We have seen your rosy cheeks and bright eyes many times before, we--" But before he had finished speaking, Rose had turned her back and was walking up the path towards the house.
"No, no, no!" cried Dicing Dick; "you do not run away like that, pretty Rosamund!" The next moment he had flung the gate wide, and the whole four were making a dash up the path in pursuit of the girl.

They had probably learned from the servant at the inn that her aunt was out, and had thought they could terrify her into doing their pleasure, and setting food and drink before them.
But they did not get far.

With a sound like a growl and a yell--such as he had given when he sprang at Montacute's throat--Tom dashed out from the thicket, and seized Bully Bullen in a bear-like clasp.

The other two were not many yards behind, and immediately there was a wholesale scrimmage in the little garden; the sound of blows and oaths resounded, and many a yell of pain and rage told that one or another of the bullies had got a well-merited chastisement.
It was not Tom's wish to use his sword, but he applied his good cudgel freely to the back of the bully, who was more his own height and make than any of the others.

Bully Bullen swore, and raved, and threatened, and made ineffectual efforts to draw his rapier and run his antagonist through the body.