At an early hour the conference was recommenced,[b] and after a short time interrupted, in consequence of the receipt of a notice by the general that it was the intention of the house to comply with the desires of the army.  This was a mistake:  the opposite party, led by Vane, who had discovered the object of Cromwell,

[Footnote 1:  From Ludlow (ii. 435) it appears that by this bill the number of members for boroughs was reduced, of representatives of counties increased.  The qualification of an elector was the possession for his own use of an estate real or personal of the value of two hundred pounds.—­Journ. 30th March, 1653.  It is however singular that though the house continued to sit till April 19th—­the only entry on the journals respecting this bill occurs on the 13th—­making it a qualification of the candidates that they should be “persons of known integrity, fearing God, and not scandalous in their conversation.”—­Journal, ibid.]

[Footnote 2:  Compare Whitelock’s narrative of this meeting (p. 554) with Cromwell’s, in Milton’s State Papers, 109.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1653 April 19.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1653 April 20.]

had indeed resolved to pass a bill of dissolution, not, however, the bill proposed by the officers, but their own bill, containing all the obnoxious provisions; and to pass it that very morning, that it might obtain the force of law before their adversaries could have time to appeal to the power of the sword.[1] While Harrison “most sweetly and humbly” conjured them to pause before they took so important a step, Ingoldsby hastened to inform the lord-general at Whitehall.  His resolution was immediately formed, and a company of musketeers received orders to accompany him to the house.

At this eventful moment, big with the most important consequences both to himself and his country, whatever were the workings of Cromwell’s mind, he had the art to conceal them from the eyes of the beholders.  Leaving the military in the lobby, he entered the house, and composedly seated himself on one of the outer benches.  His dress was a plain suit of black cloth, with grey worsted stockings.  For a while he seemed to listen with interest to the debate; but, when the speaker was going to put the question, he whispered to Harrison, “This is the time:  I must do it;” and rising, put off his hat to address the house.  At first his language was decorous and even laudatory.  Gradually he became more warm and animated:  at last he assumed all the vehemence of passion, and indulged in personal vituperation.  He charged the members with self-seeking and profaneness; with the frequent denial of justice, and numerous

[Footnote 1:  These particulars may be fairly collected from Whitelock, 554, compared with the declaration of the officers, and Cromwell’s speech to his parliament.  The intention to dissolve themselves is also asserted by Hazlerig.—­Burton’s Diary, iii. 98.]