Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/281

 relief caused by the discovery of Luke's plot was so great that the grief of Lady Mortimer and the rest in a moment changed to a joyfulness that was hilarity. But there in full view still remained the unhappy prisoner, for whom they could not help feeling a sense of pity. They wondered what would be her fate when the besiegers knew their trick had failed, but they saw no reason why the innocent victim should suffer, since she had been no more than a dummy in no wise to blame for the failure.

Then they discussed what reply should be made to the long letter Luke had sent, and upon the Friar's advice decided to wait as long as they could before answering at all—for, as he reminded them, every hour gained was an advantage to the defense, and all the more so now, when they knew that Amabel must have succeeded in passing the lines of the Count's soldiers, and thus was free to carry out her errand. The Friar went further. Saying that it was fair to meet 253