And truly, brother, you must pardon me if I say God and man may require this duty at your hand, and lay all miscarriages in the Army, in point of discipline, at _your_ door." Fleetwood could answer this (Nov.
9) but very lamely: "I do wonder what I have done to deserve such a severe letter from you," &c.

Fleetwood was really a good-hearted gentleman, meaning no desperate harm to Richard or his Protectorate, though desiring the Commandership-in-chief for himself, and perhaps (who knows domestic secrets ?) a co-equality of public status for his wife, Lady Bridget, with the Lady-Protectress Dorothy.

In fact, however, Lieutenant-General Fleetwood and Major-General Desborough between them had let loose forces that were to defy their own management.

Meanwhile, the phenomenon observable in the weeks preceding the meeting of the Parliament which Richard had called was that of a violent division already among the councillors and assessors of the Protectorate.

There was the _Court Party_ or _Dynastic Party,_ taking their stand on the _Petition and Advice,_ and advocating a strictly conservative and constitutional procedure, in the terms of that document, on the lines laid down by Oliver.