CHAPTER XXX.
RICHARD AND THE MARQUIS.
A very few strokes of the brazen-tongued clamourer had been enough to wake the whole castle.

Dorothy flew back to her chamber, and hurrying on her clothes, descended again to the court.

It was already in full commotion.

The western gate stood open, with the portcullis beyond it high in the wall, and there she took her stand, waiting the return of Eccles and his men.
Presently lord Charles came through the hall from the stone court, and seeing the gate open, called aloud in anger to know what it meant.
Receiving no reply, he ran with an oath to drop the portcullis.
'Is there a mutiny amongst the rascals ?' he cried.
'There is no cause for dread, my lord,' said Dorothy from the shadow of the gateway.
'How know you that, fair mistress ?' returned lord Charles, who knew her voice.

'You must not inspire us with too much of your spare courage.
That would be to make us fool-hardy.' 'Indeed, there is nothing to fear, my lord,' persisted Dorothy.