petition?" said De Guerre. "You know all
this, and from myself: imprudent I have been, but not deceitful."

"And you would see the Protector of these realms brought to the---- Can
you not finish the sentence?"

"I would, and I would not, see him brought to the block," replied
Walter, with manly frankness. "I come of a race who loved the Stuarts;
in some degree I have been cherished by them. Yet, though a most
desperate----"

"Out with it, sir," said the Major hastily, filling up the pause in De
Guerre's sentence. "Out with it! I am accustomed to hear him abused."

"A most desperate villain; still there is a boldness--a native
majesty--a---- Dalton has so often praised his bravery."

"Dalton! Did Dalton speak well of Cromwell?" interrupted Wellmore.

"Yes, well, greatly of him, as an intrepid soldier, as a being to wonder
at. Yet he has no right to the high place whereon he sits; and----"

"You would pull him down?"

"I confess it."

"The time will come when I will discuss the merits of this case with
you," said Wellmore, after a pause; "albeit I like not discussion; 'tis
not a soldier's weapon; but you are worthy of the effort. I like you,
though you are mine enemy, and that is more than I can say of many
friends. You know nothing of what the country suffered. You know nothing
of the sacrifices that man has made for its good. Were not Cromwell and
Ireton accused by their own party of favouring the man Stuart? Was not
Cromwell obliged to say to Ashburnham and Berkeley, who came to him, as
the Parliament thought, on all occasions, and about all things, 'If I am
an honest man, I have said enough of the sincerity of my intentions; and
if I am not, nothing is enough?' Was he not overpowered by the people's
clamours?--They would have a king no longer; the name, sir, the very
name was as a foul stench in their nostrils; the time had arrived when
the lawgiver was to depart from Judah. Could he, or could any man--ought
he, or ought any man to fight against the Lord, or the Lord's people?"
He spoke thus far with strength and energy, then suddenly pausing, he
added, "But, as I said before, there is time enough for this. As to
yourself, young man, if your love towards the lady be firm and true, if
your wishes for her welfare be pure and holy, if you are a true
patriot--behold! I will tell you--for this came I hither--say that you
will be one of the standing army of England! say but the word--to enjoy
rank, opportunities o