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diff --git a/43261-0.txt b/43261-0.txt index a688a4e..0918b32 100644 --- a/43261-0.txt +++ b/43261-0.txt @@ -1,39 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Broken Font, Vol. 1 (of 2), by Moyle Sherer - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Broken Font, Vol. 1 (of 2) - A Story of the Civil War - -Author: Moyle Sherer - -Release Date: July 20, 2013 [EBook #43261] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 1 (OF 2) *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43261 *** THE BROKEN FONT. @@ -7165,362 +7130,4 @@ armies assuming a less presumptuous title. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Broken Font, Vol. 1 (of 2) - A Story of the Civil War - -Author: Moyle Sherer - -Release Date: July 20, 2013 [EBook #43261] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 1 (OF 2) *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - THE BROKEN FONT. - - A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR. - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "TALES OF THE WARS OF OUR TIMES," - "RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PENINSULA," &c. &c. &c. - - - IN TWO VOLUMES. - - VOL. I. - - LONDON: - - PRINTED FOR - LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMAN, - PATERNOSTER-ROW. - - 1836. - - - LONDON: - Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE, - New-Street-Square. - - - - - -PREFACE. - - -It is impossible to read or meditate concerning that period of history -in which the scene and action of my tale are laid without partaking of -the feelings of both parties in that great quarrel, and "being (in an -innocent sense) on both sides." - - -In such a spirit has my story been conceived and written. Until the -sword was drawn, the more generous and constitutional Royalists were -separated by but a faint line from the best and most patriotic men of -the Parliament party. - - -I have, however, confined myself more particularly to the -contemplation of those miseries and violent acts of persecution which -the appeal to arms brought upon many private families, and especially -upon those of the clergy. - - -In the contrivance of such a fiction, it became necessary to introduce -pictures of fanaticism and hypocrisy, and to describe scenes of -cruelty and of low interested persecution; but such parts of the story -must not be considered separately from the rest. The general tenor of -my volumes will, I trust, be found in strict consistency with that -charity that "thinketh no evil," but "hopeth all things." - - - - -THE BROKEN FONT. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - Thus till man end, his vanities goe round, - In credit here, and there discredited; - Striving to binde, and never to be bound; - To governe God, and not bee governed: - Which is the cause his life is thus confused, - In his corruption, by these arts abused. - LORD BROOKE. - - -It was the early afternoon of a fine open day in the last week of -April, in the year 1640. The sun shone warm; not a breath of wind was -stirring the tender foliage of the tall trees, or the delicate flower -of the lowly harebell beneath the hedge-rows. All was still, save that -at intervals the voice of the cuckoo was heard--loud, but yet -mellow--from the bosom of a neighbouring wood. The swains in the -field lay stretched in the shade, as though summer were already come: -in gardens and court-yards not a sound of labour or a clatter of life -disturbed the silence of the hour. - -In a shady alcove, which looked out on the bowling alley of Milverton -House, sate the worthy old master of the mansion, with one leg crossed -over the other, a book upon his knee, and a kindly smile playing -across his manly features. Not far distant, upon the steps which led -up to the near end of a stately terrace, was seated a fair little -girl, about six years of age. A thick laurel protected her with its -shadow; and it might be seen by the paper in her hand, by the motion -of her lips, and by the sway of her little head and neck, that she was -committing some task to memory, with that pleasure that makes a -pastime even out of a lesson. Out on the smooth green an old -flap-mouthed hound, whose hunting days were long past, lay basking in -the sun, among the dispersed bowls, which the last players had idly -neglected to put away; and with them a boy's bow and arrow had been -left, or forgotten, on the ground. The child's murmur was lower than -the soft coo from the dove-cote, or the gentle music of the fountain; -and there was a hush of quiet about all these whispers of created life -that was in harmony with the general silence. - -The shadow of the dial had crept on nearly half an hour before this -repose was broken. It was so at last, by a hot boy of fourteen, with -vest unbuttoned, and without a hat, who came to seek his bow and -arrow. The glad cry of "I have found them!" dispelled the silence: the -little girl thrust her paper into her bosom, and jumped up at the -sound of the welcome voice; and the old man looked up, and, putting -his book down on the seat beside him, scolded the noble boy for having -left the bowls out to be scorched and injured by the sun. - -With no abatement of good humour, the cheerful boy, eagerly helped by -the little girl, gathered them up, and carried them into the -bowl-house. The old hound was too much accustomed to the thing even to -stir for it, though one of the bowls almost touched his nose. - -This duty done, the boy, upon whose mind one thing lay uppermost, with -that abruptness which belongs to nature and to boyhood, propounded to -his great-uncle, Sir Oliver Heywood, the following most startling -question:-- - -"Was it not, sir, a very wicked thing to cut off Mr. Prynne's ears?" - -Had it suddenly thundered the old knight could not have been more -surprised; and, if a wasp had stung him in a tender place, he could -not have been less pleased. - -"Master Prynne! what do you know about Master Prynne, you foolish -boy?" - -"O, I know--I know very well! they cut off his ears because he didn't -like plays; and that was very cruel! What a shame it would be to cut -off the ears of old Josh. Cross, that takes care of your hawks, -because he didn't like to hear Stephen play upon the fiddle!" - -"Why, Arthur, what has come to you, boy? who has been teaching you -this nonsense? If Master Prynne had lost his head, instead of his -ears, it would be no more than he deserved, and I hope he may live to -own it." - -At this rebuke the boy coloured, and hung his head; but added, as if -pleading for his fault,-- - -"It was Master Noble said so; and you know, sir, you have told us all -to mind what he says, for he is always in the right." - -Sir Oliver bade him hastily go play; and the boy, taking his little -niece by the hand, they ran out of the bowling-green at one angle, -while the good old knight, not a little discomposed by the incident, -ascended slowly to the terrace. Here he found old Philip, the keeper -of the buttery, seated at the far end, in the shade, in the calm -enjoyment of a pipe. Instead of the wonted word of pleasant greeting, -Sir Oliver told him, in a rough tone, to go and seek instantly for -Master Noble, and send him thither. - -While the kind old serving man went away with his message in no -comfortable mood--for the young tutor was as great a favourite in -kitchen as in hall--the old gentleman paced the terrace with a -leisurely and thoughtful step; and made frequent stops and soliloquies -on the strange and unexpected words and sentiments which he had just -heard from the lips of his open and artless boy. While thus engaged, -we will leave him for a few moments to place before our reader the -state of the family at the time of which we write. - -At the village of Milverton, in Warwickshire, upon a sweet spot above -the valley of the Avon, Sir Oliver Heywood, the descendant of a -successful and honoured merchant, occupied a fair and pleasant mansion -erected in the reign of Elizabeth by his wealthy father. - -The family at Milverton House consisted of the worthy knight, a maiden -sister, his daughter--an only child--and a boy who was the son of a -favourite nephew slain in the German wars, in which he had been led to -engage as a diversion of his grief on the loss of a beloved wife. - -In addition to these regular members of the family there was a little -orphan girl, whom his benevolent sister had adopted. This sister, -Mistress Alice, was two years the junior of Sir Oliver, and had -attained the age of sixty-one. She had taken up her abode with him at -the death of Lady Heywood, about four years before the period of -which we now speak. - -Katharine, his daughter, was in her twentieth year, and his nephew's -son was about fourteen years of age. - -Master Noble, of whom mention has been made, was tutor to the boy -Arthur, and resided with the family. - -This young scholar was the son of an old school-fellow and friend of -Sir Oliver's, who held the benefice of Cheddar, in Somersetshire. -Cuthbert Noble, like his father before him, had been educated at -William of Wykeham's school of Winchester; but not succeeding so far -as to obtain a fellowship at New College, Oxford, which is the usual -aim and reward of the scholars upon the Winchester foundation, he had -proceeded to Cambridge, and there graduated with good report. He had -been now six months at Milverton. - -Sir Oliver's birthday was ever a high festival at the manor-house. -This year it was the pleasure of his daughter to celebrate it by a -masque; and all the arrangements for this masque were referred by -Mistress Katharine to Cuthbert Noble. He cheerfully undertook them; -and having gained some experience in these matters at college, and -having some skill in painting, set himself to prepare scenes--then a -very recent invention. As, with a painting brush in his hand, he was -standing before a scene, nearly finished, and dashing in the white and -foamy water upon canvass, that was fast changing into a torrent, -falling from rocks, and rushing through a lonely glen,--and as he -stood back surveying the effect, and humming the fragment of a song, -Philip came slowly up the gallery, and said gravely,-- - -"Master Cuthbert, Sir Oliver wants to speak with you directly." - -"Where is he?" - -"In the garden, on the lower terrace; and I wish he was looking more -pleasant:--it's my thought, Master, there's something wrong; for it is -not a small matter that can vex him." - -Cuthbert put down his brush and palette, and proceeded slowly towards -the terrace. As he was descending the wide steps which led to it, he -could not but observe that the good knight was serious, if not angry. - -"Master Cuthbert," said Sir Oliver with an air of gravity and -displeasure, "I have sent for you to hear from your own lips some -little explanation or defence of a matter that hath come to my -knowledge by the accident of a child's artless utterance. It may be -that it was only a word lightly dropped by you--a passing levity--a -lapsus of the tongue, not of the judgment--such an indiscretion as I -may pass over in one of your unripe age and little experience, without -further correction than a faithful reproof, and a timely warning of -the danger of such vain observations, and of their unsuitableness and -impropriety in one who fills so important an office in my family, and -hath so far enjoyed my confidence as to have doubtless a great -influence for evil or for good." - -This long preface Sir Oliver delivered, pacing slowly on the terrace -with his eyes bent upon the ground. Cuthbert walked by his side, -anxious for the direct charge, now too plainly whispered from within -by his own swift thoughts. - -Sir Oliver paused, and, looking full and steadily upon the serious -countenance of the youthful tutor, demanded of him whether it were -true that he had said publicly before any of his family or household, -that it was a barbarous and cruel thing to cut off Master Prynne's -ears? - -"I certainly so expressed myself," was the calm answer of Cuthbert. - -"Where and to whom did you thus speak?" - -"It was in the library--the lady Alice was present, and Master Arthur -was there at his lesson." - -"And are these the lessons that you teach in my house and to my -children?