"I take along with me," returned Harrison, "that thou art a tyrant; and though it hath pleased God, in His mysterious decrees, to place thee where thou art, I know that He hath done it to bring a further rebuke and chastening upon us before the coming of His kingdom and for thy destruction. There is a wind abroad over the land, but one which neither purifies nor cools—the presence of God is not with thee nor with those under thee."
"This is hardly said," answered the Lord-Protector sadly. "Ah, thou hast gone so far with me—canst thou not go a little further? Together we fought, together we judged that wicked man, Charles Stewart——"
Harrison interrupted.
"Then thou wast acting as God directed—but lately thou hast acted as if a bad angel possessed thee. The true saints who fought with thee then could not fight with thee now, Lord Cromwell. A poor few we are—nay, a pitiful remnant, but we believe that before long it will be made known from Heaven that we are right, although it hath seemed good to Him to suffer this turn to come upon us—so that we are a forsaken few."
"Nay, not forsaken!" cried His Highness, much agitated. "Is it not for thee, and such as thee, that this Government exists?"
"I know not," replied Harrison coldly. "Methought that it existed for itself, as all governments do."
"Truly" cried the Lord-Protector, with rising anger, "they who call thee hard have reason—nay, thou art more, thou art unjust."
"Unjust!" repeated Harrison, with more emotion than he had so far shown. "Is thy memory so feeble or thy heart so false as not to recall the old days, the bright morning of our hopes and triumphs?"
He came a step nearer, holding out his hands and speaking vehemently.