It was that, that kept me from starting the moment the man came in with the news that Oswald had got the girls out of the hands of the Bairds." "And how is Allan ?" "I trust he will get right, now.

He has come partly to his senses, though he is still dazed.

We had him carried, in a litter, to the monastery where I obtained the monk's robe for your man; for I feared to leave him in the village, lest the Bairds, furious at the escape of the girls, might return to finish their work." He was about to speak to Oswald, when the door opened, and the girls ran in, and it was some time before Adam Armstrong again turned to him.
"Now, lad," he said, "do not think, because I am a long time coming to the point, that I think lightly of the service you have rendered me.
Ah, lad! I could scarce believe my ears, when Fergus told me that you and your henchman had got the lasses out of the Bairds' hands, and had gone off on horseback with them.

I had to put the question, again and again, as to whether he was sure that it was really the girls you had with you.

It seemed to me to be altogether impossible; but I had to believe him, at last, though how it came about he could not tell me." "We had no time for talking," Oswald said.