"Then I will," said Rose, advancing.

"No, no, Mistress Rose," said Deborah, running forward. "Don't I
know what is fit for the like of you? You go opening the door to
rogues and vagabonds, indeed!" and with these words she undrew the
bolts and opened the door.

"Is this the way you keep us waiting?" said an impatient voice; and a
tall youth, handsomely accoutred, advanced authoritatively into the
room. "Prepare to--" but as he saw himself alone with women and
children, and his eyes fell on the pale face, mourning dress, and
graceful air of the lady of the house, he changed his tone, removed
his hat, and said, "Your pardon, madam, I came to ask a night's
lodging for my father, who has been thrown from his horse, and badly
bruised."

"I cannot refuse you, sir," said Lady Woodley, who instantly
perceived that this was an officer of the Parliamentary force, and
was only thankful to see that he was a gentleman, and enforced with
courtesy a request which was in effect a command.

The youth turned and went out, while Lady Woodley hastily directed
her daughters and servant. "Deborah, set the blue chamber in order;
Rose, take the key of the oak press, Eleanor will help you to take
out the holland sheets. Lucy, run down to old Margery, and bid her
kill a couple of fowls for supper."

As the girls obeyed there entered at the front door the young officer
and a soldier, supporting between them an elderly man in the dress of
an officer of rank. Lady Woodley, ready of course to give her help