Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/311

 "I cannot say that I exactly do; you have a secret that you wish to make known to my father, and you think the knowledge of it may harm him. I cannot imagine what kind of secret that may be."

"Well, I can give you a case in point. Suppose now that I knew that King Charles was hidden in your stable-loft: such might be the case, and your father be ignorant of it, and his assertion of his ignorance would be believed; but if I were to tell your father that the King was there, and it was afterwards discovered, do you not see that, by confiding such a secret to him, I should do harm, and perhaps bring him into trouble?"

"I perceive now, Edward; do you mean to say that you know where the King is concealed? for if you do, I must beg of you not to let my father know anything about it. As you say, it would put him in a difficult position, and must eventually harm him much. There is a great difference between wishing well to a cause, and supporting it in person. My father wishes the King well, I believe, but, at the same time, he will not take an active part, as you have already seen at the same time, I am convinced that he would never betray the King if he knew where he was. I say, therefore, if that is your secret, keep it from him, for his sake and for mine, Edward, if you regard me."

"You know not how much I regard you, Patience. I saw many high-born women when I was away, but none could I see equal to Patience Heatherstone, in my opinion; and Patience was ever in my thoughts during my long absence."

"I thank you for your kind feelings towards me," replied Patience; "but, Master Armitage, we were talking about your secret."

"Master Armitage!" rejoined Edward; "how well you know how to remind me, by that expression, of my obscure birth and parentage, whenever I am apt to forget the distance which I ought to observe!"