Page:Lorna Doone - a romance of Exmoor (IA lornadooneromanc269blac).pdf/117

 passed Sir Ensor's house, my heart leaped up, for I spied a window, higher than the rest above the ground, and with a faint light moving. This could hardly fail to be the room wherein my darling lay; for here that impudent young fellow had gazed while he was whistling. And here my courage grew tenfold, and my spirit feared no evil—for lo, if Lorna had been surrendered to that scoundrel, Carver, she would not have been at her grandfather's house, but in Carver's accursed dwelling.

Warm with this idea, I hurried after Charleworth Doone, being resolved not to harm him now, unless my own life required it. And while I watched from behind a tree, the door of the furthest house was opened; and sure enough it was Carver's self, who stood bare-headed, and half undressed, in the doorway. I could see his great black chest, and arms, by the light of the lamp he bore.

"Who wants me, this time of night?" he grumbled in a deep gruff voice; "any young scamp prowling after the maids shall have sore bones for bis trouble."

"All the fair maids are for thee, are they, Master Carver?" Charlie answered laughing; "we young scamps must be well-content with coarser stuff than though wouldst have."

"Would have? Ay, and will have;" the great beast muttered angrily. "I bide my time; but not very long. Only one word for thy good, Charlie. I will fling thee senseless into the river; if ever I catch thy girl-face there again."