favoured the popular side of the great national question. Besides, he
was a moneyed man, and to a certain extent had a shrewd eye to his
worldly interest. He understood how to improve the opportunities which
civil war afforded, of advancing his fortune, by a dexterous use of
his capital; and he was not at a loss to perceive that these were
likely to be obtained in joining the Parliament; while the King's
cause, as it was managed, held out nothing to the wealthy but a course
of exaction and compulsory loans. For these reasons, Bridgenorth
became a decided Roundhead, and all friendly communication betwixt his
neighbour and him was abruptly broken asunder. This was done with the
less acrimony, that, during the Civil War, Sir Geoffrey was almost
constantly in the field, following the vacillating and unhappy
fortunes of his master; while Major Bridgenorth, who soon renounced
active military service, resided chiefly in London, and only
occasionally visited the Hall.

Upon these visits, it was with great pleasure he received the
intelligence, that Lady Peveril had shown much kindness to Mrs.
Bridgenorth, and had actually given her and her family shelter in
Martindale Castle, when Moultrassie Hall was threatened with pillage
by a body of Prince Rupert's ill-disciplined Cavaliers. This
acquaintance had been matured by frequent walks together, which the
vicinity of their places of residence suffered the Lady Peveril to
have with Mrs. Bridgenorth, who deemed herself much honoured in being
thus admitted into the society of so distinguished a lady. Major
Bridgenorth heard of this growing intimacy with great pleasure, and he
determined to repay the obligation, as far as he could without much
hurt to himself, by interfering with all his influence, in behalf of
her unfortunate husband. It was chiefly owing to Major Bridgenorth's
mediation, that Sir Geoffrey's life was saved after the battle of