that man from eminence
to day, whom they had but yesterday raised out of the dust; that this
match would rivet his interest, by having the lawful prince so nearly
allied to him; and perhaps his grandchild the indisputed heir of the
crown. That he might then rule with more safety, nor dread either the
violence of the Royalists, or the insidious enemies of his own
government. Upon hearing this, Cromwell made a pause, and looking
stedfastly in my lord's face, he asked him if he was of opinion, that
the exiled prince could ever forgive his father's murderer; he
answered as before, that his necessity was great, and in order to be
restored to his crown, would even sacrifice his natural resentment to
his own ease and grandeur; but Cromwell could not be induced to
believe that ever Charles could pardon him.

Whether lord Broghill was serious in this proposal cannot be
determined; but if he was, it is certain, he had a mean opinion of
Charles; to have capitulated upon any terms with Cromwell, would have
been betraying the dignity of his birth, and his right to reign; but
to have stooped so low, as to take to his arms a child of his, who had
murdered his father, and driven him to his exile, would have been an
instance of the most infamous meanness that ever was recorded in
history; and all the blemishes of that luxurious Prince's character,
and the errors of his reign collected, do not amount to any thing so
base, as would have been those nuptials.

In the year 1656 it was proposed to his lordship by the Protector to
go down to Scotland, with an absolute authority, either because he
suspected Monk, or was willing to give the people of that country some
satisfaction, who complained of his severity; but he was very
unwilling to receive the charge, and took it at last upon these
conditions[7]: The first was: that he should be left to himself, and
receive no orders; and the second, that no complaints should find
credit, or procure directions in his absence; and the third, that he
should be recalled in a year. He was very acceptable to the Scotch,
and gained a great influence over them by speaking and acting with
moderation. After his return, he was with Whitlock and Thurloe
admitted into all the confidence that could be expected from a person
in the Protector's circumstances; who if he had any chearful moments,
spent them in their company, where he appeared quite another person
than in the ordinary course of his conduct, which was