ill she could
not rise.

Aunt Deborah was kindness itself when any one was really ill, and she
hurried off at once to see what was the matter.

Millicent's flushed face and heavy eyes were enough to rouse her
sympathy. 'You have taken a chill, child, dreaming in the garden; the
wind was keen though the sun was hot. 'Tis a pity just when these men
will want to go through the house; but there is nothing to hide from any
one here. You must lie still for a day or two, and Joan shall send you
up some soup and cooling drink.'

So Millicent lay still all that day, her heart beating quickly at every
sound, while the sergeant in charge went leisurely over the house,
tapping the wall here and the floor there, and even glancing casually,
chaperoned by Aunt Deborah, round her room, while his men scoured the
country round without success.

Indeed, she was in such a state of excitement that her hot hands and
bright eyes made Aunt Deborah think herself right about the chill, and
keep her in bed for four days.

Millicent felt rather a hypocrite when the twins, in much concern,
brought her up nice things to eat, which she, in her turn, secretly
carried to the old knight, who was now recovering fast; while she
sallied forth in the dark to the buttery to get more substantial fare
for her own healthy appetite.

By the time Aunt Deborah pronounced her well enough to be up, the house
was once more quiet, the soldiers having been recalled to London.

More than two weeks passed, and the days were growing cold, for it was
now October, when one afternoon Millicent was walking up and down the
garden in deep perplexity. Sir Denzil was now able to walk about his
little cell, and he was very anxious to set out to join his friends; but
he was still very lame, and she saw clearly that even if he got safely
out of the house, he was almost sure to be recognised and captured
before he reached Oxford. Moreover, her father had had a touch of ague,
and was coming home that very night. Aunt Deborah had gone to Reading
with the family coach to meet him, and she knew she could not keep the
secret long from him. What was to be done? Plan after plan rose in her
mind, only to be thrown aside.

She was roused by the sound of voices, and going into the court-yard,
she found all the maids and her little sisters gathered round a pedlar,
who was showing off his wares to them.

Millicent was as fond of pretty things as any girl of her age, and soon
forgot