--know you, sir, that Master Prynne is a traitor--that he -speaketh evil of dignities, and soweth disloyalty--that he is a -hypocrite and a fanatic?" - -"Sir Oliver," said Cuthbert, "there was no discourse upon this matter, -save only the one remark of which you question me:--this fell from my -heart when your good sister read out some news of him--and thereupon -the lady Alice went forth without a word; for I presume not to -intrude my poor thoughts of court affairs upon any one in this house. -I know my place better." - -"Life of me! Thou dost not confess thy fault--thou dost not say thy -pænitet for teaching this false lesson to my child!" - -"I would not be slow to speak out my sorrow and shame if I felt them, -but I am conscience-whole in this thing,--and my few words did give no -other lesson than one of plain humanity." - -"Master Cuthbert, I do believe thee a true and gentle youth, of best -intentions, and thou comest of a good stock. Thy father is my good -friend from the gladsome days when we were school-fellows together at -St. Mary, Winton; and where hath church or state a better parson or -better subject than he? therefore, I would for his sake, as for thine -own, entreat thee mildly. Youth is warm and tender, and wanting a far -sight to the great end of punishment--the axe might rust and the -scourge gather cobwebs before hearts like thine would give rogues -their due." - -"I am of sterner stuff, Sir Oliver, than to wish a rogue safe from -the beadle, or a traitor from the headsman; but I am not so taught as -to think the mistakes of a severe piety treasons deserving of -torture." - -"Odd's life! I see how it is--thou art bitten by these gloomy -fanatics--the venom is in thy veins:--well for me that I have seen its -first workings. By my fathers! these new papists, these worse -Carthusians, would drive sunshine from the earth, and kill the -flowers, and stop the singing of birds, and give us a world of rock -and clouds--hard as their stony hearts, and gloomy as their cold -minds! Master Cuthbert, we must part. I'll not have the path of my boy -shadowed over before it be God's will. The earth is green and goodly, -and pleasant to the eyes; and long may his heart rejoice in it, as -mine has before him. Look you, we must part." - -"At your pleasure I came, Sir Oliver, and I am ready, at your -pleasure, to return to my father's. My stay with you has been short, -and I would fain hope that I have not failed in my duty to you. May -you be more fortunate in your choice of a tutor for Master Arthur -than you have been in me!" - -Cuthbert spoke these words with so much self-command that not one -syllable trembled in the utterance; yet the tone was at once mournful -and resolved. - -The better feelings of Sir Oliver were touched: the expression of his -eye showed plainly that he was repenting of his hastiness, relenting -in his decision. What his reply might have been, may, in its spirit, -be easily imagined; but a sudden interruption checked the words that -were rising to his lips; and a sounder and more prudential reason for -desiring the departure of Cuthbert was presented to his judgment than -any objection which could have been urged at that time, with any -semblance of fairness, against his errors as a churchman, or his sins -as a subject. - -"Master Noble," called a rich clear voice from above them,--"Master -Noble, we poor players do wait your pleasure, and are ready with our -parts; but we cannot go on with our rehearsal till the manager doth -come to us." Looking up, Sir Oliver saw his daughter leaning over the -balustrade, with a paper in one hand, and a tall wand wreathed with -flowers in the other; and, as he turned his eyes upon Cuthbert Noble, -the strong emotions with which Cuthbert was evidently struggling did -not escape his observation. - -"I have business with him just now, Kate," said her father: "go thy -way. He shall come to thee in the hall anon." But as he spoke, the boy -Arthur came down the steps, leading in his hand the little girl; and, -running up to Cuthbert with joyous eagerness, cried out, "Kitten can -do her part--she can say every word quite perfect--you must hear her." -With that, the little girl letting go his hand, and putting back her -sunny curls, which had fallen over her blue eyes, repeated, with an -air of sweet intelligence and pretty innocence, these lines:-- - - "I do childhood represent, - Listen to my argument: - Mine the magic power to bring - Pleasure out of every thing; - Sunbeams, flowers, and summer air, - Music, wonders, visions fair, - All my happy steps attend; - Mine is peace without an end;-- - All things are at peace with me, - Beast in field, and bird on tree; - The sheep that lie upon the grass - Never stir as I do pass; - If by the singing bird I stray, - He never quits his chosen spray; - If to the squirrel's haunt I go, - He comes with curious eye below; - Earth and I are full of love, - I fear no harm from Heav'n above, - For there, as here, all things do tell - A Father God doth surely dwell:-- - O! could I be a child alway, - How happy were life's holyday!" - -The countenance of Sir Oliver recovered all its wonted expression of -good humour, as the child prettily recited these lines; and patting -her on the head, as she concluded, he turned to Cuthbert and said, in -his usual kind tone, "We will talk our matter over another time: I see -that you are no joy-killer, and would never mar an innocent -pleasure-making--I was ever fond of a good play--a pox on these -prick-eared knaves that would forbid them! - - "'Why kings and emperors have taen delight - To make experience of their wits in plays,' - -as Master Kyd hath it, in his Spanish tragedy." - -Cuthbert said nothing; but having a recollection of the passage from -which Sir Oliver had quoted, thought he might have found a more -comfortable sanction and a much better authority. - -"But, prithee," continued Sir Oliver, "whose rhymes be these that the -child has just spoken?" - -"They are my poor doggerel," answered Cuthbert; "for this dear child -would give me no rest till I made a part for her in the Birthday -Masque." - -"Marry," rejoined the knight, "the fancy of them pleaseth me, and for -the verse I care not." - -They all now turned to ascend the steps; and as they did so, apparent -at the same instant to both Sir Oliver and Cuthbert was Mistress -Katharine, leaning over the balustrade of the upper terrace, with an -air of grave and perplexed curiosity. - -As soon as they reached the top, which was level with the lawn in -front of the mansion, Katharine caught Kitten in her arms, kissed her -fair brow, and ran with her towards the house; the happy child calling -out the while, "Come along, Master Noble, pray, come," and at the same -time clapping together her two little hands at thought of the coming -pleasure. - - - - -CHAP. II. - - "White, I dare not say good, witches (for woe be to him - that calleth evil good!) heal those that are hurt, and help them - to lost goods. - - "Methinks she should bewitch to herself a golden mine, at - least good meat, and whole clothes." - FULLER'_s_ _Profane State_. - - -While a select few among the maidens and the serving men, who were, to -their great contentment, to figure beneath strange dresses and uncouth -vizards in the antimasque, and while some neighbouring gentles of -quality, who were to take part in the masque itself, were rehearsing -in the hall, old Philip, the butler, betook himself to the outer gate, -and there sitting down on the porter's stone, replenished his pipe, -and fell a-thinking about Sir Oliver and Master Noble. But the more he -thought, the more he was puzzled; and so he opened his vest to catch -the breeze from the valley, and smoked with half-closed eyes, too -much accustomed to the glorious scene before him to be always moved by -its beauties. Below him, in the rich bottom of the vale, flowed the -shining Avon. The white foam of the water at Guy's mill might be seen, -and the rush of it might be almost heard. - -The cliff of the renowned Guy presented a fine scarp of stone, the -summit of which was overhung with knotted and rude shrubs of a -fantastic growth; and far away to the left, at a distance of two -miles, might be seen the lordly towers, and the tall and ivied wall of -Warwick Castle. Such were the objects, which might, we say, have been -discerned from the spot where old Philip sate, together with broad and -pleasant meadows, well stocked with kine and sheep, and many goodly -trees of a stately size, and many a distant coppice of rich underwood. -Doubtless the old man had often felt the glad influence of that -scene,--but now, overcome with heat, tobacco, and the labour of -perplexed guesses about the grave mood of his master, he fell fast -asleep. Philip was one of those good faithful old creatures whose -world was his master's, and whose greatest sin was the love of -victual. This sin was duly punished by black dreams; and now, as he -lay snoring against the wall, his indulgence over a rich mutton pie at -dinner was visited with the terrors of one of those nightmare visions -with which he was deservedly familiar. He dreamed that it was the -statute fair, and that they were roasting an ox whole in the -market-place of Warwick. The frontlet of the poor beast was gaily -gilded, and the horns were painted blue, and gilt at the tips. The -mighty spit turned slowly round. On one side stood a fat cook basting -the brown loins that the beast might not burn, and on the other a -stout and expert carver occasionally stopped the rude spit, and with a -long broad knife detached savoury portions for the greedy by-standers, -who, on receiving the same, dropped their penny of thanks into the cap -of the carver, and, slipping out of the crowd, made way for others. -Dreams are to the dreamer realities. Philip's mouth watered: he -thought he had never before seen beef so delicious; fat and lean in -their exact proportions; the meat of the finest grain, juicy, and full -of gravy; but then his suit, his badge, his pride of place, forbade -his wishes: partake of the dainty he could not, but he might go near, -just out of curiosity, and for mere amusement. Lo and behold! with an -angry bellow forth leaped the furious beast, his eyes all fire, the -spit point issuing from his foaming mouth, his carcass smoking and -dripping, and half the sirloins cut away. He singled old Philip from -the crowd; he lowered his blue and gilded horns; he shook the spit -between his grinning teeth; and as he made his rush, old Philip died a -thousand deaths in one, and woke into another world,--that other he -had so shortly quitted. Nor was the object on which his waking eyes -first rested exactly calculated to compose his terrors. A crowd of -noisy clowns was standing round him; and in the midst of them, upon a -hurdle, they bore an old withered and bony woman, crooked and -blear-eyed, who was counted the witch of that neighbourhood, and well -known by the name of yellow Margery of the Sand Pit. - -They set down the hurdle close at Philip's feet, and called loudly for -justice and Sir Oliver. "Hag!"