"Godfrey!"
"Hush, my darling; think of the children. Be firm. Be firm."
"But it is too horrible."
"Is this my dear wife speaking?" said Sir Godfrey, gravely, as he took
his dame's hand.
"Yes," said Lady Markham, excitedly. "Would you have me sit silent when
such a demand is made?"
Sir Godfrey's brow was knit, and his nether lip quivered as he heard his
wife's words, while Lil, who seemed alarmed, crept to her brother's side
and held his hand.
"The demand is just, wife," said Sir Godfrey, at last. "I am a soldier,
sworn to help my king."
"You were a soldier once, love," interposed Lady Markham.
"I am a soldier, wife. Still a soldier, though during these peaceful
years I have been allowed to live peacefully here at home. The time has
now come when my master needs the help of all his loyal servants. He
calls me to his help, and do you think I am going to play the coward and
knave, and hide here in idleness while every rogue is striking at the
crown? Come: be a woman. Do your duty."
"My duty is to those children, Godfrey," said Lady Markham, piteously.
"And to your husband. You, as a brave, true woman, now that the
perilous time has come when ruin and destruction threatens the kingdom,
you, I say, should be the first to buckle on your husband's sword."
"Father!" cried Scarlett, "are you going away?"
"Yes, boy; I am summoned to Exeter. From there, perhaps to Bristol."
"And when do you come back?"