ch, when the box was opened, turned into a fair burst of laughter.
It contained--not papers regarding the conspiracy--but my lady's wigs,
washes, and rouge-pots, and Victoire said men were monsters, as the
Captain went on with his perquisition. He tapped the back to see whether
or no it was hollow, and as he thrust his hands into the cupboard, my
lady from her bed called out, with a voice that did not sound like that
of a very sick woman, "Is it your commission to insult ladies as well as
to arrest gentlemen, Captain?"

"These articles are only dangerous when worn by your ladyship," the
Captain said, with a low bow, and a mock grin of politeness. "I have
found nothing which concerns the Government as yet--only the weapons
with which beauty is authorized to kill," says he, pointing to a wig
with his sword-tip. "We must now proceed to search the rest of the
house."

"You are not going to leave that wretch in the room with me," cried my
lady, pointing to the soldier.

"What can I do, madam? Somebody you must have to smooth your pillow and
bring your medicine--permit me--"

"Sir!" screamed out my lady.

"Madam, if you are too ill to leave the bed," the Captain then said,
rather sternly, "I must have in four of my men to lift you off in the
sheet. I must examine this bed, in a word; papers may be hidden in a bed
as elsewhere; we know that very well and * * *."

Here it was her ladyship's turn to shriek, for the Captain, with his
fist shaking the pillows and bolsters, at last came to "burn" as they
say in the play of forfeits, and wrenching away one of the pillows,
said, "Look! did not I tell you so? Here is a pillow stuffed with
paper."

"Some villain has betrayed us," cried out my lady, sitting up in the
bed, showing herself full dressed under her night-rail.

"And now your ladyship can move, I am sure; permit me to give you my
hand to rise. You will have to travel for some distance, as far as
Hexton Castle to-night. Will you have your coach? Your woman shall
attend you if you like--and the japan-box?"

"Sir! you don't strike a MAN when he is down," said my lady, with some
dignity: "can you not spare a woman?"

"Your ladyship must please to rise, and let me search the bed," said the
Captain; "there is no more time to lose in bandying talk."

And, without more ado, the gaunt old woman got up. Harry Esmond
recollected to the end of his life that figure, with the brocade dress
and the white night-rail, and the go