ry, aye, and king, too, the best public services I
could, even though it brought upon me the loss of my liberty, the ruin
of my mean estate, and the hazard of my life. When the late king did
wrong I withstood him, to the extent of my poor capacity; but I was not
for seeing the crown and lords of the ancient realm of England subverted
or submerged by the flood of usurpation let in by some members of the
Lower House. My speech of the 4th December, 1649----."

"I heard it," broke in the other, "And well do I remember the hum of
assent and approbation with which it was received."

"It was printed no less than three times last year. Then followed my
tractate upon their deposing and executing their lawful king; and other
leaves against the arbitrary taxation of what I call 'the Westminster
Junto.' Think you that these things can be forgotten, or that my being
sent here with Haine is more than a hollow compliment? Recollect the
word that we exchanged at my lodging in the Strand two years ago, and
bear in mind that it is rather in your hands than in mine to temper
justice with mercy when my friends shall be overthrown in yonder
island."

So pleaded, and to yet greater length, the verbose but earnest advocate.
But in truth he might have been more concise, less eloquence would have
sufficed had not the idle hours of a sea voyage thrown open a wider door
for its display. Lempriere was ready to promise anything on the joy of
the long-wished for moment.

"Quod optanti Divum promittere nemo
Auderet."

As he himself expressed the matter with wonted Latinity. His own nature
would have disposed him to adhere to the promise given long ago, and
still so urgently demanded of him by Prynne.

On the evening of Monday, the 20th of September, the flotilla was
signalled in the north-western part of Jersey, where a vigilant outlook
had long been maintained upon the very top of Plemont. The sea heaved to
and fro in smooth fluctuations under the bright weather, which shed mild
splendour over the violet surface, studded with orange rocks. With
favouring airs the stately ships slid slowly on in crescent formation.
They cast anchor for the evening in S. Owen's Bay, sheltered on the
north by Grosnez Gape, and on the south by the cliffs that end in the
Corbiere--an extent of nearly five miles.

On shore all was bustle and preparation. Sir George's head-quarters were
at his cousin's seat, the manor house of S. Owen. The sandy plains to