m."

"What?"

"Hush! Don't look like that. I'm gammoning my lady, so as they shan't
send me away like t'others. You've got a strong man here when you and
Ben Martlet wants to make a fight for it again. Oh-h-h!"

He groaned as he saw one of the wounded Parliamentarians looking in
their direction, and Roy rose hurriedly and joined his mother, feeling
as if he were playing false.

They finished their round of the place, and then went out into the
corridor to talk.

"Don't speak about our disaster, Roy," said Lady Royland, clinging to
his hand. "We must bear it, and your father cannot blame us for our
reverse. There, I shall be busy here, and we must be thankful that we
have fallen into the hands of General Hepburn, whose kindness and
consideration are far more than we could have expected. He has only one
fault--he is an enemy."

"Then you don't blame me for feeling as if I half liked him, mother?"

"We can like the man, Roy, without liking his principles," said Lady
Royland, calmly. "Come and see me as often as you can; I shall
generally be here, but I suppose you can come to my room sometimes."

"I suppose so," said Roy. "I believe I am to keep mine."

"Yes; General Hepburn told me you should; but, Roy, you will be
careful."

"What--about trying to retake the place?"

"It is impossible, my boy. But I did not mean that; I meant about
encountering that man--no, he is not a man," she cried, with an angry
flash of her eyes. "He has taken possession of the library and the
state-room, for he made a bargain with our enemies that his reward for
delivering up the place was to be that he should retain the estate
afterwards."

"And they wanted the stronghold put down, and agreed," said Roy. "Yes;
I pretty well know all, mother. Of course you have heard how he got the
men in? All through my neglect?"

"Yes, Roy! No, Roy, there was no neglect! We could not know of that
communication."

"I did; but I could not find it. Oh, how that villain did cheat--"

Roy got no further, for his mother's hand was laid upon his lips, and
they parted directly after, her last words being:

"Don't think of it, Roy; our position is a happy one compared to his.
Even the enemy look upon him with disgust."

"And I was ready for a few moments to believe all he said," thought Roy,
as he returned to the court-yard with a strong desire now in his mind,
one which grew minute by minute. He only waited for a favourable
oppor