The ring was speedily answered by a good-looking man-servant.
“I here, Massa Brown,” said the ebony, making a full display of ivory.
“Is Miss Anna in, Carle?” inquired the master.
“Do no! rudder tink she be, Massa.”
“Go then, and tell her I would see her. Be quick, Carle, and do you wait until I call, for I shall want you again soon.”
A moment after, a fairy-like creature bounded into the presence of her father, and winding her arms caressingly around his neck, waited his pleasure.
“You are ill, dear father,” said she at length, observing his pale forehead. “I have wasted all the morning on my pet birds, thinking you were out as usual.”
He kissed her cheek fondly, and replied—
“I did go out, my child, but quickly returned, for there is danger abroad, and there is no more rest for thy father. ’Tis a mournful summons for thee, darling, but there is no time to be lost in revealing the true cause of it. I must flee speedily, or the new king’s officers will soon bear me back to drop my head at Whitehall. Bear it bravely, Anna, you are my own daughter, and know well the happy days of the Protectorate are ended. There is gold, more than sufficient for all thy wants!”
“But, father, you are my wealth; all the treasure of this world to me! Whither would you flee, and wherefore leave me behind?”