When breakfast was over, proclamation was made that at nine o’clock there would be prayers in the chapel for the last time, and that the marquis desired all to be present.  When the hour arrived, he entered leaning on the arm of Dr. Bayly.  Dorothy followed with the ladies of the family.  Young Delaware was in his place, and ’with organ voice and voice of psalms,’ praise and prayer arose for the last time from the house of Raglan.  All were in tears save the marquis.  A smile played about his lips, and he looked like a child giving away his toy.  Sir Toby Mathews tried hard to speak to his flock, but broke down, and had to yield the attempt.  When the services were over, the marquis rose and said,

’Master Delaware, once more play thy Nunc dimittis, and so meet me every one in the hall.’

Thither the marquis himself walked first, and on the dais seated himself in his chair of state, with his family and friends around him, and the officers of his household waiting.  On one side of him stood sir Ralph Blackstone, with a bag of gold, and on the other Mr. George Wharton, the clerk of the accounts, with a larger bag of silver.  Then each of the servants, in turn according to position, was called before him by name, and with his own hand the marquis, dipping now into one bag, now into the other, gave to each a small present in view of coming necessities:  they had the day before received their wages.  To each he wished a kind farewell, to some adding a word of advice or comfort.  He then handed the bags to the governor, and told him to distribute their contents according to his judgment amongst the garrison.  Last, he ordered every one to be ready to follow him from the gates the moment the clock struck the hour of noon, and went to his study.

When lord Charles came to tell him that all were marshalled, and everything ready for departure, he found him kneeling, but he rose with more of agility than he had for a long time been able to show, and followed his son.

With slow pace he crossed, the courts and the hall, which were silent as the grave, bending his steps to the main entrance.  The portcullises were up, the gates wide open, the drawbridge down—­all silent and deserted.  The white stair was also vacant, and in solemn silence the marquis descended, leaning on lord Charles.  But beneath was a gallant show, yet, for all its colour and shine, mournful enough.  At the foot of the stair stood four carriages, each with six horses in glittering harness, and behind them all the officers of the household and all the guests on horseback.  Next came the garrison-music of drums and trumpets, then the men-servants on foot, and the women, some on foot and some in waggons with the children.  After them came the waggons loaded with such things as they were permitted to carry with them.  These were followed by the principal officers of the garrison, colonels and captains, accompanied by their troops, consisting mostly of squires and