frey held up his hand.

"Impossible, my boy. By the same despatch I learned that Colonel
Forrester--unhappy man!--has cast in his lot with the Roundheads. I am
told, too, that he has been harbouring one of the enemy's generals, who
has been about the country organising revolt against his majesty, under
the name of Captain Miles. Scarlett, my boy, the Forresters are the
enemies of the king, and therefore ours."

"Poor Fred!" said Scarlett, half aloud.

"Ay, poor Fred!" said Sir Godfrey. "Do you think it possible that you
could save him from this fate by bringing him over to us? He is your
friend, Scarlett?"

"Yes, father, but--"

"Yes, my boy, you are right. It would be a cowardly deed to try and
separate father and son. Would it were otherwise, for I like the boy."

"Like him, father? It seems horrible; just as if one was losing a
brother, and could not stretch out a hand. And you would not like me to
say good-bye to Fred, father?"

"You cannot now, my boy; neither while he is against us can I take
Colonel Forrester's hand again."

There was a painful pause here, broken by Lady Markham's sobs; and then,
with a sudden display of soldierly firmness, Sir Godfrey bent down and
kissed his wife.

"Come, my darling," he said, "remember your duty as the wife and mother
of two soldiers suddenly called away."

"I'll try," said Lady Markham, rising sadly.

"And succeed," replied Sir Godfrey, gently. "Come, Scarlett, my boy.
Time flies. You will choose which horse you like, and prepare the very
few necessaries that you can carry. We shall get our equipment at
Exeter, so work hard, as if you momentarily expected to hear the trumpet
call, `To horse.' Why, it stirs my blood again, after all these years
of idleness. That's better, my darling. Women should not weep when
those they love are about to leave on duty, but give them smiles."

"Smiles, Godfrey!" said Lady Markham, sadly.

"Yes, smiles. Every soldier who goes to fight does not get hard blows
or wounds. Many escape everything, and come back covered with glory and
full of the sense of duty done. There, Scarlett, my boy, away with you
and pack your valise. Recollect you are a soldier now."

Scarlett dashed at his mother, kissed her, and then, bewildered by
excitement, he hurried out to go to the stable and select the horse he
might need to carry him in many a perilous time; but before he reached
the long range of buildings where Sir Godfrey's ho