Among the gentlemen received by Madame Lalande, and the fair triune forming her staff, were three who had peculiar relations with them--at least with the young ladies--Sir Richard Walwyn, Eustace and Reginald Trevor. They came not in together; the last by some minutes preceding the other two. But, without bettor knowledge of antecedents, it may seem strange his being there at all. Nothing much of this, however, was there about it; nor did Eustace show any surprise at seeing his cousin in the room, which he did soon as entering. He knew Reginald was in the city, and the reason--no voluntary sojourner, but one of the prisoners enjoying "parole." As a captain in Sir John Wintour's troop of horse he had been with Lord Herbert's Monmouthshire levies in their farcical siege of Gloucester, so abruptly raised by Waller; where he escaped death by being made captive, and sent for safe keeping to Bristol. Though Colonel Lunsford was not there also, that worthy had been served in the same way at an earlier period. Having cried "quarter" at Edgehill, and there surrendered up his precious person, it was now being taken care of by the gaoler of Warwick Castle. But for that adverse incident he might have been in Bristol too, and figuring, as other fine Cavaliers, at the Lalandes' ball. Though Reginald Trevor had been now some weeks in the city, and on parole, before that night he and his cousin had not met. As known, Eustace was for a time absent on scout with Sir Richard. But even after his return Reginald had shunned him, and neither had seen aught of the other since that angry parting at Hollymead. Now that chance had brought them together again, it was to meet with no increased cordiality; instead diminished, what had occurred since having but widened the gap between them. Still the hostility was all on Reginald's side, by him felt keenly and bitterly. He had suffered humiliation; a soldier of fortune he was now, not only thrown out of employ but a prisoner. And, if not one of his captors, there among them in amicable association was his cousin, to whom he had sworn giving "No Quarter!" should they ever cross swords in the field of fight. By good fortune they had not done so yet; and whether he desired it, the other did not--had no such wish. Instead, would have been willing there and then to shake hands with him, and be friends again. With a half-formed resolve to make offer of reconciliation Eustace approached his cousin. To get a reception which flung him back upon himself, and his sensibilities. Though few their words exchanged, they were sharp and cutting, as might have been their swords. "So you've done what you said you would?" It was Reginald who spoke. "Done what?" "Turned traitor to your King. And to your father too?" "But not to my conscience, nor my God. They are more to me than loyalty to any King, as you call it--even more than affection for my poor deluded father, however much I feel for him."