He had waited at Vale Royal till he heard of the Countess's being safely embarked for Man, and then had posted homeward to his Castle and Dame Margaret.

On his way, he learned from some of his attendants, the mode in which his lady had conducted the entertainment which she had given to the neighbourhood at his order; and notwithstanding the great deference he usually showed in cases where Lady Peveril was concerned, he heard of her liberality towards the Presbyterian party with great indignation.
"I could have admitted Bridgenorth," he said, "for he always bore him in neighbourly and kindly fashion till this last career--I could have endured him, so he would have drunk the King's health, like a true man--but to bring that snuffling scoundrel Solsgrace, with all his beggarly, long-eared congregation, to hold a conventicle in my father's house--to let them domineer it as they listed--why, I would not have permitted them such liberty, when they held their head the highest! They never, in the worst of times, found any way into Martindale Castle but what Noll's cannon made for them; and that they should come and cant there, when good King Charles is returned--By my hand, Dame Margaret shall hear of it!" But, notwithstanding these ireful resolutions, resentment altogether subsided in the honest Knight's breast, when he saw the fair features of his lady lightened with affectionate joy at his return in safety.

As he took her in his arms and kissed her, he forgave her ere he mentioned her offence.
"Thou hast played the knave with me, Meg," he said, shaking his head, and smiling at the same time, "and thou knowest in what manner; but I think thou art true church-woman, and didst only act from silly womanish fancy of keeping fair with these roguish Roundheads.

But let me have no more of this.

I had rather Martindale Castle were again rent by their bullets, than receive any of the knaves in the way of friendship--I always except Ralph Bridgenorth of the Hall, if he should come to his senses again." Lady Peveril was here under the necessity of explaining what she had heard of Master Bridgenorth--the disappearance of the governante with his daughter, and placed Bridgenorth's letter in his hand.