Chapter Thirty.
Hilary tries again.
Soon after Sir Henry had gone, Hilary went to the window, but drew back directly.
“No,” he said to himself, “if I go there I shall be tempted into giving my parole or joining the Pretender’s party. Sir Henry seems to think he can win me over; so let us see.”
He began to walk up and down his prison. Then it struck him that his clothes had pretty well grown dry again, and he went over in his mind the incidents of the day and the past night, thoughts which were interrupted by the coming of Allstone, who bore some bread and meat, and a mug of beer, while a man behind him dragged in a table and chair, and afterwards carried in a straw mattress and a pillow, Allstone looking grimly on.
The man went out, but Allstone still waited, and at last the man came back with a bundle of sheets and blankets, which he threw upon the bed.
“There,” said Allstone, “that will do;” and seeing the man out, he darted a surly look at Hilary, and then followed and banged the door.
“Thank you,” said Hilary, laughing. “Perhaps a ladder would have been a little more convenient; but what donkeys people are—give a sailor sheets and blankets, and shut him up in a garret, and think he won’t escape! Ha! ha! ha!”
The sight of the food changed the current of Hilary’s thoughts, and sitting down he made a very hearty meal, felt that his clothes had grown thoroughly dry, and then did what was not surprising under the circumstances, began to nod, and then went off fast asleep.
Before an hour had passed he awoke; but he was so drowsy that he threw himself upon the mattress, and falling asleep directly he did not awaken till early the next morning.