It was but a moment's halt ere Captain Carbonel rode on to overtake the
rest of the troop, who, on hearing that the outrage was really taking
place, were riding on rapidly.
Mrs Carbonel had not far to go before reaching the hospitable farm,
where Mrs Pearson came out to receive her with many a "Dear, dear!" and
"Dear heart!" and entreaty that she and the dear children would make
themselves at home.
But Sophy was not there, and had not been heard of, and Mrs Carbonel,
in her anxiety, could not rest on the sofa in the parlour, after she had
persuaded little Mary into eating her long-delayed dinner of some mutton
hastily minced for her, and had seen her safely asleep and cuddling a
kitten. Mrs Pearson was only too happy to have the baby to occupy her
long-disused wicker cradle, and Tirzah had rushed off to the scene of
action as soon as she had seen the lady safely housed.