us saying, he quitted the room, and for about five minutes Wilton
remained alone meditating over what had passed, if that could be
called meditating, which was nothing but a confused series of
indistinct images, all out of their proper form and order.

CHAPTER XXV.
THE first person that entered the room was the Lady Helen, who came
forward towards her young friend with her eyes sparkling and a smile
upon her lips.
"Oh, my dear boy," she cried, "this has been a terrible night, but
she is better: there is every hope of her doing well. The ball has
been extracted in a moment, the bleeding has ceased, and the comfort
of her husband's love will be more to her--far more to her, than the
best balm physician or surgeon could give. But now tell me, Wilton,
what brings you here? Did you come with this gay gallant, or have
you--though I trust and believe that you have not--have you taken any
part in the wild schemes of these rash, intemperate, and vicious
men?"
"I am taking part in no schemes, dear lady," replied Wilton. "I only
come here to frustrate evil purposes. I came furnished with
authority, and accompanied by a Messenger of State, to deliver Lady
Laura Gaveston, who, I understand, is at this very moment in this
house."
"That is most strange," said the Lady Helen--"I wrote to--to him
who--who--whom you saw me with; in short, to tell him that they had
brought the poor girl here, never thinking that you, my boy--"
"It was the person you speak of," interrupted Wilton, "who told me of
her being here. One of his people is in the house with me at this
present moment; but the Messenger has fled in the late affray. I
understand that a number of the men who brought her hither are to be
here to-night: we shall be then but two against many, if we delay;
and it is absolutely necessary that we should find out where the lady
is, and carry her off at once."
"Oh! I will find her in a moment," replied the Lady Helen. "But I
know not whether they will suffer her to pass out of her chamber."
At that moment, however, Plessis, and the personage whom he called
Captain, entered the room in eager conversation.
"It will be ruin and destruction to me," cried Plessis--"I cannot
permit it! I cannot hear of it! nor can you manage it. There are
three men here, one in the house, and one at each gate. You are only
two."
"But we are two men together, and two strong men, too," replied the
Captain, "and they are all separate. So I tell you we will do it."
"Oh, if you choose to use fo