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CHAPTER XIII
“Is’t possible that but seeing you should love her?”
In the meantime Eliot had been released from his durance, where he had suffered, as mortals sometimes mysteriously do, what he seemed in nowise to have deserved; and passing unobserved into the entry, he had preceded Miss Linwood down the stairs, and was standing within the outer door in conversation with his attendant, so earnest that he did not perceive her approach till she said, “Am I intruding?”
She was answered by Herbert’s suddenly turning his face to her, and uttering ” Isabella!”
In the suddenness of surprise and joy she forgot every thing but his presence; and would have thrown her arms around him but for Eliot’s intervention,
“Herbert!—Miss Linwood! I entreat you to be cautious—your brother’s safety is at stake— not a moment is to be lost—is concealment possible at your father’s house”
“Possible !—certain. I will instantly go home.”
“Stop—pray hush, Herbert. Was the reason of your coming down stairs known to any one, Miss Linwood?”
“Only to Helen Ruthven and Mr. Meredith.”
“Two foxes on the scent!—that’s all,” said Herbert.
“Oh, no, Herbert; they would be the last to betray; but they do not suspect you.”
“Then all maybe managed,” said Eliot; “trust no one, Miss Linwood—you cannot serve your brother better than by appearing at Sir Henry’s table, and letting it be known, incidentally, that you have seen my attendant.”
“I understand you, and will do my best. Heaven help us !—avoid by all means seeing mamma, Herbert—she will not dare incur the responsibility of concealing your presence. Go in at the back gate—you can easily elude Jupe— trust all to Rose. God bless you, dear brother,” she concluded; and in spite of the danger of observation, she gave him one hasty embrace, and returned to the drawing-room to enact a part—a difficult task to Isabella Linwood.
The few guests expected soon after arrived; and Mr. Linwood reappeared from his walk with the air of a person who has tidings to communicate. “Ah, Isabella,” said he, “I have news for you.”
“The rebels have been crucifying more tories, I suppose?”
“Pshaw, Belle—you know I did not believe that any more than you did when Rivington first published it. I have heard news of your Yankee preservers.”
“Only heard!—then I have the advantage of you, for I have seen them.”
“Seen them! Lord bless me—where, child”
“In the hall below. I seized the opportunity of relieving you from the interview appointed this evening.”
“You astonish me! Well, after all, Robertson’s suspicions may be groundless. He has just received advice to look out sharply for the attendant of Captain Lee, who is suspected not to be the person he passes for.”
“And what if he is not, papa?”
“What if he is not!—a true girl-question! Why, he may be an officer, who, under the disguise of a servant, may be a very efficient emissary for Mr. Washington. He may have come to confer with ‘some of our whited sepulchres’—pretended tories, but whigs to the back-bone—we have pl