"Now,
madam, to your own chamber. You will all meet to-morrow."
"Good-night, mother," said Edmund. "Sleep well; think this is but a
dream, and only remember that your eldest son is in your own house."
"Good-night, my brave boy," said Lady Woodley, as she embraced him
ardently. "A comfort, indeed, I have in knowing that with your
father's face you have his steadfast, loving, unselfish heart. We
meet to-morrow. GOD'S blessing be upon you, my boy."
And tenderly embracing the children she left the hall, followed by a
soldier, who was to guard her door, and allow no one to enter.
Edmund next kissed his sisters and little Charles, affectionately
wishing them good-night, and assuring the sobbing Lucy of his pardon.
Rose whispered to him to say something to comfort Deborah, who
continued to weep piteously.
"Deborah," he said, "I must thank you for your long faithful service
to my mother in her poverty and distress. I am sure you knew not
that you were doing me any harm."
"Oh, sir," cried poor Deborah, "Oh don't speak so kind! I had rather
stand up to be a mark for all the musketeers in the Parliament army
than be where I am now."
Edmund did not hear half what she said, for he and Walter were
obliged to hasten upstairs to the chamber which was to be their
prison for the night.
Pages:
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89