"My mother's name was Cooper; she was sister to Sir Anthony Ashley
Cooper, who is a person well-known."
"Indeed! Then you are of gentle blood?"
"I believe so," replied Patience, with surprise.
"Thank you for your condescension, Mistress Patience; and now, if you
will permit me, I will take my leave."
"Before you go, let me once more thank you for saving a worthless life,"
said Patience: "well, you must come again when my father is here; he
will be but too glad to have an opportunity of thanking one who has
preserved his only child. Indeed, if you knew my father, you would feel
as much regard for him as I do. He is very good, although he looks so
stern and melancholy; but he has seldom smiled since my poor mother's
death."
"As to your father, Mistress Patience, I will think as well as I can of
one who is joined to a party which I hold in detestation: I can say no
more."
"I must not say all that I know, or you would perhaps find out that he
is not quite so wedded to that party as you suppose. Neither his
brother-in-law nor he are great friends of Cromwell's, I can assure you;
but this in confidence."
"That raises him in my estimation; but why then does he hold office?"
"He did not ask it; it was given to him, I really believe, because they
wished him out of the way; and he accepted it because he was opposed to
what was going on, and wished himself to be away. At least I infer so
much from what I have learnt. It is not an office of power or trust
which leagues him with the present Government."
"No; only one which opposes him to me and my mal-practices," replied
Edward, laughing. "Well, Mistress Patience, you have shown great
condescension to a poor forester, and I return you many thanks for your
kindness towards me: I will now take my leave."
"And when will you come and see my father?"
"I cannot say; I fear that I shall not be able very soon to look in his
injured face, and it will not be well for a poacher to come near him,"
replied Edward: "however, some day I may be taken and brought before you
as a prisoner, you know, and then he is certain to see me."
"I will not tell you to kill deer," replied Patience; "but if you do
kill them, no one shall harm you--or I know little of my power or my
father's. Farewell then, sir; and once more, gratitude and thanks."
Patience held out her hand again to Edward, who this time, like a true
cavalier, raised it respectfully to his lips. Patience coloured a
little, but did not attempt to withdraw it, and Edward, with a low
obeisance, quitted the room.