--"Crone!"--"Beldame!"--"To the -faggot!"--"To the river,"--"Justice in the King's name!"--were the -various cries by which the impatient rustics frighted all the -household of Milverton from their propriety and their pleasures, and -brought most of them forth to the gate, and the rest to the hall -steps, or the casements. Sir Oliver himself came forth, among the -first, loudly rating them. "Why, how now, ye rude varlets; is -Milverton a pot-house, and the seat of justice an ale bench? -Speak--what would you?--speak, you, Morton,--you should know better -than to head a rabble rout of this fashion." - -"Why then, troth, Sir Oliver, as thou art a worshipful knight, and a -king's justice, not man, woman, nor child in the whole parish can sup -their porridge in peace or sleep o' nights for this old witch Margery: -we've crown witness enough to hang, drown, and burn her twenty times -over." - -"Not so fast, not so fast, neighbour," said Sir Oliver, seating -himself on the stone from which old Philip had retired melting with -fear. "Where are the witnesses, and what have they to say? Let them -stand forth." - -"First, here's Master Crumble, the clerk; then, afore him, here's -Master Screw, the great witch-finder from Coventry; and here's Jock, -my carter; and old Blow, the blacksmith, and Pollard, your worship's -woodman." - -"Stop, stop, I can't hear all at once,--say thy say, Crumble." - -"Why, your worship, my sow--your worship, my sow is dead: all of a -sudden, this blessed morn, as I poured out her wash, down she lay all -in the shivers; and if the poor dumb creature had been her own flesh -and blood, my old woman could not ha' taken on more. Says I, directly, -'This is a bit of Margery's work; for I see her brush the old sow with -her black petticoat at the lane end, Sunday was a week.' It's quite a -plain case you see, Sir Oliver." - -"Stand back, you silly man." - -"Silly, forsooth. I am thirty-seven year clerk of the parish, come -next Lammas, and I say it's writ on the Bible, 'Thou shalt not suffer -a witch to live.'" - -"That is true enough--it is so; but how do you know a witch?" - -"Why, I know that a man's not a witch." - -"That is true, thou art a man and no witch. But how dost thou know -one?" - -"Why, it is an old woman, not to say any one, but a crook back, with a -hooked nose, and a peaked chin like Margery." - -"Master Crumble, I have done with thee, and in the matter of thy sow's -death do acquit Margery." - -"That's not crown law, nor Gospel charity," said the old clerk, as he -stepped back into the crowd, who muttered and whispered among each -other till the next witness spoke out. This was the witch-finder. - -"Please your worship, I am ready to make oath that she hath a -familiar, always about her in the shape of a brown mouse; for I have -seen it crawling about her neck, and playing and feeding in her hand." - -Here there was a mixed utterance of triumph and horror in the crowd, -and Sir Oliver himself looked grave. - -"What dost thou answer to this, Margery?" - -"They say true in that they say I have a tame mouse; and haven't court -ladies their monkeys, and their parrots, and their squirrels, and -their white mice,--and why mayn't an old lone woman have her pet as -well as they?" As thus she spoke, she held out her open hand, and a -lively brown mouse sat up quietly on the palm seemingly quite tame. -There was a slight shudder ran through the veins of all present; and -Cuthbert Noble, fearing lest this mode of defence might rather hinder -than help her, went up to advise her better. - -"A warm blessing on you, Master Noble,--the blessing of one whom you -have saved before, and are trying to save again." - -Here Cuthbert stopped her, and observed to Sir Oliver aloud, that this -mouse was but such a pet as a shepherd's boy might play with, and that -the old woman, whose ways were odd, had once told him that when she -was a child and her little brother died, she had taken to a field -mouse which he had petted, and that she had ever since as one died -procured another. - -The worthy knight was now for discharging Margery; but Farmer Morton -insisted that they should hear his carter's story. Accordingly Jock -stepped forward, and smoothing down his hair said,--"Please your -worship, I lost my best startups (high shoes) the day before last -cattle fair, and precious mad I was; and Sukey Sly told me if I went -to old Margery, and took her a wheaten loaf, and crossed her palm with -a silver penny, she'd tell me where to find 'em. Well, I went, and the -old woman said she didn't want to have aught to say to me. 'Look ye,' -says I, 'Margery, here I be, here's the bread and here's the money: I -ha' lost my startups, and you must tell me where to find them; and I -wo'n't budge till you do.' So with that she puts her mouse down -against the loaf, and finely he nibbled away, and she set of a brown -stud for a bit, and then told me to wait for the first full moon, and -then, exactly at midnight, to walk backwards from the yard gate to the -dung mixen, with my eyes fixed on the moon, and that I should find -them on the mixen; but if it were before or after twelve o'clock, and -if I looked behind me, or took my eyes off the moon, the charm would -be broke, and I should never see my startups again; and sure enough I -never have seen 'em." - -There was a little titter among the women; and Sukey Sly, whose legs -were set off in a pair of new red stockings, could not suppress a -laugh at Jock's story: but the clowns called out for justice, and Sir -Oliver had much ado to pacify them. He did so at last, by assuring the -old woman, that, on condition she told what was the great charm by -which she was said to cure diseases, she should be set free. - -"Cure diseases! God bless you, Master! why I'm a poor helpless old -body, that can't cure myself, and should starve but for pity," said -Margery. "However, may be, once or so in a quarter there comes some -wilful body like Jock, with a tied-up face, and makes a witch of me, -whether or no, and will have the charm. Then I take his loaf and his -money, and I say,-- - - "'My loaf in my lap, - My penny in my purse; - Thou art never the better; - I'm never the worse.'" - -This confession was followed by laughter, in which most joined; and, -except the clerk of the parish and the balked witch-finder, all -dispersed in such good humour, that the poor old crone was released -from her hurdle and her troublesome attendants, and, with a basket of -broken meat and a bottle of ale, was suffered to hobble back to her -hovel in the sand pit, without let or hinderance. It is true that -Margery was most justly liable to the charge of imposture in the -matter of Jock; and certain that, but for the easy and kind temper of -the knight, and the good humour which her own quaint and jocular -confession suddenly struck out of the wayward crowd, she might have -been committed by Sir Oliver, or half drowned by the brutal and -superstitious rustics on her road back to her miserable hovel. But as -she lived at a lone spot on the far side of the Avon, and was not -often seen in the parish of Milverton, and as the good knight (though -by no means free from the prevalent belief in witchcraft, and still -doubting whether under the form of a mouse she was not attended by an -imp, as the witch-finder had averred,) was a timid magistrate, hated -trouble, and sincerely feared doing what was either wrong in law or -severe in punishment, he rejoiced to be well quit of the troublesome -appeal. Nevertheless, he was not a little secretly disturbed, when, -late in the evening, old Philip--in a fear which had not even yielded -to the comforting warmth of a cup of spiced ale--related to him his -comical dream, with manifold exaggerations, and expressed his stout -belief that he had been possessed during his sleep by the evil -influence of old Margery. - -Truth to say, at the period of which we write such was the fear and -hatred of those forlorn and miserable old women, whose unsightly -features, infirm gait, and cross tempers, excited among their -neighbours any suspicion that they held intercourse with evil spirits, -and exercised the powers of witchcraft, as drove forth the unhappy -beings to lonely abodes in solitary places. Here again, in the -vicinity of some village, remote from the scene of their persecution, -their very loneliness, all compelled and oppressive as it was, did -most naturally subject them anew to the suspicions of fresh -oppressors. So bloody, too, were the laws which at that time disgraced -the statute book, having for their end the punishment of witchcraft, -so cruel were the modes of trial among the mean and malignant persons -who drove a lucrative trade as witch-finders, and so credulous was the -ignorant and easily abused multitude, that, upon evidence far less -colourable with guilt than that adduced against Margery, unfortunate -persons of both sexes were publicly executed without shame and without -pity. In numberless instances false confessions were extorted from the -hopeless sufferers by torture, and adduced upon the day of trial, or -proclaimed at the place of execution. Thus a rooted persuasion of the -existence of sorcery and the practices of witchcraft was fixed in the -minds of the vulgar, and even infected those of the better and the -educated classes. As a natural consequence of this terrible -superstition, some of the poor creatures suspected of witchcraft, who -found themselves thrust out of the pale of human sympathy--avoided and -shunned by some, beaten and set upon by others--did madden, and -mumble curses in their gloomy solitude, and at last began to suspect -themselves as the servants of unseen spirits, and the partakers of a -supernatural power. - -In the breast of Cuthbert Noble the vulgar and cruel prejudice -concerning witchcraft had no place. His humane and enlightened father -had very early instilled into his mind clear notions of the love and -care of the great Father of the human families; of the sacredness of -human life, indeed of all life, and of the holiness of creation;--and -he had, moreover, taught him to regard all particular cases of severe -and inexplicable suffering as parts only of one vast and mysterious -whole, and subserving, in the great end and issue, some wise, holy, -wonderful purpose of divine and universal love. He had taught him, -too, that ours was a marred and fallen nature; and how and by what -means, and in whose divine person, it actually was restored; and how -all the sons of Adam had become capable, through divine mercy, of -partaking all the benefits of that restoration of man's nature--in -some degree even in this troubled and probationary state--in full and -satisfying