“I can reconcile myself to it thus,” said Richard—­“in defending you, whom I know to be innocent, I cannot avoid defending her.  The plea is not a good one, but it will suffice to allay my scruples of conscience.”

At this moment Mistress Nutter entered the hall, followed by Blackadder and three other men, armed with calivers.

“All is ready, Richard,” she said, “and it wants but a few minutes of the appointed time.  Perhaps you shrink from the task you have undertaken?” she added, regarding him sharply; “if so, say so at once, and I will adopt my own line of defence.”

“Nay, I shall be ready to go forth in a moment,” rejoined the young man, glancing at Alizon.  “Where is Nicholas?”

“Here,” replied the squire, clapping him on the shoulder.  “All is secure at the back of the house, and the horses are coming round.  We must mount at once.”

Richard arose without a word.

“Blackadder will attend to your orders,” said Mistress Nutter; “he only waits a sign from you to issue forth with his three companions, or to fire through the windows upon the aggressors, if you see occasion for it.”

“I trust it will not come to such a pass,” rejoined the squire; “a few blows from these weapons will convince them we are in earnest, and will, I hope, save further trouble.”

And as he spoke he took down a couple of stout staves, and gave one of them to Richard.

“Farewell, then, preux chevaliers” cried Mistress Nutter, with affected gaiety; “demean yourselves valiantly, and remember that bright eyes will be upon you.  Now, Alizon, to our chamber.”

Richard did not hazard a look at the young girl as she quitted the hall with her mother, but followed the squire mechanically into the garden, where they found the horses.  Scarcely were they mounted than a loud hubbub, arising from the little village, proclaimed that their opponents had arrived, and presently after a large company of horse and foot appeared at the gate.

At sight of the large force brought against them, the countenance of the squire lost its confident and jovial expression.  Pie counted nearly forty men, each of whom was armed in some way or other, and began to fear the affair would terminate awkwardly, and entail unpleasant consequences upon himself and his cousin.  He was, therefore, by no means at his ease.  As to Richard, he did not dare to ask himself how things would end, neither did he know how to act.  His mind was in utter confusion, and his breast oppressed as if by a nightmare.  He cast one look towards the upper window, and beheld at it the white face of Mistress Nutter, intently gazing at what was going forward, but Alizon was not to be seen.

Within the last half hour the sky had darkened, and a heavy cloud hung over the house, threatening a storm.  Richard hoped it would come on fiercely and fast.

Meanwhile, Roger Newell had dismounted and advanced to the gate.