oes have
shaken hands, and Roundheads and Cavaliers now unite together, I trust
that you will not object to accept a company in my regiment. As senior
captain, you will have the command; and as you have fought at sea, you
will not object, I presume, to serve again on board ship, should a war
break out. Lord Ossory, who is in the navy, desires to retain your son
about his own person, should the young gentleman like to see something
of the world. Otherwise, I should be glad to give him a post in my
household."

"You overwhelm us with kindnesses, my lord duke," said Captain
Christison. "For myself, nothing would suit me better than what you
propose, and I must beg to leave my son to choose for himself. What say
you, Wenlock? Do you wish to take time to think on the matter, or will
you run the chance of seeing service under the noble Earl of Ossory?"

The worldly ambition of the old soldier, excited by the flattering
remarks of the duke, imparted itself to Wenlock. Could he make up his
mind to turn draper's assistant in the City, as he had been meditating
doing yesterday, while so brilliant a prospect had opened itself up
before him? The thought were ridiculous.

"I heartily accept the offer of the Earl of Ossory, my lord duke," he
said, with a bow which could not have been surpassed had he been all his
life at court. "I could not wish to serve under a more noble and
gallant leader."

"I am glad it is so settled," said the Duke. "To be frank with you,
Captain Christison, I remember you well, and the good service you did to
the cause you advocated. I have not forgotten, either, the courteous
way in which you treated me when I fell into your hands on the fatal
field of Worcester; and, by my troth, the way the Cavaliers behaved on
that occasion made me ashamed of my order and the cause I served. You
tell me that you are lodging in the City. You can, however, move here
as soon as you please. There are rooms for you both, and places at my
table. In truth, after the dastardly attack made upon me last night, I
shall be thankful to have two such trusty friends within call, for I
know not when I may be again assaulted."

Thus invited, the captain and his son were glad to move that very
evening to the duke's house; indeed, the few gold pieces remaining in
the old soldier's purse reminded him that he must find some speedy means
of replenishing it, or run the risk of having to live upon short
commons. The captain