"O!" said Constantia, "had not my fears anticipated the fact, those sentiments would have convinced me you had met my father."
"And when you next meet him," said Barton, "tell him that while there is a Carolus in my purse, he never shall feel penury."
"Say," returned she; "shall I ever see him again?"—Barton checked a reply, which a momentary reflection whispered was too prompt, and answered, "I am not a wizard, or diviner of things to come; wait, and see what the morrow will bring forth."
"'Tis impossible," replied Isabel, "to reach London to-morrow; but we might get to Oxford."
"True," said Barton, with a grave air, "but since we now draw near the King's quarters, I must redouble my precautions, and I now recollect 'tis my duty to attend the council of officers."
"At Banbury," continued she, attempting to detain him, "there is a royal garrison."
"To which you would escape," resumed Barton.—"Have I not told you I am proof to temptation, and will faithfully discharge the trust reposed in me by my employer."
The next day seemed to give the death-blow to Isabel's hopes. They now turned out of the direct road, in order that they might avoid the King's quarters, and directed their course, so that they might proceed through the associated counties to London.—With her usual alacrity of accommodation, Isabel endeavoured to reconcile her mind to the privations of captivity. "I know," said she, "I can not only earn my own living, but work also for Constantia. They will soon relax in the care of us girls, and it will be very easy for us to walk from London to Oxford. But, dear Eustace, I do indeed regret that I hindered you from attempting to escape. It was so selfish in me to keep you with us, as I fear they will require you to enlist in their army."
"I will be hewn into a thousand pieces first," returned he. "Have we not seen enough of those vile republicans, to determine an honest man never to purchase his life, by wearing the colours of traitors?"
"Yet, remember Barton's goodness to my father," said Constantia; "and forgive his severity to us."