jesty's gracious pardon for all that is past, and his favour for the future, on the condition that he is admitted as governor of this town. I have his written pledge here, which I only ask you to lay before the Mayor and the Committee."

"Very kind of the Earl, I am sure, to interest himself so much on our behalf," remarked Ralph, sarcastically. "Your address shall be laid before the proper authorities; but I would ask you one question: what led you to come to me with this paper? If you thought to honour me, you are mistaken."

"The Earl felt sure that Sir Ralph Hildyard could not long continue in league with men who defied all law and order. It is supposed by the world that your opposition to his Majesty arose from private considerations, that the lovely face of Colonel Lister's daughter beautified the cause to which her Puritan father belonged. We hear that the Colonel is dead and that the lady is your own-what hinders you now from returning to your former allegiance? Your brother sorely laments that the head of his house is ranked amongst traitors and rebels, and the King is as ready to bestow honours and commissions upon you, as upon Major-General Hildyard, and indeed more so, for you were ever favoured when at Court by both King and Queen."

Ralph had been hardly able to suppress his wrath during this speech, but it was long enough to give him a moment for reflection.

“Very flattering, truly," he replied, scornfully. "The world makes a great many mistakes that it is not worth an honest man's time to set right, but, for your personal instruction, let me assure you that no 'private considerations' influenced me in choosing what part I should play. I am here by deliberate choice and conviction. I might say more in proof of this, but it is needless; it suits not with my dignity to be seeming to offer an apology for my actions to the Earl, or even to the King himself, much less to a nameless stranger. My only answer to the Earl is this," touching kis sword; "for the rest I will deliver your paper and the Council will return what answer they think fit."

"We are obliged by this courtesy," said the stranger, preparing to go but evidently feeling considerable chagrin.

"I will accompany you myself to the gate," said Ralph. He did not feel inclined to offer any hospitalities to a man who apparently mistrusted him. "I suppose you are provided with an escort ?"

"Yes, it is within a league from here; we had to make a considerable circuit to avoid crossing the river."

From two or three slight incidents it would seem that the stranger was not altogether unacquainted with the town, and from

his anxiety to escape recognition Ralph came to the conclusion that it was either one of the aldermen who had deserted at the beginning of the war, or someone whom he had formerly known at Court.

As soon as the Earl's envoy was safely beyond the walls, Ralph repaired to Master Raikes, the Mayor, and acquainted him with what had happened. Although it was now late, the ten gentlemen who held the town were immediately summoned and they quickly resolved to answer the Earl's proposal, as Ralph had expressed his wish to do-namely, by the sword. Before daybreak a strong party of dragoons, under the command of Lord Willoughby, left the town, and so rapid were their movements that they reached Gainsborough shortly after the Earl's messenger, who had halted a few hours at Glanford. After a fierce assault the place was taken by Lord Willoughby, and the Earl of Kingston-who had imagined that he might be made governor of Hull-was sent there in a small boat as a prisoner. But it fell out that he was never destined to reach that town alive, for a party of Royalists, either desperately resolved to rescue their leader, or not aware whom the boat contained, fired a volley into it and killed the unfortunate Earl and his servant; no one else was injured, and the boat escaped bringing the rest of the prisoners safe to Hull. And so ended fatally another attempt to restore the King's command in this ancient town.

Ralph had most earnestly desired to accompany Lord Willoughby in his expedition to Gainsborough but Raikes had strongly opposed his doing so, alleging as a reason, that he would be required to join Lord Fairfax shortly; but before his troops set out the news arrived of that General's defeat.

"I am doomed to be an idler while other men are fighting," said Ralph to his wife, after ordering his company back to their quarter. "The men are as dissatisfied as I am, and yet, dear Alice, I ought not to regret it when it saves me from the pain of leaving thee."

"Perchance you may not be idle long," replied Alice; "the Earl of Newcastle will be emboldened by this success and will think to seize by force what he has long tried to get by fraud."

"Well, let him come, we are ready to receive him. I am only fearful lest the townsfolk lose heart. I saw some very doleful faces when I came past the Town Hall, and if Willoughby should fail there will be more croaking still." While Ralph was speaking, there came the sound of many feet hurrying in one direction. He went to the window and opened it. "What has happened?" he cried to one passer by; the man answered, but Ralph only caught the name of Lord Willoughby.

"Can his lordship have returned already?" asked Alice, who had come to the window.

"I will be back soon," said Ralph, snatching up his hat, and in a few moments he was mingling with the crowd which was streaming towards the Ferry.

"Lord Willoughby has taken Gainsborough and the prisoners are being landed," said a burly butcher to those around him. "Hurrah for the Parliament and the gallant young lord!"

"Hurrah!" cried half a dozen apprentices who were pushing their way along, "If we lose one battle we win another!"

As they neared the Ferry stairs, a sudden hush fell upon the noisy throng, for the first object that met their eyes was the dead body of the Earl of Kingston, lying on an old sail that was stained with his blood. He was very richly dressed, partly in armour, as if he had been hastily called to the conflict; jewels sparkled on the hand that lay over his breast, and flashed in the broad plumed hat that had been drawn over his face, and half hid him from the public gaze. The corpse of the servant lay at his master's feet, while the other end of the boat was full of prisoners.

Ralph's disappointment and bitterness subsided in the presence of his lifeless enemy; at the moment he felt glad that the Earl had not fallen beneath his sword. Without a word he went slowly home again.

