Page 31 - A Jacobite Exile

father is all for King William, and your father for King James. He makes no
secret of that, you know."

Charlie nodded.

"That is right enough, Ciceley, but still, I don't understand in the least what
it has to do with the servant."

"It has to do with it," she said pettishly, starting the swing afresh, and then

relapsing into silence until it again came to a standstill.

"I think you ought to know," she said suddenly. "You see, Charlie, Sir

Marmaduke is very kind to me, and I love him dearly, and so I do you, and
I think you ought to know, although it may be nothing at all."

"Well, fire away then, Ciceley. There is one thing you may be quite sure of,
whatever you tell me, it is like telling a brother, and I shall never repeat it

to anyone."

"Well, it is this. That man comes over sometimes to see my father. I have
seen him pass my window, three or four times, and go in by the garden
door into father's study. I did not know who he was, but it did seem funny

his entering by that door, as if he did not want to be seen by anyone in the
house. I did not think anything more about it, till I saw him just now, then I

knew him directly. If I had seen him before, I should have told you at once,
but I don't think I have."

"I daresay not, Ciceley. He does not wait at table, but is under the steward,
and helps clean the silver. He waits when we have several friends to dinner.

At other times he does not often come into the room.

"What you tell me is certainly curious. What can he have to say to your

father?"

"I don't know, Charlie. I don't know anything about it. I do think you ought
to know."