"Pooh! This is excellent indignation. What man is there but will do so? I mean, of course, anything you consider to be right and virtuous." "Anything which is undeniably right, and upright, and virtuous. Ah! now your reverence understands me. Such has always been my character." "In your own opinion. Well, self-respect is a real blessing: I will not ask you to forego it. Your business will be of a nature congenial as well as interesting to you. Your ship lies just in the right position for the service I require; and as she is known to have come from Wales, no Revenue-men will trouble you. You will have to keep watch, both day and night, upon Sir Philip and Narnton Court." "Nothing in the nature of spying, your reverence, or sneaking after servants, or underhand work----" "Nothing at all of that sort. You have nothing to do but to use your eyes upon the river-front of the building, especially the landing-place. You will come and tell me as soon as ever you see any kind of boat or vessel either come to or leave the landing-place. Also, if any man with a trumpet hails either boat or vessel. In short, any kind of communication betwixt Narnton Court and the river. You need not take any trouble, except when the tide is up the river." "Am I to do this against Sir Philip, who has been so kind and good to me? If so, I will hear no more of it." "Not so; it is for Sir Philip's good. He is in danger, and very obstinate. He stupidly meddles with politics. My object is to save him." "I see what your reverence means," I answered, being greatly relieved by this; for then (and even to this day, I believe) many of the ancient families were not content with his gracious Majesty, but hankered after ungracious Stuarts, mainly because they could not get them. "I will do my best to oblige you, sir." I finished, and made a bow to him. "To obey me, you mean. Of course you will. But remember one thing--you are not to dare to ask a single word about this family, or even mention Sir Philip's name to anybody except myself. I have good reason for this order. If you break it I shall know it, and turn you to stone immediately. You are aware that I possess that power." "Please your reverence, I have heard so; and I would gladly see it done--not to myself as yet, but rather to that old woman in the kitchen. It could not make much difference to her."