Underlying his disbelief in the talk of the countryside, and even in the military measures which by the King's orders were being taken in the West, was an uneasy dread lest they should prove to be well founded, lest Argyle's operations in Scotland should be but the forerunner of a rash and premature invasion by Monmouth.

He knew the Duke was surrounded by such reckless, foolhardy counsellors as Grey and Ferguson--and yet he could not think the Duke would ruin all by coming before he had definite word that his friends were ready.

He looked at Trenchard now with anxious eyes.
"Have you seen the letter, Nick ?" he asked, and almost dreaded the reply.
"Albemarle showed it me an hour ago," said Trenchard.
"And it contains ?" "The news we fear.

It is in the Duke's own hand, and intimates that he will follow it in a few days--in a few days, man in person." Mr.Wilding clenched teeth and hands.

"God help us all, then!" he muttered grimly.
"Meanwhile," quoth Trenchard, bringing him back to the point, "there is this precious business here.