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We return to the course of our story. "There is," said the Independent Tomkins, after he had carefully perused the front of the building, "many a rare monument of olden wickedness about this miscalled Royal Lodge; verily, I shall rejoice much to see the same destroyed, yea, burned to ashes, and the ashes thrown into the brook Kedron, or any other brook, that the land may be cleansed from the memory thereof, neither remember the iniquity with which their fathers have sinned."
"The pitcher is at your service, Master Tomkins," she replied, "and you may drink as much as you will; but you have, I warrant, drank better liquor, and that not long since." It was, indeed, obvious that the steward had arisen from a revel, for his features were somewhat flushed, though he had stopped far short of intoxication.
"Never, that I heard of," said the Colonel; "on the contrary, he has been familiarly called Honest Joe, and Trusty Tomkins. For my part, I believe his sincerity has always kept pace with his interest. But come, finish thy cup, and to bed. What, all emptied at one draught!" "Adszookers, yes my vow forbids me to make two on't; but, never fear the nightcap will only warm my brain, not clog it.
"Give his honour your arms, Zedekiah and Jonathan, to lead him off I will follow instantly. You, Nicodemus, tarry to wait upon me it is not well walking alone in this mansion." "Master Tomkins," said Everard, "I have heard of you often as a sharp, intelligent man tell me fairly, are you in earnest afraid of any thing supernatural haunting this house?"
If it was fine in Threadneedle Street, he would say it was good weather for the hay; if it rained, the country wanted rain; if it was frosty, "No hunting to-day, Tomkins, my boy," and so forth. As he rode from Bryanstone Square to the City you would take him and he was pleased to be so taken for a jolly country squire.
I begged it of Mr Tomkins, on purpose to compare it." "Well then, my dear, we must order others, and mind that they measure an inch more than his. It shall cost him something before we have done, I'm determined." "You heard what Mr Smithson said? They gave negus and cherry-water." "We must do the same. I've a great mind to give ices." "Oh! my love, remember the expense."
"That precious pair of brothers, Bolster and Tomkins, knew very well what they were about, and would make it turn out right for the minister somehow. As for hisself, he stood up for the fellow, because he hadn't another friend in the place. He knew he should be kicked out for his pains, but that would be more agreeable than otherways."
His own spirit, far from being dismayed on the occasion, rather rose higher, like one whose natural element was intrigue and danger. "Here hath been wild work," he said, "since you parted. Tomkins was rude to the wench Phoebe Joceline and he had a brawl together, and Tomkins is lying dead in the thicket, not far from Rosamond's Well.
"I have some thoughts," said Mr Harrel, leading the way to another small room, "of running up a flight of steps and a little light gallery here, and so making a little Orchestra. What would such a thing come to, Mr Tomkins?" "O, a trifle, sir," answered Mr Tomkins, "a mere nothing." "Well, then, give orders for it, and let it be done directly.
The cavalry drew up at their own lines, and then dismounting, Lieutenant Tomkins at once sent an orderly to the general with the news, while the boys were taken inside a tent, and enjoyed the luxury of a bath, and a message was sent round to the officers of the regiment, which rapidly resulted in sufficient clothes being contributed to allow the boys to make their appearance in the garb of British officers.
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