The delay of a moment might cost his lady her life.
"With a rapid pass of his sword, he struck Fulke across the arm, and as the weapon dropped from the old soldier's hand, Morgan rushed past, on towards the lady's chamber.
"Another obstacle still awaited him.

This time it was a groom unarmed, who encountered him.

He too, defenceless as he was, sprang wildly upon the intruder to dispute the passage.

But Morgan put him by with the flat of his sword and crying-- "`Look to your master below.

I will see to the lady,' darted on.
"After that it was all like a dream.