"What is it, Amabel?" he asked; "does my mother wish to speak with me?"
"No," she answered, with some hesitation, "I have come on my own errand."
As Edgar moved up a chair for her, she sat down, and he also resumed his seat, waiting to hear what she had to say. Amabel, seeing all three listening, almost wished she had not come; but she had enough resolution to carry her through whatever she seriously undertook, and clearing her voice spoke bravely:
"I have been talking to your mother, Edgar, and I have her permission to come to you. I have told her that it is hard for me to feel that, while you are bearing all the burden of this defense, I am of no more use than a doll. I would like to have some part in your work. I am a woman—a girl—but I am strong, and you know I am brave enough to undertake any enterprise you can confide to me. Is there nothing I can do besides helping your mother? She does not need me at all. Since so many of the village people have come into the castle, she has more help than she needs."
Edgar listened to her in surprise, and then turned his face toward the Friar as if asking his advice. Seeing that he was consulted, the Friar, instead of replying in any way to Edgar, spoke to Hugh:
