o gain the knowledge of what was to
happen, and hastened on his way. He had been about eight miles from
Arnwood when he had concealed himself in the fern. Jacob first went to
his cottage to deposit his gun, saddled his forest pony, and set off for
Arnwood. In less than two hours the old man was at the door of the
mansion; it was then about three o'clock in the afternoon, and being in
the month of November, there was not so much as two hours of daylight
remaining. "I shall have a difficult job with the stiff old lady,"
thought Jacob, as he rang the bell; "I don't believe that she would rise
out of her high chair for old Noll and his whole army at his back. But
we shall see."

CHAPTER TWO.

Before Jacob is admitted to the presence of Miss Judith Villiers, we
must give some account of the establishment at Arnwood. With the
exception of one male servant, who officiated in the house and stable as
his services might be required, every man of the household of Colonel
Beverley had followed the fortunes of their master, and as none had
returned, they, in all probability, had shared his fate. Three female
servants, with the man above mentioned, composed the whole household.
Indeed, there was every reason for not increasing the establishment; for
the rents were either paid in part or not paid at all. It was generally
supposed that the property, now that the Parliament had gained the day,
would be sequestrated, although such was not yet the case; and the
tenants were unwilling to pay, to those who were not authorised to
receive, the rents which they might be again called upon to make good.
Miss Judith Villiers, therefore, found it difficult to maintain the
present household; and although she did not tell Jacob Armitage that
such was the case, the fact was, that very often the venison which he
brought to the mansion was all the meat that was in the larder. The
three female servants held the offices of cook, attendant upon Miss
Villiers, and housemaid; the children being under the care of no
particular servant, and left much to themselves. There had been a
chaplain in the house, but he had quitted before the death of Mrs
Beverley, and the vacancy had not been filled up; indeed, it could not
well be, for the one who left had not received his salary for many
months, and Miss Judith Villiers, expecting every day to be summoned by
her relations to bring the children and join them, sat in her high chair
waiting for the arr