on her face. I am wretched enough myself, but it is no consolation to know that she is equally miserable. Why does he not write?"

"Now, Ralph, do be reasonable; perhaps he has written, and the letters have miscarried. You know how unsettled everything is. I am grieved for Alice; and for you, too, dear brother; but we can do nothing."

"It was a strange time to leave England, when timid womenfolk want all the comfort they can get."

"But it was the Colonel who advised him to go; and who could foresee all these troubles? Alice says her great comfort is in knowing that everything is done for the best. She has made me believe that there is somewhat in religion; I have heard plenty of fine talking about faith, and being willing to trust when the dark days come; now I have seen one who can act better even than she can talk. When you told me that she was serious, I expected she would be always rebuking me for my folly and pride; but never a word of censure has she spoken, though she had an excellent opportunity that Sunday afternoon at Winestead, when I made Will play at cards. I wished I had never asked him, but still I was not going to say I thought there was any harm it; so I went to her room, curious to hear what she would say. Instead of accusing me, she began to lament, and to say how hard she found it to do always what was right, and that she failed in something every day-and I know she meant what she said, too. If she had preached to me about my sins for an hour, it would not have done me half so much good as hearing her dear little saint-complain of her weakness and cowardice. I went away more humble than I had ever felt in my life before."

"I always told you, Kate, that Alice would not offend you with her pious notions. I suppose Marvel is of the same mind about religion, and no doubt I shall appear a great reprobate in her eyes."

"I think it pleases her that you go and hear Mr. Nye."

"I greatly admire him, Kate; and Alice cannot think now that I go to win favour from her. I could never descend so low as to ma religion a tool to gain a woman's smile. I met Ann Marvel yesterday, and made free to ask her if she had heard from her brother. She looked as incensed as if I had insulted her, and hardly deigned me a reply. I was more amused than vexed to see the child put on such airs."

"Alice says that Ann cannot endure being asked about Andrew, having nothing but the old doleful answer to give. You have not told me, Ralph, if there is anything new being talked of. Will went out to see the Colonel, and has not come back yet."

say

"I was at the King's Head just now, and heard Sir John's man that his master had had letters from London. The King has left Canterbury, and it is supposed that he is thinking of coming to the north again. The Commons very much mis-doubt the wisdom of allowing the Queen to go to Holland; there are still so many rumours of foreign assistance being sent, that the King may defy his Parliament. We are not at the end of our troubles yet, Kitty."

CHAPTER XVIII.—THE KING KNOCKS IN VAIN AT THE GATES OF HULL.

It was true that Charles had left Canterbury, and was at that very time stealing away towards the north, when the state of England, and especially of Ireland, rendered it most necessary that he should be near the seat of government.

The Queen, safely out of England, was bending her haughty spirit to conciliate the wealthy Dutch merchants, and pawning her jewels to raise money to assist her husband's despotic measures; and while Charles continued to declare that he desired nothing so much as to satisfy his subjects, and to protect their privileges, he was aiming secretly to undermine the foundations of their dearest rights. He was so intensely satisfied with his own wisdom and judgment, that experience failed to teach him a single lesson. He seemed to have a natural predilection for crooked ways and double meanings; and, however becoming truth and honesty might be in private life, he did not seem to think it at all necessary to practise these virtues in dealing with the public. By a long course of deceit and falsehood, he was weaning the respect and love of his trusting people from his person and office.

Believing that their worst fears were about to be realised, that a foreign army was shortly to land in Hull, and join the Scotch royalists, it was most important for Parliament to secure that town, and at once to possess themselves of its stores; and it was the wish of the Commons that Sir John Hotham should ship these stores and send them to the Tower of London; but before the order arrived the town had need itself of all the arms and ammunition that its magazine contained.

Charles had also perceived the advantage it would give him to obtain a hold of this port, and, as we have seen, endeavoured to do this by stratagem. It was now in Hotham's hands, the man who had stood up before the Commons and declared, “Fall back! fall edge! he would carry out the wishes of the Parliament."

The end of March found the King again in York, from which place he issued proclamations, and commands, and declarations, which were all nullified by the reading before Parliament of private

letters, that showed the real mind and disposition of the King and his supporters. Clarendon says that the chief reason why Charles came down into Yorkshire was to seize upon the vast magazines of Hull; and, though foiled in his first attempt, he still kept his eye upon the town. His next plan was so arranged that he could have felt no doubt of its success, but it was the most unfortunate step he had yet taken, and was fatal to his interests.

On the 22nd of April, amongst the crowd of country people flocking into Huil to attend the market, several gentlemen passed in unnoticed. They loitered in the town, seeming to observe everything, asking questions about the vessels lying in the river, and seeming curious as to the strength of the bulwarks, and the repairs going on; and as these five or six gentlemen carried marks upon them of superior birth and breeding, their presence could not long be concealed from the authorities-who, since the Earl of Newcastle's visit, had felt a mistrust of strangers.

The Mayor called upon Sir John Hotham, who had himself just received intelligence that six gentlemen were come-as they said"to see the town."

"I will soon know their real business, Master Barnard, if it is to be discovered," said Sir John. "My son has spoken with them, and offered to show them into the Town Hall, and thither we will repair, if your worship approves."

