Necessity — thou best of peacemakers,

As well as surest prompter of invention —

Help us to composition!

ANONYMOUS¹.

While the fire continued, the two parties laboured in active union, like the jarring factions² of the Jews during the siege of Jerusalem, when compelled to unite in resisting an assault of the besiegers. But when the last bucket of water had hissed³ on the few embers that continued to glimmer⁴ — when the sense of mutual⁵ hostility⁶, hitherto suspended by a feeling of common danger, was in its turn rekindled⁷ — the parties, mingled⁸ as they had hitherto been in one common exertion⁹, drew off from each other, and began to arrange themselves at opposite sides of the hall, and handle their weapons, as if for a renewal¹⁰ of the fight.

Bridgenorth interrupted any farther progress of this menaced hostility. “Julian Peveril,” he said, “thou art free to walk thine own path, since thou wilt¹¹ not walk with me that road which is more safe, as well as more honourable¹². But if you do by my counsel, you will get soon beyond the British seas.”

“Ralph Bridgenorth,” said one of his friends, “this is but evil and feeble conduct on thine own part. Wilt thou

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