,
he dropped asleep. He was aroused by the noise, and heard that the
sentinels had fired upon an escaping figure, which had endeavoured to
break into the room occupied by two of the officers.

There were those who said it was an attempt at assassination, and others
that it was a false alarm, which the ill success of the search-party
seemed to confirm.

Then fresh sentinels were posted, and the day soon after began to break
with its promise of a glorious morrow, and soon after the first glow of
orange in the east told of the coming sun, and as it shone through the
casement of a long low room where a pale slight girl was lying asleep,
it illumined the handsome sad countenance of one who had not slept, but
had knelt there praying for the safety of her son.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

A DESPERATE GALLOP.

To Fred's great satisfaction, the sturdy, serious-looking followers of
General Hedley treated the Hall and its surroundings with a fair amount
of respect.

They did not scruple to make bountiful use of the contents of the
garden; and, as far as they went, revelled on the productions of the
dairy, while they one and all declared the cider to be excellent.

So comfortable were the quarters, that the absence of news of the
expected reinforcements gave great satisfaction to all but the general,
who walked up and down Sir Godfrey's library fretting at the inaction,
and shaking his head at his young follower, who was for the time being
acting as his secretary, but with no despatches to write.

"It's bad, Fred Forrester--bad," he said. "When you have anything to
do, let it be done firmly and well. Let there be no procrastination.
Your father ought to be here by now."

"I don't think it can be his fault, sir," said Fred, stoutly.

"It's somebody's fault," said the general, angrily. "No, no; I am sure
it is not his. Well, I must have the men out to do something. No rust,
Fred Forrester, no rust. What are you going to do?"

"Take my place in the regiment, sir, if you have no more writing for me
to do."

"Don't want to go over to the Manor, then, to see the ladies, and ask
how all are?"

"Of course I should like to, sir, but I was not going to ask leave."

"You can go, my lad. There is no news of the enemy, and the scouts are
well out in every direction. Be on the look-out though, and I cannot
give you more than three hours."

Overjoyed at this unexpected piece of good fortune, Fred hurried to his
sleeping quar