Robbery and plunder became common, and that not only on the track of armies or the route of smaller bodies of soldiers, for bands of mere marauders, taking up the cry of the faction that happened in any neighbourhood to have the ascendancy, plundered houses, robbed travellers, and were guilty of all sorts of violence.

Hence it had become as perilous to stay at home in an unfortified house as to travel; and many were the terrors which during the winter tried the courage of the girl, and checked the recovery of the old man.

At length one morning, after a midnight alarm, Mr.Herbert thus addressed Dorothy, as she waited upon him with his breakfast: 'It fears me much, my dear Dorothy, that the time will be long ere any but fortified places will be safe abodes.

It is a question in my mind whether it would not be better to seek refuge for you--.

But stay; let me suggest my proposal, rather than startle you with it in sudden form complete.