The conference was once more growing warm, when fortunately, it was abridged by the sudden entrance of a man not unlike Lempriere in general appearance, though taller and many years his junior.  He wore a steel cap, a gorget, and a buff coat; and received a hearty welcome from the Jerseyman, by whom he was presented to Prynne.

“Captain Le Gallais is newly arrived from our island,” said Lempriere, “and I made bold to leave word that I was here, in case of his coming to my lodgings while I tarried with you.  He brings me news of ’domus et placens uxor,’” added the speaker, taking with a sad smile the letter which Le Gallais handed him.  The servant having brought a third long stalked glass and placed it on the table, left the room once more, as the visitor, unbuckling his long basket-hilted sword, threw himself into a high-backed chair, and stretched his limbs, as one who rests after long travel.

“I am come post,” said he, “from Southampton.  There is that to do in Jersey which it imports the rulers of this land to know.”

“That may well be,” observed Lempriere, who shared his countryman’s idea of the importance of their little island.  “But how fares my Rose?  A wanderer may love his Ithaca, but he loves his wife most.  Have I your leave, Mr. Prynne, to examine this missive?”

Prynne bowed, and Lempriere cut open his letter.

“Penelope maketh such cheer as she may,” he added, after glancing at the contents:  “but I see nothing of your mighty news, Alain.”

“The letter was written before I learned the same.  The return of Ulysses did not then seem so far as it does now.”

“Leave riddling, Alain, and let us know the worst.”

“The worst is, Charles Stuart is in S. Helier, with a large power, warmly received by Sir George, and holding the island as a tool of Jermyn and the Queen, if not a pensioner of France.  I saw his barge row into the harbour at high tide, followed by others laden with silken courtiers and musicians; horse-boats and cook-boats swelled the train; the great guns of the Castle fired salvoes, and the militia stood to their arms upon the quay, with drums beating, fifes squeaking, and our own company from Saint Saviour’s ranked among the rest, green leaves in their hats and round the poles of their colours.”

Lempriere leant his head on his hand with a discomfited and despondent gesture.  Prynne addressed him kindly:—­

“Have a little patience, H. de Maufant,” said he.  “The sun shines in heaven though earth’s clouds hide his face.”

“Lukewarm Reuben!” cried the other, impatiently.  “What comfort can I have from such as thou?  While we talk my country is indeed undone:  my wife perhaps a wanderer, and my lands and house given over to the enemy.”

“Nay, but it need not be so,” said Prynne.  “The Rump that ruleth here, even were it a complete Parliament, cannot be an idol to you and yours.  I have read your island laws.  Those that say that the Parliament hath jurisdiction there must, sure, be strangely ignorant.  And so witnesseth Lord Coke, no slave of the prerogative.  Your islands are the ancient patrimony of the Crown:  what hinders you from casting in your lot with Charles?  For my part, I would willingly compound with him.  Let him rule as he pleases there, provided he make not slaves of us.”