“Yes, sir; and will of course obey your order, should you determine that I must speak no more to Herbert.  But, as you say, I am a boy yet, too young to ride to the wars, and Herbert is no older.  It will be time for us to quarrel when it is time for us to draw the sword.”

“That is so, Harry, and I do not altogether forbid you speaking with him.  Still the less you are seen together, the better.  I like the lad, and have made him welcome here for your sake.  He is a thoughtful lad, and a clever one; but it is your thoughtful men who plot treason, and until the storm be overpast, it is best that you see as little of him as may be.  And now I have eaten my supper, and it is long past the time that you should have been in bed.  Send down word by Thomas Hardway to Master Drake, my steward, to bid him send early in the morning notices that all my tenants shall assemble here to-morrow at four in the afternoon, and bid the cook come to me.  We shall have a busy day to-morrow, for the Furness tenantry never gather at the hall and go out empty.  And short though be the notice, they shall not do so this time, which to some of us may, perchance, be the last.”

The next day there was bustle and hurry at Furness Hall.  The ponds were dragged for fish; the poultry yard was scoured for its finest birds; the keepers were early afield, and when they returned with piles of hares and rabbits, these were seized by the cook and converted into huge pies and pasties.  Two sheep were slaughtered, and the scullions were hard at work making confections of currants, gooseberries, plums, and other fruits from the garden.  In the great hall the tables were laid, and when this was done, and all was in readiness, the serving men were called up to the armory, and there, throughout the day, the cleaning of swords and iron caps, the burnishing of breast and back pieces, the cleaning of firelocks, and other military work went on with all haste.

The Furness estates covered many a square mile of Berkshire, and fifty sturdy yeomen dismounted before Furness Hall at the hour named by Sir Henry.  A number of grooms and serving men were in attendance, and took the horses as they rode up, while the major-domo conducted them to the great picture gallery.  Here they were received by Sir Henry with a stately cordiality, and the maids handed round a great silver goblet filled with spiced wine.

At four exactly the major-domo entered and announced that the quota was complete, and that every one of those summoned was present.

“Serve the tables then,” Sir Henry said, as he led the Way to the great dining-hall.

Sir Henry took the head of the broad table, and bade Harry sit on his right hand, while the oldest of the tenants faced him at the opposite end.  Then a troop of servants entered bearing smoking joints, cold boars’ heads, fish, turkeys, geese, and larded capons.  These were placed upon the table, with an abundance of French wine, and of strong ale for those who preferred it, to wash down the viands.  The first courses were followed by dishes of meats and confections, and when all was finished and cleared away Sir Henry Furness rose to his feet.