I would as soon commit my prayers
to the angel of the bottomless pit!"
Her ladyship had broken open the seals. Her eye kindled as she spoke--
"Thou hadst thy reward were we to hang thee up at the gate.--Yet art
thou but a foolish instrument in the hands of this traitor Rigby; and we
do not punish the weapon, but him that wields it."
Now Gideon, finding himself moved by natural heat and choler, and
mistaking this wrath for a righteous indignation, thought himself surely
called upon to reprove these unrighteous ones for their iniquities. His
body fell into the usual disposition for a harangue. His eyes rolled
upwards, and his whole frame swung to and fro whilst the exhortation was
preparing. To his great mortification, however, the lady quitted the
room, leaving word for them to follow her to the hall.
The preacher was greatly chagrined, when his eyes resumed their office,
to find himself almost thrust out and on his way back to the
guard-chamber. A number of soldiers and domestics were here assembled.
Lady Derby, with her chaplain, steward, and captains, ranged on each
side, stood at the higher end of the chamber.
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