BEFORE Miles left Oxford, his friend, Master John Clark, advised that he should marry Cicely for her due protection, but she demurred to this hasty marriage, saying she would rather wait until she had seen her mother and father again, although she did not hesitate to promise Miles that she would marry him in a few months.
Of course Cicely had her way, but Master Clark told Miles that if any sudden need should arise, when he reached Woodstock, for the marriage to be hastened, he would come to Paton Hall and perform the ceremony if a messenger was sent to tell him that his services were required.
It was winter now, and the ill-kept roads almost impassable for mire and water, so that the journey to Woodstock was long and uncomfortable, and when at last the little town was reached, the travellers heard that Sir Thomas Paton had died the day before.
It was a painful shock to both of them, for Miles greatly desired to see his father once more, and both could see now that it would have been better to have taken the advice of friends, and had the marriage celebrated in Oxford.
But Miles was not long deciding what was best to be done, and, after a few words with Cicely, a messenger was sent back in hot haste to ask Master Clark to journey to Paton Hall, as Sir Thomas was dead.
There was no need to say more than this, for the priest would understand why he was needed, and that it would be for a marriage, and not for a funeral, that he was summoned.
When the party reached Paton Hall it was Margery who came to receive them, and then Miles heard for the first time that his mother had been ill as well as his father, and she was now too weak to leave her bed. "I am so glad you have come, Miles," said his sister, with a sob.
"And I am glad I could come, and I have not come alone, for I have brought you a little sister, Margery, who will be a comfort to us both I think."
In the bustle and confusion Margery had failed to notice Cicely until her brother spoke, but now she turned and greeted her, feeling somewhat relieved at the first glance to see that she looked a simple maiden, and not like the Lady Audrey, whose coming to Paton Hall had seemed to bring such painful changes in its train.
"Take her to your room, Margery, and don't ask her any questions until I see you. She is hungry and weary I doubt not."