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"So we began to set everything to rights." Ordinary Plans.

", many, indeed, and sad changes," said Sir Robert Evelyn, "have chanced since you left us. I have seen our peaceful England, on whose shore warfare had become but a dark tradition, or a gallant hope to the young and adventurous spirits who sought for honour abroad—I have seen it become the field of deadly battle, where the father raised his hand against the son, and the son against the father. I have seen the beacon blazing instead of the Christmas hearth; and the ivy, which for more than a century had wreathed undisturbed round these old battlements, has been pretty well cut away by the musketry during the last siege."

"Siege, my father! and I not at your side!" exclaimed Robert, reproachfully.

"In truth, dear child, I wished not for you.