Prince Rupert, Ormond, and other friends, do not doubt the matter will be driven to a fine; but they say the Chancellor, and Harry Bennet, and some others of the over-sea counsellors, are furious at what they call a breach of the King's proclamation.

Hang them, say I!--They left us to bear all the beating; and now they are incensed that we should wish to clear scores with those who rode us like nightmares!" "What did they talk of for my chastisement ?" said the Countess.
"I wot not," said Sir Geoffrey; "some friends, as I said, from our kind Cheshire, and others, tried to bring it to a fine; but some, again, spoke of nothing but the Tower, and a long imprisonment." "I have suffered imprisonment long enough for King Charles's sake," said the Countess; "and have no mind to undergo it at his hand.

Besides, if I am removed from the personal superintendence of my son's dominions in Man, I know not what new usurpation may be attempted there.

I must be obliged to you, cousin, to contrive that I may get in security to Vale Royal, and from thence I know I shall be guarded safely to Liverpool." "You may rely on my guidance and protection, noble lady," answered her host, "though you had come here at midnight, and with the rogue's head in your apron, like Judith in the Holy Apocrypha, which I joy to hear once more read in churches." "Do the gentry resort much to the Court ?" said the lady.
"Ay, madam," replied Sir Geoffrey; "and according to our saying, when miners do begin to bore in these parts, it is _for the grace of God, and what they there may find_." "Meet the old Cavaliers with much countenance ?" continued the Countess.
"Faith, madam, to speak truth," replied the Knight, "the King hath so gracious a manner, that it makes every man's hopes blossom, though we have seen but few that have ripened into fruit." "You have not, yourself, my cousin," answered the Countess, "had room to complain of ingratitude, I trust?
Few have less deserved it at the King's hand." Sir Geoffrey was unwilling, like most prudent persons, to own the existence of expectations which had proved fallacious, yet had too little art in his character to conceal his disappointment entirely.
"Who, I, madam ?" he said; "Alas! what should a poor country knight expect from the King, besides the pleasure of seeing him in Whitehall once more, and enjoying his own again?
And his Majesty was very gracious when I was presented, and spoke to me of Worcester, and of my horse, Black Hastings--he had forgot his name, though--faith, and mine, too, I believe, had not Prince Rupert whispered it to him.

And I saw some old friends, such as his Grace of Ormond, Sir Marmaduke Langdale, Sir Philip Musgrave, and so forth; and had a jolly rouse or two, to the tune of old times." "I should have thought so many wounds received--so many dangers risked--such considerable losses--merited something more than a few smooth words," said the Countess.
"Nay, my lady, there were other friends of mine who had the same thought," answered Peveril.