"Is this your friend?" asked the count. "He is a very small one, and
seems in a bad state of health."
Sir Norman, still under the influence of the pinch, replied by an
inaudible murmur, and looked with a deeply mystified expression, at
Hubert.
"He bears a strong resemblance to the lady we were talking of a moment
ago," continued the count--"is sufficiently like her, in fact, to be her
brother; and, I see wears the livery of the Earl of Rochester."
"God spare you your eye-sight!" said Sir Norman, impatiently. "Can
you not see, among the rest, that I have a few words to say to him in
private? Permit us to leave you for a moment."
"There is no need to do so. I will leave you, as I have a few words to
say to the person who is with me."
So saying the count walked away, and Hubert followed him with a most
curious look.
"Now," cried Sir Norman, eagerly, "what news?"
"Good!" said the boy. "Leoline is safe!"
"And where?"
"Not far from here. Didn't he tell you?"
"The count? No--yes; he said she was at his house."
"Exactly. That is where she is," said Hubert, looking much relieved.
"And, at present, perfectly safe."
"And did you see her?"
"Of course; and heard her too. She was dreadfully anxious to come with
me; but that was out of the question."
"And how is she to be got away?"
"That I do not clearly see. We will have to bring a ladder, and there
will be so much danger, and so little chance of success, that, to me it
seems an almost hopeless task. Where did you meet Count L'Estrange?"
"Here; and he told me that he had abducted her, and held her a prisoner
in his own house."
"He owned that did he? I wonder you were not fit to kill him?"
"So I was, at first, but he talked the matter over somehow."
And hereupon Sir Norman briefly and quickly rehearsed the substance of
their conversation. Hubert listened to it attentively, and laughed as he
concluded.
"Well, I do not see that you can do otherwise, Sir Norman, and I
think it would be wise to obey the count for to-night, at least. Then
to-morrow--if things do not go on well, we can take the law in our own
hands."
"Can we?" said Sir Norman, doubtfully, "I do wish you would tell me who
this infernal count is, Hubert, for I am certain you know."
"Not until to-morrow--you shall know him then."
"To-morrow! to-morrow!" exclaimed Sir Norman, disconsolately.
"Everything is postponed until to-morrow! Oh, here comes the count back
again. Are we going to start now, I wonder?"
"Is your friend to accompany us on our expedition?" inquired the count,
standing before them. "It shall be quite as you say, Mr. Kingsley."