"Most fearlessly."
"Yes, yes," murmured Cromwell; "the French fight well; and if my glass was good and I mistake not, they were foremost in the fight."
"They were," replied Mordaunt.
"After you, however," said Cromwell.
"It was the fault of their horses, not theirs."
Another pause "And the Scotch?"
"They kept their word and never stirred," said Mordaunt.
"Wretched men!"
"Their officers wish to see you, sir."
"I have no time to see them. Are they paid?"
"Yes, to-night."
"Let them be off and return to their own country, there to hide their shame, if its hills are high enough; I have nothing more to do with them nor they with me. And now go, Mordaunt."
"Before I go," said Mordaunt, "I have some questions and a favor to ask you, sir."
"A favor from me?"
Mordaunt bowed.
"I come to you, my leader, my head, my father, and I ask you, master, are you contented with me?"
Cromwell looked at him with astonishment. The young man remained immovable.
"Yes," said Cromwell; "you have done, since I knew you, not only your duty, but more than your duty; you have been a faithful friend, a cautious negotiator, a brave soldier."
"Do you remember, sir it was my idea, the Scotch treaty, for giving up the king?"
"Yes, the idea was yours. I had no such contempt for men before."
"Was I not a good ambassador in France?"
"Yes, for Mazarin has granted what I desire."
"Have I not always fought for your glory and interests?"
"Too ardently, perhaps; it is what I have just reproached you for. But what is the meaning of all these questions?"
"To tell you, my lord, that the moment has now arrived when, with a single word, you may recompense all these services."
"Oh!" said Oliver, with a slight curl of his lip, "I forgot that every service merits some reward and that up to this moment you have not been paid."
"Sir, I can take my pay at this moment, to the full extent of my wishes."
"How is that?"
"I have the payment under my hand; I almost possess it."
"What is it? Have they offered you money? Do you wish a step, or some place in the government?"
"Sir, will you grant me my request?"
"Let us hear what it is, first."
"Sir, when you have told me to obey an order did I ever answer, `Let me see that order '?"
"If, however, your wish should be one impossible to fulfill?"
"When you have cherished a wish and have charged me with its fulfillment, have I ever replied, `It is impossible'?"
"But a request preferred with so much preparation ---- "
"Ah, do not fear, sir," said Mordaunt, with apparent simplicity: "it will not ruin you."
"Well, then," said Cromwell, "I promise, as far as lies in my power, to grant your request; proceed."
"Sir, two prisoners were taken this morning, will you let me have them?"
"For their ransom? have they then offered a large one?" inquired Cromwell.
"On the contrary, I think they are poor, sir."
"They are friends of yours, then?"
"Yes, sir," exclaimed Mordaunt, "they are friends, dear friends of mine, and I would lay down my life for them."
"Very well, Mordaunt," exclaimed Cromwell, pleased at having his opinion of the young man raised once more; "I will give them to you; I will not even ask who they are; do as you like with them."
"Thank you, sir!" exclaimed Mordaunt, "thank you; my life is always at your service, and should I lose it I should still owe you something; thank you; you have indeed repaid me munificently for my services."
He threw himself at the feet of Cromwell, and in spite of the efforts of the Puritan general, who did not like this almost kingly homage, he took his hand and kissed it.
"What!" said Cromwell, arresting him for a moment as he arose; "is there nothing more you wish? neither gold nor rank?"
"You have given me all you can give me, and from to-day your debt is paid."
And Mordaunt darted out of the general's tent, his heart beating and his eyes sparkling with joy.
Cromwell gazed a moment after him.
"He has slain his uncle!" he murmured. "Alas! what are my servants? Possibly this one, who asks nothing or seems to ask nothing, has asked more in the eyes of Heaven than those who tax the country and steal the bread of the poor. Nobody serves me for nothing. Charles, who is my prisoner, may still have friends, but I have none!"
And with a deep sigh he again sank into the reverie that had been interrupted by Mordaunt.