ht the surgeon in full view of a man armed with a musket,
who was crossing the road, and evidently seeking the protection of the
thick wood on its opposite side.

"Stop, my friend--stop until Captain Lawton comes up, if you please,"
cried the surgeon, observing him to flee with a rapidity that baffled
his horsemanship. But, as if the invitation contained new terrors, the
footman redoubled his efforts, nor paused even to breathe until he had
reached his goal, when, turning on his heel, he discharged his musket
towards the surgeon, and was out of sight in an instant. To gain the
highway and throw himself in the saddle, detained Lawton but a moment,
and he rode to the side of his comrade just as the figure disappeared.

"Which way has he fled?" cried the trooper.

"John," said the surgeon, "am I not a non-combatant?"[92]

[Footnote 92: one not fighting.]

"Whither has the rascal fled?" cried Lawton, impatiently.

"Where you cannot follow--into the wood. But I repeat, John, am I not
a non-combatant?"

The disappointed trooper, perceiving that his enemy had escaped him,
now turned his eyes, which were flashing with anger, upon his comrade,
and gradually his muscles lost their rigid compression, his brow
relaxed, and his look changed from its fierce expression to the covert
laughter which so often distinguished his countenance. The surgeon sat
in dignified composure on his horse, his thin body erect and his head
elevated with the indignation of one conscious of having been unjustly
treated.

Their desultory discourse was soon interrupted by their arrival at
the cottage of Mr. Wharton. No one appearing to usher them into an
apartment, the captain proceeded to the door of the parlor, where
he knew visitors were commonly received. On opening it, he paused
for a moment, in admiration of the scene within. The person of
Colonel Wellmere first met his eye, bending towards the figure of
the blushing Sarah with an earnestness of manner that prevented the
noise of Lawton's entrance from being heard by either party. Certain
significant signs, which were embraced at a glance by the trooper, at
once made him a master of their secret, and he and the surgeon retired
as silently as they had advanced.

CHAPTER XV.

MISS WHARTON'S MARRIAGE INTERRUPTED.

They were met by Miss Peyton, who acquainted them of the approaching
marriage of her eldest niece and Colonel Wellmere, and invited them to
be present. The gentlemen