It was very brief, and was written in a peculiar hand that was not familiar. "Take counsel with yourself as to what you are doing. A great change is coming over the country, for the king's cause is undoubtedly lost. Many who respect the old family of Royland, and would help if they dared, feel that it is unwise to fly in the face of the new power, and to go in opposition to the people, who in all directions are declaring against the king. All who respect Dame Royland join in advising her to cease the show of resistance she is making, and to settle down quietly, ready to accept the fresh position, for resistance must mean destruction. Pause before it is too late.--From an old friend." "Well," said Lady Royland, as her son read the letter through twice, "what do you think of that, Roy?" "That the man who wrote it must be a coward." "It explains why we have not had more offers of help, my boy. I have felt for days past that there must be something very wrong. We are, it seems, becoming isolated in an enemy's country, and so as to secure our safety, I am advised to lay down my arms, and turn over my allegiance to the new government, whatever it may be. That is what the letter advises." "Yes, but who wrote it?" cried Roy. "It is evidently written by one person acting for others, and explains why my letters to gentlemen who I should have thought would have been ready to help me have remained unanswered." "Then we are to have no more help?" "None, save that which we have secured from the village, and of course from the tenants on our estate. What do you think, Roy? If I resist, we shall, from our weakness, in all probability be beaten, and the new government will confiscate your father's property here; while, if we settle down to an ignoble peace--" "They'll perhaps seize upon the estate all the same." "Then you would resist, my boy?" said Lady Royland, watching her son's face closely. "Resist, mother?" he cried, indignantly; "why, of course. After what father said, it is our duty to shut ourselves up here, hoist the king's flag, and show the cowards who sent that letter that we're going to fight as long as there's a tower left in the old place." "Then you would advise me to go against everything that is said in that letter?" "Pah!" cried the boy, with a look of disgust. "I wonder you can ask me such a question, mother." Roy had risen from the table, and with his face scarlet was walking up and down the room.