bowed.

"I come to you, my leader, my head, my father, and I ask you, master,
are you contented with me?"

Cromwell looked at him with astonishment. The young man remained
immovable.

"Yes," said Cromwell; "you have done, since I knew you, not only your
duty, but more than your duty; you have been a faithful friend, a
cautious negotiator, a brave soldier."

"Do you remember, sir it was my idea, the Scotch treaty, for giving up
the king?"

"Yes, the idea was yours. I had no such contempt for men before."

"Was I not a good ambassador in France?"

"Yes, for Mazarin has granted what I desire."

"Have I not always fought for your glory and interests?"

"Too ardently, perhaps; it is what I have just reproached you for. But
what is the meaning of all these questions?"

"To tell you, my lord, that the moment has now arrived when, with a
single word, you may recompense all these services."

"Oh!" said Oliver, with a slight curl of his lip, "I forgot that every
service merits some reward and that up to this moment you have not been
paid."

"Sir, I can take my pay at this moment, to the full extent of my
wishes."

"How is that?"

"I have the payment under my hand; I almost possess it."

"What is it? Have they offered you money? Do you wish a step, or some
place in the government?"

"Sir, will you grant me my request?"

"Let us hear what it is, first."

"Sir, when you have told me to obey an order did I ever answer, 'Let me
see that order '?"

"If, however, your wish should be one impossible to fulfill?"

"When you have cherished a wish and have charged me with its
fulfillment, have I ever replied, 'It is impossible'?"

"But a request preferred with so much preparation----"

"Ah, do not fear, sir," said Mordaunt, with apparent simplicity: "it
will not ruin you."

"Well, then," said Cromwell, "I promise, as far as lies in my power, to
grant your request; proceed."

"Sir, two prisoners were taken this morning, will you let me have them?"

"For their ransom? have they then offered a large one?" inquired
Cromwell.

"On the contrary, I think they are poor, sir."

"They are friends of yours, then?"

"Yes, sir," exclaimed Mordaunt, "they are friends, dear friends of mine,
and I would lay down my life for them."

"Very well, Mordaunt," exclaimed Cromwell, pleased at having his opinion
of the young man raised once more; "I will give them to you; I will not
even ask who they are; do as you like with t