n the "presence-chamber" where the
dethroned King heard Mass, and the royal bedchamber where, after
his secret departure, a letter was found on the table addressed
to Lord Middleton, for both he and Lord Ailesbury were kept in
ignorance of James II.'s final movements. The old garden may
be seen with the steps leading down to the river, much as it
was a couple of centuries ago, though the river now no longer
flows in near proximity, owing to the drainage of the marshes
and the "subsequent improvements" of later days.

The hidden passage in the staircase wall may also be seen, and
the trap-door leading to it from the attics above. Tradition says
the King made use of these; and if he did so, the probability is
that it was done more to avoid his host's over-zealous neighbours,
than from fear of arrest through the vigilance of the spies of
his son-in-law.[1]

[Footnote 1: It may be of interest to state that the illustrations
we give of the house were originally exhibited at the Stuart
Exhibition by Sir Robert G. Head, the living representative of
the old Royalist family]

Exactly three months after James left England he made his
reappearance at Kinsale and entered Dublin in triumphal state.
The siege of Londonderry and the decisive battle of the Boyne
followed, and for a third and last time James II. was a fugitive
from his realms. The melancholy story is graphically told in Mr.
A. C. Gow's dramatic picture, an engraving of which I understand
has recently been published.

How the unfortunate King rode from Dublin to Duncannon Fort,
leaving his faithful followers and ill-fortunes behind him; got
aboard the French vessel anchored there for his safety; and returned
once more to the protection of the Grande Monarque at the palace
of St. Germain, is an oft-told story of Stuart ingratitude.

[Illustration: ARMSCOT MANOR HOUSE, WORCESTERSHIRE]

[Illustration: ENTRANCE GATE, ARMSCOT MANOR HOUSE]

CHAPTER XI

MYSTERIOUS ROOMS, DEADLY PITS, ETC.

At the "Restoration House" previously mentioned there is a secret
passage in the wall of an upper room; but though the Merry Monarch
is, according to popular tradition, credited with a monopoly of
hiding-places all over England, it is more than doubtful whether
he had recourse to these exploits, in which he was so successful
in 1651, upon such a joyful occasion, except, indeed, through
sheer force of habit.

Even Cromwell's name is connected with hiding-places! But it
is