to any person who had suffered an injury, came forward to set a
chair, and at the same moment she exclaimed, in a tone of
recognition, "Mr. Enderby! I am grieved to see you so much hurt."

"My Lady Woodley," he returned, recognising her at the same time, as
he seated himself in the chair, "I am sorry thus to have broken in on
your ladyship, but my son, Sylvester, would have me halt here."

"This gentleman is your son, then?" and a courteous greeting passed
between Lady Woodley and young Sylvester Enderby, after which she
again enquired after his father's accident.

"No great matter," was the reply; "a blow on the head, and a twist of
the knee, that is all. Thanks to a stumbling horse, wearied out with
work, I have little mind to--the pursuit of this poor young man."

"Not the King?" exclaimed Lady Woodley, breathless with alarm.

It was with no apparent satisfaction that the rebel colonel replied,
"Even so, madam. Cromwell's fortune has not forsaken him; he has
driven the Scots and their allies out of Worcester."

Lady Woodley was too much accustomed to evil tidings to be as much
overcome by them as her young son had been; she only turned somewhat
paler, and asked, "The King lives?"

"He was last seen on Worcester bridge. Troops are sent to every port
whence he might attempt an escape."

"May the GOD of his father protect him," said the lady, fervently.