ordered by her; so he went his own way, and taught the merry
chattering Lucy to be very nearly as bad as himself, neglected his
duties, set a bad example, tormented a faithful servant, and
seriously distressed his mother. Give him some great cause, he
thought, and he would be the first and the best, bring back the King,
protect his mother and sisters, and perform glorious deeds, such as
would make his name be remembered for ever. Then it would be seen
what he was worth; in the meantime he lived a dull life, with nothing
to do, and he must have some fun. It did not signify if he was not
particular about little things, they were women's affairs, and all
very well for Rose, but when some really important matter came, that
would be his time for distinguishing himself.

In the meantime Charles II. had been invited to Scotland, and had
brought with him, as an attendant, Edmund Woodley, the eldest son.
As soon as he was known to have entered England, some of the loyal
gentlemen of the neighbourhood of Forest Lea went to join the King,
and among their followers went Farmer Ewins, who had fought bravely
in the former war under Edmund Mowbray, several other of the men of
the village, and lastly, Diggory Stokes, Lady Woodley's serving man,
who had lately shown symptoms of discontent with his place, and
fancied that as a soldier he might fare better, make his fortune, and
come home prosperously to marry his sweetheart, Deborah.



CHAPTER II.