may his Majesty soon enjoy his Own again!" the falconer exclaimed aloud, emptying the foaming horn offered him by Crundy.

Ninian Saxby took no part in the foregoing discourse. After quaffing a horn of humming ale with the rest, he began to wind a call upon his bugle that made the walls of the old house echo to the cheerful notes. Perhaps this might have been intended as a signal, for as he sauntered towards the porch, who should issue from it but Patty Whinchat!

"Give you good day, sweetheart," quoth Ninian, gallantly doffing his cap. "How blithe and bonny you do look this morning, fegs! Now for a well-turned phrase to tickle her ears withal," he added to himself. "You look for all the world like a newlyroused tercel-gentle-the tercel is the falcon's mate, Patty, and the falcon is a hawk for a prince-when after mantling, as we falconers term it, she crosseth her wings over her back, and disposeth herself to warble."

"To warble!" the handmaiden exclaimed. "Lawk a mercy! I never yet heard that a hawk doth sing."

"Neither doth she, Patty; but she warbleth, nevertheless-that is to say, she sitteth erect as yon tartaret doth on my father's fist. Dost know what 'coming to the lure' means, Patty? If not, I will teach thee-I will, fegs!"

"Nay, I know well enough," she rejoined, "and I would have you know, in return, that I am not to be lured, like a silly bird, by the call of a cunning falconer, or by the tinkling of silver bells. If you must whistle for some one, let it be at Morefruit Stone's door, and I warrant you his daughter Temperance, Puritan though she be, will come forth quickly. The luring-bells may be tried with Dorcas Thatcher, the milkmaid."

"You are like a raking musket, Patty, that forsaketh her proper game, and flyeth at daw, or pie, or any other bird that chances to cross her. I, Ninian, am thy quarry-I am, fegs! Thou shalt bind me, and plume me, and truss me, if thou wilt."

"A truce to this nonsense, sirrah," she rejoined. "Be serious for a moment, if you can, and attend to me. There is something strange going on in the house. I can't make it out, for Mistress Dulcia won't admit me into her confidence."

"A word in your ear, Patty," the young falconer said, drawing closer to her. "Is anybody hidden in the house?-you understand, eh?"

Patty did not trust herself to answer otherwise than by an affirmative nod.

"Young master?" Ninian whispered.

Another nod.

"You're quite sure of it?"

Two more nods.

"I thought as much," Ninian muttered. "Then it behoves us all to be upon the watch-it does, fegs!"

"It behoves you to keep a close tongue in your head, sir, and not to blab a secret of such importance to any of the numerous maidens to whom you pay court. However, I do want you to keep watch over some one in particular."

"Name him, and it shall be done-it shall, fegs!"

"It is Increase Micklegift. May I trust you, Ninian? Well then, my young lady met him this morning in the churchyard." "Met Increase Micklegift! whew! What sort of 'lure' did he use, Patty?-the whistle, or the bells, eh?”

"She was scared by him, rather than lured, poor gentle dove!" the handmaiden rejoined.

"Say the word, Patty, and a bolt from my cross-bow shall visit the canting preacher's skull-smash it like an addled egg. It shall, fegs!"

"Killing him won't help Mistress Dulcia. I'll tell you what to do. But hush! they are coming forth. More another time." So saying, she hastily retreated, while Ninian drew back with equal celerity.

A moment or two afterwards, the stately figure of Colonel Maunsel appeared at the doorway. The old Cavalier had offered his hand to Dulcia to lead her forth, and was ceremoniously preceded by Martin Greere, and followed by two other serving-men. But before accompanying them to their horses, and noting the effect produced by the colonel's appearance on his attached retainers, let us see what had taken place within the house since we last left it.

II.

THE PROCLAMATION.

