128 LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOURS [1645-6. 



of the family I come of, or set a brand upon my future 

 posterity. Courage (my heart), were I amongst the 

 King s enemies you might fear ; but being only 

 amongst his friends and faithful subjects, you need 

 doubt nothing, but that this cloud will be soon dissi 

 pated, by the sunshine of the King my Master ; and 

 did you but know how well and merry I am, you would 

 be as little troubled as myself, who have nothing that 

 can afflict me ; but lest your apprehension might hurt 

 you, especially since all the while I could get no oppor 

 tunity of sending, nor yet by any certain probable 

 means, but by my Cousin Breretoris, Master Manner- 

 ing s, our Cousin Constable of the Castle, and my Lord 

 Lieutenant s leave : and hope you and I shall live to 

 acknowledge our obligations to them, there being 

 nothing in this world that I desire more, than you 

 should at least hear from me. And believe it (sweet 

 heart), were I before the Parliament in London, I could 

 justify both the King and myself in what I have done. 

 And I pray acquaint my father, who I know so cau 

 tious, that he would hardly accept a letter from me, 

 but yet I presume most humbly to ask his blessing, 

 and as heartily as I send mine to pretty Mall; and I 

 hope this day or to-morrow will set a period to my 

 business, to the shame of those who have been occa- 

 sioners of it. But I must needs say from my Lord Lieu 

 tenant, and the Privy Council here, I have received as 

 much justice, nobleness, and favour, as I could possibly 

 expect. The circumstances of these proceedings are too 

 long to write unto you, but I am confident all will 

 prove to my greater honour. And my Eight Honour 

 able accuser, my Lord George Digby, will be at last 

 rectified and confirmed in the good which he is pleased 

 to say he ever had of me hitherto, as the greatest afflic 

 tion that he ever had, did do what his conscience en- 



