Cecily felt strangely calm and collected in face of the peril. In after times when she came to think it all over she wondered at herself, but she recalled the fact that at the moment she was well-nigh certain her cousin was not on the premises, or, at any rate, inside the Abbey, and she had felt that if there were a safe hiding-place to be found his intimate knowledge of his own home would stand him in good stead in the emergency. "Well, maiden, where is this traitor? You had best speak at once, and save time and trouble, for I doubt not you are well informed of his movements." "We have no traitors among the dwellers at Combe Abbey, sir, and if there be any here now they are no welcome guests, I promise you," replied the girl calmly, looking the officer straight in the face. "I would have you keep a civil tongue in your head, as becomes a modest maid," replied her interrogator. "Tell me at once, where is this pestilent rogue, Hugh Travers?" "I know of no 'pestilent rogue' of that name, though that same name is the property of my cousin and the owner of this house." "And he is here at this moment." "Is he? Then why detain and question me, since you are so well informed? Permit me to leave you; I must attend on my aunt, who is but poorly, and who will be disturbed by this unwonted turmoil, for Combe Abbey is a peace-loving house." And Cecily made as though she would cross the hall and mount the stairs; but the trooper beside her laid his hand on her arm and detained her as the officer continued: "Stay where you are, wench; this giddy talking will avail you nothing." "Sir, methinks those that preach would do well to set an example," said Cecily, with a slight curl of disdain on her lip. "Ah, in what way mean you?" "Those that prate of civil tongues should be possessed of the same." "Heyday! A plague on you for a saucy slut!" "After that I listen to no more of your instructions, sir. I will not have you as my master"; and Cecily curtseyed in mock deference to the officer, who, losing his temper, said loudly-- "A truce to this folly! Where is Hugh Travers?" "I know not." "But he is here." "So you tell me." "You have seen him." "So you say." "I will have him!" "That is as may be. Can I tell you ought else?" "I can tell _you_ that it will be the worse for all here if he be not given up at once. The Lord Protector has his eye upon this house." "Then I wonder he has not seen the owner, since you say he is here." "Faugh! 'Tis folly to bandy words with a woman! Ah, here is something!"--as a trooper was seen coming down the stairs leading Lady Travers. At the sight Cecily broke away from her captor, and, running to meet her aunt, offered her arm as a support. "What is the meaning of all this, Cecily?" asked the old lady. "It means, aunt, that this gallant gentleman has brought us news of Cousin Hugh, since he asserts that he is here." "Hugh--here? Where? Why was I not informed?"