“So far therefrom, I love it hourly more.  My early days were wild and stormy, of some particulars whereof I have possessed you; and although I have not reached my meridian, yet am I satiated with vanity.  I am like a ship, whose tempest-beaten sides rest sweetly in a haven.  As contentedly she hears the winds howling without, so I listen from afar to the uproar of the world, and pleased, contrast my calm therewith.”

“Man was not made for inaction,” said Winthrop.

“I shun no honorable labor.  Instruct me how to be useful to the little State which enjoys the happiness to call you father and ruler, and no toil or danger but shall be welcome.”

“You know there is but one difficulty that stands in your way to occupy the position due to both your rank and merit.”

A shadow passed over the face of the knight.

“We will not speak thereof,” he said.  “When I offered to join the congregation, who would have thought that so trifling a difference could close your bosoms against me?”

“Call not the difference slight, nor our bosoms closed,” answered Winthrop; “but I trust that further reflection, your spirit being lighted by beams of grace, will convince you that in our exposition we erred not.”

At this moment a slight rustling was heard at the other end of the apartment, and the knight turning, beheld a man having the appearance of a servant advancing.

“How now, sirrah,” cried Winthrop, “what means this intrusion?”

“I thought I heard the Governor call,” said the man.

“I called not,” said Winthrop; “but being here, bring refreshments.  His presence opportunely reminds me,” he added, turning to the knight, “of my breach of hospitality, occasioned by my interest in the conversation.”

In a short time the servant returned bearing a silver salver, on which were placed wine and a venison pasty, (for the robuster appetites of our ancestors would have scorned more delicate viands,) which he placed on a sideboard.

Before the knight addressed himself to the pasty, which he soon did, with an appetite sharpened by his morning ride, he filled two goblets with wine, and presenting one to his host, begged to pledge him in a health to the prosperity of the infant Commonwealth.

“The building up of our Zion lies nearest my heart, and unceasingly do my prayers ascend on her behalf,” answered Winthrop; “but—­think me not discourteous—­I may not, without sin, comply with your request in the drinking of healths.”

“How!” exclaimed the knight, “is there any forbidding thereof in Holy Scripture?”