his slightest actions; Dalzell regarded him with a stern, gloomy,
and impatient frown; and Claverhouse, with a sarcastic smile and inclination of
his head, seemed to claim him as an old acquaintance.
    »You come, sir, from these unfortunate people, now assembled in arms,« said
the Duke of Monmouth, »and your name, I believe, is Morton: will you favour us
with the purport of your errand?«
    »It is contained, my Lord,« answered Morton, »in a paper, termed a
Remonstrance and Supplication, which my Lord Evandale has placed, I presume, in
your Grace's hands?«
    »He has done so, sir,« answered the Duke; »and I understand, from Lord
Evandale, that Mr. Morton has behaved in these unhappy matters with much
temperance and generosity, for which I have to request his acceptance of my
thanks.«
    Here Morton observed Dalzell shake his head indignantly, and whisper
something into Claverhouse's ear, who smiled in return, and elevated his
eyebrows, but in a degree so slight as scarce to be perceptible. The Duke,
taking the petition from his pocket, proceeded, obviously struggling between the
native gentleness of his own disposition, and perhaps his conviction that the
petitioners demanded no more than their rights, and the desire, on the other
hand, of enforcing the King's authority, and complying with the sterner opinions
of the colleagues in office who had been assigned for the purpose of controlling
as well as advising him.
    »There are, Mr. Morton, in this paper, proposals, as to the abstract
propriety of which I must now waive delivering any opinion. Some of them appear
to me reasonable and just; and although I have no express instructions from the
King upon the subject, yet I assure you, Mr. Morton, and I pledge my honour,
that I will interpose in your behalf, and use my utmost influence to procure you
satisfaction from his Majesty. But you must distinctly understand, that I can
only treat with supplicants, not with rebels; and, as a preliminary to every act
of favour on my side, I must insist upon your followers laying down their arms
and despersing themselves.«
    »To do so, my Lord Duke,« replied Morton, undauntedly, »were to acknowledge
ourselves the rebels that our enemies term us. Our swords are drawn for recovery
of a birthright wrested from us; your Grace's moderation and good sense have
admitted the general justice of our demand - a demand which would never have
been listened to