His majesty is not in this house, madam, I presume?"
"Jacob, his majesty is not in this house: if he were, I would suffer
my tongue to be torn out sooner than I would confess it, even to you."
"But I have more for your private ear, madam."
"Agatha, retire; and Agatha, be mindful that you go down stairs, and
do not remain outside the door."
Agatha, with this injunction, bounced out of the room, slamming-to the
door so as to make Miss Judith start from her seat.
"Ill-mannered girl!" exclaimed Miss Judith. "Now, Jacob Armitage, you
may proceed."
Jacob then entered into the detail of what he had overheard that
morning, when he fell in with the troopers, concluding with the
information, that the mansion would be burned down that very night. He
then pointed out the necessity of immediately abandoning the house, as
it would be impossible to oppose the troopers.
"And where am I to go to, Jacob?" said Miss Judith, calmly.
"I hardly know, madam; there is my cottage; it is but a poor place,
and not fit for one like you."
"So I should presume, Jacob Armitage, neither shall I accept your
offer. It would ill befit the dignity of a Villiers to be frightened
out of her abode by a party of rude soldiers. Happen what will, I
shall not stir from this--no, not even from this chair.
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