"Shall not!" repeated Burrell, who was as much of the bully as the
coward, and still trusted his cause to the knowledge of Constantia's
filial affection, and her readiness to sacrifice all for her father;
"let the lady decide."
"So be it; though I hardly think it--there must be some hidden motive.
Yet no, Sir Willmott Burrell, I will not,--even if she will, I will
it otherwise. Ah! think ye to control me? Didst ever hear of one Cony?
or of Maynard Twisden, and Wyndham, his counsel? What if I imprison ye,
Sir Willmott, till this Jewess be found, and compel ye to wed her again,
even here in England! What say ye now?"
"Would you have me wed a murderess?" inquired the villain, in a calm
tone.
"My child is not that," said the heart-broken father, who had been
examining the papers, with overpowering anxiety.
"What! good Manasseh?" inquired Cromwell.
"That which he did call her," replied the Jew.
"There needs no farther parley. Colonel Jones, we will ourself accompany
our worthy friend to the Isle of Shepey, and investigate more minutely
this most unhappy business. You will take all requisite care of Sir
Willmott Burrell, who goes with us--willing or unwilling--Perhaps he
would like to appeal from our decree? To-night we will set forth, so as
to arrive at King's-ferry before to-morrow's sunset; for we must stay an
hour at Whitehall, and say a word in passing to Colonel Lilburne, at
Eltham."
"How does your Highness travel?"
"As befits our state," replied the Protector. "Worthy Rabbi, be not cast
down; all may yet be well."
"Your Highness is ever kind; but justice is inflexible. My child!--that
which he called my child, rings in mine ear--pierces it! O Father
Abraham! I knew not the curse that fell upon Israel until this day!"
"All may yet be well, I say again," observed the Protector, "know ye not
what was said by the prophet of old--the prophet of the Lord--'Now thus
saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O
Israel, fear not!'"
"May I return and commune with your Highness?" craved Colonel Jones, as
he escorted Burrell to the door--"there is much that I would mention,
although this is the Lord's day."
"Ay, certainly.--Gracious Meanwell! I would speak with him who brought
this parcel."
A lad was introduced; but he could tell nothing, except that passing
along the crags of the Gull's Nest, (the Protector started at the name,)
he saw the packet dangling in the air; he pulled at it, and it came
easily away in his hand; and finding it directed to his Highness, he had
been recommended to bring it forthwith--that he had ridden part of the
way in company with some who were coming as far as Gravesend, and had
'lifted' him. He looked like what he was, part oyster-dredger, part
smuggler. Cromwell saw nothing in him that would justify detention, and
dismissed him with a liberal gratuity.