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expressing a fervent hope that he should live to see the day when all Europe would be united in a new crusade for the extermination of the Infidels. Another who had brought dispatches from Rome was received with a particular graciousness, because he conveyed assurances of the Pope's amicable disposition, and gave a favourable account of the negociation in the affair of the Concordat. A Catholic country gentleman was listened to with indifference or impatience while he rendered an account of some tumultuous proceedings of a Protestant mob in his neighbourhood; but when he added that he had, notwithstanding, just opened a Popish chapel, his royal auditor instantly became all ear, demanding how many it would hold, who were the priests, whether it were well attended, &c. When Lord Falkland, who had just acquired a large fortune by fishing up bullion out of a Spanish galleon, sunk near the Island of Jamaica, presented himself, the King, familiarly addressing him as his old friend Tony Cary, congratulated him on his good luck, but could

not help adding, that as this wealth was a Godsend, he was bound to appropriate a portion of it to the service of Heaven by a liberal donation to the society of the Propagandists, or by the construction of a chapel. Allusion being made to the recent death of Bishop Bunyan, as the author of the " Pilgrim's Progress" was then nick-named, James took occasion to observe that it was the Royal Declaration for liberty of conscience that had enabled him to build his meeting-house at Bedford and acquire so many followers, a fact which he seemed to dwell upon with some complacency as an evidence of his own spirit of Toleration. He even paid several compliments to the deceased, adding with a concluding touch of fanaticism, though partly perhaps to vex some of the bishops who were listening, that if he had been of the right faith he might at that moment have been in a state of beatitude.

Almost the only subject unconnected with religion which seemed to interest him was that of hunting, an amusement to which he had al

ways been passionately addicted, and on which he dilated with evident pleasure when he came in contact with any well-known sporting character. Even the camp at Hounslow, upon which he at once relied as a security, while he delighted in it as a hobby-horse, seemed to be forgotten as he listened to the details of any celebrated stag or fox-chase, although this and every thing else was instantly driven from his mind whenever his paramount bigotry could seize an opportunity of recovering its ascendency. Father Petre was almost constantly at his right-hand, quite unable to conceal his vanity and arrogance as the monarch conversed or whispered with him apart, while the train of courtiers kept at a respectful distance. Even Sunderland, the favourite and factotum, stood no chance of gaining the royal ear after it had been once engaged by the Jesuit. His Lordship had recognized and spoken to Walter, requesting him to wait till the presentations should be over, when his Majesty would have more time to bestow upon him than if he took

his turn amid the throng, a delay to which his protegé offered not the smallest objection, as he was highly gratified by the novel scene before him. At the play he had only seen the King imperfectly, but he had now full opportunity to observe that he was something above the middle stature, well shaped, very nervous and strong, fair complexioned, stiff and constrained, not to say ungracious, in his carriage. His countenance, of which the character was rather plodding and sensual than intellectual, was moulded by an habitual courtesy into an engaging expression; but when this ceased, his present observer thought that he could discover, in the strongly marked lines of his face, traits of unhappiness, as well as of a sullen obstinacy. Punctilious in the proper ceremonials of his rank, he was nevertheless generally affable and plain spoken in his familiar discourse, delivering himself slowly and distinctly on account of a slight impediment in his speech. In his conversation there seemed to be no marks of genius or sensibility, still less of wit, his mode of speech im

plying that he studied the useful rather than the ornamental. For a moment, he was offended by something that had been spoken, and Walter, noticing the stern unrelenting expression that immediately darkened his features, was furnished with a clue to the violence and implacability that had characterized his reign.

Seagrave having slipped away when he had reached the royal circle, the young soldier waited patiently for the promised signal from Lord Sunderland. It was given at length, the minister took his hand, led him forward, and presented him as Captain Colyton of the Dragoon Guards, the son of Jaspar Colyton of Bridg

water

"Of Bridgwater!" repeated the King, and a cloud passed over his brow; for he had never forgiven that town its enthusiastic reception of the pretender Monmouth.

"Yes, your Majesty," whispered Sunderland, "but free from all taint or suspicion; none of his family ever wore a white favour, and he himself desires nothing more ardently than to have

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