house. Why are you here?"

"For no evil purpose, Mr St Lys. I came as others did, to see what was
going on."

"Then you see a deed of darkness. Struggle against it. Aid me and Philip
Warner in this work; it will support you at the judgment. Tressel,
Tressel, stand by me and Warner. That's good, that's right! And you too,
Daventry, and you, and you. I knew you would wash your hands of this
fell deed. It is not Mowbray men who would do this. That's right, that's
right! Form a band. Good again. There's not a man that joins us now who
does not make a friend for life."

Mr St Lys had been in the neighbourhood when the news of the visit
of the mob to the castle reached him. He anticipated the perilous
consequences. He hastened immediately to the scene of action. He had
met Warner the handloom weaver in his way, and enlisted his powerful
influence with the people on his side.

The respective bands of Sybil and Mr St Lys in time contrived to join.
Their numbers were no longer contemptible; they were animated by the
words and presence of their leaders: St Lys struggling in their midst;
Sybil maintaining her position on the terrace, and inciting all around
her to courage and energy.

The multitude were kept back, the passage to the side-steps of the
terrace was clear.

"Now," said Sybil, and she encouraged Lady de Mowbray, her daughters,
and followers to advance. It was a fearful struggle to maintain the
communication, but it was a successful one. They proceeded breathless
and trembling, until they reached what was commonly called the Grotto,
but which was in fact a subterranean way excavated through a hill and
leading to the bank of a river where there were boats. The entrance