“I shall consider your proposal, sir,” said Sir George Barkley, turning to Wilton:  “stay here quietly.  We wish to offer no violence to any man; we are very harmless people in our way.”

A grim smile hung upon his thin lip as he spoke; and looking from time to time behind him, as if he feared the use which Wilton might make of the pistol in his hand, he left the room with his companions.  The moment after, the lock of the door was heard to turn, and a heavy bar that hung beside it clattered as it was drawn across.

“A few minutes gained is a great thing,” cried Wilton.  “I have heard of people defending themselves long, by forming a sort of temporary barricade.  A single cavalier in the time of Cromwell kept at bay a large force for several hours.  In this deep window we are defended on all sides but one.  Let us do what we can to guard ourselves on that also.”

The furniture was scanty; but still the large table in the middle of the room, and a sideboard which stood in one corner, together with chairs and various smaller articles, were speedily formed into a little fortress, as it were, which enclosed the opening of the window in such a manner as to leave a space open towards the enemy of not more than two feet in width.  Wilton exerted himself to move all these without noise, and the Captain aided him zealously; while Laura clung to Lady Helen, and hid her eyes upon her new friend’s bosom, anticipating every moment the return of the other party, and the commencement of a scene of strife and bloodshed.

It is to the proceedings of those without the room, however, that we must more particularly direct our attention.

“In the name of Heaven, Sir George,” exclaimed both Rookwood and Fenwick, as soon as they were on the outside of the door—­“do not let them go, on any account.  Our whole plan is blasted, and ourselves ruined for ever, if such a thing is to take place!”

“Why,” continued Fenwick, “this youth, this Wilton Brown, is secretary to the Earl of Byerdale, a natural son of Lord Sunbury, it is supposed, brought up from his infancy in the most violent Orange principles; and he will think himself justified in breaking his word with us the moment he is out of the house, and bringing upon us the troops from Hoo.  He knows me well by sight, too; and if he be let loose, I shall not consider my life worth a moment’s purchase.”

“Even if you could trust him,” said Rookwood, “there is the other, Captain Byerly as they call him, Green’s great friend, who threw the money, which Lowick offered him to quit Green, in his face.  If the tidings we just now heard, that the matter has taken some wind, be true, this fellow Byerly will bring down the soldiers upon us, and swear to us anywhere.”

“But what am I to do?” demanded Sir George Barkley, hesitating.  “We shall have bloodshed and much noise, depend upon it.”