Hugh was there.
"Quick, Hugh; saddle Ronald. I have just killed young Brownlow, and
must ride for it."
Hugh stood for a moment astonished, and then calling a helper ran
into the stables. In a minute he came out with two horses saddled.
Without a word Rupert leapt on one, while he vaulted on the other,
and the two dashed off at full speed.
"Where are you going, Master Rupert?"
"To London," Rupert said. "This is no place for me now. I killed
him in fair fight, and after warning; still, what with Sir William
and my lady mother, there will be no stopping here. You had better
ride back, Hugh, and tell my grandfather, privately, that I am
going to the Earl of Marlborough, to ask him to give me the
cornetcy he promised me."
"With your leave, Master Rupert, I shall do nothing of the sort.
Where you go, I go. My grandfather rode out with yours to Naseby,
and died there. My people have been the tenants of the Chace as
long as the Hollidays have been its lords, and have always followed
their master to the field. My old father would beat me out of the
house with a broom handle, if I went back and said I had let you go
to the wars alone. No, master Rupert, wherever you go, Hugh Parsons
goes too."
Rupert held out his hand, which his companion grasped, and the two
galloped rapidly along the road towards London.
In the meantime all was consternation at the Chace.
Colonel Holliday and Monsieur Dessin were deeply engaged in
conversation when Adele burst in upon them.
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