"Rouse yourself to the occasion, Sybil! Oh! for my sake, for Heaven's
sake, collect your faculties and prepare for flight," he passionately
urged.
"I am innocent, and yet I must fly like the guilty! Lyon, for your sake,
and only for yours, I will do it," she answered gravely, and sadly.
"We must not call assistance, nor stop to compliment each other. Pack
quickly up what you will most need for yourself, in a travelling bag,
and I will do the same for myself," explained Lyon Berners, suiting the
action to the word by shoving into his valise some valuable papers,
money, razors, a few articles of clothing, etc.
Sybil showed more promptitude and presence of mind than might have been
expected of her. She quickly collected her costly jewels and ready
money, a change of under clothing, combs, and brushes, and packed them
in a small travelling bag.
"We go on horseback," quickly explained Lyon Berners, as he locked his
valise.
Swiftly and silently Sybil threw off her masquerading dress, that she
had unconsciously worn until now, and dropped it on the floor, where it
lay glowing like a smouldering bonfire. She then put on a water-proof
riding habit, and announced herself ready.
"Come, then," said Lyon Berners, taking up both bags, and beckoning her
to follow him silently.
They slipped down the dark stairs and through the deserted halls, and
reached the back door, where, under the shelter of a large hemlock-tree,
Captain Pendleton held the horses. It was dark as pitch, and drizzling
rain. They could see nothing, they could only know the whereabouts of
their "friend in need," and their horses, by hearing Captain Pendleton's
voice speaking through the mist in cautious tones, and whispering: "Lock the door after you, Berners, so as to secure us from intrusion
from within. And then stop there under the porch until I come and talk
to you."
Mr. Berners did as he was requested to do, and then stood waiting for
his friend, who soon came up.
"You have got all you will need on your journey, have you not?" inquired
the Captain.
Mr. Berners replied by telling his friend exactly what he had brought.
"All that is very well, but people require to eat and drink once in a
while. So I have put some sandwiches, and a bottle of wine from the
supper-table, into your saddle-bags. And now, in the hurry, have you
decided upon your route?"
"Yes; we shall endeavor to reach the nearest seaport, Norfolk probably,
and embark for some foreign country, no matter what, for in no place but
in a foreign country can my unhappy wife hope for safety," mournfully
replied Lyon Berners.
"Endeavor to reach Norfolk! That will never succeed. You will be sure to
be overtaken and brought back before you go a score of miles on that
road," declared Captain Pendleton, shaking his head.