had triumphed
because he had so overshot his mark, and here was he, in this poor
quarter, in the house of a man that would have been nothing to him five
years ago, forced to this very poor kind of conspiring for his last
hopes. He sat as if he knew all this himself: his eyes strayed about him
as we talked, and there were heavy pouches beneath them, and deep lines
at the corner of his nose and mouth. It was this man, thought I, who was
so largely responsible for the death of so many innocents--and all for
his own ambition!

Presently I heard His Grace of Monmouth spoken of. It was Mr. Sheppard
who spoke the name; and in an instant I was on the alert again. What he
said fell very pat with what I was thinking of my Lord Shaftesbury.

"I declare," cried Mr. Sheppard, once more talking at me very evidently,
"that His Grace of Monmouth breaks my heart. I was with his Grace a
fortnight ago. His loyalty and love for the King are overpowering. I had
heard"--(this was a very bold stroke of poor Mr. Sheppard)--"I had heard
that some villainous fellows had proposed to His Grace--oh! a great
while ago, in April, I think--that an assault should be made upon the
King; and that His Grace near killed one of them for it. Yet His Majesty
will scarce speak to him, so much he distrusts him."

This was all very pretty: and from it I argued that the Duke was deeper
in the affair than we had thought, and perhaps belonged even to the
extremest party, led, we supposed, chiefly by Mr. Sidney. But I murmured
that it was a shame that His Majesty treated him so; and while I was
listening to further eulogies on His Grace, a new thought came to me
which I determined to put into execution that very night; for I felt we
were not making any progress.

There was not much more conversation of any significance, and I was soon
able to carry out what I determined; for my Lord Essex when we broke
about half-past nine o'clock, again offered to take me home.

I said good-night very respectfully to the company; and followed him
into the coach.

For a while I said nothing, but appeared preoccupied; so that at last my
Lord clapped me on the knee and asked me if I ailed--which was what I
wished him to do.

"My Lord," said I, with an appearance of great openness, "I have a
confession to make."

"Well?" said he. "What is it?"

"I am disappointed," I said. "There is a deal of talk; and most
interesting talk; and all very loyal and respectful. But I had fanci