ester stepped in, to pause for a moment, then,
forgetful of everything but their old friendship in the happy days, she
threw her arms about the trembling woman, and kissed her passionately.

"I have come to fetch you and dear Lilian," she said, "at my son's wish.
He has obtained permission from the general, and horses are waiting.
You are to come at once."

"Come--leave my husband's house?"

"Hush! do not oppose the plan," said Mistress Forrester, gently. "This
is no longer a place for you. Perhaps for some time to come it may be
the retreat of rough soldiery. My home is so near, and you will beat
peace."

"I cannot leave my husband's home," said Lady Markham, firmly.

"You must," said her visitor. "It is for Lilian's sake as well as your
own."

For Lilian's sake? Yes, and it was for Scarlett's sake. For what had
he said? Get them away from this room, and he could escape. How or
when she had no idea. All she knew was that he had said decidedly that
he could, and she must believe him.

"Ah, you are hesitating!" said Mistress Forrester, tenderly. "You are
thinking of enemies. What is this warfare to us? We are mothers, and
our duty is toward our children. Say that you will come and stay with
me in peace till better times are here."

Lady Markham hesitated no longer. It was a way of escape for her son,
and protection for herself and daughter. Besides which, the old
sisterly affection was as warm as ever.

"He would tell me to go, if he were here," she said to herself. "It is
to save my boy;" and without another word she laid her hand in her
visitor's.

Mistress Forrester kissed her eagerly, embraced Lilian, who stood there
trembling and cold, and then ran to the door.

"Fred, my boy," she said quickly; "have all ready. Lady Markham will
come."

There was the first sense of relief to the trembling mother's overladen
heart as she heard the tramp of men in the corridor, and she glanced
quickly toward the curtains which concealed her son.

"It will leave the way open for his escape," she said to herself. Then
to Mistress Forrester, as she pointed at the farther door--

"Two of the servants who have remained with me through the troubles are
there," she said.

"And they will accompany us, of course," said her visitor. "Will you
tell them to get ready?"

"If you would not mind," said Lady Markham, appealingly; and without
further parley Mistress Forrester crossed the room, tapped lightly, a