for a harsh manner, and a bitter drink may strengthen the heart, as has
this day been done to mine by the mingled counsel and reproof that have
been poured out for me. I seek not to pry into your affairs of State,
and what I have heard Le Gallais hath heard also. I therefore make no
scrutiny as touching the means to be employed; the end we will take
thankfully according as promised. If the Parliament and the Lord General
be so minded, I make no doubt but we shall return to our home. But as
regards the word you seek from me, I would fain know to what it shall
relate. You seek, I presume, to make conditions with me: let me know, in
the hearing of my friend, what they be. That we of the island shall be
true and faithful servants to the Commonwealth of England, not seeking
to intermeddle in matters that may be beyond our concernment, I would
gladly undertake for myself and for all with whom my wishes may have
weight: but methinks it shall hardly need. And perchance your Honour may
intend to glance at some more private matter?"

"I do so," answered the politician. "I have never hidden from you the
love that I bore for good Sir Philip living, nor how dear I hold his
memory now that he is dead. I would not that any who were of his party
should suffer damage when the cause shall prosper in the island. You
have heard of Cromwell's present doings in Ireland: all the world knows
what things are being wrought in that unhappy country, where the Lord
Ormonde hath been another Cartwright and hath met with an overthrow the
like of which I pretell for his Jersey antitype. Cartwright is as
unbending and will hold out to the last.

"Mont Orgueil, indeed, can make no opposition to a regular siege: we are
not now in the days of Du Guesclin. But it may be otherwise with
Elizabeth Castle. Like her whose name she bears that fortress is a
virgin, and not without a struggle will she yield. Cromwell loves not