the ring is mine own. I had it
from my father, who had it from his. I am of an ancient house, though
somewhat decayed."

His eyes sought those of his inquisitors with the pathos of a dog.
But he saw only hostile faces--Talbot's grave and grim, Lord Charles'
contemptuous, the boy's smiling ironically.

"Decayed, indeed," said the dark man, "pitifully decayed. If you be
gentle the more shame on you."

Mr. Lovel was almost whining. "I swear I am honest. I do my master's
commissions and report what I learn."

"Aye, sir, but how do you learn it? By playing the imposter and winning
your way into an unsuspecting confidence. To you friendship is a tool
and honour a convenience. You cheat in every breath you draw. And what a
man gives you in his innocence may bring him to the gallows. By God! I'd
rather slit throats on a highway for a purse or two than cozen men to
their death by such arts as yours."

In other circumstances Mr. Lovel might have put up a brazen defence, but
now he seemed to have lost assurance. "I do no ill," was all he could
stammer, "for I have no bias. I am for no side in politics."

"So much the worse. A man who spies for a cause in which he believes
may redeem by that faith a dirty trade. But in cold blood you practise
infamy."

The night was growing wilder, and even in that sheltered room its echoes
were felt. Wind shook the curtains and blew gusts of ashes from the
fire. The place had become bleak and tragic and Mr. Lovel felt the
forlornness in his bones. Something had woke in him which shivered the
fabric of a lifetime. The three faces, worn, anxious, yet of a noble
hardihood, stirred in him a strange emotion. Hopes and dreams, long
forgotten, flitted like spectres across his memory. He had something to
say, something which demanded utterance, and his voice grew bold.

"What do you know of my straits?" he cried. "Men of fortune like you! My
race is old, but I never had the benefit of it. I was bred in a garret
and have all my days been on nodding terms with starvation.... What
should I know about your parties? What should I care for Whig and Tory
or what king has his hinderend on the throne? Tell me in God's name how
should such as I learn loyalty except to the man who gives me gold to
buy food and shelter? Heaven knows I have never betrayed a master while
I served him."

The shabby man with the lean face had secured an advantage. For a moment
the passion in his voice dominated the room.

"C