AFTER giving directions to Martin Geere, as before related, Colonel Maunsel, attended by Mr. Beard, sought his son, in order to acquaint him with his meditated ride to Lewes. Clavering's disappointment will be readily conceived, on hearing that, in consequence of this arrangement, he should be deprived of Dulcia's society, on which he had fondly calculated. However, he did not venture to remonstrate, but accepted, with the best grace he could, Mr. Beard's offer to remain with him during the colonel's compulsory absence.

At this juncture, John Habergeon returned to his post, which he had temporarily quitted, as the reader is aware; and the colonel briefly explained his plans to him. The old trooper made no objection, but informed his master that he had ascertained, beyond a doubt, that Increase Micklegift had discovered that Captain Clavering was concealed in the house. John did not deem it needful to state how he had obtained this information, neither did he declare what he meant to do; but he appeared so sanguine as to his ability to baffle the enemy's machinations, that he allayed the fears which his intelligence was calculated to excite

As the principal bedroom in the house, the colonel's chamber was of considerable size,-it was, in fact, a double room, for there was an inner apartment, which did not communicate with the gallery, and the entrance to which could be screened by a thick arras curtain. Wainscoted with lustrous old black oak, and hung with faded tapestry, the larger room had an extremely sombre air. In it were one or two closets, and it was furnished with a large oak armoire, half a dozen high-backed chairs, and a great elbow-chair, always used by the colonel himself, and placed near a massive oak table, on which were writing materials and a few books. In the inner chamber stood the bedstead, a very antique piece of furniture, with lofty tester, carved posts, and heavy hangings.

His conference with John Habergeon finished, the colonel repaired to the inner room. Opposite the bed stood a large oak coffer, strengthened with iron bands. Unlocking this chest, after rummaging for a short space amongst its contents, he found the deed he was looking for, secured it about his person, and then summoning John to his aid, proceeded to equip himself for the ride; putting on a dark riding-dress, with boots having immense funnel tops, and large spurs.

Mr. Beard, meantime, had gone down stairs to look after his daughter, and returned with her, just as the colonel's preparations were completed.

A green velvet robe, with long skirts, ornamented with gold lace in front, and a feathered hat, constituted Dulcia's riding apparel; and very well it became her. The young damsel had been the colonel's constant companion so long as he was able to take horse exercise, and he had bestowed this somewhat showy dress upon her in order to evince his contempt of the primness and simplicity affected by the Puritans.

Very little time was allowed the young folk for conversation; but even in that brief interval, Clavering could perceive from Dulcia's manner that her mind was troubled. To a candid nature like hers it was very painful to have a secret from her father; and equally distressing was it to her to think that Clavering should be menaced by a danger of the existence of which she could not warn him.

Aware of the cause of her anxiety, John Habergeon sought an early opportunity of relieving it, and while the colonel was talking apart with Mr. Beard, the old trooper approached her, and whispered, "Be not uneasy, my dear young lady. I overheard what passed in the churchyard. No harm shall befal his reverence or Captain Clavering. Trust to me."

These words produced an instantaneous change in Dulcia's spirits, and the few minutes more allowed to the young people ere the colonel went down stairs, were far more agreeably spent than those which had preceded them.

Every head was uncovered as the colonel and his fair com

panion issued forth, and old Rupert, recognising his master's voice and footstep, pricked his ears, and neighed a welcome. Raising his black Spanish hat, looped at the side, and ornamented with a sable ostrich plume, in return for the salutations of his dependents, the old Cavalier paused for a moment to look round, still retaining Dulcia's hand within his own. Though he appeared thin and careworn, all his retainers were struck by his unwonted activity, for he did not seem to need the support of his crutch-handled stick, or even of Dulcia's arm.

After exchanging a few words with Eustace Saxby, who advanced to receive his instructions, the colonel assisted Dulcia to her saddle, and then prepared to mount Rupert. On being brought up to his master, the old charger manifested his delight by whinnying softly, and thrust his nose into the colonel's hands, as the latter patted him kindly. The moment was now come when the old Cavalier's new-born activity was to be more sharply tested than it had hitherto been. When he placed his foot in the stirrup and attempted to mount, the effort wrung a groan from him, and it required the strong arm of the groom to lift him upon Rupert's back.

