CHAPTER I.

LORD CLANCHARLIE.

I.


There was, in those days, an old tradition.

That tradition was Lord Linnæus Clancharlie.

Linnæus Baron Clancharlie, a contemporary of Cromwell, was one of the
peers of England--few in number, be it said--who accepted the republic.
The reason of his acceptance of it might, indeed, for want of a better,
be found in the fact that for the time being the republic was
triumphant. It was a matter of course that Lord Clancharlie should
adhere to the republic, as long as the republic had the upper hand; but
after the close of the revolution and the fall of the parliamentary
government, Lord Clancharlie had persisted in his fidelity to it. It
would have been easy for the noble patrician to re-enter the
reconstituted upper house, repentance being ever well received on
restorations, and Charles II. being a kind prince enough to those who
returned to their allegiance to him; but Lord Clancharlie had failed to
understand what was due to events. While the nation overwhelmed with
acclamation the king come to retake possession of England, while
unanimity was recording its verdict, while the people were bowing their