The king, endeavoring to make his way north to join him, had been smartly repulsed.

The Royalists were everywhere disorganized and broken.
Negotiations were once again proceeding, and as the Scottish army was marching south, and the affairs of the crown seemed desperate, there was every hope that the end of the long struggle was approaching.

Harry's departure was hastened by a letter received by Herbert from his father, saying that he had obtained leave from his regiment, and should be down upon the following day.
"My father will not blame me," Herbert said, "for what I have done, when he comes to know it.

But I am rot sure that he would himself approve of your remaining here.

His convictions are so earnest, and his sense of duty so strong, that I do not think he would harbor his nearest relative, did he believe him to be in favor of the king." Harry next morning mounted a horse of Herbert's and started to ride from the town, after taking an affectionate farewell of his hosts.