and led him away in
search of a stable. He found one behind the house, and filling the rack
with hay, returned to the house, and seated himself at a porch which was
at the door which led to the back premises, for the keeper's house was
large and commodious. Edward was in deep thought, when he was roused by
the little girl, the daughter of the newly-appointed Intendant of the
forest, who said:

"I am afraid, young sir, you have had but sorry welcome in the kitchen,
as there was no one to receive you. I was not aware that Phoebe had
gone out. If you will come with me, I may, perhaps, find you
refreshment."

"Thanks, maiden, you are kind and considerate to an avowed poacher,"
replied Edward.

"Oh, but you will not poach, I'm sure; and if you do, I'll beg you off
if I can," replied the girl, laughing.

Edward followed her into the kitchen, and she soon produced a cold fowl
and a venison pasty, which she placed on the table; she then went out
and returned with a jug of ale.

"There," said she, putting it on the table, "that is all that I can
find."

"Your father's name is Heatherstone, I believe. It was so on the
warrant."

"Yes, it is."

"And yours?"

"The same as my father's, I should presume."

"Yes, but your baptismal name?"

"You ask strange questions, young sir; but still I will answer you that:
my baptismal name is Patience."

"I thank you for your condescension," replied Edward. "You live here?"

"For the present, good sir; and now I leave you."

"That's a nice little girl," thought Edward, "although she is the
daughter of a Roundhead; and she calls me `sir.' I cannot, therefore,
look like Jacob's grandson, and must be careful." Edward then set to
with a good appetite at the viands which had been placed before him, and
had just finished a hearty meal when Patience Heatherstone again came in
and said:

"Oswald Partridge is now coming home."

"I thank you, maiden," replied Edward. "May I ask a question of you?
Where is the king now?"

"I have heard that he resides at Hurst Castle," replied the girl; "but,"
added she in a low tone, "all attempts to see him would be useless, and
only hurt him and those who made the attempt." Having said this she
left the room.

CHAPTER NINE.

Edward, having finished his meal, and had a good pull at the jug of ale,
which was a liquor he had not tasted for a long while, rose from the
table and went out of the back door and found there Oswald Partri