perfection in that state which is future and eternal. -Hence, to the eye of Cuthbert, every one of human form was an object, -though not perhaps of personal interest and affection, yet of wonder -and of reverence, as a creature of God, born for immortality--an -imperishable, an indestructible being; and, when the crimes and errors -of his fellow-creatures stirred up his angry passions to punish and -withstand them, the sense of his own weakness and his own sinfulness -was ever waiting for him in his heart's closet, to rebuke and humble -him in the calmness of solitude. But Cuthbert as yet had been little -tried; he knew not what spirit he was of. He thought that his placid -and firm father was the model which he surely followed; but the -settled and peaceful joy of that amiable and benevolent and subdued -father was as yet unknown to him. - -However, the character and the life of Parson Noble will be the better -understood and conceived of by transporting our reader to the village -in Somersetshire where he dwelt, and where, had it been her good -fortune to have been a parishioner of his, old Margery, in spite of -her wild and withered aspect, might have lived unmolested and in peace -with her neighbours, and would not have lacked such acquaintance with -the mercy of the great Redeemer, as it is in the power of a mere human -instrument to impart. - - - - -CHAP. III. - - A branch of May we have brought you, - And at your door it stands; - It is but a sprout, - But it's well budded out, - By the work of our Lord's hands. - - The hedges and trees they are so green, - As green as any leek; - Our heavenly Father he watereth them, - With his heavenly dew so sweet. - _From the Mayer's Song._ - - -The morning star glittered brightly above the fine old tower of -Cheddar church, and the low parsonage lay still and asleep amid the -flowers and the dewy grass plots of its pleasant garden, as advancing, -from beneath the ancient yew in the churchyard, to the wicket opposite -the good vicar's porch, a party of hale young rustics with coloured -ribands in their hats and on their loose white sleeves, planted, on -either side the entrance, a fine branch of white thorn in full -blossom, and struck up, with full and cheerful voices, the very -ancient medley from which the stanzas at the head of our present -chapter are taken. They had not sung two verses before the door of the -parsonage was opened by a merry looking old serving man--two lasses' -heads were thrust from a window over the kitchen--the mistress's good -humoured eyes were seen over a white chamber blind,--and the parson -himself, with a face as expressive of joy as a child's, though marked -with the furrows of seven-and-sixty years, came forth to the wicket in -a loose morning gown, with a black scull-cap on his silvery hairs, and -listened, with a motion of the lips, that showed his voice, though not -audible, and his kind heart were attuned to theirs, and to the coming -holyday. When their song was done, he dismissed them with his -blessing, with the customary gift of silver, and with a caution to -keep their festival with gladness and innocence, and with the love of -brothers; letting the poor and aged fare the better for it. - -"And let us have no brawls on the ale bench," said the old -parson,--"let our May-pole be the rod of peace; so that none may rail -at our sports and dances, but rather take note of us as merry folk and -honest neighbours." - -With loud thanks, and lively promises, and rude invocations of -Heaven's best gifts on him, and his lady, and his absent sons, the -party now faced about, and with the accompaniment of pipe and tabor, -and a couple of fiddles, moved off at a dancing pace to pay the like -honours at the door of the chief franklin, and to deck the village -street as they passed along. - -Parson Noble now passed round to his favourite terrace walk, that -overlooked a rich and extensive level, and taking up his lute, which -lay in a little alcove at one end of it, he breathed out his morning -hymn of thanksgiving, as was his wont, and thus composed, went into -his study, and secluded himself for an hour from all interruption. At -the close he again came into his garden, where he commonly laboured -both for pleasure and health, every day of his life, in company with -the attached old servant, who, for his quaint words and ways, had -been long known to the village by the name of plain Peter,--an -epithet, which, as it gave him credit for blunt honesty, as well as -for a cast in his eye, he readily pardoned,--nay, some said he was -proud of it;--for what manner of man is it that hath not a pride in -something? - -"Master," said Peter, putting down his rake as the parson came up the -walk, "I have won a silver groat on your words this day." - -"How so? what dost thou mean, Peter?" - -"Why, last market day, when I was in the kitchen at the old Pack Horse -at Axbridge, that vinegar-faced old hypocrite, Master Pynche, the -staymaker, comes in, and asks me to bring out Betsy Blount's new -stays. - -"Says I, 'That I'll do for Betsy's sake,--a lass that hasn't her -better for a good heart, or a pretty face, in all Somersetshire.' - -"'Verily, Master Peter, I think,' said he, 'thy speech might have more -respect to me, and more decency to the damsel, but thou savourest not -of the things that be from above:--thou art of the earth, earthy.' - -"'Why, for the matter of things above,' said I, 'Master Pynche, I -don't pretend to any skill in moonshine; and as to being of the earth, -that I don't deny, and thirsty earth too; with that I put to my lips -the cup of ale that I had in hand, and drank it down.' - -"'Is it not written,' he replied in a snuffling tone, 'that favour is -deceitful, and beauty is vain?--but thou art a servant of Beelzebub, -and thou speakest the words of thy master, and his works wilt thou -do.' - -"'In the name of plain Peter,' I added, 'herewith I proclaim you -Prince of Fools, and I will send you a coloured coat, and a hood and -bells, and thou shalt have a bauble, and a bladder of pease, and a -licence to preach next April.' - -"With that he lifted up his eyes and hands, and muttering something -about pearls and swine, glided off like a ghost at cock crow." - -"Peter," interrupted Noble, "thou shouldst not have said such things." - -"Marry, did he not call me a servant of Beelzebub? the peevish old -puritan!--Well, but to go on with my story. The folk in Dame Wattle's -kitchen fell a discoursing after Pynche was gone; and some spake up -after a fashion that made my hair stand up. Says a sturdy pedlar in -the corner,--'Ay, they'll soon be uppermost, and the sooner the -better; rot 'em, I don't like 'em, the godly rogues; but they are -better than parsons, any way.' - -"So with that I felt my blood come up, and I was going to speak, when -old Hardy, the cobbler, took up his words, and says he, 'That's true -of some, and it's true of our old Tosspot; but there's Peter's master, -of Cheddar,--you may search the country far and near before you will -find his like. I remember when my niece Sally lay dying, night and -day, fair weather and foul, he would trudge through mire or snow to -give her medicine for body as well as soul, and that's what I call a -good parson.'" - -"'A good puritan,' said Dame Wattle. 'I have heard of his sayings and -doings, and trust me, he'll go with your parliament men, your -down-church men: you'll never have any more May-games and Christmas -gambols at Cheddar.' - -"'There you're out, Dame,' said I, 'and don't know any more about -Master Noble than a child unborn.' - -"'A silver crown to a silver groat he'll give a long preachment -against the May-pole next May-morning.' - -"'Done with you, Dame,' said I. - -"'You may lay a golden angel to a penny there will be no May-poles at -all, if you make it May twelvemonth,' said the pedlar, 'without, -indeed, there be such as have pikes at the end of them;' and with that -he pulled out a printed paper, that he brought from London, and read -out a long matter about the king and the bishops, and about church -organs, and tithes, and play actors, and ship money, and Master -Hampden; and made out, as plain as a pike staff, that there would be -many a good buff coat and iron head piece taken down from the wall -before long. 'We shall have a civil war soon, and God defend the -right,' said he, as he folded up the paper and took up his pack. - -"Civil," thought I, "that's a queer word. I have heard talk of civil -people and civil speeches, but a civil blow from a battle-axe is a -new thing. I'll tell master all about it when I get home, and axe what -it means;--but as I was on the path in Nine Acres, whom should I meet -but Master Blount, the young one, and he made me promise not to say a -word to you before May-day was come, for fear the old sports might be -hindered; and he told me that civil war meant war at home; for which I -didn't think him much of a conjuror, as my guess had reached that far: -and now, Master, prithee tell me what civil means." - -"Peter, thou art an honest fellow, and as good a citizen as if thou -knewest what it was called in Latin, and that a civil war was a war of -citizens, but of a truth this is no matter for smiles; however, -'sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' This is no morning for -a cloudy face." - -"Well, then, here comes one, and the worst that darkens our doors. For -my part, I can't bide the sight of it, 't would turn all the milk in -the dairy." - -The vicar looked over his hedge, and saw the curate of a parish with -whom he was but slightly acquainted, walking across the last close, -which led by a footway into his orchard. The apple-trees concealed -Noble from his approaching visiter, who, just as he reached the gate -of the orchard, overtook a little boy, about nine years of age, -carrying in his hand a cluster of cowslips half as big as himself, and -having a thick crown of field flowers round his straw hat. - -With a severe scowl, he snatched the cowslips from the frightened -child, and threw them away, and then made a gripe at his little hat; -but, the boy drawing back with a blubbering cry, the zealous and tall -curate, who had a little over-reached himself, slipped and fell prone -upon the grass. This, however, was the lightest part of his -misfortune; for it so chanced that his face came in full contact with -a new-made rain-puddle, and he arose with his eyes half blinded, and -his face covered and besmeared with mud. With the tears yet rolling -down his red cheeks, the little fellow, as he saw himself avenged in -a measure so contenting, and a manner so ridiculous, ran out of his -reach, literally shrieking with laughter; and a hearty roar from old -Peter at once completed his mortification, and determined his retreat. -This soon became a maddened flight: for a sleeping dog roused by the -noise of the laughter pursued him with angry barkings, from which, as -he had no staff, and the grassy close could furnish no stone, there -was no escape till the wearied animal paused and turned. - -The whole of this scene was so very swiftly enacted, that Noble had no -opportunity to say or do any thing in the matter; and charity itself -could not suppress a smile at a punishment so well suited to the -morosity which had led to it. Neither was he at all sorry to be -relieved upon this festal day from the intrusive visit of a sour, -ill-instructed fanatic, whose opinions he could not value, and for -whose character he felt no respect. He looked, therefore, with unmixed -satisfaction at the laughing urchin, as he gathered up his scattered -wealth, and departed. - -Now merrily rang out the lively bells of Cheddar Tower; and already -was every street a green alley, freshened by thick boughs, and made -fragrant by small branches of white thorn neatly interwoven. - -The house of the chief franklin, Mr. Blount, was more especially -honoured. Before his door was planted the largest and fairest branch -of May that could be found in a circuit of five good miles, and his -hospitable porch was made a rich bower of shrubs and flowers. Beneath -the tall trees in front of it was a little crowd of youths and -maidens, in holyday trim, wearing garlands, with green rushes and -strewing herbs in their arms, or aprons: full they were of smiles and -glee; and, out on the road, all the village was assembled, save the -infirm old and the cradled young; though, of these last, not a few -were borne in their mothers' arms, or lifted up with honest pride in -those of their brown fathers, whose burning toils a field were, for -this joyous day, forgotten. - -From the words passing in these expectant groups, a stranger might -soon have gathered that something more than the common sport of -May-day was engaging the honest and buzzing mob of men, women, and -children, that blocked the street opposite this goodly mansion, and -what that something was. "Better day better luck."