Alice's anxious face met him on the threshold.

"Well ?" she exclaimed; and then stopped short at the sight of Ralph's altered countenance and thoughtful air.

He tried to smile.

"All is well for us, sweet one. Willoughby has taken Gainsborough and has sent the Earl here."

66

As a captive, of course ?" cried Alice.

"Yes, but not ours; we have to find him a temporary grave, not a prison-cell. Ah! they are going to fetch him!"

Alice turned towards the door Ralph had left open and saw a band of soldiers rapidly moving towards the Ferry, provided with means for the Earl's removal. The soldiers belonged to a company that had served under her father, and one of them, saluting Alice, cried out-"The Colonel's death is avenged to-day, my lady."

A deep murmur of assent followed this speech, but Alice drew back, shuddering.

“Oh, Ralph! I have never wanted vengeance. My father gave his life freely for his country, and if I saw before me the very man that dealt the cruel blow I would not wish his death; I think I could forgive him, I think I could now. I could not once, though I never wished him any ill."

"Nay, do not weep, my love; all have not thy gentle nature. I confess I feel something in me akin to those honest troopers; they

can't forget that deadly fray, and, like true soldiers, think their Colonel's loss must be paid for by blood as rich as his."

"My father did not think so, and he was as true a soldier as ever buckled on a sword; he was a Christian, too."

"But there are so few like him, dear Alice, or indeed like you,” replied Ralph, who felt uncomfortable whenever his wife spoke of religion.

Alice tried to restrain her tears; but, with awakened memories of her father, she was reminded again of the want of unity between herself and Ralph on this important matter. Sometimes she fancied that if only he had been a Christian he might more easily have drawn her heart to himself. With her present cold and distant feelings it was very difficult, almost impossible, to speak to him on such a topic; and although her simple piety had been one of Alice's charms in his eyes, with strange inconsistency he never wished to have it alluded to, much less made the subject of conversation.

It was a relief to both when a message came from the Council that obliged Ralph to reply in person.

"I will go and see how Kate is," said Alice.

'Ah, do," replied Ralph. "I forgot to tell you that her baby was not quite well this morning; Kate will be glad of your company and comfort. I will see you up the street."

CHAPTER XXXIII.—ALICE MEETS AN Old Friend.

Kate was sitting with her infant on her knee when Alice went in. He seemed more restless than ill, but his mother was full of a thousand fears. Dame Lister stood by, giving what she could of advice and consolation.

"What ails the little one?" asked Alice, kneeling down and taking the tiny hands in hers.

"Tis just what I would know," cried Kate, who looked tired and worried. "He would not sleep last night. Grandam thinks he has caught a chill, but there does not seem much fever. We have tried everything to soothe him off to sleep, but his bright eyes will not shut."

"Let me nurse him awhile, dear Kate; you are weary."

Half reluctantly Kate yielded, and, rocking herself to and fro, watched Alice pacing up and down the shady side of the room, hushing the child, and murmuring low sounds like the gentle cooing of a dove; but he still tossed and whimpered.

"Sing to him," said Kate. "You have a softer voice than I, and 'tis so long since I heard you sing."

Under other circumstances Alice would have probably refused, but she knew the tranquilising power of music. So in a low, sweet voice she sang a "rocking hymn":

She sang

"Sweet baby, sleep; what ails my dear?
What ails my darling thus to cry?
Be still, my child, and lend thine ear
To hear me sing thy lullaby.
My pretty lamb, forbear to weep;
Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep.

"Whilst thus thy lullaby I sing,

For thee great blessings ripening be;
Thine eldest brother is a King,

And hath a kingdom bought for thee.
Sweet baby, then, forbear to weep;
Be still, my babe; sweet baby, sleep.

"Thou hast, yet more to perfect this,
A promise and an earnest got,

Of gaining everlasting bliss,

Though thou, my babe, perceiv'st it not.

Sweet baby, then, forbear to weep;

Be still, my babe; sweet baby, sleep."

the verses again and again, and, to her joy, saw the little hands grow quiet and the eyelids droop, and the baby slept. Dame Lister had left the room to bid the maids be silent and not come near the chamber; but when Alice turned towards Kate she saw that her face was hidden. Thinking that perhaps she was praying for her child, Alice did not speak until she heard a sob, then she touched her shoulder.

"See, dear sister, how nicely he sleeps. He will be better after this."

Kate lifted her head and smiled, though her eyes were streaming. "You are more fit to be our jewel's mother than I," she said, as they tenderly laid him in the cradle. "I could not but weep, Alice, to think how unfit I was to teach my son to be good. That hymn seemed to make this chamber a holy place."

"Why not learn the hymn yourself, Kate? 'Tis just the sort for innocent babes. Methinks the angels are very near them, and the Good Shepherd must find them lovely. We are so soiled with the world and grieve Him so often with our sins, even when our minds are set on being pure and clean."

"But the verses disquiet me," replied Kate. "I should comfort my babe with a song that saddened myself. It made you happier. I could fancy you were some good spirit luring his sweet soul away to that everlasting bliss.' I will not have him stolen from me."

"God grant he may long stay with you. See! I have but enticed him to sleep-truly a blissful state after so much unquiet. But, good sister, why not get the comfort that you lack; it is not far to seek?"

"Because I want, and yet I want it not," said Kate, with one of her sudden changes of mood. "And now pray let us discourse