Directly Sir John set eyes on the strangers, he uncovered, and, with the utmost respect, bent the knee before the youngest of the party-a mere child. It was the Duke of York, who, with the regal air of the Stuarts, extended his hand graciously, first to Hotham, and then to the Mayor, who had quickly followed the Governor's example. The gentlemen with him were the King's nephew, the Prince Palatine, and the Lords Newport and Willoughby, with two other personages of distinction.

"I am sorry that we did not know of the honour your Highness intended to confer on our poor town," said the Mayor, "that we might have received your Highness with the respect befitting your royal birth." Then, after begging the Prince and his friends to accept of his hospitality that day, the Mayor showed them over the whole place; and so soon as the illustrious titles of these strangers became known, a great multitude collected and followed them in their tour. The governor invited them to dine with him the next day at the Trinity House, when the Guild would be celebrating St. George's day with a great feast. Late that night an express arrived from London, commanding Sir John "to take care that no foreign ship entered the port without strict examination. That no English, or other forces be suffered to enter but those already appointed to be the garrison there; by the wisdom and authority of both Houses

of Parliament, as he should answer the contrary at his peril." This served to put Sir John still further on his guard, and an immense chain was drawn across the entrance to the river Hull. That same evening, also, Mr. Pelham, one of the members for Hull, made his appearance. He well knew the minds of the rulers in Westminster, and had come home at this important crisis by the advice of Sir Harry Vane, whose deep insight into the nature and character of other men led him to distrust Hotham. Early on the morning of St. George's Day, the King, with a train of several hundred of his servants, and many gentlemen of the county, rode out of York to follow up quickly his supposed advantage. Before noon he halted within four miles of Hull. Hotham and his distinguished visitors were just about to sit down to dinner, when Sir Lewis Davies was ushered into his presence, bringing the startling intelligence that His Majesty "intended that day to dine with him ;" "indeed," said Sir Lewis, "the King is already within sight of these walls, accompanied by three hundred horse."

The governor was in a great fright, especially after the express he had received over night. He instantly retired with Mr. Pelham and some other of his friends, to consult what was to be done, and the dinner and the Prince were forgotten for awhile. "This is plainly a ruse," said Pelham ; "the King will obtain an immense advantage over the Parliament if once he obtains possession of these stores, and of this port and fortress. Any one that respects the laws of England he looks upon as an opponent, if not as an enemy."

"Tis tolerably certain now that his Majesty intends to use the sword to enforce obedience to his will," remarked an alderman.

Then Colonel Lister spoke. "Sir John Hotham was appointed by Parliament to keep this town, and swore to carry out the wishes of that assembly at all hazards. There is no other honourable way open to him but to shut the gates against this armed force."

Hotham, who had a "perplexed understanding," was glad to have his duty so clearly set before him. "As Colonel Lister says, there is no alternative. I am driven to take this unpleasing course, and refuse the request of our Sovereign. My instructions are plain, and, as you all know, were repeated last night in peremptory terms, and confirmed by Mr. Pelham."

"His Majesty has before this tasted and approved of our good cheer," added the Colonel; "we are still ready to serve him with the best meats and wines we have in market or cellar."

"Yes; yes," said several; "the King shall be heartily welcome, but not his soldiers."

"With the present state of affairs, it were wiser perhaps if the

King withdrew altogether," said Mr. Pelham, in which opinion the others all concurred; and Sir William Lister was despatched to Charles, humbly "to decline his intended visit, since the governor could not, without betraying the trust committed to him, set open the gates to so great a train as he was at present attended with."

Will Lister did not at all like his errand, and felt his heart quake a little as he delivered the ungracious message. He dared not lift his eyes, but he felt the frown on the King's face; it was reflected on every countenance within hearing of his words.

"What!" exclaimed Charles, in angry astonishment. "Does Sir John Hotham presume to refuse us admittance to our own town of Hull! By St. George, he shall repent his insolence!"

Will Lister was silent, standing with bent, uncovered head. "We are not ignorant," continued the King, still more wrathful ; we are not ignorant of the character of the man who has access to the ear of Sir John; but we did not expect to see another Lister-so recently knighted by our hand-turn traitor."

The young knight would have defended himself, but the King turned haughtily away to order his attendants to go forward; so Will Lister returned with all speed to Hull, and reported that his Majesty would be before the gates directly. The bridges were, therefore, drawn up, the gates shut almost in the King's face, the inhabitants ordered to keep in their houses until sunset; the cannons were charged, and the soldiers commanded to stand to their arms round the wall. The governor, excusing himself from the banquet, which was at length served up, awaited the issue.

When Charles arrived at the Beverley gate,* he found everything prepared as for the reception of an enemy. His herald called for Sir John Hotham, who, appearing on the wall, was commanded by the King to admit bis Sovereign. Hotham, with many protestations of continued loyalty, pleaded the order he had received from Parliament; on which the King offered to enter with only twenty of his attendants, but this was refused. Charles then desired him tocome and confer with him without the walls, but this proposal Hotham also declined. The parley lasted until four o'clock, his Majesty using threats and arguments to induce Hotham to open the gates; in the meantime the Duke of York and his friends were suffered to leave the town and join the company without. The Mayor, who came to the wall, was quite ready to relent, especially when some very courteous words were addressed to him; with a heavy heart he fell down upon his knees, with abundance of tears, and answered, "Ultra posse, nou est esse." Many of the townspeople, too, seeing

The scene of Charles' humiliation was near the spot where Wilberforce's monument now stands.