"I shall need no entreaty, for in truth I am very hungry," replied Jane, taking a place at the table, while the priest sat down beside her.
"How are you named, good youth?" asked Charles of the supposed page.
"Jasper," was the reply.
"Then come and sit down by me, Jasper," said the king.
"Shall I, madam?" inquired the page of his mistress, who signified her assent, and the so-called Jasper took a place by the king.
Fortunately, Mary Penderel had made such bountiful provision that there was plenty for the new-comers.
"No accident, I hope, has happened to your mistress, young sir?" observed Charles to the page.
"We were on our way from Wolverhampton to Bentley Hall, when we were attacked by a patrol of rebels in the forest, who were in search for the king," replied Jasper. "They did us no injury, but took our horses."
"How came it that you did not defend your mistress better?" asked Charles.
"How could I defend her against half a dozen armed men?" cried the page. "If I had had a pistol, I would have shot the first Roundhead rascal who came up through the head."