Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/137

Rh fied, but it would be at a frightful cost to some of us."

"I don't care to be a heroine," Amabel replied, "but I am tired of wandering about as useless as a sick cat. I am going to Edgar, and I shall offer him my services. There must be something I can do, some way in which I can be useful. Lord Mortimer has given me a home, and has cared for me as if I were his own daughter. Now that his castle is attacked, I wish to show him that I am not without gratitude. I am going to talk to the Friar, also. I believe he will help me. Do you mind if I ask them both?"

"No," Lady Mortimer answered, "I feel much as you do. If I were young, and were able to do as you can, I should feel anxious to be at work also."

That evening the Lady Amabel entered the great hall where, after dinner, Edgar, Hugh, and the Friar were holding their usual consultation, and preparing for the work of the next day. She advanced boldly at first, but as the three, seeing her coming, looked up in surprise, her courage failed. But she could not well run away, and so came on to the table where they sat with their maps and plans before them. Edgar rose as she approached.