important, madam," replied Jacob. "In the first place, it is
right that you should be informed that his Majesty King Charles has
escaped from Hampton Court."

"His majesty escaped!" replied the lady.

"Yes; and is supposed to be secreted somewhere in this neighbourhood.
His majesty is not in this house, madam, I presume?"

"Jacob, his majesty is not in this house; if he were, I would suffer my
tongue to be torn out sooner than I would confess it, even to you."

"But I have more for your private ear, madam."

"Agatha, retire; and Agatha, be mindful that you go downstairs, and do
not remain outside the door."

Agatha, with this injunction, bounced out of the room, slamming-to the
door so as to make Miss Judith start from her seat.

"Ill-mannered girl!" exclaimed Miss Judith. "Now, Jacob Armitage, you
may proceed."

Jacob then entered into the detail of what he had overheard that
morning, when he fell in with the troopers, concluding with the
information that the mansion would be burnt down that very night. He
then pointed out the necessity of immediately abandoning the house, as
it would be impossible to oppose the troopers.

"And where am I to go to, Jacob?" said Miss Judith calmly.

"I hardly know, madam; there is my cottage, it is but a poor place, and
not fit for one like you."

"So I should presume, Jacob Armitage; neither shall I accept your offer.
It would ill befit the dignity of a Villiers to be frightened out of
her abode by a party of rude soldiers. Happen what will, I shall not
stir from this--no, not even from this chair. Neither do I consider the
danger so great as you suppose. Let Benjamin saddle, and be prepared to
ride over to Lymington immediately. I will give him a letter to the
magistrate there, who will send us protection."

"But, madam, the children cannot remain here. I will not leave them
here. I promised the colonel--"

"Will the children be in more danger than I shall be, Jacob Armitage?"
replied the old lady stiffly. "They dare not ill-treat me--they may
force the buttery and drink the ale--they may make merry with that and
the venison which you have brought with you, I presume; but they will
hardly venture to insult a lady of the house of Villiers."

"I fear they will venture anything, madam. At all events, they will
frighten the children, and for one night they will be better in my
cottage."

"Well, then, be it so; take them to your cottage, and take Martha to
at