A quarrel with him, and on such a cause, will do you no good in Lord Quinton's eyes." Indeed, it seemed as though all the furies had combined to vex me.

Yet still my desire was to learn of Cydaria, for even now I could hardly believe what Darrell told me.

Sitting down by him, I listened while he related to me what he knew of her; it was little more than the mentioning of her true name told me--a name familiar, alas, through all the country, sung in ballads, bandied to and fro in talk, dragged even into high disputes that touched the nation's fortunes; for in those strange days, when the world seemed a very devil's comedy, great countries, ay, and Holy Churches, fought behind the mask of an actress's face or chose a fair lady for their champion.

I hope, indeed, that the end sanctified the means; they had great need of that final justification.

Castlemaine and Nell Gwyn--had we not all read and heard and gossiped of them?
Our own Vicar had spoken to me of Nell, and would not speak too harshly, for Nell was Protestant.