"I had been a glorious patriot, had we won that bloody field. Young fellow, you must have early cocked your feather to the tuck of the drum! Art a Papist?"
"Nay, I am a good Protestant, I hope."
"And loyal to our Seventh James, the crowned Jesuit? Der tuyvel, as we say in Holland, 'tis a miracle!" and after drinking from the wine-flask, he resumed with greater urbanity, "When I remember how you permitted the Lady Bruntisfield and my kinswoman Lilian to escape, it shames me that I was not more generous; but the devil tempted me to blood in that infernal hole to which I must return."
"Now, sir, since the ladies are gone, you will undoubtedly starve."
"Nay, the whole household know of my concealment, and old Drouthy will not let me want for wine and vivres."
"They may inform."
"O never! I am their lady's only kinsman—the last of the good old line, and they are staunch servitors; a few among those, whom the courtly villany of these times hath left uncorrupted. 'Tis well I know all the outlets of the mansion, for it will become quite too hot for me after to-night. No doubt a band of your soldiers will be here at free quarters until the whole barony, outfield and infield, are as bare as my hand."
"In part, you anticipate rightly."
"Henckers! then I must shift my camp among our whig friends in the west until——"
"Until what?" asked Walter, suspiciously.