Colonel Cromwell did not speak.
"And I," continued the Earl, "am now very desirous to stop the war."
The other took this statement quietly.
"You were ever for a compromise," he said. "Well, well," he smiled. "So you would stop the war? Not yet, my lord, not yet. When we lay down the sword the King must be so defeated that he is glad to take our terms, otherwise why did we ever unsheath the sword?"
"Success lies so far with His Majesty," was the reply. "Fairfax and Essex can hardly hold their own, Rupert hath proved a very genius, the Queen cometh from over seas with men and money—bethink you a little, Colonel Cromwell, if the King should defeat us? Death for us all, aye, to our poorest followers, as traitors, and his own terms imposed on a bleeding nation!"
"He must not defeat us."
"The chances are against us," said my lord uneasily.
"God," returned Colonel Cromwell, with indescribable force, reverence, and enthusiasm, "is with us. Do you think He will give the victory unto the children of Belial?"
"Even if we gain the victory," persisted the Earl, "the King is always the King."
"My lord, if that is your temper, why did you ever take up arms?"