I confess I was almost glad; for had he been still within call, I should have been tempted all day long to desert my post to get at him.

Now I had nothing to take my mind from the business of the night that was coming.
By mid-day his honour had not returned.

And then it seemed to me I must do something, if the danger was to be averted.

So I saddled Juno (who, by the way, had quietly trotted home to her stable the morning after her runaway race with Miss Kit three months ago), and despite Martin's questions and objections, to which I replied that I was on my lady's business, rode as hard as the mare would carry me to the barracks at Fahan.
There I boldly reported what I knew, and in my mistress's name bade the sergeant in charge send half-a-dozen armed men to protect the house.
The sergeant answered that all his men were away, and that unless they returned soon he would have no one to send.
Then I demanded a brace of guns, and a promise that, failing any others, he would come himself.

To this he agreed that he certainly would, and bade me keep my own counsel and not alarm the women.