Mistress Spitfire. A plain account of certain episodes in the history of Richard Coope, Gent, and of his cousin, Mistress Alison French, at the time of the Revolution, 1642-1644. Revised and edited from the original MS [or rather, written] by J. S. Fletcher

Front matter

MISTRESS SPITFIRE 3Bg tbe same author. WHERE HIGHWAYS CROSS. " His study of the first and only love of a middle-aged man who, for forty years, has lived only in his work and his thoughts, has no touch of conventionality, but is a singularly truthful and vivid rendering of the late, sudden, and almost convulsive blossoming of a supreme passion." — Daily Chronicle. " I very much doubt whether the story of a middle-aged man's first and last love has ever been told with more of truth and tender ness than are found here." — The New Age. "A charming idyll. Thoroughly original, and cleverly worked out." — Guardian, LONDON : J. M. DENT & Co. MISTRESS SPITFIRE A Plain Account of Certain Episodes in the History of Richard Coope, Gent., and of his Cousin, Mistress Alison French, at the Time ofthe Revolution, 1642- 1644 revised and edited from the original ms.

BY J. S. FLETCHER AUTHOR OF ft WHEN CHARLES THE FIRST WAS KING," ETC. XonDon J. M. DENT & CO. All Rights Reserved JTo MY FRIEND LIZZIE The Frontispiece to this book is by Mr J. Walter West, and the Map has been specially drawn by Mr Lewis Kaberry. PAGE 1 4? 77 103 143 CONTENTS

Chapter I

Chapter II

Of my Meeting with my Kinsman, Anthony Dacre, at the Wayside Inn — of my Further Adventures, my Disinheritance by Sir Nicholas, and my Doings with the Parliamentarians — and of my Employment on an Important Mission by General Oliver Cromwell.

Of my Remarkable Adventures with Gregory and our Fortunate Discovery, of Sir Nicholas's Burial in his own House, and of my Flight with Mistress Alison 177