Hawking not being the real business that the colonel had in hand, he dispensed with the attendance of Barnaby Lashmere and the supplementary hawks, contenting himself with the birds which the ostreger had upon his fist.

The party then set forth in gallant style, but had scarcely issued from the gate, when they came to a sudden halt.

On gaining the road, it was noticed for the first time by all, that a board had been hung against the trunk of a large tree which grew by the gate. On this board, evidently designed for the purpose, was pasted a Proclamation, from the Council of State, for the Discovery and Apprehension of Charles Stuart, his Adherents and Abettors. A Reward of 1000l. was offered to whomsoever should apprehend the said Charles Stuart: while penalties of High Treason were menaced against all who should harbour him, or aid him to escape. Proportionate rewards were offered for the apprehension. of Charles Stuart's adherents, with penalties of fine and imprisonment for concealing them, or lending them assistance. Strict commands were given, in conclusion, to all officers of Port Towns, and others in authority, to permit no person to pass beyond Sea without special license.

After perusing the Proclamation, the colonel demanded in a furious voice, who had dared to put it up?

An answer came from an unexpected quarter. Some half-dozen individuals, who had been standing behind another large tree at a short distance from the first, now came forward, and one of them detaching himself from the rest, marched towards the colonel. It was the state-messenger, with whom the old Cavalier had parleyed that morning.

"Thou askest by whom that proclamation touching the apprehension of the man Charles Stuart hath been set up," the messenger said. "Know, Wolston Maunsel, that it was I, Nehemiah Liftup-hand, who placed it on the tree growing at thy gate. I did so at the bidding of Hezron Stelfax, Captain of the Lord-General Cromwell's own chosen troop of Ironsides; the said valiant and God-fearing captain being now at Lewes."

"Pluck it down, some of ye, and hew it in pieces," the colonel ejaculated, wrathfully.

"Let any man remove it on peril of his life," Nehemiah cried, taking a pistol from his belt. "I have placed the mandate before thy dwelling, thou son of Belial, and there it shall remain."

As the words were uttered, the persons by whom the messenger was attended came up, and proved to be the emissary from Goldsmiths' Hall, Thomas Sunne, Thomas Geere, and Increase Micklegift. The Independent minister, however, kept a little in the rear of the others.

"Do as I bid ye! On your fealty to me-on your allegiance to the king-I charge you pluck down that proclamation," the colonel vociferated.

But no one stirred.

"Thy servants owe no allegiance to the son of the man who caused Israel to sin," Nehemiah rejoined, "and who provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger by his vanities. Even as Elah, the son of Baasha, was slain by Zimri, captain of the chariots, so shall Charles, the son of Charles, perish by the hand of the great captain of our new Israel."

"Take heed lest an Omri arise to depose thy murderous and rebellious leader," the colonel retorted, carried away by passion, "and cause him to burn the king's house over him, so that he perish by fire, like Zimri. Since none of you will pluck down that insolent placard, I will do so myself."

Ere he could execute his rash purpose, however, the twang of a bow was heard, a quarrel whistled past, and plunged deeply into the bark of the tree, severing the cord by which the board was hung to a small branch. Whereupon, the proclamation instantly dropped to the ground.

A loud burst of laughter from his companions followed this proof of Ninian's skill in the management of the cross-bow. But the young falconer took instantly to his heels; probably thereby escaping the vengeance of Nehemiah, who, on discovering the author of the mischief, discharged his pistol at him, but without effect.

The report of the pistol, echoing loudly through the valley, brought several other persons to the scene of action. Menacing cries arose at the same time from the colonel's attendants, amongst whom were Eustace Saxby, Martin Geere, Giles Moppett, old