of a few feet, containing a rude couch.
During the search, which was soon completed, the lady remained
standing, with the little girl by her side, viewing the proceedings in
silence, and with an air of offended dignity.

"What seek ye?" she demanded, when, with looks of disappointment, the
men desisted. "Tell me, that I may render you that assistance whereof
ye seem to stand in need."

"Madam," answered Spikeman, "where is Sir Christopher Gardiner? It is
him we seek."

"And is it in my sleeping apartment, audacious wretch, that you expect
to find him?" exclaimed the lady. "Your question is a greater insult
than your violence."

"Madam," replied the Assistant, "it behooves you to be careful of your
language. Ephraim," he added, turning to his companion, "do thou
inquire without, whether the Knight be taken. He may have leaped from
the window."

Upon Ephraim's departure, Spikeman again addressed the lady.

"Madam," he said, "I know that the work wherein I am engaged is
ungracious. Sad is the necessity which compels me to invade the
retirement of a lady whom I hold in all honor and respect, and who has
it in her power to make our whole Commonwealth her grateful debtors."

"Speak quickly, sir," said the lady, "that I may the sooner be rid of
your intrusive presence."

"You know me not, madam, nor my kind intentions, else would you not
indulge this scorn."

"If to break open the house of a defenceless woman at midnight, to
batter down the door of her chamber, to intrude therein, and to insult
her, besides, with base suspicions, be your kindness, what must be
your cruelty?"

"Necessity, madam--necessity must be our excuse. We will have Sir
Christopher Gardiner, dead or alive. Judge by the importance which we
attach to his capture, how great will be our gratitude, and the reward
of him who shall enable us to lay hands on the traitor."

"He is no traitor, base slanderer. Thou hadst never dared to utter
these injurious words in his presence."

"I would he were in presence," said Spikeman, sternly, "and you would
soon be convinced of the contrary. But more plainly, madam. Let me
entreat you, for your own sake, to disclose the hiding-place of this
man, and to deliver to me his papers, for only by so doing can you
escape severe and dreadful punishment."

A deeper pallor overspread the pale face of the lady, but recovering
herself she said--

"If I understand thee aright, thou dost seek to make me an accomplice