nd
passed through the door, while Lady Markham darted to the curtain and
seized her son by the arm.

"Am I doing right?" she whispered.

"Quite, dearest mother," he replied in so low a tone that she could
hardly hear. "Some day perhaps Fred and I may be friends again."

"Then I am to go?"

"Yes; it will give me a chance to escape."

"They are dressed and ready," said Mistress Forrester, returning. "Poor
things, they have not been to bed."

At that moment there was another tap at the door, and upon its being
opened, Fred was standing there.

"The horses are ready," he said quietly. "I have had your pony saddled,
Lilian. Lady Markham, the two servants will have to ride pillion behind
a couple of our men."

For answer Lady Markham drew her hood over her head, and assisted
Lilian, who was ready to burst into a fit of hysterical sobbing; and in
fear lest she should betray her brother's whereabouts, her mother
hurried her to the door, but stopped to see all out before her, leaving
last, and taking the precaution to slip the key from the lock, lest some
one should come and her son should find it fast.

Ten minutes later, Scarlett Markham stood at the window listening to the
setting off of the little party, with his head well hidden behind the
curtain, and remained motionless till the trampling of the horses died
away in the silence of the night.

"Ah," he said to himself, "nothing could have happened better, as the
enemy is in possession. Poor mother! Poor Lil! What a pang to have to
leave the dear old home; but they will be away from the tumult and
bloodshed if the rebels stand. Now for my news, if I can carry it
without being caught."

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

SCARLETT ESCAPES UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

"Ugh! it's cold," said Scarlett, as he moved away from the window in his
mother's chamber, and gave one look round in the gloom at the familiar
old place, associated with his childhood and boyish life before he was
forced into this premature manhood by the exigencies of the war. "But
never mind; I shall soon be warm enough--hot enough, if I am seen and
pursued."

He tightened the belt he wore, and drew a long breath, as if about to
start running. Then crossing the room softly, he opened the door,
meaning, as his mission was at an end, to make a bold quick rush for the
secret stair, to open the slide and pass in. If he made a little noise
there, the sentry might hear it and welcome, he would discover n