"The noble family of Pawlet," remarked Sir Denzil gracefully, "have a great claim on the house of Stewart. The defence of Basing was one of the noblest actions of this unhappy war."
"The Marquess lost everything," said Lady William Pawlet. "Even the bricks were pulled down and sold—even my lord's shirts—and his bedchamber invaded by the vulgar, who burnt all the tapestry there for the sake of the gold threads in it, and they were the most beautiful hangings in England. What is loyalty's reward? Bitter, I fear, bitter."
She glanced out of the window at the unchanging sunshine as if it hurt her eyes, then moved away again restlessly round the room.
The Countess made an effort to stir a silence that was so full of memories, of regrets, of disappointments.
"Well," she said, "the war is over and we shall go abroad; but what will happen in England?"
"That," replied Sir Denzil sternly, "is very much in the hands of Oliver Cromwell."
PART III
THE CRISIS
"Robin, be honest still. God keep thee in the midst of snares. Thou hast naturally a valiant spirit. Listen to God, and He shall increase it upon thee, and make thee valiant for the truth. I am a poor creature that write to thee, the poorest in the world, but I have hope in God, and desire from my heart to love His people."—Lieutenant-General Cromwell to Colonel Hammond, Nov. 1648.