--"A bonny bride is -soon dressed."--"Honest men marry soon," said a black-eyed, nut-brown -wife, with a lively babe in her arms, and two curly-headed little ones -holding her apron,--and "Wise men not at all," added a gruff old -blacksmith, with a seamed visage.--"Ah, it's no good kicking in -fetters, Roger," rejoined the laughing wife, at the same time giving -her infant into the horny hands of a stout young woodman, with a green -doublet and a clean white collar, who held it up, kicking and -shrieking with delight, as though it would spring out of his arms, and -chimed in with "Ah, Master Roger, it's an ill house where the hen -crows loudest."--"Ah, thou'lt find that some day, Stephen;" for this -he got a heavy slap on his shoulder from the young wife, whose coming -words were checked by the sound of fiddles, as the bridal procession -came forth. "Dear heart," said she, "how pretty Bessy does look in -that lilac gown with brave red guardings and the golden cawl on her -fair hair, and what a beautiful lace rochet she has."--"Ah, fine -feathers make fine birds," said a spinster standing near.--"He's a -proper man is young Hargood, and should have known better than choose -a wife by the eye."--"She had rather kiss than spin, I'll -warrant."--"Better be half hanged than ill wed."--"You may know a fool -by her finery."--"A precious stone should be well set," said the young -wife, sharply, "and Bessy's blue eyes and her blushing cheeks are -small matters to her ways and words." But envy and ill will were -low-voiced, and confined to few, for old Blount and all his house were -well loved by the people; and with many a word of cheerful greeting -they made way for the party, and the most of them followed it to the -church. - -The procession was led by a few youths and maidens, with whom were all -the musicians of the village; while others, walking immediately before -the bride and her two bride maidens, strewed the ground, as they went, -with rushes and herbs. The bridegroom, in a suit of violet-coloured -cloth, guarded with velvet of the deepest crimson, and with a falling -collar of worked linen, followed, supported by his bridesmen, in fit -bravery of apparel; next came a group of relations, male and female, -led by the old franklin himself, with his grave and comely wife, and -the men and maids of his household brought up the rear of the -procession. It was met at the churchyard gate by Parson Noble and his -wife,--she joining old Mrs. Blount, and the good vicar, in his snowy -surplice, taking place at the head of it, immediately between the -herb-strewers and the bridal party; and now a gravity and silence -succeeded, and in decency and order all entered the church, and -proceeded with quiet steps to the altar. There, the sweet and solemn -service, which binds together for "better for worse, for richer for -poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do part," was reverently -and impressively performed by Noble, his own deep and mellow tones -being only interrupted by the manly voice of the bridegroom, and the -faltering accents of the shy and trembling bride, as they gave -utterance to their heart's true and hallowed responses. No sooner was -the ceremony ended than the bells, which had, for a while, been -silent, struck out with the wedding peal; and as the new married -couple came forth into the churchyard the air was rent with the joyous -acclamations of the crowd without; and the procession returned in -nearly the same order as it had left the house of the worthy franklin, -only, according to the good custom of the time, the parson made one of -the wedding party, and partook of the marriage feast. - -Such of the old as could not walk abroad, stood leaning on staves, or -sat dim-eyed on the stones before their doors, to see or hear the -bridal train pass down; for each of these Parson Noble and the -franklin had a kind word as they went by, returned by the benison and -good wishes for the bride, who had herself no voice for any one, and, -supported on her husband's arm, scarce saw her path through eyes that -were filling from a happy bosom's overflow. - -We shall not detain our reader by describing the dinner at Master -Blount's; right plentiful was the cheer. Parson Noble said a grace in -rhyme, out of old Tom Tusser's book of Husbandry, to the great -contentment of his hospitable host, that being the one book by which, -after his Bible, Blount squared his honest life. - - "God sendeth and giveth both mouth and the meat, - And blesseth us all with his benefits great; - Then serve we the God, who so richly doth give, - Show love to our neighbours, and lay for to live." - -This being the franklin's rule,--while his guests were feasted in the -old oak parlour, at the back of the house; in the pleasant orchard, -all his labourers were regaled with a hearty meal of meat and -plum-porridge; and huge jacks of ale were emptied and replenished, to -the health of bride and bridegroom and good master. - -After due carvings of veal and bacon, unlacing of fat capons, and -untrussing of great pies of fruit and other dainties, in the parlour, -and after some mantling cups of wine drank to the happy pair, the old -people yielded to the impatience of the young, and all adjourned to -Robin's Meadow, not, however, before they had sung, as the grace after -meat, a short psalm of praise. - -The meadow, in which from generations before the May-pole was raised, -had a fine level sward, which Blount kept smooth as a bowling-ground -for the dancers, while a part of it rose in swelling banks, shaded by -trees. These, though, as yet, but in early leaf, were gaily green, and -contrasted well with the many-coloured and blushing wreaths of -field-flowers that wound about the May-pole, at the top of which -glittered a small crown, newly gilded in honour of the wedding, and -further adorned with a few of the rarest plants which the gardens of -Cheddar could produce. - -A pleasure it was, as they passed into the meadow, to see the happy -children rolling and tumbling and racing down the steep bank, from -which they now scrambled away, to make room for the franklin's party, -and for the elders of the village, who, from this grassy knoll, were -wont to preside over the pastimes of this holyday. We give not this -scene in detail:--the dances of the young, as, with light and elastic -steps, they bounded to lively measures round the May-pole, and the -nodding heads of the musicians keeping time with the dancers, and the -races and gambols of the ruddy children, each reader may figure forth -to his own fancy. Neither tell we of the pretty ceremonies with which -the milk maids brought their cows, with horns all garlanded, into the -adjoining close, and prepared and offered the delicious syllabub: our -aim is only to give an outline of a village May-day of the times of -which we write, and to show the good parson of the best school of that -period mingling in mirth among his people. Leaving, therefore, the -happy villagers to continue their sports till set of sun, we shall -confine ourselves to the steps of the pastor, and complete the journal -of his day. - -As the chimes struck six o'clock, he quietly withdrew, and passed from -the scenes of pleasure and feasting to those of sickness and of -mourning. If he had regarded the former with complacent joy, he was -not the less willing, nor the less prepared, to cheer the latter with -those high contemplations and those tender sympathies to which, by -faith, as a Christian, he could point, and which, in charity, as a -man, he truly felt. Of the old, who were confined to their own -thresholds, he found two or three cross and short, but most of them -garrulous, and in good humour. They had got pleasant portions from the -franklin, and they could tell of old May-days, and heard, with -thankful nods and ready "ayes," and strong fetchings of the breath, -that were not sighs of grief, the grave good words with which he -taught them how only they could die in peace. - -Of his flock only one lay at the point of death, and her he visited -last. - -She was the miller's daughter, and had been the May-queen of the -bygone year. Sacred be such visit, in its most solemn communings! but -we may paint the scene of it, and the trifles which belong to those -sympathies of our humanity, that often survive the resigned hope of -life. - -In a tall chair, against the back of which she leaned her head, sate a -pale maiden, warmly wrapped in a robe of white woollen, close to the -small window of an upper chamber, on which the evening sun shone warm: -curling honey-suckles did make a frame to it; and one rose, with an -opening bud, peeped from the trained bush beneath. Upon a little table -near her stood a fragrant branch of May in a cup of water. There were -faint flushes in her transparent cheeks, and there was an unearthly -brightness in her eyes--not fitful--but a calm, steady, serene ray, -that, as the declining sun poured over the damsel its yellow glories, -presented her to the thoughtful gazer such as she might be when -treading the celestial courts above. - -"And have you any other wish, my child?" said Noble, as he rose to go. - -"Yes, if it be not too foolish." - -"Tell it, my dear." - -"I would like some flowers from the May-pole strewn on my -winding-sheet, and a bit of rosemary from your own garden put in my -hands." - -"And you shall have them," said Noble, pressing her wan hand in his, -and turning quick away. - - - - -CHAP. IV. - - And if physitians in their art did see - In each disease there was some sparke divine, - Much more let us the hand of God confesse - In all these sufferings of our guiltinesse. - _A Treatie of Warres._ - - -Night closed on Cheddar, without any other disturbance than a -quarrel--loud and short as a thunder-storm--between the blacksmith