Patience brought in her pail, and they drank from the horn cups of
the family. Dr. Eales observed to the Cavalier that it was a true
_Agape_ or love-feast like those of the ancient Church, and the
gentleman's melancholy, weather-beaten face relaxed into a smile as
he sighed and hoped that the same endurance as that of the Christians
of old would be granted in this time of persecution.

Emlyn was gratified at being a good deal noticed by the company as so
unlike the others. She was not shy and frightened like Rusha, who
hung her head and had not a word to say for herself, but chattered
away to the young Rivetts, showing them the kid, the calves, and the
lambs, taking Mistress Alice to the biggest cowslips and earliest
wild roses, and herself making a sweet posy for each of the ladies.
The old Cavalier himself, Colonel Harford, was even amused with the
pretty little maid, who, he told Dr. Eales, resembled Mirth as Master
John Milton had depicted her, ere he took up with General Cromwell
and his crew; and was a becoming figure for this early morn.

On learning the child's history, he turned out to know Sir Harry
Blythedale, but not to have heard of him since they had parted at
Newark, he to guard the king to Oxford, Sir Harry to join Lord
Astley, and he much feared that the old knight had been killed at
Stowe, in the fight between Astley and Brereton. This would account
for nothing having been heard from him about Emlyn, but Colonel
Harford promised, if any opportunity should offer, to communicate
with Lady Blythedale, whom he believed to be living at Worcester; and
he patted Emlyn on the head, called her a little loyal veteran,
accepted a tiny posy of forget-me-not from her, and after fumbling in
his pocket, gave her a crown piece. Steadfast and Patience were
afraid it was his last, and much wished she had contrived not to take