Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/321

 story, to which all were listening with a delight that was the greater because they believed they were assured not only of her safety, but of the safety of the castle as well, was suddenly interrupted by the cry:

"Treachery, treachery! To arms!—to arms!—the besiegers are within the keep!"

And so it proved, for almost with the words, the tread of armed men was heard upon the stone flooring, a curtain was flung aside, and the Count de Ferrers and his men-at-arms were seen entering the hall. Instantly Edgar, Hugh, and the young knight who had come with Amabel had sprung to their feet to confront the invaders. Then Lady Mortimer's quick wit proved the salvation of the castle. Rising, she seized a large tankard of ale that stood upon the table and dashed it upon the fire, extinguishing its flames so that there was but a feeble glow of embers. Then she swept from the table the candles that stood there and almost instantly the room was in darkness, so that the 293