ng
some one to speak. Colonel Temple halted a moment between his natural
kindness for his friend and his respect for the presence of Sir William
Berkeley. The first feeling prompted him to rush up to Hansford, and
greeting him as of old, to give him a cordial welcome to the hall--but
the latter feeling prevailed. Without advancing, then, he said in a
tone, in which assumed displeasure strove in vain to overcome his native
benevolence--

"To what cause am I to attribute this unexpected visit of Mr. Hansford?"

"My business is with Sir William Berkeley," replied Hansford,
respectfully, "and I presume I am not mistaken in supposing that I am
now in his presence."

"And what would you have from me young man," said Berkeley, coldly;
"your late career has estranged you and some of your friends so entirely
from their Governor, that I feel much honoured by this evidence of your
returning affection."

"Both I and my friends, as far as I may speak for them," returned
Hansford, in the same calm tone, "have ever been ready and anxious to
show our devotion to our country and its rulers, and our present career
to which your excellency has been pleased to allude, is in confirmation
of the fact. That we have unwittingly fallen under your displeasure,
sir, I am painfully aware. To ascertain the cause of that displeasure is
my reason for this intrusion."

"The cause, young man," said Berkeley, "is to be found in your own
conduct, for which, may I hope, you have come for pardon?"

"I regret to say that you are mistaken in your conjecture," replied
Hansford. "As it is impossible that our conduct could have invoked your
displeasure, so it is equally impossible that we should sue for pardon
for an offence which we have never committed."

"And, prythee, what then is your worshipful pleasure, fair sir," said
Berkeley, ironically; "perhaps, in the abundance of your mercy, you have
come to grant pardon, if you do not desire it. Nay!" he exclaimed,
seeing Hansford shake his head; "then, peradventure, you would ask me to
abdicate my government in favour of young Cromwell. I beg pardon--young
Bacon, I should say--the similarity of their views is so striking, that
as my memory is but a poor one, I sometimes confound their names. Well!
any thing in reason. Nay, again!--well then, I am at a loss to
conjecture, and you must yourself explain the object of your visit."

"I would fain convey my instructions to Sir William Berkeley's private
ear,