f irregular violence--so our courts
and our laws term it, though personally I have no objection to call it,
with you, an honourable revenge. But admit it were such, in prosecution
of the laws of honour, bitter legal consequences are often necessarily
incurred."

"I come not to argue for my son's wasted and forfeited inheritance,
sire," said the Countess; "I only take credit for my patience, under
that afflicting dispensation. I now come to redeem the honour of the
House of Derby, more dear to me than all the treasures and lands which
ever belonged to it."

"And by whom is the honour of the House of Derby impeached?" said the
King; "for on my word you bring me the first news of it."

"Has there one Narrative, as these wild fictions are termed, been
printed with regard to the Popish Plot--this pretended Plot as I will
call it--in which the honour of our house has not been touched and
tainted? And are there not two noble gentlemen, father and son, allies
of the House of Stanley, about to be placed in jeopardy of their lives,
on account of matters in which we are the parties first impeached?"

The King looked around, and smiled to Arlington and Ormond. "The
Countess's courage, methinks, shames ours. What lips dared have called
the immaculate Plot _pretended_, or the Narrative of the witnesses, our
preservers from Popish knives, a wild fiction?--But, madam," he said,
"though I admire the generosity of your interference in behalf of
the two Peverils, I must acquaint you, that your interference is
unnecessary--they are this morning acquitted."

"Now may God be praised!" said the Countess, folding her hands. "I
have scarce slept since I heard the news of their impeachment; and have
arrived here to surrender myself to your Majesty's justice, or to the
prejudices of the nation, in hopes, by so doing, I might at least save
the lives of my noble and generous friends, enveloped in suspicion only,
or chiefly, by their connection with us.--Are they indeed acquitted?"

"They are, by my honour," said the King. "I marvel you heard it not."

"I arrived but last night, and remained in the strictest seclusion,"
said the Countess, "afraid to make any inquiries that might occasion
discovery ere I saw your Majesty."

"And now that we _have_ met," said the King, taking her hand kindly--"a
meeting which gives me the greatest pleasure--may I recommend to you
speedily to return to your royal island with as little _eclat_ as you
came thith