Dick sighed. She might have heard of him through father or brother, or some Cavalier friend. "And do I harbour a young rebel?" she asked. "No--oh, no, madam!" "That is well; for I might love my own enemies at a pinch, Dick, but the King's--never!" Dick sighed again. "Do you know anyone who is with the King, madam?" "Several gentlemen," she said, smiling. "I might claim acquaintance with many." "If you knew who I was," stammered Dick, "you might not--you would not--" "If you have done anything false, do not tell me," she said. "Nothing!" he cried. "Oh, nothing, madam! But I am hunted. I am--madam, my name is--" "Have no fear," she said. "If you have done no wrong, and are in peril, you will be safe with me. Tell me, Dick! Tell me!" Dick could no more withstand her, now she entreated, than he could fly. "My name is Chester, madam. Sir Richard Chester of Dent. "Yes, Dick," she said, kneeling down by the bed, and looking at him. "Did you know all the time?" he asked, wondering. "Yes, I think I did, dear," she said. She kissed him, and then stood up. "Go to sleep now, Dick," she whispered. "And--and you must stay with me for always, dear." She left the room swiftly, and Dick lay back wondering. CHAPTER XII DICK'S COUSIN Bridget waited on Dick all day, keeping him in bed, petting him, and nursing him, and making much of him. In the evening Philip came in with a parcel in his arms. "Now, sir," he said, "if you will be pleased to rise, here are your clothes. All the way to Arncastor have I been to fetch your honour a wardrobe, by my Lady's orders. And here you be." Dick sat up and watched with interest as Philip laid out a complete suit of gray cloth, very fine and elegant, shoes with large rosettes, silk stockings, and a fine holland shirt with lace ruffles and collar. "Those are not my clothes, sir," he said. "By your good leave, sir, my Lady says they are. I was cleaning my plate, and humming a tune, as it might be, this morning, when in comes my Lady, and saith she: 'Philip, the young gentleman upstairs is my kinsman.' 'Yes, my Lady,' I say. 'He hath fallen amongst unkind people, and lost his clothes, Philip,' saith my Lady. 'Yes, my Lady,' I say. 'Ride you over to Arncastor, and purvey him all manner of apparel,' saith my Lady. And 'Yes, my Lady,' say I." Dick got up and let Philip dress him without a word, and comb and curl his hair. "Moreover," the old man continued, as he wound a crimson sash with fringed ends round Dick's waist; "moreover, my Lady fetches this forth of her stores, and this fine lace also, and saith she: 'Dress the young gentleman carefully, Philip, remembering he is my kinsman.' And 'Yes, my Lady,' say I." Between laughing and crying at all this comfort and kindness, Dick was led downstairs to the oak-panelled room where Lady Dorothy Byng was sitting. She rose as he entered, and dropped him a curtsy. "Welcome, little Cousin," she said.