Lucy, with the quickness of her character, read in her uncle’s look that he wished her to overhear the conversation about to take place between himself and his visiters. Moving her chair, therefore, near the half open door, while her lover was engaged in speaking with her aunt, and playing at the same time with the soft curls of the fair Jessy, who was leaning on his knee, she applied herself to listen. “Your names first, gentlemen: you have not yet introduced yourselves,” said her uncle’s voice. “Mr. Dale,” replied the pleasing tones of the young stranger who had spoken on their first entrance, “and Mr. Brooks.” “Be seated, then, Messrs. Dale and Brooks,” observed the governor, “and have the kindness to proceed in unfolding the nature of your errand.” “I am the bearer of these documents for you,” said the harsh voice of him who had been introduced as Mr. Brooks. Lucy here heard the rattling of paper, as though the governor were unfolding a letter. He proceeded to read aloud: “The bearers, James Brooks and Thomas Dale, having been empowered by His Majesty, in the enclosed warrant, to seize the persons of the escaped regicides, Lisle and Heath, you are hereby desired, not only to permit said Brooks and Dale to make thorough search throughout your colony, but likewise to furnish them with every facility for that purpose; it being currently believed that the said regicides are secreted in New Haven. ENDICOTT, _Governor of Massachusetts Colony_.” There was now again a rattling, as if occasioned by the unfolding of paper. The governor continued: “Whereas, Henry Lisle and William Heath, of the city of London, having been confined under charge of treason and rebellion, have made their escape—and whereas it is believed they have fled to our possessions in America, we do hereby authorize and appoint our true and loyal subjects, James Brooks and Thomas Dale, to make diligent search throughout all the New England colonies for the said traitors and rebels. Moreover we do hereby command our subjects, the governors and deputy-governors of said colonies, to aid and abet by all possible means their capture and imprisonment: And we do hereby denounce as rebels any who may secrete or harbor said Lisle and Heath, in the accomplishing of this our royal mandate.” Lucy heard her uncle clear his throat after he had ceased reading, and there was a moment’s pause. “It will be impossible,” said he at length, “Messrs. Brooks and Dale, for me to act officially in this matter until I have convened the magistrates of the colony.” “I see no necessity for any thing of the kind,” said Mr. Brooks, in an irritated tone. “Nevertheless, there exists a very great necessity,” answered the governor, decidedly; “so much so, that as I have said, it will be utterly out of the question for me to proceed independently in relation to the affair.”