Ex-Governor Berkeley had invited her to spend a few days at Greenspring, where she met her husband's friend Hugh Price, with other gay cavaliers and ladies.
Dorothe was a thorough royalist, and she heard, while at the governor's, that Cromwell was in poor health, and there was a strong feeling that the exiled Prince Charles would be recalled to the throne.

Berkeley had invited him to Virginia.

Many of England's nobles, flying from Cromwell's persecutions, had taken refuge with ex-Governor Berkeley, and no other greater pleasure could Dorothe wish than to be associated with them.
When she returned to her home, it looked poor and mean in comparison with the governor's excellent manor house; but troubles thickened.
Bills came pouring in upon her, which she was unable to meet, for she had not a farthing, and her creditors became clamorous.
"Why don't John come back with the money ?" she asked, angry tears starting from her eyes.

"I cannot meet these bills, and he knows I must live." "You have been grossly extravagant, Mrs.Stevens," one heartless creditor returned.

He was a merchant who had smiled on her most sweetly in her prosperous days, and had always welcomed her to his shop.