Acting on this advice, the colonel, on entering the yard, addressed a few words to the soldiers, telling them he was glad to see them, and adding that they should have as much ale as they liked. The prudence of this course was soon shown. The men thanked him, and allowed him and Careless to pass on unquestioned, but Charles was not quite so lucky. A stalwart trooper laid hold of his bridle, and declared he must give an account of himself.
"I will answer for him," cried Juliana. "He is my groom, and as true a man as ever breathed."
"True to whom?" demanded the trooper, gruffly.
"To the Parliament, to be sure," said Charles. "I am ready to drink Old Noll's health."
"Coupled with the wish that he may soon be king?" said the trooper.
"I forbid him to drink that toast," cried Juliana.
"Why so, fair mistress?" demanded the trooper, knitting his brows.
"Because it would be treason to the state," she rejoined.
"Nay, friend, I have no such scruples," remarked Charles, in an undertone to the trooper. "I will bring you a stoop of good liquor anon, and then we will drink any toast you please."