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temporal, to serve as a pedestal, on which we may stand, seeing that otherwise our foundation will be on the loose sand.-Nevertheless," continued he, his mind again diverging from his views of temporal ambition into his visions of the Fifth Monarchy," these things are but vanity in respect of the opening of the book which is sealed; for all things approach speedily towards lightning and thundering, and unloosing of the great dragon from the bottomless pit, wherein he is chained."

With this mingled strain of earthly politics, and fanatical prediction, Harrison so overpowered Colonel Everard, as to leave him no time to urge him further on the particular circumstances of his nocturnal skirmish, concerning which it is plain he had no desire to be interrogated. They now reached the Lodge of Woodstock.

CHAPTER III.

Now the wasted brands do glow,

While the screech-owl, sounding loud,

Puts the wretch that lies in woe,

In remembrance of a shroud.

Now it is the time of night

That, the graves all gaping wide,
Every one lets out its sprite,

In the church-way paths to glide.

Midsummer Night's Dream.

BEFORE the gate of the palace the guards were now doubled. Everard demanded the reason of this from the corporal, whom he found in the hall with his soldiers, sitting or sleeping around a great fire, maintained at the expense of the carved chairs and benches with fragments of which it was furnished.

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Why, verily," answered the man," the corps de garde, as your worship says, will be harassed to pieces by such duty; nevertheless, fear hath

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gone abroad among us, and no one man will mount guard alone. We have drawn in, however, one or two of our outposts from Banbury and elsewhere, and we are to have a relief from Oxford to-morrow."

Everard continued minute inquiries concerning the sentinels that were posted within as well as without the Castle; and found that, as they had been stationed under the eye of Harrison himself, the rules of prudent discipline had been exactly observed in the distribution of the posts. There remained nothing therefore for Colonel Everard to do, excepting that, remembering his own adventure of the evening, to recommend that an additional sentinel should be placed, with a companion, if judged indispensable, in that vestibule, or anti-room, from which the long gallery where he had met with the rencounter, and other suites of apartments, diverged. The corporal respectfully promised all obedience to his orders. The serving-men being called, appeared also in double force. Everard demanded to know whether the Commissioners had gone to bed, or whether he could get speech with them?

s They are in their bed-room, forsooth,” replied

one of the fellows; " but I think be not yet un

dressed."

"What!" said Everard, "are Colonel Desborough and Master Bletson both in the same sleeping apartment ?”

"Their honours have so chosen it," said the man; "and their honours' secretaries remain upon guard all night."

"It is the fashion to double guards all over the house," said Wildrake. "Had I a glimpse of a good-looking house-maid now, I should know how to fall into the fashion."

"Peace, fool!" said Everard.-" And where are the Mayor and Master Holdenough ?"

"The Mayor is returned to the borough on horseback, behind the trooper, who goes to Oxford for the reinforcement; and the man of the steeple-house hath quartered himself in the chamber which Colonel Desborough had last night, being that in which he is most likely to meet the your honour understands. The Lord pity

us, we are a harassed family!"

"And where be General Harrison's knaves," said Tomkins, "that they do not marshal him to his apartment ?"

"Here-here-here, Master Tomkins," said

three fellows, pressing forward, with the same consternation on their faces which seemed to pervade the whole inhabitants of Woodstock.

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Away with you then," said Tomkins ;-"speak not to his worship-you see he is not in the humour."

"Indeed," observed Colonel Everard, "he looks singularly wan his features seem writhen as by a palsy stroke; and though he was talking so fast while we came along, he hath not opened his mouth since we came to the light."

"It is his manner after such visitations,” said Tomkins. Give his honour your arms, Zedekiah and Jonathan, to lead him off-I will follow instantly.-You, Nicodemus, tarry to wait upon me-it is not well walking alone in this mansion."

"Master Tomkins," said Everard, "I have heard of you often as a often as a sharp, intelligent mantell me fairly, are you in earnest afraid of anything supernatural haunting this house ?”

"I would be loath to run the chance, sir," said Tomkins very gravely; "by looking on my worshipful master, you may form a guess how the living look after they have spoken with the dead.”

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