The Children of the New Forest | Page 5

the household of Colonel
Beverley had followed the fortunes of their master, and as none had
returned, they, in all probability had shared his fate. Three female
servants, with the man above mentioned, composed the whole
household. Indeed, there was every reason for not increasing the
establishment, for the rents were either paid in part, or not paid at all. It
was generally supposed that the property, now that the Parliament had
gained the day, would be sequestrated, although such was not yet the
case; and the tenants were unwilling to pay, to those who were not
authorized to receive, the rents which they might be again called upon
to make good. Miss Judith Villiers, therefore, found it difficult to
maintain the present household; and although she did not tell Jacob
Armitage that such was the case, the fact was, that very often the
venison which he brought to the mansion was all the meat that was in
the larder. The three female servants held the offices of cook, attendant
upon Miss Villiers, and housemaid; the children being under the care of
no particular servant, and left much to themselves. There had been a
chaplain in the house, but he had quitted before the death of Mrs.
Beverley, and the vacancy had not been filled up; indeed, it could not
well be, for the one who left had not received his salary for many
months, and Miss Judith Villiers, expecting every day to be summoned
by her relations to bring the children and join them, sat in her high
chair waiting for the arrival of this summons, which, from the
distracted state of the times, had never come.
As we have before said, the orphans were four in number; the two
eldest were boys, and the youngest were girls. Edward, the eldest boy,
was between thirteen and fourteen years old; Humphrey, the second,
was twelve; Alice, eleven; and Edith, eight. As it is the history of these
young persons which we are about to narrate, we shall say little about
them at present, except that for many months they had been under little
or no restraint, and less attended to. Their companions were Benjamin,
the man who remained in the house, and old Jacob Armitage, who
passed all the time he could spare with them. Benjamin was rather
weak in intellect, and was a source of amusement rather than otherwise.
As for the female servants, one was wholly occupied with her

attendance on Miss Judith, who was very exacting, and had a high
notion of her own consequence. The other two had more than sufficient
employment; as, when there is no money to pay with, every thing must
be done at home. That, under such circumstances, the boys became
boisterous and the little girls became romps, is not to be wondered at:
but their having become so was the cause of Miss Judith seldom
admitting them into her room. It is true that they were sent for once a
day, to ascertain if they were in the house, or in existence, but soon
dismissed and left to their own resources. Such was the neglect to
which these young orphans was exposed. It must, however, be admitted,
that this very neglect made them independent and bold, full of health
from constant activity, and more fitted for the change which was so
soon to take place.
"Benjamin," said Jacob, as the other came to the door, "I must speak
with the old lady."
"Have you brought any venison, Jacob?" said Benjamin, grinning, "else,
I reckon, you'll not be over welcome."
"No, I have not; but it is an important business, so send Agatha to her
directly."
"I will; and I'll not say any thing about the venison."
In a few minutes, Jacob was ushered up by Agatha into Miss Judith
Villiers's apartment. The old lady was about fifty years of age, very
prim and starched, sitting in a high-backed chair, with her feet upon a
stool, and her hands crossed before her, her black mittens reposing
upon her snow-white apron.
The old forester made his obeisance.
"You have important business with us, I am told," observed Miss
Judith.
"Most important, madam," replied Jacob. "In the first place, it is right
that you should be informed that his majesty, King Charles, has

escaped from Hampton Court."
"His majesty escaped!" replied the lady.
"Yes; and is supposed to be secreted somewhere in this neighborhood.
His majesty is not in this house, madam, I presume?"
"Jacob, his majesty is not in this house: if he were, I would suffer my
tongue to be torn out sooner than I would confess it, even to you."
"But I have more for your private ear, madam."
"Agatha, retire; and Agatha, be mindful that you go down stairs, and do
not