CHAPTER VIII.
THE DEFENSE OF AN OUTPOST.
The effect of the fresh air and of cordials poured down their throats soon restored the vigor to Prince Rupert and Harry Furness.

They were still weak, for the great effort which nature had made to resist the force of the heat during those long hours had taxed their constitutions to the utmost.
Lady Sidmouth was rejoiced indeed to find them alive, for she had made sure that they were lost.

It was not until she had been placed in a room strongly barred, and under a guard at Storton, that she perceived the light arising from her residence, and guessed that the men of the Commons, unable to find the hiding-place of Prince Rupert, had set it on fire.

Then she had knocked loudly at the door; but the sentry had given no answer either to that or to her entreaties for a hearing.

She soon, indeed, desisted from her efforts, for the fire which blazed up speedily convinced her that all hope was gone.