322 THE LOVE TOKEN. 



rode at the head of the party, and before the last trooper had appeared, 

 a pan flashed from the wood, and the captain fell dead from his horse ; 

 there was a sudden halt, but before the troopers had time to rally their 

 thoughts, a volley from each side of the road considerably lessened their 

 numbers. The writhing of the wounded horses and the shrieks of the 

 female servants, soon added to the confusion, and Leslie fearing, lest 

 the noise would call the assistance of any neighbouring party of military, 

 and thus disappoint his scheme, gave the preconcerted signal, and he 

 and his party rushed forth on the astonished soldiers. These latter 

 fought bravely for a few moments, but they were quickly overpowered, 

 some few killed, some disarmed and made prisoners, and the rest put 

 to flight. The coach was instantly secured, the foremost horses cut off, 

 one of them having been killed, and the others turned in the opposite 

 direction. When George Leslie opened the door, he found Lady 

 Mauden fainting with terror, he ordered one of his men to fetch some 

 water from a neighbouring stream, and having desired her ladyship's 

 maid, who had recognized him, to attend to her mistress, and be silent, 

 he commanded what arms lay on the ground to be collected, and the 

 party then moved off at rapid pace. 



It was fortunate for him that his retreat was not interrupted by one 

 of the many scouting detachments of the yeomen or military. However, 

 they arrived safely at the same cabin in which Leslie was at the first 

 sworn a member and leader of the rebel army. The inner room of this 

 cabin he had directed to be fitted with whatever little convenience could 

 be procured, and into this room Lady Mauden was led, attended by 

 her female servants. Leslie had found on his return that his expe- 

 dition was already known about the country, and that the magistrates 

 with double vigilance, and especially Lord Mauden who had of course 

 an additional and powerful excitement, were on the alert to surprise him. 

 To guard against any such surprisal was the first concern of Leslie. 

 He doubled his outposts, ordered all his forces to their arms, and even 

 those who had been with him in the morning were given but time for a 

 short repose and refreshment. But now that he was master of the 

 person of her he loved beyond life, or any thing which life could give, 

 what course with regard to her did he mean to pursue ? Strange ! but 

 he was perfectly in doubt, should he detain her even against her own 

 consent ? or should he yield to the impulse of honour, and restore her 

 to her husband ? But might he not prevail with her by soothing words 

 and vows of fondness and fidelity to remain with him ? There was 

 little chance of that, the high virtue and honour of Lady Mauden 

 precluded the idea. Yet could he think of sullying a cause which he 

 had embraced from principle, by an act of perfidy and adultery? Alas, 

 here he was blind, he thought not of guilt, the madness of his affection, 

 alone led him on. He knew not, he reasoned not, he scarcely thought, 

 unless the wild whirl of a thousand thoughts can be called thinking. 

 It was in this state of mind that he found himself at the door of the 

 cabin-room in which Lady Mauden sat. Should he enter ? At first he 

 determined to do so, his throbbing anxiety then interferred. Again he 

 he had his hand on the latch ; again he turned away, but at last 

 summoning all his resolution, he raised it, and found himself in her 

 presence. 



Whatever previous intention Leslie might for a moment have enter- 

 tained with regard to Lady Mauden, he was now fixed in the resolution 



