"Though you didn't like to face them," laughed Mr. Tombs. "Well, I should have acted in the same way myself. I don't mean to go near Stratford, while it is occupied by the enemy." "Nothing surprises me that Jane does," remarked Mrs. Tombs to Mrs. Petre; "but I wonder you like to travel when you are constantly liable to be stopped and maltreated by these Roundhead troopers." "I don't like it, I assure you," replied Mrs. Petre. "But we want to get back to our house in Buckinghamshire. If I could have anticipated the annoyances I have met with I would never have left it." "But you are going to Bristol, I understand, Jane?" said Mr. Tombs, turning to her. "I am going to the Nortons of Abbots Leigh," replied Jane. "Their place is about three miles from Bristol. I would have postponed my visit to a more convenient season--but I have something important to do." "But I hope you mean to spend a day or two with us?" "Quite impossible," rejoined Jane. "On my return I shall be delighted to stay with you. But not now. I must start early in the morning." "But you can't reach Abbots Leigh to-morrow." "No, I shall pass the night at Cirencester." "You can't do better," remarked Mr. Tombs. "There is a good inn there, kept by a very worthy woman, Widow Meynell, who will take every care of you." "I know Widow Meynell very well," replied Jane, "and shall feel as much at home with her as I do here." "Well, let us go in-doors," said Mrs. Tombs, leading the way. They then entered the house, which was larger and more commodious than its exterior seemed to promise. "You know your own room, Jane, so I needn't show you to it," said Mrs. Tombs. Jane tripped up the old oak staircase, while her sister and Mrs. Tombs followed more leisurely. CHAPTER X. HOW CHARLES INCURRED THE COOK'S DISPLEASURE. Having finished his work in the stable, the supposed Will Jones proceeded to the kitchen, where he found Bridget the cook preparing supper. Bridget was fat and not ill-looking, but something must have gone wrong, for she did not accord the new-comer a very gracious reception. The kitchen was large, occupying the entire ground floor of one wing of the house, and was lighted on either side by deep mullioned windows, filled with lattice panes. From the huge rafter supporting the low ceiling hung a goodly collection of hams. At the further end was an immense fireplace, before which, dangling from a jack, slowly revolved a large joint of beef. Charles saluted Bridget very respectfully, but she only just nodded her head, and said: "You're Will Jones, Mistress Jane Lane's groom, I suppose?" And receiving an answer in the affirmative, she went on. "Well, then, make yourself useful, Will Jones, and see that the meat is properly roasted. I've plenty to do without attending to the jack."