human
Make haste, Lina! cried Shirley;
gpt
It is not Robert, she said.
human
It has neither his height, form, nor bearing.
gpt
I saw it was not Robert when I let you go. How could you imagine it? It is a shabby little figure of a private soldier; they had posted him as sentinel. He is safe in the mill now. I saw the door open and admit him. My mind grows easier. Robert is prepared. Our warning would have been superfluous; and now I am thankful we came too late to give it. It has saved us the trouble of a scene. How fine to have entered the counting-house _toute éperdue_, and to have found oneself in presence of Messrs. Armitage and Ramsden smoking, Malone swaggering, your uncle sneering, Mr. Sykes sipping a cordial, and Moore himself in his cold man-of-business vein! I am glad we missed it all.
human
I wonder if there are many in the mill, Shirley!
gpt
Plenty to defend it. The soldiers we have twice seen to-day were going there, no doubt, and the group we noticed surrounding your cousin in the fields will be with him.
human
What are they doing now, Shirley? What is that noise?
gpt
Hatchets and crowbars against the yard gates. They are forcing them. Are you afraid?
human
No; but my heart throbs fast. I have a difficulty in standing. I will sit down. Do you feel unmoved?
gpt
Hardly that; but I am glad I came. We shall see what transpires with our own eyes. We are here on the spot, and none know it. Instead of amazing the curate, the clothier, and the corn-dealer with a romantic rush on the stage, we stand alone with the friendly night, its mute stars, and these whispering trees, whose report our friends will not come to gather.
human
Shirley, Shirley, the gates are down! That crash was like the felling of great trees. Now they are pouring through. They will break down the mill doors as they have broken the gate. What can Robert do against so many? Would to God I were a little nearer him--could hear him speak--could speak to him! With my will--my longing to serve him--I could not be a useless burden in his way; I could be turned to some account.
gpt
They come on! cried Shirley.
human
How steadily they march in! There is discipline in their ranks. I will not say there is courage--hundreds against tens are no proof of that quality--but (she dropped her voice)
gpt
Forwards against Robert; and they hate him. Shirley, is there much danger they will win the day?
human
We shall see. Moore and Helstone are of 'earth's first blood'--no bunglers--no cravens----