“No, indeed, Herbert.  But there was never a chance of that.  You have always been Mr. Gregory’s prize boy, and are now head of the school; while I have always been in his bad books.  But, as you say, Herbert, we have been dear friends, and, come what will, we’ll continue so.  We cannot agree on the state of the kingdom, and shall never do so.  We have both taken our views from our parents; and indeed it seems to me that the question is far too difficult a one for boys like us to form any opinion of it.  When we see some of the best and wisest in the land ranging themselves on either side, it is clear that even such a wise noddle as yours—­to say nothing of a feather brain like mine—­cannot form any opinion on a subject which perplexes our elders and betters.”

“That is true, Harry; but still—­”

“No, no, Herbert, we will have no argument.  You have the best of it there, and I fall back upon authority.  My father, the colonel, is for the king; yours for the Parliament.  He says that there are faults on both sides, and indeed, for years he favored the Commons.  The king’s acts were unconstitutional and tyrannical, and my father approved of the bold stand which Sir George Elliot made against him.  Now, however, all this has been changed, he tells me, and the Commons seek to rule without either king or peers.  They have sought to impose conditions which would render them the lords absolute of England, and reduce the king to a mere puppet.  They have, too, attacked the Church, would abolish bishops, and interfere in all matters spiritual.  Therefore, my father, while acknowledging the faults which the king has committed, and grieving over the acts which have driven the Parliament to taking up a hostile attitude to him, yet holds it his duty to support him against the violent men who have now assumed power, and who are aiming at the subversion of the constitution and the loss of the country.”

“I fear, also,” Herbert said, “that the Commons have gone grievously beyond their rights, although, did my father hear me say so, I should fall under his gravest displeasure.  But he holds that it is necessary that there should be an ecclesiastical sweep, that the prelates should have no more power in the land, that popery should be put down with an iron hand, and that, since kings cannot be trusted to govern well, all power should be placed in the hands of the people.  My own thoughts do incline toward his; but, as you say, when one sees men like my Lord Falkland, who have hitherto stood among the foremost in the ranks of those who demand that the king shall govern according to law, now siding with him against them, one cannot but feel how grave are the difficulties, and how much is to be said on either side.  How is one to choose?  The king is overbearing, haughty, and untrue to his word.  The Parliament is stiff-necked and bent upon acquiring power beyond what is fair and right.  There are, indeed, grievous faults on both sides.  But it