f many strangers, whom, at the King's request, she was in the
habit of receiving with courtesy.

Charles himself again spoke. "To any other lady of the same rank I might
put the question, why she was so long absent from the circle? I fear I
can only ask the Countess of Derby, what fortunate cause produces the
pleasure of seeing her here?"

"No fortunate cause, my liege, though one most strong and urgent."

The King augured nothing agreeable from this commencement; and in truth,
from the Countess's first entrance, he had anticipated some unpleasant
explanation, which he therefore hastened to parry, having first composed
his features into an expression of sympathy and interest.

"If," said he, "the cause is of a nature in which we can render
assistance, we cannot expect your ladyship should enter upon it at the
present time; but a memorial addressed to our secretary, or, if it is
more satisfactory, to ourselves directly, will receive our immediate,
and I trust I need not add, our favourable construction."

The Countess bowed with some state, and answered, "My business, sire,
is indeed important; but so brief, that it need not for more than a
few minutes withdraw your ear from what is more pleasing;--yet it is so
urgent, that I am afraid to postpone it even for a moment."

"This is unusual," said Charles. "But you, Countess of Derby, are an
unwonted guest, and must command my time. Does the matter require my
private ear?"

"For my part," said the Countess, "the whole Court might listen; but
you Majesty may prefer hearing me in the presence of one or two of your
counsellors."

"Ormond," said the King, looking around, "attend us for an instant--and
do you, Arlington, do the same."

The King led the way into an adjoining cabinet, and, seating himself,
requested the Countess would also take a chair. "It needs not, sire,"
she replied; then pausing for a moment, as if to collect her spirits,
she proceeded with firmness.

"Your Majesty well said that no light cause had drawn me from my lonely
habitation. I came not hither when the property of my son--that property
which descended to him from a father who died for your Majesty's
rights--was conjured away from him under pretext of justice, that it
might first feed the avarice of the rebel Fairfax, and then supply the
prodigality of his son-in-law, Buckingham."

"These are over harsh terms, lady," said the King. "A legal penalty was,
as we remember, incurred by an act o