"Get
away, Lucy?"
"I won't at your bidding, sir."
To Walter's great relief, Rose entered at that moment, and all was
smooth and quiet; Lucy became silent, and the conversation was kept
up in safe terms between Rose and the young officer. The colonel, it
appeared, was so much better that he intended to leave Forest Lea
that very day; and it was not long before he came down, and presently
afterwards Lady Woodley, looking very pale and exhausted, for her
anxieties had kept her awake all night.
After a breakfast on bread, cheese, rashers of bacon, and beer, the
horses were brought to the door, and the colonel took his leave of
Lady Woodley, thanking her much for her hospitality.
"I wish it had been better worth accepting," said she.
"I wish it had, though not for my own sake," said the colonel. "I
wish you would allow me to attempt something in your favour. One
thing, perhaps, you will deign to accept. Every royalist house,
especially those belonging to persons engaged at Worcester, is liable
to be searched, and to have soldiers quartered on them, to prevent
fugitives from being harboured there. I will send Sylvester at once
to obtain a protection for you, which may prevent you from being thus
disturbed."
"That will be a kindness, indeed," said Lady Woodley, hardly able to
restrain the eagerness with which she heard the offer made, that gave
the best hope of saving her son.
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