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"If so, Ritson, we will try if the pestilent libeller has not some ear still left to be cropped."

"We must catch him first: and as Captain Eden has spoken loudly against the Star Chamber and its powers, I doubt, knowing your highness's humour, if he will bring this hater of love-locks before you."

"That were a pity; for we would dress him in curls and ear-rings, and make him dance a galliard."

"I am afraid that your highness will be disappointed of this sport," observed Colonel Carey, who had been questioning the countryman. "This runaway cannot be Prynne; but is most probably that stern, malignant Presbyterian Hu1

ton, the friend of Pym and Eliot."

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What, the fellow who is so earnest to call in the Scots ? who declares that he will never

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rest till bishops shall be abolished, and the King so bound that he cannot move save at his parliament's pleasure ?"

"The same he who fought so furiously

against your highness at the siege of Birmingham, and has since been travelling the country in disguise, urging all to take up arms against the King," answered Major Ritson.

"Ha! the stern malignant! Let me catch him, and he shall stir up no more rebellion."

"Then your highness should send some one else to hunt him, for Hulton was a great friend of Eden's father, and persuaded the young man for a time to side with the parliament. It is not many months since he threw off the Presbyterian's rule; indeed, there are some who suspect that he still does his bidding, and is fully as much a Roundhead spy as a Cavalier officer. Will your highness depute me to seek this canting rebel ?"

"With thanks for your zeal, Ritson. Prove what you suspect of this young man, and his former gallantry shall not save him from disgrace."

CHAPTER III.

I do not think a braver gentleman,
More active valiant, or more valiant young,
More daring, or more bold, is now alive,
To grace this latter age with noble deed.
SHAKSPEARE.

"As gleam the golden morning skies,
Rich with the yet unrisen sun,
And tell in thousand heavenly dyes,
The glories of that veiled one;
So on thy high and thoughtful brow
The viewless spirit's splendours shine,—
So doth thy dark eye's mystic glow
Betray the inward light divine."-M.S.

"And is it thus we meet?

The mem❜ry of our sweetness turned to gall?
The image of our love transformed to hate?"

LITTLE suspecting the discussion that was

taking place concerning his loyalty, Captain

Eden hastened to execute the prince's order, using such activity and foresight as might have convinced the most unfriendly of his zeal and talents. Learning from some villagers that a man had been seen to enter the gate of Lawrence Weston Lodge not long before, he proceeded thither immediately, placing his men so judiciously that a mouse could scarcely have left the mansion unperceived.

The house stood on a lawn encircled by shrubberies, at the extremity of the parish of Lawrence Weston, a few miles from Bristol, within. sight and sound of the Severn, between which and the lodge extended a broad space of low, marshy land. The outer gates were closed, but not locked, and a respectable looking domestic in mourning appeared at the door, almost before the noisy summons of a trooper had died away.

In answer to Captain Eden's charge of having a runaway from Bristol concealed in the house or outbuildings, the servant replied with a steady look and tone that he would find no rebel there.

A man had called to ask his way to Gloucester an hour since, but had instantly departed on receiving directions.

"For your sake, I hope you tell the truth; but my duty requires me to search the house, and see as well as hear. Conduct me to your mistress that I may explain my purpose, as I would not unnecessarily alarm her; and, Carton," addressing one of the troopers, "follow and see that this man holds no communication with others."

The grey-headed domestic bowed, and, conducting him in silence across the hall, opened a door at the extremity of a short passage, announcing him as one of Prince Rupert's officers.

The room into which the Cavalier was thus ushered was of good size, panelled with dark oak, and lighted by a large and deeply embayed window, across which was partly drawn a curtain to prevent the sun from shining in too brightly on a couch placed against the wall at the opposite side of the apartment; above which

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