the news with delight, and the army alone would not have sufficed to turn the tide against him.  Unhappily for Charles, he had no more idea now than at the commencement of the war of governing constitutionally, and instead thinking of trusting himself to the loyalty and affection of his subjects, he was meditating an escape to France.  Harry received a letter from one of the king’s most attached adherents, who was in waiting upon him at Hampton, begging him to repair there at once, as his majesty desired the aid of a few of those upon whom he could best rely, for an enterprise which he was about to undertake.  Harry showed the letter to his father.

“You must do as you will, Harry,” the colonel said.  “For myself, I stick to my determination to meddle no more in the broils of this kingdom.  Could I trust his Majesty, I would lay down my life for him willingly; but I cannot trust him.  All the misfortunes which have befallen him, all the blood which has been poured out by loyal men in his cause, all the advice which his best councilors have given him, have been thrown away upon him.  He is as lavish with his promises as ever, but all the time he is intending to break them as soon as he gets ample chance.  Were he seated upon the throne again to-morrow, he would be as arbitrary as he was upon the day he ascended it.  I do not say that I would not far rather see England under the tyranny of one man than under that of an army of ambitious knaves; but the latter cannot last.  The king’s authority, once riveted again on the necks of the people, might enslave them for generations, but England will never submit long to the yoke of military dictators.  The evil is great, but it will right itself in time.  But do you do as you like, Harry.  You have, I hope, a long life before you, and ’twere best that you chose your own path in it.  But think it over, my son.  Decide nothing to-night, and in the morning let me know what you have determined.”

Harry slept but little that night.  When he met his father at breakfast he said: 

“I have decided, father.  You know that my opinions run with yours as to the folly of the king, and the wrongfulness and unwisdom of his policy.  Still he is alone, surrounded by traitors to whose ambition he is an obstacle, and who clamor for his blood.  I know not upon what enterprise he may now be bent, but methinks that it must be that he thinks of an escape from the hands of his jailers.  If so, he must meditate a flight to France.  There he will need faithful followers, who will do their best to make him feel that he is still a king who will cheer his exile and sustain his hopes.  It may be that years will pass before England shakes off the iron yoke which Cromwell and his army are placing upon her neck.  But, as you say, I am young and can wait.  There are countries in Europe where a gentleman can take service in the army, and should aught happen to King Charles there I will enroll myself until these evil days be all passed.  I would rather never see England again than live here to be ruled by King Cromwell and his canting Ironsides.”