"No wonder at all," replied Mrs. Swaffham. "She showed her good sense in keeping away until the victory had been talked out. You would have been on the verge of quarreling all the time you were together, and the kindness between de Wick and Swaffham is a deal older than the oldest Stuart—it is generations old—and it is not worth while killing it for either Stuart or Cromwell." As she was speaking there was a slight stir in the passage, and Jane smiled at her mother. It was only an illustration of the old law—they had been talking of Matilda, because she was approaching them, and had sent her thoughts in advance. She came in without her usual spirit. She was dressed in black with not even a flower to relieve its sombreness; she had been weeping, and her face was without colour or animation. Jane went to meet her friend, kissed her, and removed her hat. Then Matilda went to Mrs. Swaffham and laid her head against her breast, and said, "I have a bad headache. I have a bad heartache. Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" "It was bad news for you, dearie," said the motherly woman; "you may be sure I thought of you." "I know you did. It was terrible news. Father has walked the floor night and day ever since." "I hope that no one you love was hurt?" "Stephen is well, as far as we know. He sent one of his troopers with the news—George Copping, a Huntingdon man. I dare say you know him?" "I know who he is." "I never saw my father so distracted. And it is always ’give, give, give.’ George took away our last silver, and I am sure nearly all our money. Father has sent away all the men-servants, but such as are necessary to work the land; four of them went back with George to the army. Poor old Anice! She has one son with Cromwell, and the other has now gone to the King. As she cooks, her tears fall. I have had to send Delia away—only Anice and Audrey are left to care for us, and father says they are more than he can afford. Though his wound has reopened since he heard of the Dunbar disaster, he would have gone north himself with George and the men——" "Oh, my dear Matilda, do not suffer him to do that. You know much depends upon his keeping quiet at de Wick." "You need not remind me of that, Jane. I know that we are only Cromwell’s tenants, and subject to his will. We may be sent away at any hour, if General Cromwell says so." "Not without proper process of law, Matilda. Cromwell is not the law." "The King is my father’s friend, yet if he move an inch for the King’s help, he will lose everything." "And he will break his word, which is the greatest loss of all," said Jane. "I know, dear, you would not wish him to do that." "Is a promise given under stress to be kept, Jane? I doubt it."