attack him they will find that they have to reckon with us."

"That is what I have come for," Edgar said. "Should you hear of any
intention to attack the well-to-do, I would have you hold yourselves in
readiness to gather at the house, and to aid in its defence. My father has
means of his own for discomfiting any that may come against him; but as
these may fail, it would be well that there should be a body of men ready
to repel an attack."

"You can rely upon us, master, but I say not that you can do so on our
men. These are serfs, and their sympathies will be all with the rioters. I
do not think they would fight against us, but I fear they would not
venture their lives against those of their own class."

"That is more than could be expected; but if you yourselves come, it will,
I think, be sufficient. I have no fear that these men will in the first
place interfere with the gentry. Their first impulse will be to obtain
redress for their wrongs; but they have bad advisers, and many will join
them for the sake of plunder. When this once begins others will take part
with them in the matter, and there is no saying what may come of it."

"Well, you can depend upon us, at any rate, master. You will have but to
ring the bell and all within hearing will run, arms in hand, to defend the
house, and we shall, I hope, have time enough to gather there before the
mob arrives."

"I doubt not that you will. I shall engage a trusty man to go down to the
town and watch what is going on, and we are sure to have notice of any
such movement. But as I have said, I think not that there is any chance of
their beginning in such a way; it will be only after they have encountered