LESSON 52 WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER

WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER

II

When the boy was gone to bed, these enemies of the Lord Protector fell to their plotting once more. The lots were drawn amid much jesting and laughter—though all in a low tone, for even stone walls have ears!

Lord John, being too old for travelling, was not allowed to take his chance with the rest. He it was who cut and arranged the paper lots: one short, the rest of an equal length. His companions drew from his hand, and the short lot fell to Sir Ralph.

So it was agreed that he should take horse that same midnight and ride post haste to the coast. There a friendly fishing-smack would convey him safely to France. The precious papers were handed over to his keeping—letters to the prince, bearing offers of service and money; all or any of which, if found on his person, might condemn him to prison or the scaffold.

How great was his peril Sir Ralph felt for the first time when, a few hours later, he stood in his bedchamber, armed and ready for travel, and took leave of his wife and little children. Lady Harrington's eyes were heavy with grief as she clung to him. "Ralph, Ralph!" she moaned. "Shall we ever meet again?"

At the sound of her sobs the two children stirred in their sleep, and Basil half awoke. Then his father leaned over him. "Farewell, little son!" he whispered. "Take care of Mother, and be a good Cavalier!"

Yes, Father, the boy answered drowsily. "Long live our exiled King!" He dropped into slumber again. With a smile and a sigh Sir Ralph tore himself away, and soon his wife was listening to the sound of his horse's retreating hoof-beats.

There was no rest for Lady Harrington that night. Hour after hour she lay and pictured the solitary horseman on his way, and it was only in the grey dawn of morning that she fell into a sad, uneasy sleep.

But ah! what was that? Horses' hoof-beats again! In a panic of terror she started up. Her worst fears were come true; the Roundheads were upon them! Even then she had time to feel thankful that her husband was gone.

Yet, as she strained her ears to listen, the sound told her that it was but one horseman who approached, and he, it seemed, rode with caution. Then a low whistle, little louder than a breath, sounded beneath her window. Her husband's signal! She knew it instantly.

ROUNDHEADS

Hastening downstairs, she undid the heavy bolts and bars, and flung open the door. Pale with fatigue, splashed with mud up to the shoulders, Sir Ralph staggered over the threshold. "The Roundheads, Agatha!" he gasped. "I was warned—they are not five miles behind! They are watching every road. There is just one chance—the secret cupboard in the Oak Parlour. We must try it for the sake of the good cause [1] !"

Lady Harrington understood. Half leading, half carrying her fainting husband, she reached the Oak Parlour, and touched a spring in the wall. At once the panel slid back and disclosed a small recess [2] like a cupboard.

Into this, Harrington stumbled. His wife fetched food and wine, and, assuring herself that he was somewhat revived, shut the door of his retreat upon him. Afterwards, she herself led the weary horse to a distant corner of the grounds. Well she knew that, foam-flecked as he was, his presence in the stable would betray his master's secret.

Lastly, she awoke the children and, dressing them and herself with the minutest care, awaited the coming of the foe.

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[1] cause: Something fought for, or worked for.

[2] recess: Hole, space hollowed out.