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198 tree; I passed, and lo! his place knew him no more," muttered he of the rent cloak.

"I know it to my cost," pursued the former speaker, disregarding the interruption. "Who now will buy the gallant falcon I have brought with so much cost and care from Norway for Lord Stukeley?"

"Why," ejaculated the mercer, "they cannot lay treason to the charge of such a youth!"

"Yes, he is sent off to the Tower with his father."

"And did you hear from the servants if any hope was entertained for them?"

"Hope!—why, there is very little fear. It is the talk of the place, that he has been arrested to keep him out of mischief. There have been rumours of a conspiracy on foot in the neighbourhood; and Sir Robert Evelyn's death"—Francesca could not repress a start—"Has left him too powerful. So Cromwell has very wisely taken him out of the way of temptation."

I wish I had sent in my bill for those embroidered gloves which the young Lord Albert ordered; he told me so to do, but I thought them such safe customers; and it seemed more handsome to wait," said the burgher, with a face of dismay.

"Pshaw!" exclaimed the owner of the falcon;