"
Grisell, trembling and horror-stricken, could only lean against the
wall hoping that her beating heart did not sound loud enough to
betray her, till a call from the hall put an end to the terrible
whispers.
She hurried upwards lest Thora should come up and perceive how near
she had been, then descended and took her seat at supper, trying to
converse with Pierce as usual, but noting with terror the absence of
the two soldiers.
How her evasion was to be effected she knew not. The castle keys
were never delivered to her, but always to Hardcastle, and she saw
him take them; but she received from Ridley a look and sign which
meant that she was to be ready, and when she left the hall she made
up a bundle of needments, and in it her precious books and all the
jewels she had inherited. That Thora did not follow her was a boon.
CHAPTER XIX--A MARCH HARE
Yonder is a man in sight -
Yonder is a house--but where?
No. she must not enter there.
To the caves, and to the brooks,
To the clouds of heaven she looks.
WORDSWORTH, Feast of Brougham Castle.
Long, long did Grisell kneel in an agony of prayer and terror, as she
seemed already to feel savage hands putting her to the ordeal.
The castle had long been quiet and dark, so far as she knew, when
there was a faint sound and a low whistle. She sprang to the door
and held Ridley's hand.
"Now is the time," he said, under his breath; "the squire waits.
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