“Let him go, Sir Henry,” cried a female voice.
“‘Tis Sir Henry Hoghton,” said Charles Radclyffe.
“So it seems,” said Douglas. “Come, Sir Henry,” he cried. “‘Tis for you to yield-not me.”
“This is my answer,” replied Sir Henry, firing at him, but without effect.
“And this my rejoinder,” cried Douglas, firing in his turn.
A shriek followed.
“What have I done?” cried Douglas.
“Wounded a lady,” replied Sir Henry. “Are you much hurt, madam?” he asked.
“Mortally, I fear,” she replied, in a faint voice. “Support me, or I shall fall from my horse.”
“‘Tis Mrs. Scarisbrick!” cried Charles Radclyffe.
“It is,” rejoined Sir Henry. “This is a most unlucky accident. But there must be a truce between us,” he added, ordering back his men, who were preparing to advance.
“What would you have us do?” asked Charles Radclyffe.
“Bid them take me to the town,” said Mrs. Scarisbrick, faintly. “Let me not die here.”
She was then placed on the saddle before Captain Douglas, who rode on as fast as he could under such distressing circumstances.
Long ere he reached the barrier Douglas thought his burden felt inanimate, but when she was lifted down, and a light fell upon her pallid face, it was found she was quite dead.
END OF THIS BOOK
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