"I'm loyal, Sir," said Patient, softly—"to any covenanted King: but needs be to the King of Kings the first."
"I fear you are a dangerous character," said Captain Wallace, severely. "I am surprised to meet with such an one in this house. However, you won't lie to me, being a Puritan—that is one good thing. They never tell lies. Now listen! Do you know where Sir Edward Ingram is at this moment?"
The "No Sir," came readily enough this time.
"Well, I suppose you can go," said Captain Wallace, doubtfully. "But I am not at all satisfied with you—mark that! Your witness is very badly given, and very unwillingly. I may want you again. If it should be needful to search the house a second time, I certainly shall do so. You have only just escaped being put under arrest now."
"I've told you the truth, Sir," said Patient, pausing. "I will tell you the truth any day. But if it were to come to this—that my dying could save you from finding my bairn Sir Edward, I wouldna haud my life as dear as yon bittie of thread upon the floor!"
She courtesied and departed.
"Ah! that shows what the woman is," said Captain Wallace, carelessly. "An enthusiast—a complete fanatic. Well, Mr. Passmore"—
"Sir," said the Squire, energetically, "I am by no means satisfied with this. The house shall be searched again, if you please, and I will join the party myself. Harry, fetch a longer candle—fetch two! That woman may have hidden the fellow anywhere! I'll have every corner looked into. There shall be no question of any hiding of Jacobites in my house. Charley, go and get a candle too. You girls have a lot of gowns and fallals in that closet in your room. Go and bundle them all out! Make haste!"
"Oh, I say, what fun!" remarked Charley, to whom any connection between the hunted man and his favorite sister never occurred.
Lucy left the room laughing to execute her father's behest, and Celia dared not but follow, lest her absence should be remarked. The two girls went hastily up-stairs, and at the top they found Patient standing.