But their eyes had grown used to the darkness, and they heeded it not.  Cherry’s thoughts had flown off to Cuthbert, Kate’s to Culverhouse.  The rapid exercise stimulated thought, and both hearts beat high with the glowing hope of youth.  When at last they paused, laughing and breathless, at the upper end of the long room, their eyes were shining brightly, there was a vivid colour in their checks.  They only wished to gather breath and then on again.

“It is hot—­it is stifling!” cried Kate, as she threw back her tumbled hair.  “I must have air—­air!  I will open this window; we can look out such a way from it.  O Cherry, think—­this big window looks straight out towards London!  Ah, why are not our eyes strong enough to see our loved ones there!”

Cherry laughed and blushed in the darkness, and Kate’s strong hand undid the bolt and latch and flung the great casement wide.  The cool night air rushed in, and both girls, heated with exercise, were glad to rest their elbows on the stone mullion and lean out into the breezy night.

“It is delicious!” cried Kate; “it is the elixir of life!”

Then the girls were silent for a few moments, till they both started at the same sound.

“That was a gun!” cried Kate suddenly, leaning further out of the window.  “Listen, Cherry!  There again—­another shot!  That can only mean one thing!”

“What thing?” asked Cherry, growing suddenly pale with excitement and fear.

“Highwaymen attacking travellers!” answered her companion, standing straight up, but with her head still inclined in an attitude of keen attention.  “Listen, Cherry, listen!  Is it the beating of my heart, or is that sound the galloping of horses’ hoofs upon the road?  Hark!  Yes, they grow louder they come this way!  Down, Cherry!  We must rush to the gates and have them open and take them in!

“Cherry, listen!  Be calm, be quiet!  Run thou to old Thomas and to Dyson and the rest; tell them what we have heard.  I must for the keys.  I must have them whether our aunt wills it or no.  There be no place of refuge save this for miles around.  Here must they find shelter from their foes.  It is Lady Humbert’s will; I must fulfil it.”

All the while Kate spoke she was running swiftly along the boarded floor, with Cherry keeping pace at her side; and as she dashed down the staircase she paused for a moment and took from the place where they hung two matchlocks, which she knew were always kept loaded, and these she laid quietly down in the hall.  Then she opened the parlour door, and walked boldly forward to the spot where the keys lay.  Possessing herself of these, she said quietly: 

“Be not affrighted, Aunt Dowsabel, but there be folks in trouble on the road.  They are pursued by robbers, I fear.  I am about to unlock the gates, that we may draw them into safe shelter here.”

Petronella sprang to her feet, and Mistress Dowsabel uttered a sharp scream of terror.