ndant,
where his place of concealment was, and have been most anxious for his
safety."

"Excuse me, Mr Heatherstone, but each day I find more to make me like
you than I did the day before: at first I felt most inimical; now I only
wonder how you can be leagued with the party you now are."

"Edward Armitage, I will now answer for myself and thousands more. You
are too young a man to have known the cause of the insurrection, or
rather opposition to the unfortunate King Charles. He attempted to make
himself absolute, and to wrest the liberties from the people of England;
that his warmest adherents will admit. When I joined the party which
opposed him, I little thought that matters would have been carried so
far as they have been; I always considered it lawful to take up arms in
defence of our liberties, but at the same time I equally felt that the
person of the king was sacred."

"I have heard so, sir."

"Yes, and in truth; for never did any people strive more zealously to
prevent the murder of the king--for murder it was--than my relative
Ashley Cooper and myself. So much so, indeed, as to have incurred not
only the suspicion but the ill-will of Cromwell, who, I fear, is now
making rapid advances towards that absolute authority for which the king
has suffered, and which he would now vest in his own person. I
considered that our cause was just; and, had the power been left in the
hands of those who would have exercised it with discretion and
moderation, the king would even now have been on the throne, and the
liberties of his subjects sacred; but it is easier to put a vast and
powerful engine into motion than to stop it; and such has been the case
in this unfortunate civil war. Thousands who took an active part
against the king will, when the opportunity is ripe, retrace their
steps; but I expect that we have much to suffer before that time will
come. And now, Edward Armitage, I have said more to you than I have to
any person breathing, except my own kinsman."

"I thank you for your confidence, sir, which not only will not be
betrayed, but will act as a warning to guide my future conduct."

"I meant it should. Be no longer rash and careless in avowing your
opinions. You can do no good to the cause, and may do yourself much
harm. And now I must ask you another question, which I could not before
the other people. You have surprised me by stating that Major Ratcliffe
had a son here: there must be some mistak