and -his old termagant wife, which, Roger being potent in liquor, -terminated in a complete victory on his part; and thus silence, if not -peace, was restored to the quarter in which he dwelt. - -Moreover, at the door of the Jolly Woodcutter, the most decent -ale-house in the townlet, an old soldier with one leg, who tramped the -country as a ballad-singer, with a fiddle and a dancing dog, became so -very uproarious that it was found absolutely necessary by the parish -constable to secure his one sturdy limb in the village stocks, where, -after venting a few loud and angry curses at this dignitary, and -abusing the village fiddlers for not playing the grand march of the -king's beef-eaters to the right tune, he addressed himself to making -as easy a sleeping posture as his wooden fetter would allow; and, -being apparently very familiar with such a resting-place, soon -grumbled off into snoring forgetfulness: his little four-footed -companion and guard did meanwhile drag up the cloak, which he had -dropped some yards from the place of his confinement, and, arranging -it in a soft heap, curled itself thereon with an evident sense of -comfort. - -But May-day festivals--though certainly in towns, and in those -parishes in the rural districts where not conducted by discreet -persons, they were often fruitful in scenes of riot and -licentiousness--were not, in the present instance, chargeable with -either of the noisy incidents which had for a half hour frighted the -village from its propriety; seeing that the disputes of Roger and his -rib were of every-day occurrence, and his potations also; and as for -the old soldier, his drinking bouts were regulated by the state of -that narrow poke in which he deposited his uncertain gains; and his -sobriety was never secure while one coin remained in it. - -Our parson came forth at the first glimpse of day on the morrow, to -inquire at the mill how the poor sufferer had passed the night. She -was in a profound and calm sleep, and he returned thankfully home, -taking the street which led by the market cross. Nobody was yet -abroad; but, under the great tree in the market place, he saw the old -soldier sitting up in the stocks, and looking about him very forlorn -and penitential. No sooner did he perceive the good vicar approaching, -than he began to plead for his freedom. - -"May it please your good reverence, make them loose me. I am not a -pig, that I should be thus pounded:--never said or did harm to man or -Christian, save only in the way of duty, your reverence. I am but a -poor old toss-pike, done up in the wars; and gain an honest livelihood -with this old kit and scraper, and this dumb creature, that shall -dance you jig or coranto with any city madam of them all." - -"Why, I'll see what I can do; but you would not have been put here for -nothing, friend." - -"Nothing in life, your reverence, but drinking the health of King -Charles in a brimmer, last evening, that was May-day, and a court -holyday all the world over; and then the wound in my old head always -aches, Parson, and I say more nor I mean, and, may be, louder than -your gentles talk." - -"Well, but this is a sorry way of life for an old soldier,--to go -about like a vagabond. Have you no home?" - -"Home, bless you! none but this old bit of a cloak." - -"What parish were you born in?" - -"Ah! there it is! I was born i' the camp, in the Low Countries. That -same day that the most noble Sir Philip Sidney was killed, my mother -had a fright from a shot striking the sutler's waggon, and I came into -the world a month before time." - -"And have you no friends living?" - -"None in the wide world that care a split straw whether I am above -ground or under, this blessed day, save, may be, this little dumb -thing that's used to me." - -"Where did you lose your leg?" - -"In the lines before St. Martin, your reverence: it will be thirteen -years agone, come next September; and the right-worshipful knight, Sir -Joseph Burroughs, was killed by the same shot. We used to say in -hospital (you know, your reverence, we were vexed, and it was some of -the officers, in their cups, spoke it out of a play-book,)-- - - "'Off with his head!--So much for Buckingham.' - -"Well, they had their wish, in a manner, a year after; and I always -minded after, that Master Felton was one of them.--Poor fellow! He -gave me four-pence in silver, when I hadn't a halfpenny to buy bread -in London; and that same morning I saw his Grace of Buckingham in a -sedan chair in Whitehall, and I would have tossed my staff before him, -in hope of a largess; but his running footmen, with their fine silver -badges, shouldered me into the gutter, crying, 'Room for his Grace! -room for my Lord's Grace!' Well, it was little room he took or wanted -that day was a month! I was very sorry for Master Felton,--and I went -to see him hanged." - -"You know he was _a murderer_." - -"O yes, I know that; but he gave me four-pence when I was starving; -and, though he was only a lieutenant, he was a better officer than -Buckingham, who was all lace and velvet, satin and feathers:--a likely -man to look upon, and did not want courage; but he knew no more about -commanding an army than the court fool." - -"Don't you know, friend, that you must one day die yourself; and that -it is a terrible thing to die and go before God without preparation?" - -The veteran gave his buff jerkin a twitch, and said, "Why, for the -matter of that, Parson, you see, I am no scholar, and cannot tell a B -from a bull's foot." - -"You believe in God?" - -"Why, Master, haven't I lain half my life abroad in the open fields, -with the stars shining over my head? Ah, you don't know what grand -things come into a poor fellow's mind when he wakes in the night and -sees them bright things above him." - -"Yes, but I do," said Noble with emotion; "and it is because I do, -that I ask you these things. Do you ever pray to God?" - -"Why, bless you, Master, I wouldn't trouble him about a poor chopstick -like myself." - -"You know the name of Christ, friend?" - -"Yes," said the homeless wanderer, and bowed his grey head. - -"And what are your thoughts of him?" - -"Why that he'll be so good as to speak a word to God Almighty for me," -was the man's strange yet pregnant answer. It is this mixture of -recklessness, ignorance, and the mysterious worship of that inner -spirit, which struggles upwards after something to which the heart may -reach, and where it may finally rest, that makes every human being a -subject of sad yet of sublime contemplation;--a fellow, a brother, an -immortal spirit, passing here below his brief time of sojourning, but -born for eternity. - -Our good vicar was a true messenger of peace:--we need not say more -than that this and all such opportunities were gladly improved by him. -He sowed beside all waters. In the present instance the old soldier -was speedily released, and taken up to the parsonage, and there, in -the shady porch, he had a hearty breakfast; and when the little -household assembled for prayer the wondering wayfarer was brought into -the hall, and heard the more excellent way very plainly set before -him,--and was then suffered to depart with bread in his wallet, and a -parting word of solemn warning and brotherly kindness, as he set -forward on his path, carrying with him the new thought and feeling, -that, though he was a ballad singer and a sot, accustomed only to -revilings, he had found a man of God, who had not passed him by, but -had served him, and soothed him, and cared for his soul. - -Such a man and such a minister was our parson of Cheddar: he had been -now resident in the parish for fifteen years. Hither he had then -brought a sensible wife,--of many rare accomplishments, and of a solid -piety. Three fine children then played in their garden: of these, -their girl had been taken from them in her twelfth year; and their two -boys, who had both attained the age of manhood, had quitted the -paternal roof, and taken their respective paths in life. Cuthbert, the -eldest, had been educated at Winchester College, had afterwards passed -through his university course at Cambridge, and was now domiciled, as -has been already seen, in the house of Sir Oliver Heywood, as a tutor. - -Martin, the youngest, had been five years at Westminster School as a -day scholar, under the care, during that period, of one Mr. Philips, a -worshipful and wealthy gentleman, of the most honourable company of -Goldsmiths, and brother to the late Sir John Philips, knight, a very -eminent merchant in the Levant trade, who, having made an unsuccessful -speculation, and losing his whole venture, had taken the failure of -his fortunes so much to heart, that he sickened and died soon after, -leaving behind him one portionless daughter. This girl, while under -the roof of her uncle, who was very considerably the junior of her -father in age, was seen and admired by Noble, and had soon become his -welcome prize. - -With this maternal uncle, Martin, at his own request, was placed, as -soon as he quitted school, that he might be brought up in the same -thriving business. He quickly became remarkable for his taste and -skill in the art of design, and as a fine judge of precious stones, so -that his uncle predicted for him great eminence and wealth in the line -which he had chosen; but Martin chancing one day to wait upon Vandyck -with an ornamental piece of plate which a nobleman presented to that -great genius, and being questioned about the design, confessed, with -some hesitation, that it was his own. Hereupon the painter broke out -into praise so warm, and took such notice of the youth, that, to -Martin, a painter did soon seem the highest style of man;--to be of -this bright company was now the highest object of his ambition. He -had a strong will; for this he rose early, and late took rest: and the -bent of his inclination became so decided, and his promise of -excellence so great, that his uncle, at the recommendation of Vandyck, -determined to afford him the opportunity and advantage of visiting -Italy, and pursuing his studies in the city of Rome. There, surrounded -by the great models of the divine art to which he was devoted, daily -extending his knowledge, and increasing his delight, Martin lived at -once to labour and to enjoy. - -But the absence of these dear boys, though necessary, was severely -felt by Noble and his wife; nor, in those days, were communications by -letter of regular or frequent occurrence, even at home,--and of -course, from abroad, very rare and most uncertain. - -The good vicar, though anxious about Martin's residence at Rome, was -not wanting in true sympathy for his pursuits; having himself a taste -for the arts, which he had improved by a leisure tour through Italy -(before his marriage) as tutor and guardian to a young gentleman of -large possessions in Oxfordshire. - -Nothing could be more retired than the life led by these childless -parents at Cheddar. - -It is a large village, or townlet, situate at the foot of the Mendip -Hills, in Somersetshire, and lying pleasantly sheltered on the -south-west side of that bleak and naked chain. The noble tower of its -fine old church is richly adorned with double buttresses, pinnacles, -and pierced parapets, and in the open space, which forms the centre of -its few irregular streets, is an ancient hexagonal market