The scaffold! What would the old man say?
A Clifford hung! Never! I'll save him and myself from that." Then he sprang out of bed and made a rush at the window.

It was open, unluckily, and he had actually got his knee through when Grace darted to him and seized him, screaming to Julia to help her.

Julia did her best, especially in the way of screaming.

Grace's muscle and resolution impeded the attempt no more; slowly, gradually, he got both knees upon the window-sill.

But the delay was everything.