e. No man on earth hated Somerset more heartily than
Warwick, and perhaps only one other man hated him quite as much. While
they were yet debating how to ruin Somerset, a letter came in the King's
name from Secretary Petre, inquiring for what cause they thus gathered
together: if they wished to speak with the Protector they must come
peaceably. This letter sealed the fate of the conference--and of
Somerset. The victim, it was evident, was awake and watching. Ruin
might have served the original purpose: now only one end would serve
it--death. But Warwick was one of the few who know how to wait.

In this emergency--for he manifestly feared for his life--Somerset
appealed to the only friends he had, the people of England. And England
responded to the appeal. Hour after hour thickened the crowd which
watched round Hampton Court, where the King and Protector were; and in
the middle of Sunday night, when he thought it safe, Somerset hastened
to take refuge with his royal nephew in the strong-hold of Windsor [Note
4], the crowd acting as guards and journeying with them.

It was a false move. The populace were with Somerset, but the army was
with Warwick. The crowd melted away; the Lords held London; and on
every gate of the city a list of the charges against the Protector was
posted up. The bird, struggling vainly in the toils of the serpent, was
only exhausting its own life.

These were the charges (in substance), which Isoult Avery found Dr
Thorpe carefully reading when she came home from the market on Monday
morning. The old man was making comments as he proceeded, not very
complimentary to my Lord of Warwick and his colleagues.

"One. That he hath made inward divisions.

"Two. That he hath lost his Majesty's pieces beyond the sea.

"Three. That he did enrich himself in the war, and left the King's poor
soldiers unpaid of their wages.

"Four. That he hath laboured to make himself strong in all countries.

"Five. That he hath subverted all law, justice, and good order, whereby
he hath fearfully shaken the chair of the King's seat.

"Six. That he hath little esteemed the grave advice of the King's good
and faithful councillors.

"Seven. That he hath little regarded the order appointed by King Henry,
for the government of his son.

"Eight. That he hath laboured to sow dissension in the kingdom among
the nobles, gentlemen, and commoners.

"Nine. That the King and kingdom hath suffered great los