Master Drury shook his head. "Prithee, I would it had never existed," he said, "or that I knew not aught of it." "Have you seen the King's letters?" asked Maud. "All the world will see them shortly," sighed the gentleman. "The rebels have published some of his papers, calling it 'The King's Cabinet Opened.'" "Then all the world will know what a just and gentle monarch he is," said Maud. "Alas! they will see that what these rebels say of him is true; that he hath tried to sell his people to a foreign foe," groaned Master Drury. "All his doings with the Irish rebels, and his negotiations with foreign princes to bring troops over here, are given in these papers." Maud started to her feet, flushed with indignation. "It is not true," she said. "It would be unkingly--beneath the majesty of our royal Charles. It is a fabrication of the Parliament rebels." "I would fain think so if I could," sighed Master Drury; "but, Maud, I have heard from those who knew all the King's matters that these letters are true copies of what were in the cabinet." Maud dropped into her seat as though she had been shot. "The King is false and untrue, then," she gasped, "and Harry is right after all." "Hush, prithee, hush!" said Master Drury. "You know not what you say, Maud;" but he did not speak as though he were angry that Harry's name had been uttered. "Marry, but I cannot hold my peace when true and noble men are risking their lives to fight for this false king," said Maud. "I will not fight," quietly spoke Master Drury. "I will go back with you to Hayslope." "Prithee, but you will see Harry before you leave Oxford?" said Maud, a faint colour stealing into her cheek as she spoke. Master Drury was deeply moved. It was evident he was longing to see his son, but he said in a faint voice, "Nay, nay, I dare not see him. Mary Stanhope has spread the report that I have cast him off as a traitor rebel, and my loyalty to the King would be suspected if I were to see him now;" and he heaved a deep sigh as he spoke. "But it is true that you think the King false?" said Maud. "Harry did the same, and avowed it." Master Drury winced at the implied reproach. "Nay, nay, I cannot go so far as that," he said; "if I were I should be a rebel." "Then you must be false to yourself to _seem_ true to the King," said Maud, boldly; "and that is why there are so many true and honest men among the rebels, and why they are so strong. It is not their hatred of oppression only, nor their wish to save England's liberties, as they say; but they cannot do otherwise if they would be true to themselves--true to God, who has said, 'Fear God,' first, and then 'Honour the king.'"