A lady's voice told him to enter, and, on his
complying with the invitation, he beheld Miss Du Plessis sitting by the
bedside of his friend, with a book, which was not Wordsworth, in her
hand. "Please to pardon my intrusion, Miss Du Plessis; the Squire is
hurt, and we have captured Grinstuns, who was not burnt up after all. I
must see the prisoner safely caged, and have other business to attend
to, so that I have come to say good-bye. I am sure that you will take
every care of my dear friend here." After this little speech, hard to
utter, the lawyer shook his friend by the well hand, saying: "Good-bye,
Wilks, old boy, and keep up your heart; any messages for town?" Before
he had time to receive any such commissions, he shook hands warmly with
the lady, and vanished. Replacing Maguffin over Rawdon, he told him to
saddle a horse, and bring it round. His orders to Mr. Terry and
Timotheus were to secure their prisoner between them in some lighter
vehicle, and bring him with all speed to Collingwood, whither he would
precede them on horseback. He found the Squire in an easy chair in the
sitting room with three lady attendants.
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