“Sir, we shall not do that. But will you suffer me to say to you that my father is an old and infirm man, in weakly health, and I beg of you that you will be as merciful to his condition as your duty will allow.”
The Roundhead captain bowed.
“Be assured, madam,” he said respectfully, “that Mr Lane shall fare better for the beseechment of so good a daughter, and that I will do mine utmost to have him gently handled.”
“I thank you, sir,” replied Mrs Jane, as she closed the window.
Then, Jenny still following, a little less frightened, since the enemy seemed after all to be a man, and not a very bad man either.
Mrs Jane went upstairs and tapped at her brother’s door.
“Who’s there?” demanded the Colonel’s voice very sleepily.
“The reward of your deeds,” answered his sister, drily. “Make haste and busk thee, Jack; thou art wanted to go to prison.”
“Very good!” responded the Colonel, to Jenny’s astonishment. “Do you bear me company?”
“Nay; would I did, rather than our father.”