Those who would not look forward, and those who did, found themselves ere long involved in the fearful experiences of civil war. For three months from the failure of the King’s scheme to seize the Parliament leaders by trespass and violence in their own House, there were attempts at a treaty between the King, who insisted on ruling without a parliament, and the nation, which insisted on its right of parliamentary government. The King wanted those months, and a few more, for preparation; and he therefore kept up the pretence of negotiation as long as possible. At last it was over. At last the parliament and people were wearied out. At last Lady Carlisle had done all she could to restrain her friends from deadly conflict; and things must take their course. She could go on seeing the right side of everybody’s conduct, and worshipping the ablest man she knew, whether on the one side or the other: she could still perplex passionate and simple-minded people by her practice of helping both parties in turn, or even at once: but she could not, after all, avert civil war. She had notified to certain friends, so that it could not but reach Cousin Oliver’s ears, the discouragement which had struck the hearts of the Royal family when the King’s standard was overthrown by a storm, the first night of its erection: and wild was the exultation in the prayers of the Puritan camp in consequence. She had placed her services at the Queen’s command when Her Majesty stole away with her children to France; but the Queen had preferred foreign attendants, unmitigated papists, and thoroughgoing champions of Divine Right, and had given gracious permission to her dear friend the Countess to remain behind. Thus Lady Carlisle was at liberty to devote herself to the care of any suffering friends, and especially of Mr. Pym, whose health and strength were impaired by the prodigious toils and anxieties of recent years. She had saved the country by frustrating the King’s (or rather the Queen’s) plan of seizing the five members, and using the opportunity for putting down the parliament by force of arms. She hoped she had saved the King by securing him an interval for negotiation with men far less disposed to violence than himself: but the King had not sincerity enough for negotiation with honest men. When it appeared clear to such a mind as Lady Carlisle’s
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