permission."

"Not to dishonourable overtures, assuredly. But if we agree to your own
conditions,--quitting the house in the way it shall seem best to your
ladyship, as was once the basis of your own propositions, I believe, it
cannot in this case be a reproach or a breach of trust, but will prevent
much damage, and be the saving of many lives."

"I will not treat without my lord's commands, Captain Moseley, and I
have listened to you longer than is expedient. It is unjust to myself,
and these brave defenders, that I appear in any way doubtful of their
ability and courage. For their sakes, and for my own, I must end this
parley."

The officer bowed low at this peremptory dismissal, wishing her
ladyship's resolutions were less firm or her means more ample.

"I can but deliver your reply. Yet"--He hesitated awhile. "There be
fierce and bloody men about the camp, who would lay down their own lives
to compass your destruction. It is not in our power to restrain them."

"One of these flaming zealots is already extinguished: we have him safe
under cover," said her ladyship, smiling; "in our own custody, I trow.
He threatened us with all the plagues of Egypt and that of his own
tongue to boot,--the worst that ere visited the garrison. One morning,
an earthquake would devour us; another, we were to be visited with the
destruction of Sodom. Some of our men once looked out for the coming
tempest, and buffeted him well for their disappointment. He seems either
malignant or insane; but in charity, of which Christian exercise he
seems utterly ignorant, we suppose the latter. We have therefore made
his feet fast in the stocks, from whence, I hear, he pronounces his
anathemas as confidently as though he were armed with the power and
thunders of the Vatican!"

"May I crave the name of this doughty personage?--We have but too many
of them amongst us."

"Verily, 'tis your drum, by whose hands I have had a message heretofore.
The chances of war have again brought him hither,--but now a prisoner!"

"Gideon Greatbatch?"

"The same. We have heard him, with many blasphemous allusions, liken
himself unto that great one among the judges of Israel,--and truly he
seems more fitted to wield the sword than the drum-stick!"

"Your ladyship would perhaps indulge me with an interview. It might
comfort him to see one from the camp."

"Provided that no sinister design or advantage be lurking under this
request. Yet am I speaking, I would f