thing,' returned Gashford, shrugging his shoulders, 'nothing. When my
lord was reproached and threatened for standing by you, I, as a prudent
man, would have had you do nothing. When the soldiers were trampling you
under their horses' feet, I would have had you do nothing. When one of
them was struck down by a daring hand, and I saw confusion and dismay in
all their faces, I would have had you do nothing--just what you did,
in short. This is the young man who had so little prudence and so much
boldness. Ah! I am sorry for him.'

'Sorry, master!' cried Hugh.

'Sorry, Muster Gashford!' echoed Dennis.

'In case there should be a proclamation out to-morrow, offering five
hundred pounds, or some such trifle, for his apprehension; and in case
it should include another man who dropped into the lobby from the stairs
above,' said Gashford, coldly; 'still, do nothing.'

'Fire and fury, master!' cried Hugh, starting up. 'What have we done,
that you should talk to us like this!'

'Nothing,' returned Gashford with a sneer. 'If you are cast into prison;
if the young man--' here he looked hard at Barnaby's attentive face--'is
dragged from us and from his friends; perhaps from people whom he loves,
and whom his death would kill; is thrown into jail, brought out and
hanged before their eyes; still, do nothing. You'll find it your best
policy, I have no doubt.'

'Come on!' cried Hugh, striding towards the door. 'Dennis--Barnaby--come
on!'

'Where? To do what?' said Gashford, slipping past him, and standing with
his back against it.

'Anywhere! Anything!' cried Hugh. 'Stand aside, master, or the window
will serve our turn as well. Let us out!'

'Ha ha ha! You are of such--of such an impetuous nature,' said Gashford,
changing his manner for one of the utmost good fellowship and the
pleasantest raillery; 'you are such an excitable creature--but you'll
drink with me before you go?'

'Oh, yes--certainly,' growled Dennis, drawing his sleeve across his
thirsty lips. 'No malice, brother. Drink with Muster Gashford!'

Hugh wiped his heated brow, and relaxed into a smile. The artful
secretary laughed outright.

'Some liquor here! Be quick, or he'll not stop, even for that. He is a
man of such desperate ardour!' said the smooth secretary, whom Mr Dennis
corroborated with sundry nods and muttered oaths--'Once roused, he is a
fellow of such fierce determination!'

Hugh poised his sturdy arm aloft, and clapping Barnaby on the back,
ba