his agent
was seated, "you have told me many things to-day--Shall I be equally
communicative? Shall I show you that my accuracy of information matches
yours? Shall I tell you, in a word, why you have at once resolved to
push every one, from the Puritan to the free-thinker, upon a general
attack of the Palace of Whitehall, without allowing me, a peer of the
realm, time either to pause upon or to prepare for a step so desperate?
Shall I tell you why you would lead or drive, seduce or compel me, into
countenancing your measures?"

"My lord, if you please to form a guess," said Christian, "I will answer
with all sincerity, if you have assigned the right cause."

"The Countess of Derby is this day arrived, and attends the Court this
evening, with hopes of the kindest reception. She may be surprised amid
the melee?--Ha! said I not right, Master Christian? You, who pretend to
offer me revenge, know yourself its exquisite sweetness."

"I would not presume," said Christian, half smiling, "to offer your
Grace a dish without acting as your taster as well as purveyor."

"That's honestly said," said the Duke. "Away then, my friend. Give Blood
this ring--he knows it, and knows how to obey him who bears it. Let
him assemble my gladiators, as thou dost most wittily term my _coup
jarrets_. The old scheme of the German music may be resorted to, for I
think thou hast the instruments ready. But take notice, I know nothing
on't; and Rowley's person must be safe--I will hang and burn on all
hands if a hair of his black periwig[*] be but singed.--Then what is to
follow--a Lord Protector of the realm--or stay--Cromwell has made
the word somewhat slovenly and unpopular--a Lord Lieutenant of the
Kingdom?--The patriots who take it on themselves to avenge the injustice
done to the country, and to remove evil counsellors from before
the King's throne, that it may be henceforward established in
righteousness--so I think the rubric runs--cannot fail to make a fitting
choice."

[*] Charles, to suit his dark complexion, always wore a black peruke.
He used to say of the players, that if they wished to represent a
villain on the stage, "Oddsfish, they always clapp'd on him a
black periwig, whereas the greatest rogue in England [meaning,
probably, Dr. Oates] wears a white one."--_See CIBBER's Apology_.

"They cannot, my Lord Duke," said Christian, "since there is but one man
in the three kingdoms on whom that choice can possibly fal