As Merrylips went with her, she heard Lord Caversham say: "Nay, if thou hast undertaken it, my wife, the plan is already as good as found, I warrant me!" and he laughed as he said it. Indeed, matters went fast in the next hours, under Lady Caversham's rule. Merrylips lay in bed and rested, against a long journey. Meantime, Allison and Betteris flew in and out, and brought her tidings, and sweetmeats, and little clothes, which they tried upon her, and then snipped and stitched to suit her figure. But all the little clothes were boy's clothes. "And am I never to be a girl again?" asked Merrylips, rather anxiously. Betteris laughed and would have teased her. But gentle Allison made haste to tell her why the grown folk wished her still to wear her boy's dress and keep her boy's name. "My father and Mr. Lowry, though not friends, are yet hand and glove in much business that pertaineth to the cause of the Parliament," said Allison. "So 'twere most unhappy, for divers reasons, if a breach were made between them, as there surely would be, were Mr. Lowry to find that his little ward was helped hence by my father's aid. "So all our household are pledged to silence, touching the fact that Tibbott Venner is in truth the little maid Sybil. And my father truly can say that he never saw thee, save in boy's dress and bearing a boy's name. And in that name thy safe conduct will be made out, and thou shalt ride hence Cornet Venner's young brother, upon whom Mr. Lowry hath no claim." "But surely when he seeth me, he will know me, whatever dress I wear," urged Merrylips. "And he is coming hither to seek me." "Nay," cried Betteris, "'tis not to seek thy little self that Lowry is posting hither. He cometh on Parliament business. Perchance thou mightst even bide here, and he not spy thee, but 'tis too perilous for us to venture that. So to-morrow morn, when Mr. Lowry will ride in at the east gate, as his letter gave my father to know, thou shalt ride out at the west gate, and little Robert Lucas, and my brother, and thine own brother shall ride with thee. For my father will strain a point and set thy brother free on his own promise not to bear arms till an exchange may duly be arranged for him." But for all that was said, Merrylips could not believe that it was true that next morning she should set out for Walsover. She let herself be fitted with the brave new clothes, which had been made for the young son of one of my lord's officers. The doublet and breeches were of peacock blue, with silver buttons, and the cloak was lined with pale blue silk. She chatted with Dick's sisters, and ate and drank what was brought her. But all the time she felt as if she were moving in a dream.