"Yes, madam, for he has made his peace, and proved his sincerity."
"I believe it," she said, grimly. "He is the devil. And his wife is like unto him. But there's Sidney Godolphin--what of him?"
"He has made his peace, madam."
"Russell?"
"The same, madam, and given proofs."
"But, odds my soul, sir," she cried, sharply and pettishly, "if everybody is of one mind, where does it stick that the king does not come over?"
"On a life, madam," Smith answered, letting each word fall slowly, as if it were a jewel. "One life intervenes."
"Ha!" she said, sitting up and looking straight before her. "Sits the wind in that quarter? Well, I thought so."
"And therefore time presses."
"Still, man," she said, "our family has done much for the throne; and his Gracious Majesty has----"