er? The world, my dear Countess, has changed since we were
young. Men fought in the Civil War with good swords and muskets; but now
we fight with indictments and oaths, and such like legal weapons. You
are no adept in such warfare; and though I am well aware you know how
to hold out a castle, I doubt much if you have the art to parry off an
impeachment. This Plot has come upon us like a land storm--there is no
steering the vessel in the teeth of the tempest--we must run for the
nearest haven, and happy if we can reach one."

"This is cowardice, my liege," said the Countess--"Forgive the word!--it
is but a woman who speaks it. Call your noble friends around you, and
make a stand like your royal father. There is but one right and one
wrong--one honourable and forward course; and all others which deviate
are oblique and unworthy."

"Your language, my venerated friend," said Ormond, who saw the necessity
of interfering betwixt the dignity of the actual Sovereign and the
freedom of the Countess, who was generally accustomed to receive, not
to pay observance,--"your language is strong and decided, but it applies
not to the times. It might occasion a renewal of the Civil War, and
of all its miseries, but could hardly be attended with the effects you
sanguinely anticipate."

"You are too rash, my Lady Countess," said Arlington, "not only to rush
upon this danger yourself, but to desire to involve his Majesty. Let
me say plainly, that, in this jealous time, you have done but ill to
exchange the security of Castle Rushin for the chance of a lodging in
the Tower of London."

"And were I to kiss the block there," said the Countess, "as did my
husband at Bolton-on-the-Moors, I would do so willingly, rather than
forsake a friend!--and one, too, whom, as in the case of the younger
Peveril, I have thrust upon danger."

"But have I not assured you that both of the Peverils, elder and
younger, are freed from peril?" said the King; "and, my dear Countess,
what can else tempt you to thrust _yourself_ on danger, from which,
doubtless, you expect to be relieved by my intervention? Methinks a
lady of your judgment should not voluntarily throw herself into a river,
merely that her friends might have the risk and merit of dragging her
out."

The Countess reiterated her intention to claim a fair trial.--The two
counsellors again pressed their advice that she should withdraw, though
under the charge of absconding from justice, and remain i