rock, that smileth at the madness of those waves that dash around it.--Do not interrupt me, woman. I know what thou wouldest say: I can tell thy thoughts afar off, and see tears before they come to the eyelids. I must not pity. He that hath covered my head in battle appointeth the doom of this troubler of Israel. His is the sceptre, and the sword is his. I am but the poor unworthy instrument by whom they are borne. I am no more but a poor Jack of the clock-house, and strike the stroke of righteous vengeance, even as that automatous toy striketh on the bell, being moved by the organs and machinery of the skilful constructor or contriver thereof. Thou understandest me? I like to speak plain, that my poor people may see what a very worm of earth is every child of Adam; and how little store I set by all the baubles and gewgaws of power and state. It is known how a whole nation did weary my spirit with petitions to take upon me this grave and weighty office, which I would gladly have foregone, if that I might have declined the cross without sin. But such peace was not for me.” During this strange address, Cromwell looked alternately at the paper in his hand and at Katharine Heywood; dropping his eyes on the former, and then suddenly raising them again, as if to catch some expression of her countenance, which she would not willingly wear while his eyes rested on her: but there was about her a majesty sad and unmoved; the seriousness of her displeasure was grave; and she was fortifying herself by mental prayer. The Protector perceiving this, abruptly and without a pause, changed his manner and tone:--“You are the wife of the condemned?” “Not so, my Lord, I am his cousin.” “What is your name?” “Katharine Heywood, Sir: it is written on the petition.” “What Heywoods?” “Those of Warwickshire.” “Ha! Malignants--Malignants:--Sir Oliver was one of them: a staunch slave of that foolish and misguided man, Charles Stuart.” “My father, sir, was a faithful subject of King Charles.” “And you, woman----” “I obey the laws. By my sex and by my sorrows I have been taught thankfulness for any government that brings peace.” “Out of thine own mouth is thy rebel cousin condemned. How came it that all his relations were not instantly arrested? But thus it is. Thus am I served by indolent and purblind knaves--the serpent and the woman;--thus it ever was, and will be, the boldest treasons are ever hatched by women. Where dost thou live?” “At Cottesmore, in Gloucestershire.” “How long have you dwelt there, and with whom?” “Since the death of my father, I have lived in the family of an ejected minister, named Juxon, a nephew of the bishop.” Cromwell bit his nether lip, and passed his hand quickly across his brow.