cross, where -the wayfarer may find a shelter from the hot suns of July, or from the -heavy rains of winter. The neighbourhood of Cheddar is romantic: it -commands a fine view, in one direction, over a rich and extensive -level; and it is immediately surrounded by rich, well-watered -pastures, always verdant. Within a mile of the market cross before -mentioned, on the road to Wells, there is a narrow, but a stupendous -pass, or chasm, by which the chain of the lofty hills of Mendip is -cleft, as it were, in sunder. The road winds through the bottom of -this strange defile; the cliffs rise on either side--ragged, scarped, -and terrific in their aspect--presenting, in many places, a sheer fall -of four hundred feet. Nothing can more sublimely impress the spirit of -a lonely traveller than the passage of this wild ravine, on a day of -cloud, and gloom, and rushing winds. In the sunny calm of summer, when -the wild pink, springing from the crevices of the rocks, adorns the -scene with something of gentleness, it is still of uncommon grandeur. -Black yews project from the larger fissures: here is a narrow ledge -covered with verdure; there a thick mantle of ivy clothes the summit: -here the mountain ash slants forward in its fantastic growth; while -yet, in many places, the craggy front is naked and dazzling as a wall -of stone. - -By this road, once a week, the quiet parson ambled on an old grey -horse to the fair city of Wells to refresh and recreate his spirit at -a private music meeting in the Close; nor did he ever omit on these -occasions to pass one hour of joy and praise in its magnificent -cathedral. Upon the breezy summits of the Mendip hills, which -bordered this road, he spent many serene and healthful hours. His life -was most even in its tenour; and the scenes around him, though daily -before his eyes, were as dear to him, or more so, than when, first -entering on residence, he had surveyed them with grateful rapture. - -Villages, however, like kingdoms, have their revolutions; and the -chronicles of them are preserved in chimney-corners with more or less -of fidelity, according to the interest of the events and the worth of -the characters who figured in them. - -These rustic historians have a mode of reckoning very different from -citizens. With prime ministers they have nought to do. Their -government is nearer to them, and they have never wanted wit enough to -know when that was good or evil. Over these rural communities the -ruler has, from time immemorial, been the lord of the manor, or the -chief franklin, or the parson of the parish. According as these -personages were disposed to promote religion and happiness, or to look -with indifference on vice and misery, the rustic population was -contented and cheerful, (because industrious in their callings, and -peaceable in their lives,) or they were sullen and profligate. Under -the joint reign of Franklin Blount and Parson Noble the inhabitants of -Cheddar had long dwelt together in comfort and harmony; but this is a -world of change,--and many things in the aspect of public affairs, of -which the villagers heard and heeded little, gave serious warning to -the prescient mind of Noble, that trouble was near. - -He was so beloved and respected by his people, and so regarded and -confided in by the worthy franklin, that he had hitherto been able to -evade, counteract, or over-rule, for the good of his flock, those -strange enactments which had been from time to time so inconsiderately -imposed. That which enjoined him to _publish_ the Book of Sports on -the Sabbath-day he totally disregarded. On this point he would have -consented to deprivation rather than obey. Hence he became suspected, -by some parsons of a very different stamp, for a puritan; and there -were not wanting uncharitable surmises among these concerning the -course which Master Noble would take in the hour of trial; not that -those who really knew him well ever doubted of that course at all. - -But while these surmises were, as regarded himself, utterly devoid of -foundation, it was asserted by some of his friends at Wells, the -correctness of whose judgments and the charity of whose sentiments -well accorded with his own, that his son Cuthbert had imbibed, from -his late associates at Cambridge, a spirit of a very dangerous nature. -Cuthbert had a large philanthropy, and a resolute courage to sustain -and act out those promptings of benevolence which his love of freedom -was continually urging upon his mind. Virtuous in his character, -sanguine in his hopes, present evils he saw, and for present remedies -he panted--but he looked not far on to consequences. A notion of his -state of mind may be found in the letter which follows:-- - - "Most dear Father, - - "You tell me in your last letter, which I have read over many - times with serious thought, that my mother wishes me to send - her a more particular account of this place and family, that - she may the better see my present courses with the eye of her - mind.--I will make a trial of my pen to set these matters in - some order before her--and, first, of this mansion: it is a - goodly fabric of stone, built by the father of the present - knight in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He, as you know, - exchanged some of his full money-bags for a fair estate in - land, and closed all his great and prosperous ventures in - commerce by a wise retirement to the noble pleasures of a - country life. A situation more pleasant than this of Milverton - you may not see in all the journey through these parts. The - house standeth on a fine swelling slope of verdant ground, and - is well sheltered by stately trees on three sides, but to the - front the prospect is open, and maketh the heart dance with - gladness, it is so full of delight. Looking to the south, you - see the towers of that famous castle of Guy of Warwick. This - castle is seated on a rock, very high, upon the river Avon, and - hath a look of strength and of great majesty; as seen against - the light of the distant sky--nothing can be more grand and - commanding;--also, from the middle of the good city of Warwick, - the fair pinnacles of the lofty tower of St. Mary's Church do - pierce the heaven, and she standeth like a crowned queen. I do - fear for her diadem, for they say that the embattled keep of - ancient Guy frowneth on our lady: but, turning the eyes from - these stately objects, which the intervening woods may not - conceal, directly below Milverton the river flows through a - fair valley of green pastures; and there cannot be, in all - England, a mill more pleasant to look upon and listen to than - Guy's mill: it standeth upon the farther bank of the Avon, over - which there is a foot-bridge of wood, very narrow, and long - enough to reach across a small meadow, which, when the waters - are out, is always flooded. Not far from this mill, to the - left, and upon the same bank, is an old decayed chapel, where I - have seen a rude statue of the renowned Guy, more than eight - feet in length; and near to this spot, close by the side of the - water, there is a cave in the rock, where, as a hermit, he - ended his days. But I will say no more of these places, of - which report may have reached you through the discourse of - others. - - "Milverton House lacks nothing of furniture that money and good - taste may command. There is a profusion of very fine carved oak - in the hall and in the winter-parlour. In the latter, over the - fire-place, is a curious representation of the meeting of Jacob - and Esau; and inscribed above are the words, 'With my staff I - passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands.' And in - the private chamber of Sir Oliver is another piece, in three - compartments, Jacob lying down alone in the Wilderness--the - Vision of the Ladder of Angels--and Jacob setting up his Pillar - of Remembrance. - - "I name these things rather than the rich hangings and the - handsome carpets which cover some of the tables, and the ebony - cabinets, and the massy plate, because I know that they would - give more contentment to my pious mother than all the - costliness and bravery in the king's palace. - - "In the small room appointed for me, there is a posy worked - upon a sampler, hung against the wall, that runneth thus:-- - - "What better bed than conscience good, to pass the night with sleep; - What better work than daily care, from sin thyself to keep." - - And there is an engraved portrait of Luther, with the words 'In - silentio et in spe erit fortitudo vestra.' I cannot look upon - these things without being deeply reminded of those feeling - lectures of piety which the lips of my dear mother have read to - me from my very childhood; but, truth to say, my dear parents, - I feel an angel plucking me by the sleeve, and whispering in my - ear that my stay in this sweet abode will not be long. Sir - Oliver and Mistress Alice and Mistress Katharine entreat me - with that kind civility and favourable respect, which make my - days happy, and I find Master Arthur so docile and of such - lively parts that my office is never irksome. - - "Nothing can be more orderly than the manner of life here; and - although the good knight is most hospitable, yet, as he doth - not use the exercise of hunting, and has no park, the visiters - are not many. He rides daily in the forenoon, and will - sometimes go to see the stag-hounds of Stoneleigh Abbey throw - off, with which pack he hunted for twenty years; but his chief - delight now is in the culture of his garden and orchards, and - of a vineyard, which he has laid out, at a great cost, on a - favourable site, one mile from the mansion. All the farms in - the village of Milverton are his, and his tenants are the sons - of those who held the land under his father; so that the hamlet - is but one large family, of which Sir Oliver is the head. - - "Mistress Katharine, his daughter, rides constantly with her - father, except when she takes the diversion of hawking, or goes - out after the beagles with her young cousin, Arthur, who is as - high-spirited and active a youth in the field, as he is earnest - and persevering in the study. To see Mistress Katharine fly a - hawk is gladsome; and although I have, from boyhood, accounted - that sport cruel and unfeminine, yet, when I look on that - inspiring sight, I deem it so no longer; certain I am that her - mind did never once connect the thought of cruelty with a usage - so common. She, too, seems as eager to learn what my poor - scholarship can teach her as my own pupil; and if a tutor can - be happy, I am, in the privilege of reading with this noble - maiden, and seeing her fine countenance lighted up with the - love of wisdom and of truth. - - "But this state of things is far too bright to last. When a man - dareth to think differently from those around him, he will soon - become an object of suspicion and prejudice. I feel that my - trial in this kind will assuredly come; for Sir Oliver, with - all his kindness, has so rooted a dislike to all change in the - established order of things, that a word against the undue - stretch of the king's authority, against the tyranny of the - starchamber, or those abuses in the state, which are manifest - to her best friends, would be enough to make his countenance - change towards me past recovery. - - "Upon these subjects, you, my