nted head of the Lutheran party, at the least in the sense
of public matters."

"Nay, my word on't!" exclaimed he, "but if I thought the Devil, by that
his proxy, to be head of the Lutheran party, in any sense or
signification whatsoever, I would turn Gospeller to-morrow!"

Mr Underhill roared with laughter. John said, aside to Mr Rose,--"He is
not far from it now."

"Come, you are over hard on Jack Dudley," said Mr Underhill. "He is an
old friend of mine."

"Then I wish you joy of your friends," replied Dr Thorpe, in a disgusted
tone: adding after a minute, "I yet look for your answer to my
question."

"I am no prophet," answered he, "neither a prophet's son; but it needeth
not much power of prophecy to see that a civil war, or something very
like it, should follow."

"In either case?" suggested Avery.

"In the case of the King making no appointment," he said, "very likely:
in the case of his so doing, almost certain."

"Eh, my masters!" continued Dr Thorpe very sadly, "when I was born,
seventy-one years gone, the Wars of the Roses were scantly over. I have
heard my father tell what they were. Trust me, rather than go through
such a time again, I would be on my knees to God to spare it unto us,--
ay, night and day."

"But in case no devise of the succession were made," said John, "the
Lady Mary's Grace should follow without gainsaying, I take it."

"Not without gainsaying," answered Mr Rose. "My Lord of Northumberland
knoweth full well that he could not reign under her as he hath done
under King Edward. Remember, she is no child, but a woman; ay, and a
woman taught by suffering also."

"And every Lutheran in the kingdom would gather round him," added Mr
Underhill.

"Round John Dudley?" cried Dr Thorpe. "Hang me if I would!"

"Saving your mastership," said Mr Underhill, laughing, and making him a
low bow.

"And every Papist would go with the Lady Mary," said John. "It were an
hard choice for us. How think you? Which way should the Gospellers
go?"

"Which way?" cried Mr Underhill, flaring up. "Why, the right way! With
the right heir of England, and none other!"

"I asked not you, Ned Underhill," answered John, smiling. "I know your
horse, and how hard you ride him. I wished to question Rose and
Holland."

Mr Rose did not answer immediately. Mr Holland said, "It were an hard
case; yet methinks Mr Underhill hath the right. Nothing can make right
wrong, I take it, neither wrong to be