The Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat (well read books .TXT) 📕

nt tohis cottage to deposit his gun, saddled his forest pony, and set offfor Arnwood. In less than two hours the old man was at the door of themansion; it was then about three o'clock in the afternoon, and beingin the month of November, there was not so much as two hours ofdaylight remaining. "I shall have a difficult job with the stiff oldlady," thought Jacob, as be rung the bell; "I don't believe that shewould rise out of her high chair for old Noll and his whole army athis back. But we shall see."

CHAPTER II.

Before Jacob is admitted to the presence of Miss Judith Villiers, wemust give some account of the establishment at Arnwood. With theexception of one male servant, who officiated in the house and stableas his services might be required, every man of the household ofColonel Beverley had followed the fortunes of their master, and asnone had returned, they, in all probability had shared his fate. Threefemale servants, with the man above mentioned, co