e-loving old Colonel almost repented of his hospitality, amid the
bustle and hurry, the scolding of servants, and the general bad humour
which were all necessary incidents to the good dame's preparation.
Having finally "brought things to something like rights," as she
expressed it, her next care was to provide for the entertainment of her
distinguished guest, which to the mind of the benevolent old lady,
consisted not in sparkling conversation, or sage counsels, (then, alas!
much needed by the Governor,) but in spreading a table loaded with a
superabundance of delicacies to tempt his palate, and cause him to
forget his troubles. It was a favourite saying of hers, caught up most
probably in her early life, during the civil war in England, that if the
stomach was well garrisoned with food, the heart would never capitulate
to sorrow.

But the truth of this apothegm was not sustained in the present
instance. Her hospitable efforts, even when united with the genial good
humour and kindness of her husband were utterly unavailing to dispel the
gloom which hung over the inmates of Windsor Hall. Sir William Berkeley
was himself dejected and sad, and communicated his own dejection to all
around him. Indeed, since his arrival at the Hall, he had found good
reason to repent his haste in denouncing the popular and gifted young
insurgent. The pledge made by Colonel Temple of the loyalty of the
people of Gloucester, had not been redeemed--at least so far as an
active support of the Governor was concerned. Berkeley's reception by
them was cold and unpromising. The enthusiasm which he had hoped to
inspire no where prevailed, and the old man felt himself deserted by
those whose zealous co-operation he had been led to anticipate. It was
true that they asserted in the strongest terms their professions of
loyal devotion, and their willingness to quell the first symptoms of
rebellion, but they failed to see anything in the conduct of Bacon to
justify the harsh measures of Berkeley towards him and his followers.
"Lip-service--lip-service," said the old Governor, sorrowfully, as their
decision was communicated to him, "they draw near to me with their
mouth, and honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."
But, notwithstanding his disappointment, nothing could shake the proud
spirit of Berkeley in his inflexible resolution, to resist any
encroachments on his prerogative; and, so providing his few followers
with arms from the adja