Alarmed by the sound, Juliana came instantly into the house.
"I want to speak to you," said the hostess, taking her hand, and drawing her into a small room which she called her own.
After closing the door, she said in a tone of great sympathy, "I find you are very unhappily circumstanced."
"I do not understand you," interrupted Juliana.
"I have accidentally overheard what has passed between you and the handsome young Cavalier in the garden, and I find that you greatly prefer him to the swarthy-complexioned gentleman, to whom you have promised your hand. You are very young, and feeling for you like a mother, I cannot see you rush to destruction, without trying to prevent it. Break off this foolish engagement at once—at once, I say—and return to your father. Nay, if you hesitate, I will take you to him myself. You must not—shall not—marry this man!"
"I do not mean to marry him," said Juliana.
"What is it you mean to do, in Heaven's name?" cried Dame Swan, with an energy that alarmed the young damsel.
"I find I must trust you," she said. "I am sure you are perfectly loyal."
"Loyal! yes! I should like to see the king on the throne, and his enemies confounded. But what has my loyalty got to do with your engagement?"
"Everything," replied Juliana, reassured by the good woman's words. "The king is now beneath your roof. He is the person whom you have been led to believe would be my husband; but the wretch of whom you heard us speak in the garden is the accursed regicide Cromwell. Now you understand it all?"