Father will be angry because we have been so long; and I am getting frightened." "What of ?" said Mark sharply.
"Of meeting with the robbers again." "I should almost like to," cried Mark fiercely.
"Oh Mark!" cried the girl in dismay.
"Well, if you were not here," he said, with a laugh.
"It's getting too bad.

Once upon a time there was only the Darleys to mind.

Now these people--this Captain Purlrose and his men--seem to belong to the land, and father will not fight them.

Oh, if I only were master, what I would do! There, canter, and let's get home.

I want to think." Home was reached, and Sir Edward made acquainted with the encounter, at which he frowned, but said very little that night, except once, when he suddenly broke out petulantly: "It seems, Mark, as if you were always running against this boy of Darley's.