"I see not much promise in that, since the King's answer is to dismiss Sir Randal Carew from his Chief Justiceship," replied Stovin. "That is as high-handed a piece of tyranny as the sale of our land over our heads to the Dutchman; and the country takes it as tamely as we have ta'en the loss of our property and our rights." "There are more than fifty gentlemen of the county committed to prison for refusing to pay the money demanded," said one. "Ten of them had been appointed commissioners to collect the loan," said another. "I heard a rumour the other day," said a third, "that the Earl of Lincoln is to be sent to the Tower." "These are not times for our young men to be enlisting for foreign service; there will be civil war in England before we are much older," declared Squire Portington. "There's not much sign of it yet," growled Stovin. "We are too white-livered for 't. But 'tis no bad thing some of our lads should learn how to win battles under a master of the art." "Vavasour and Drury will be apt pupils, I warrant," said the younger Mell. "He is a good captain who knows how to get the victory when he is outnumbered three to one, and the enemy has horsemen and he footmen only. How the Mulgrave men fled at Belshaw!" "Nay, the chief credit for that must be put down to thee," I replied. "The Mulgrave men are not likely to be the tools of oppression in future," remarked Squire Mell. "The young earl is reducing the number of his train. And I have it on good authority that he has put the case of the Isle Commoners to my Lord Scrope in a new light. He is a just young man, and judicious beyond his years." "The guest of the evening has reason to think so," some one said. "Owes Frank for his coronet," another shouted. "His earldom came to him by the judgment of the Almighty," answered Mell, gravely. "We know Vavasour had no intent to kill Lord Sheffield on the best of testimony--that of Frank himself, who would not lie to save his neck." "'A speaks as straight as 'a hits and shoots," cried a voice from the other table. "For my part," continued Mell, "I applaud the earl's courage in despising misconstruction." "What is the meaning of the uproar below?" asked Portington, as we all listened to a noise of voices in anger and alarm, which came through the side door, just opened for the carrying out of the remnants of supper. At the same moment, a servant rushed into the room, almost breathless. "Would your honour condescend to come to give order what's to be done with a murthering villain?" she panted toward Squire Stovin. A dozen men hurried forward, but the squire called out-- "Order, gentlemen. Be so good as to remain until I have seen what's the matter. Portington, Drury, Vavasour, follow me."