"Because I have not had time; and, if the small things of life require thoughtfulness, how much more must the great things of a court!"
"Shouldst like to turn Christian and live at court?"
"Heaven forbid! All I should be turned to would be ridicule, and that is a wonderful lowerer of the consequence of even a serving man——"
"Hush!" said the elder page—"there goes Colonel John Jones."
As the brother-in-law of the Protector approached, the several persons in the hall rose and saluted him with considerable respect. His aspect was stern and rigid: his whole person firm and erect; and whatever his faults might have been, he gave one the idea of a person who, doing wrong, thought it right. His eyes were generally upturned, and there was a good deal of enthusiasm in the expression of the upper portion of his countenance, while the firm-set mouth and broad muscular chin betokened the most inflexible resolution. He proceeded towards the cord we have before mentioned, exchanged a few words with the sentry, and then returned to the door whereby he had entered. While unclosing it, he perceived Robin, and, struck by his Jewish appearance, altered his course and approached him.
The Ranger bent most lowlily to the ground, for he well knew the veneration this man excited both amongst soldiers and Puritans.
"One of the cast-aways within the sanctuary!" he said in a stern reproving voice. "How is it?"
"Sir, his master, the Rabbi, tarrieth with his Highness," replied the elder page.
"It is evil, and of evil," returned Colonel Jones, with still more severity, "The clean and the unclean, the believer and the unbeliever, the offscouring of the earth with the chosen of the Lord! Why is he not cast forth, yea into outer darkness? Why should the filthy vulture make his nest with the eagles? Dog of a Jew, out, into the highway!"
"May it please ye," interrupted Gracious Meanwell, "his Highness has just issued express orders that this man be carefully tended, and kept within."