his sons, he said, to the cause, though his age and
infirmities must prevent him from joining it personally, but he purposed
setting to work to enlist men who would soon raise a body of cavalry, of
which he hoped Colonel Tregellen would take command.

"I will do nothing of the sort, my friend," answered the Colonel,
laughing. "My fighting days are over, and even if I thought better of
the Duke's cause than I do, I would not risk the safety of those
dependent on me by engaging in it. As a friend, I would advise you to
return home and remain quietly there; you have given your sons to the
cause, and I pray that they may be preserved from the dangers to which
they must inevitably be exposed."

Madam Pauline and Alice were present; the former was greatly relieved
when she heard the Colonel say this. Poor Alice looked pale and
anxious. She was more ready than ever to forgive Stephen for having
acted contrary to her advice, when she heard that he had done so in
obedience to his father's wishes; still she dreaded the dangers to which
he would be exposed,--dangers which the Colonel's remarks had conjured
up in her imagination. Roger's stay was to be a very short one, he had
spent so much time on his journey down; and as he would probably be
longer returning, it was settled that he was to start on the following
Monday. The family on Saturday night had retired to rest, but Roger, a
very unusual thing for him, could not sleep. He had thrown open the
window, which looked northward; before it, at some distance, ran the
road between Lyme and Bridport. Presently he heard the tramp of feet
and the murmur of voices. As he watched a part of the road which could
be seen between the trees, he observed it filled with armed men marching
eastward. There appeared to him to be a large number on foot pressing
forward, then there came a body of horsemen. At length they all passed
by. He was doubtful whether he should tell his uncle, but what would be
the use, he thought, if they are Monmouth's men?--he would not join
them. Or is it likely that the Duke could so soon have got an army
together? If they are the king's, he might be called upon to give his
assistance. He was very much inclined to let himself out of the house
to go and ascertain what they were about. He resisted the temptation,
however. Should he be discovered, his uncle, he felt, might suppose
that he was breaking his word. Drowsiness stealing over him, he left
his w