“Until one evening in March, towards the end of the month, when the daylight lasts till seven of the clock, and my father let me remain later than usual with him, and then took me back as was his custom.  The roads were quiet, and there were few abroad as we neared Highgate; yet I could not help thinking that I always heard steps behind us, and ever and anon I looked over my shoulder.  I did not always see men following, but sometimes I did, and it seemed always as though there were four of them together.  Once I heard a laugh that I seemed to remember, and I felt a qualm of fear, I scarce knew why.”

“You spoke no word to your father?”

“No; I thought myself the victim of some foolish fear, and I wanted not to trouble him.  He bade me goodbye at the gate, and saw me run up to the house and let myself in.  I went up straight to my window to wave my hand to him as was my wont, and just at that moment four men lounged by arm-in-arm with swaggering mien.”

“And you think it was those same men?”

“I was almost sure of it, and hastily withdrew, glad that they did not follow my father down the hill, but walked slowly on in the opposite direction, and then turned and paced slowly back two or three times.  For though I did not show myself, I peeped out and watched to see what they did.”

Tom’s face was very black.  He had a keen personal hatred for the four bullies, and a very strong interest and affection for Rosamund herself.  He saw she had still something more to say, and she drew a little nearer as she added: 

“And since then I have caught sight of them several times in our lanes, walking up and down rather near the house, or hanging about round the tavern at the crossroads where our lane branches from the wider road.  Once I am sure I heard their steps coming after me; but I fled so fast they could not overtake me, and I dared not look behind lest I should trip over a stone.  I am almost afraid now to leave the house alone, save in the early morning hours; and until this happened I came and went freely, and my aunt is used to sending me visiting to the neighbours.  I like not to alarm her by talking of these men, nor do I wish to cause anxiety to my father.  I have often wished I could tell you the tale, that I might ask you what I should do.”

The childlike appeal in the maiden’s face stirred Tom to a chivalrous desire to help her at all costs.

“Zounds!” he exclaimed, “but we will teach those curs a lesson they richly need.  As it is, they are becoming a byword even in London streets.  Hark you, pretty Rosamund, have no fears.  I will get Harry Gay to join with me, and together we will come to Highgate, and hang about your house in concealment until these bold swaggerers show themselves; and then we will set upon them, and give them such a trouncing as they shall not quickly forget.  And we will make them understand that if ever they are seen there again they will receive a like chastisement.  After that I think you need feel no fear.  They are as cowardly as they are blustering, and love not the feel of hard blows upon their backs, as we have good reason to know.  Two of us would be equal to vanquishing the four.”