could
see, only that he wasn't well-favoured," said Jenny doubtfully.

"He was a snake in the grass!" said Millicent solemnly; "and you'll find
that out, Jenny Lavender."

To the surprise of the whole family, and themselves most of all, the
prisoners were released after only four months' detention. That was
considered an exceedingly short business in 1652. Neither father nor
son seemed any worse for their trial; the Roundheads, they said, had not
treated them ill, and had even allowed sundry extra comforts to old Mr
Lane.

So matters dropped back into their old train at Bentley Hall for about a
month longer. Then, one August morning, Colonel Lane, who had ridden to
Kidderminster, entered the parlour with an open letter in his hand. His
face was grave almost to sternness, and when his sister saw it, an
expression of alarm came into her eyes.

"A letter, Jane, from Penelope Wyndham," he said, giving her the letter.

"Mrs Millicent and Mrs Jenny, I pray you give us leave."

That was a civil way of saying, "Please to leave the room," and of
course it was at once obeyed. Evidently something of consequence was to
be discussed.

"I do hope Mrs Jane will not go away again," said Millicent.

"Well, I don't know; I shouldn't be sorry if she did," answered Jenny.

"Very like not; you think you'd go withal. But I can tell you it is
vastly dull for us left behind. There's a bit of life when she is
here."

Jenny went up to Mrs Jane's room, where she occupied herself by tacking
clean white ruffles into some of her mistress's gowns. She had not
progressed far when that young lady came up, with a very disturbed face.

"Let those be," she said, seeing how Jenny was employed. "Jenny, child,
I am grieved to tell thee, but thou must needs return to thine own
home."

"Send me away!" gasped Jenny. "Oh, Mrs Jane, madam, what have I done!"

"Nothing, child, nothing; 'tis not that. I am going away myself."

"And mustn't I go with you?" asked Jenny, in a very disappointed tone.

"To France? We are going to France, child."

Jenny felt in a whirl of astonishment. Going abroad in those days was
looked on as a very serious matter, not to be undertaken except for some
important reason, and requiring a great deal of deliberation. And here
was Mrs Jane, after scarcely half-an-hour's reflection, announcing that
she was going to start at once for France.

Mrs Jane put her hand in her pocket.

"Here be thy wages, Jenny,"