about in the neighbourhood of the castle, was obliged to wait for an occasion when he could kiss Ferdinand's hand before he might leave the country quite a free man. An opportunity for doing so soon arrived, which the Prince turned to account in an odd manner.

The Emperor was out hunting near Lintz, and Rupert determined to go to meet him. As he drew near the hunting-party, he observed that the sportsmen were all keeping cautiously aloof from a wild boar who stood at bay before them, and a very fierce-looking animal he was. One glance was enough for Rupert; he rushed forward without delay, and pierced the savage brute to death with his spear. The Emperor having witnessed the scene with astonishment, rode up to thank and congratulate the brave young hunter upon his interference. To his surprise, it was his captive Rupert, who turned round, and, suddenly seizing Ferdinand's outstretched hand, kissed it, and so became from that moment a free man.

The Emperor now again pressed Rupert to join the Austrian army, and, in the most flattering terms, offered him the command of troops to serve against the French and Swedes. In fact, now that he was free, he was made quite a great man of at Vienna, and, being so young, handsome, and hitherto unfortunate, he became a great favourite with the ladies of the court. But Rupert's heart and hopes were far away, and, after a short stay in Vienna, he bade farewell to the Emperor and his lords and ladies, and set forward for England.

:

There were two visits, however, to be paid on the way, which were full of interest to the Prince one to his birthplace, Prague, where his father had been a king, and one to his poor mother in Holland, who was longing to see his beloved face again.

Rupert was twenty-two years of age when he came back to the streets of Prague. A great many changes had occurred since he, a poor little infant, had been hurried out of the town with his father and mother, to escape from the swords of the enraged Austrians. Those very streets of Prague had once been thronged by a joyful multitude, simply because he was born; but now no one much noticed him when, after twenty-one years' absence, he returned to his native town, an unfortunate prince just released from prison. His father, who had once been a king there, was dead; and Ferdinand of Gratz, who had driven his father from the throne of Bohemia, was dead also, lying quiet and silent in his grave, unable any more to oppress and persecute.

But Rupert did not stay long to indulge such thoughts in Prague. A mother's welcome was awaiting him at the Hague, and he hastened forward to enjoy it. We can imagine what that meeting must have been. The last time Elizabeth had seen her son was when, full of hope, he had set out with Charles Louis to help him to recover his rightful inheritance. The Palatinate had not been recovered on that occasion, as we know, and Rupert had been made prisoner. Now, however, that dark cloud had rolled by, and it was with a thankful heart this poor Queen

embraced her son, so tall and handsome, who had come back to her side from his prison by the Danube.

But though Rupert dearly loved his mother, he felt that he must not linger at the Hague with her in a pleasant idleness; and he prepared at once for his journey to England, King Charles having sent to him, urgently desiring his presence in that country. Elizabeth did not seek to hinder her son from going, for she was anxious that Rupert should now make a good return for all the kindness and affection shown to him her brother in former years.

It was the month of February 1642 when Rupert arrived at Dover. The Queen, Henrietta Maria, met him there upon his landing, but she was very much changed since the gay days when her nephew was last in England. She was now full of sorrow and care, and when Rupert met her at Dover, she was on her way to Holland to sell the crown-jewels, in order to get money for her husband, King Charles. This was, however, a great secret, and was only told to Rupert because they knew he was a true friend. Most people thought the Queen was going to pay a friendly visit to Holland, in order to introduce her little daughter Mary to her future husband, the young Prince of Orange.

But the Prince, as we have said, was a trusted friend, and he soon saw how matters lay, and what an unhappy England it was to which he had returned after such a long absence. True, as yet Charles and his people had not come to open war, except for some slight skirmishing with a few

rebellious Scotchmen; but his difficulties were every day increasing, and the future looked ominously dark. Rupert, upon his arrival, was almost immediately chosen to escort Henrietta Maria to Holland upon her sad business, and this duty he at once performed, conducting the royal party in safety to Helvoetsluys. On arrival there, while the poor Queen sought to make the most of her jewels by bargaining with the Dutch, Rupert returned to his mother at the Hague, until Charles should once more summon him to his side.

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CHAPTER IV.

UNHAPPY ENGLAND.

ENGLAND was at this time in a truly miserable condition, and it was not long before the King again summoned Rupert from his retirement. The people were now actually in arms, and it was necessary for all those who were loyal to the King to gather at once to his assistance.

In all haste and eagerness Rupert answered the summons, and with him came his beloved brother Maurice, who also willingly offered his services to his uncle. They took ship, and an old writer says that on this occasion Rupert's "mind went faster than his vessel."

But meanwhile it will be well for us to pause, and in this chapter endeavour to trace how it was that this most wretched state of affairs had come about in once happy England. All had looked peaceful when Rupert had left her shores a few years before; yet even then the people were murmuring and discontented, and every year, as it went by, seemed only to leave matters worse than before.

We must look back a little if we would find the real root from which so many troubles afterwards sprang and increased. King James I. of