The four troopers allowed the distance between themselves and the forward party neither to increase nor diminish until darkness set in, when they closed up, but said nothing. There was no further conversation between Frances and the young man. He held himself erect, and beyond the first exclamation gave no intimation that he was disturbed by the prospect before him. She was victim to the most profound dejection, and was relieved when the gathering gloom allowed her pent-up tears to fall unseen. The universal silence made the situation the more impressive. The sun had gone down in a bank of cloud which now overspread the heavens, threatening a storm and obscuring the moon. At last the lights of Northampton glimmered ahead, and shortly after a guard in front summoned them to stand. The troopers behind them also stood, but took no part in what followed. An officer examined their pass by the light of a lantern, but did not return it to them. His words seemed reassuring enough. “You are stopping the night at Northampton?” “Yes,” replied Armstrong, although the pass had been given up by Frances, and the officer’s inquiry was addressed to her. “Have you any particular lodging in view?” “No.” “You may meet trouble in finding a suitable abiding-place,” said the officer, “more especially for the lady. Northampton is little better than a barracks at the moment. I will take you to ‘The Red Lion.’” Saying this, but without waiting for any reply, he led the way with the swinging lantern. “The Red Lion” proved a much less attractive hostelry than the hospitable “Angel” at Grantham. It seemed occupied chiefly by armed men, and resembled military headquarters more than an inn. “You will perhaps wish to see to your horses yourself,” suggested the officer to Armstrong. “Yes, after I am assured that the lady is----” “Have no anxiety on that score. I will place her in the guardianship of the hostess, and will wait here for you.” The assurance had all the definiteness of a command, and Armstrong, without further parley, led away his own horse and hers, followed by old John. “Come this way, madam,” said the officer to Frances. He escorted her up a stairway, and at the top turned to her and said in a low voice: “General Cromwell’s commands were that you should be brought to him as soon as you arrived.” “Very well. I am ready.” He knocked at a door, and a gruff voice from within told him to enter. He opened the door and went in, followed by his prisoner. “I have brought the woman, General. The man is under guard below.” Saying this, and receiving no reply, the officer laid the pass on the table and withdrew, closing the door behind him.