Agnes Castle and Egerton Castle

“ When you draw it, you draw my life with it."
"He's sped, Master Harry," whispered Bracy, and his face began to work.
Then Rockhurst failed in their arms, and they gently laid him down on the flags, but a few paces away from Lionel Ratcliffe's dead body. As in a dream Diana came and knelt by his side. Madam Anastasia was praying under her voice.
"O father," sobbed Harry, "the best, the dearest! Oh, my honored lord!"
The dying man, as with an effort, brought his far gaze to the two young faces bending in sorrow over him.
"It is well," he said, "very well. Diana, lay your hand in his. ”

“ Diana clutched her lover's arm.
"Harry, Harry, save the old man!"
Harry turned, saw, and fired his pistol point-blank in the man's face. In the same instant, with a horror that stifled the cry of warning in her throat, Diana saw Lionel, with livid countenance of fury, advancing upon the young man, his broken sword drawn back like a dagger for the thrust. ”

“ Harry Rockhurst took the cup from Chitterley's hands. "Drink, my lord," said he, "You need it. Human strength will not bear more of the work you have done to-day."
But ere he lifted the wine to his lips, his eye having fallen on Chitterley, Rockhurst beckoned him to his side. Full of secret importance the old servant hurried forward; and, sighing in his turn, Harry drew back. ”

“ Madam Anastasia watched them depart with a shrug of her ample shoulders. Then as she stood, in deep reflection, by the open door, hearkening to the increasing menace, there came the faint tinkle of the chapel bell, and thereafter the uplifted voices of her nuns, chanting, dismally enough, but yet sufficiently in unison. She nodded to herself, with a shrewd smile, and was about to gather her long blue skirts together, preparatory to a survey of the defenses, when there came the sound of steps along the flags and the figure of the convent guest moved into her view. ”

“ Her kinswoman surveyed her an instant with favor. Then she plunged into her huge hanging pocket:
"This letter, flung in through a window, tied to a stone; I had nigh forgotten it! 'Tis addressed to you. Had you been of my flock, 'twas my duty to have read it."
Diana glanced at the superscription, announced coldly that it was from their kinsman, Lionel Ratcliffe, and proceeded to burst the seal. The color welled to her pale cheeks. She gave a cry of indignation as she read:
A man's patience is not eternal You have forbidden me sight of you, this month past. ”

“ And my Lord Constable is changed—damnably changed. An old man in one year! 'Tis the mind, Master Chitterley."
He tapped his forehead with the pipe which he had drawn from his pocket, nodded his head, and thereafter puffed a while in deep and sagacious meditation.
"Ah, it is trouble changes a man," pursued he presently. "And in sooth, poor soul," muttered he under his breath, "who should prove it better than yourself, who have been a doddering poor wight ever since yon fearful morning when Master Harry was like to die of his reopened wound and my lord to go mad—and plague in the very house? ”

“ Rousing himself at last, he drank wearily, handed the empty cup to Chitterley, and, with a wave of the hand, dismissed him. Then he sat a while longer yet, watching his son. There were those who said my Lord Rockhurst's eyes could look at naught else, when his heir was by him. After a spell he rose and placed his hand on the young man's shoulder. The two looked affectionately into each other's eyes; sad men both, and deadly worn this evening hour after the fierce work of the day.
"Harry, it comes to me that not many days will be given us of company together." ”

“ The sergeant moved to the corner of the parapet to peer forth. "See yonder—our lads at work! Blowing up houses ahead of the fire. Aye, truly, Master Chitterley, I would his lordship had let me take the mining party to-day. But one would think—in all respect—there was a very devil in him since this outbreak began. 'Tis ever to the hottest, and the men must after him, though the flames be as greedy as hell's. And 'tis hard on a soldier," added the old sergeant with a philosophic sigh, "to be driven to burn before his time." ”

“ You are all I have left!"
"Hush, look on these white hairs, sign among so many that life has done with me—nay, I know full well I am not old in years, scarce double thine own: but the vital spring is dying. ”

“ Aye, and Master Harry with him."
"My lord—Master Harry—" repeated Chitterley dreamily. "Do not mock me, sergeant, but there be days now when I scarce know them apart—remembering—or rather——"
"Aye, aye," interrupted the soldier, good-humored, yet impatient of the other's maundering, "I catch your meaning. Young Master Harry has grown marvelous quick a man these troublous times. ”

“ She caught Diana by the shoulder and dragged her to the entrance of the passage, where she paused panting, being somewhat weighty for such swift movements. Bindon, trailing a musket, clattered in their rear.
"Aye, truly," she said to him, "I begin to think this may be the end. Tut! Where lag those sluggard guards! Sho! Here now come my silly children! Well, well, Sister Magdalen, my pastoral staff! So we have visitors we shall receive in state." ”

“ How, hand thee over, to yon infamous wretch who useth the extremity of the city, the blind folly of the mob, the helplessness of a poor house of gentlewomen to the furthering of his own base purposes! As for my threat that you would take the vows"—she gave a dry chuckle—"I've overshot the mark, it seems. I deemed to show thee as out of reach of his pursuit. Well, 'tis ill talking when so much is a-doing. Hark ye at that, tis the fiercest onslaught yet. Get thee to the chapel. I must to the outer hall."
"Nay," quoth Diana, "I go with you." ”