`` In the devil 's name , what is this ? '' muttered Sir William Howe to a gentleman beside him . `` A procession of the regicide judges of King Charles the martyr ? '' `` These , '' said Colonel Joliffe , breaking silence almost for the first time that evening -- `` these , if I interpret them aright , are the Puritan governors , the rulers of the old original democracy of Massachusetts -- Endicott with the banner from which he had torn the symbol of subjection , and Winthrop and Sir Henry Vane and Dudley , Haynes , Bellingham and Leverett . '' `` Why had that young man a stain of blood upon his ruff ? '' asked Miss Joliffe . `` Because in after-years , '' answered her grandfather , `` he laid down the wisest head in England upon the block for the principles of liberty . '' `` Will not Your Excellency order out the guard ? '' whispered Lord Percy , who , with other British officers , had now assembled round the general . `` There may be a plot under this mummery . '' `` Tush ! we have nothing to fear , '' carelessly replied Sir William Howe . `` There can be no worse treason in the matter than a jest , and that somewhat of the dullest . Even were it a sharp and bitter one , our best policy would be to laugh it off . See ! here come more of these gentry . '' Another group of characters had now partly descended the staircase . The first was a venerable and white-bearded patriarch who cautiously felt his way downward with a staff . Treading hastily behind him , and stretching forth his gauntleted hand as if to grasp the old man 's shoulder , came a tall soldier-like figure equipped with a plumed cap of steel , a bright breastplate and a long sword , which rattled against the stairs . Next was seen a stout man dressed in rich and courtly attire , but not of courtly demeanor ; his gait had the swinging motion of a seaman 's walk , and , chancing to stumble on the staircase , he suddenly grew wrathful and was heard to mutter an oath .
He was followed by a noble-looking personage in a curled wig such as are represented XXXXX the portraits of Queen Anne 's time and earlier , and the breast of his coat was decorated with an embroidered star .
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