CHAPTER II.
FOR THE KING.
It was late that evening when Sir Henry Furness returned from Oxford; but Harry, anxious to hear the all-absorbing news of the day, had waited up for him.
"What news, father ?" he said, as Sir Henry alighted at the door.
"Stirring news, Harry; but as dark as may be.

War appears to be now certain.

The king has made every concession, but the more he is ready to grant, the more those Puritan knaves at Westminster would force from him.

King, peers, bishops, Church, all is to go down before this knot of preachers; and it is well that the king has his nobles and gentry still at his back.

I have seen Lord Falkland, and he has given me a commission in the king's name to raise a troop of horse.