“I regret to say that you are mistaken in your conjecture,” replied Hansford. “As it is impossible that our conduct could have invoked your displeasure, so it is equally impossible that we should sue for pardon for an offence which we have never committed.” “And, prythee, what then is your worshipful pleasure, fair sir,” said Berkeley, ironically; “perhaps, in the abundance of your mercy, you have come to grant pardon, if you do not desire it. Nay!” he exclaimed, seeing Hansford shake his head; “then, peradventure, you would ask me to abdicate my government in favour of young Cromwell. I beg pardon—young Bacon, I should say—the similarity of their views is so striking, that as my memory is but a poor one, I sometimes confound their names. Well! any thing in reason. Nay, again!—well then, I am at a loss to conjecture, and you must yourself explain the object of your visit.” “I would fain convey my instructions to Sir William Berkeley's private ear,” said Hansford, unmoved by the irony of the old knight. “Oh pardon me, fair sir,” said Berkeley; “yet, in this I _must_ crave your pardon, indeed. A sovereign would never wittingly trust himself alone with a rebel, and neither will I, though only an obscure colonial Governor. There are none but loyal ears here, and I trust Mr. Hansford has no tidings which can offend them.” “I am sure,” said Hansford, in reply, “that Sir William Berkeley does not for a moment suspect that I desired to see him in private from any sinister or treasonable motive.” “I know, sir,” said Berkeley, angrily, “that you have proved yourself a traitor, and, therefore, I have the best reason for suspecting you of treasonable designs. But I have no time—no disposition to dally with you thus. Tell me, what new treason, that my old ears are yet strangers to, I am yet doomed to hear?” “My instructions are soon told,” said Hansford, repressing his indignation. “General Nathaniel Bacon, by virtue of your own commission, Commander-in-chief of the forces of Virginia, desires to know, and has directed me to inquire, for what cause you have issued a proclamation declaring both him and his followers traitors to their country and king?” Berkeley stood the shock much better than Hansford expected. His face flushed for a moment, but only for a moment, as he replied,— “This is certainly an unusual demand of a rebel; but sir, as I have nothing to fear from an exposure of my reasons, I will reply, that Nathaniel Bacon is now in arms against the government of Virginia.” “Not unless the government of Virginia be allied with the Indians, against whom he is marching,” said Hansford, calmly. “Aye, but it is well known,” returned Berkeley, “that he has covert views of his own to attain, under pretext of this expedition against the Indians.”