espite external appearances, a person of
some consequence: an opinion confirmed by his being a guest, and
evidently a privileged guest, of Sir Robert Cecil. He arrived at this
conclusion as they passed the postern-gate; and, as the night was now
far gone, the old porter lighted his flambeaux to escort them to the
house.

As the old man walked some degree in advance, the elder took the
opportunity to inquire of his companion,--

"Have you ever seen Mistress Cecil?"

"Seen Mistress Cecil!" repeated De Guerre, in evident embarrassment: "I
have seen but few of the ladies of the country--have had few
opportunities of doing so."

"Yet you resented the profanation of her name this afternoon under the
oak--dost remember that?"

"I know not who you are, sir," retorted Walter, angrily, and at length
fully roused from the respectful silence he had so long maintained,
"that you should thus cross and question one who sought not your
acquaintance. By heavens, if I were a friend (which, thank God, I am
not) of him you call Protector, or King, or whatever it be, I would
advise him of such persons; for it is the duty of every honest subject
to watch over his ruler, as over his father, with the care and the
duty--the tenderness and affection of a child. I should like to know how
you knew I had a grey steed?"

"Or how I discovered your ruffle with Sir Willmott Burrell after the
funeral," interrupted the other; "but be not afraid of meeting him: he
left Cecil Place some days ago, to arrange some business. Nay, now, do
not crow loudly your defiance, because I mentioned the word _fear_. What
a game-cock it is! pity, that though there is no white feather, there
should be no right feather in so gallant a crest!--Methinks the old
porter is long in summoning the grooms, so I will enter in the name of
the Lord; and do thou mind, 'Old Thunder,'" he added, in a gentle tone,
at the same time patting the curved neck of the noble creature, who
turned round his head at the caress, as if in appreciation of its value.

De Guerre took the bridle almost mechanically in his hand, and at the
same time muttered, "Left here, like a groom, to hold his horse! By the
Lord! I'll groom it for no man--yet, 'tis no disgrace, even to
knighthood, to handle a good steed; though I'd bet my poor Jubilee
against him.--Ah! here they come--" and he was preparing to resign his
charge right gladly to two servants, who advanced from a side-door just
as the stranger had