dear father, have written to me - with more earnestness and fear than I should have looked for. - You tell me that I see not the inevitable consequences which - must follow from the acting out of those opinions and - sentiments with which I am so captivated. I confess that I am - an ardent friend to civil and religious liberty. I desire to - see the laws administered without fear or favour; to see - taxation imposed by the Commons alone, and to see purity and - charity preaching from our pulpits and ministering at our - altars. You must not blame me: these were the desires that you - implanted, when you taught me the immutable and eternal - principles of justice, and when, both by lip and in your life, - you showed me how sacred was the character, and how hallowed - were the duties, of an ambassador for Christ. I look for - reformation in the state, and purification of the church. You, - perhaps, despair of either; and therefore you dread an ill - result to the patriotic and pure efforts which so many great - and good men are now making. Some of the best and wisest of my - college friends think with them. Of that number are my late - tutor and my late chamber-fellow, with both of whom you - expressed yourself so much delighted, when, during my last year - of residence, you visited Cambridge. I confess, frankly, that I - hold their sentiments, and entertain hopes of ultimate good to - my country as sanguine as theirs. The cause of liberty must - triumph. - - "Your last letter gave but little hope of poor Fanny at the - mill: what a fair, cheerful, good girl she was. Martin will be - very sorry when he hears about her: if you remember, he was - always for dancing with Fanny on May-day. - - "I am glad to hear that Bessy Blount is going to be married. - She will make Tom Hargood's farm as happy a home as any in - England. However, I will not talk about weddings,--the very - word makes me melancholy. I am just now preparing a short - masque, which we are to perform next week, in honour of Sir - Oliver's birth-day. I suppose Martin, as well as myself, has - very different notions of female beauty now to any we gathered - at Cheddar; though, I doubt, if we shall either of us become - the happier for our knowledge. Rosy cheeks and laughing eyes - are joyous and pleasant to look upon, but they seldom beget - cureless heart-aches, or plant the long-lived sorrow:--all this - is very idle. The love of country is the next best love to that - of God, and, after that, the most rewarding. - - "I suppose that you will soon have a letter from Rome: no doubt - Martin is very happy among the galleries and studios of that - ancient city. I often wish that I could be transported there - for an hour, and see him, as he stands alone, before a - master-piece of Raphael, and sighs for the very fulness of his - admiration. Forget not to let me hear the earliest news of - Martin. I shall think of you all on May-day at old Blount's; - but, as the good old country customs are kept up here with - great spirit, shall have no leisure to grieve over my absence - from Cheddar, till night restores me to the solitude of my - chamber, and to that sacred companionship with you in prayer, - which I ever maintain. - - "Your dutiful and loving son, - "CUTHBERT NOBLE. - "_Milverton, April 20, 1640._" - - - - -CHAP. V. - - Now winde they a recheat, the roused deer's knell, - And through the forrest all the beasts are aw'd; - Alarm'd by Eccho, Nature's sentinel, - Which shows that murd'rous man is come abroad. - _Gondibert._ - - -Early in the morning of the day after that on which the rehearsal at -Milverton House was interrupted by the humiliating scene already -recorded, Cuthbert sallied forth, while the first rays of the level -sun were reflected back by glittering dewdrops; and brushing them with -swift steps from his path, crossed the foot-bridge near Guy's mill, -and was soon lost to view in the woods upon the far side of the Avon. -The mill was already at work, but he lingered not to gaze upon the -rushing waters. His eye glanced at the glad scene, and his ear drank -in the living sound; but the prosy old miller was at his door, and his -daughter stood on the stepping stones below, watching the white -breasted ducks that played in the back current, therefore, with a -short "good morrow," that waited for no reply, he passed onwards, for -he was bound on an errand of mercy. Although the old body, Margery, -had escaped the persecution of yesterday, there was good ground for -fearing that it would be soon and more cruelly repeated, if she -continued to dwell in her lonely and exposed hovel; and Cuthbert had -found a poor bricklayer from Coventry, who was then employed in -repairing the roof of an outhouse at Milverton, and who had witnessed -the scene of the day before with a true Christian feeling, quite -willing to give the old woman a lodging in the small house in the mean -alley in which he dwelt, for such consideration as Cuthbert was -willing to pay. With this proposal of shelter and security he sought -the wood, in the bosom of which, beneath a sand-stone rock, in a -forsaken pit, was poor Margery's desolate abode. From the rude clay -chimney, in the blackened thatch, curled a blue wreath of smoke: he -leaned against the rock above, and called to Margery, but there was -no reply. He went down and entered the hut. Upon a low stretcher on a -coarsely plaited mat of straw, dressed in the same rags in which she -walked abroad, she lay fast asleep, and her breathing sounded soft as -that of a child,--a raven with a clipped wing and club-foot hopped -upon the floor, and croaked at the intrusion; but the sound, though -loud, did not awaken her. "I will not fright away a sleep so -friendly," thought Cuthbert: he went forth again, and seated himself -beneath a stately oak at no great distance. In an open grassy glade -not far off, in front, a few deer were feeding,--the scene around was -peace and beauty,--trees, herbs, beasts of the field and fowls of the -air were declaring the glory and praising the goodness of a present -God. In silent rapture Cuthbert mused his praise; but adoration was -succeeded by a sense of pain,--another scene, another image, -interposed between the sunny objects before him and his mental vision. -The stony desolation of Mount Calvary, and the black sky above, and -the pale and holy forehead with its crown of thorns, came up startling -and apparent, and reminded him that he was the inhabitant of a fallen -world. This solemn turn being given to his thoughts, his mind -reverted, with serious consideration, to the views of that party in -the state which was already designated by the name of Puritans, and -which had been hitherto, and but for the questions of civil liberty -now widely agitated would still have been, a by-word and a reproach -among the people. "It is true," said he, "a Christian must be a -mourner--he cannot be other than a mourner; but yet, are we not -graciously commanded to serve the Lord with gladness? is the -countenance always to be sad? is there to be no rejoicing in the light -of the sun? Where is the middle ground between these two great parties -in church and state? Why is not a great and overwhelming majority of -moderate men found there to defend the best interests of all?" The -thoughts to which he thus gave utterance would have found a response -in the bosoms of thousands--indeed they were the very sentiments of -his own father; only that good man knew, what Cuthbert was as yet -ignorant of,--a knowledge which he was soon to purchase at the heavy -price of a most bitter and heart-breaking experience. He had yet to -learn that, in times of public commotion, there is no middle path, and -that a party does too often take the colour of the very worst persons -among those who compose it. The cant of the fanatic and the curses of -the cavaliers alike disgusted him. But yet he was of an age when men -will be sanguine about having the world mended according to their -desired pattern; and his heart glowed with the hope that the best men -of the parliament side would in the end triumph over the cold and -severe intolerance of the high church party, would control the power -of the crown, and would effect great and glorious things for the -liberty and the happiness of England. With these sentiments he had a -very difficult card to play at Milverton, for Sir Oliver was a decided -enemy to the party which he secretly approved; and some of the -neighbouring gentlemen, holding the same opinions with the knight, -gave a much coarser expression to them. He had to hold his mouth as -with a bridle in their presence. Among these persons by far the most -obnoxious was Sir Charles Lambert, a gentleman of about -five-and-thirty, related to Sir Oliver, and residing within a few -miles, at Bolton Grange, upon a fine property, with two younger -sisters left dependent on him. - -He had been a great deal about the court formerly, and in his youth -had been attached, for a few years, to the retinue of the late Duke of -Buckingham. Not proving of a capacity for public affairs, he had been -thrown back upon country life, without the true refinements of a -courtier, but with all those vices and fopperies, which, in the train -of Buckingham, it was not difficult to acquire. He covered with satin -and musk a heart as brutal and savage as one of his own -hounds,--resembling in nothing that generous and warm race of men the -country gentlemen of England but in a fine person and in a passion for -the chase. Nevertheless he did so conceal from Sir Oliver his true -character, that he was always made welcome at Milverton. In such -thoughts the mind of Cuthbert was tossed about as on a troubled sea; -and from mere weariness he fell into a contemplation of the sweetness -of nature, and the soft manner of her nursing, when we lie still and -passive in her lap, and look upon her face. So long a time had he -lingered in this green haunt, that the sun was three hours high; and -the great clock of Warwick, striking seven, warned him to return home. -Of the small herd in the open glade a few were still grazing,--others, -and a noble hart among them, lay in perfect repose: but, suddenly, -every neck was raised and turned--the ears stood erect--the nostrils -distended and closed--the eyes dilated--and then, as by accord, they -all stole slowly off to the rocky and difficult ground above them. He -looked around, and could see nothing to alarm them; but, in the same -instant, the blast of a distant hunting horn came up faint on the -wind: the sound was again heard nearer; and the loud voice of dogs in -concert, shrill yet deep, made the woods echo with notes that silenced -every bird, and drove away all the panting creatures from their lairs. -Yet was it a gallant sight--a sight to stir the blood--as within some -twenty yards of the tree under which Cuthbert stood, the chase in -full career swept by:--with antlers well thrown back, in its last -staggering speed, came a blown stag, with a stanch hound so close upon -its flank, you looked to see the fine creature torn down instantly; -not far behind, two leash of dogs were hanging on its track, their -mouths loud opening for prey:--with shouts of joy, and pace -precipitate, the huntsmen followed,--a small but eager band on gallant -steeds all foaming at the mouth, and stained with sweat. Swift as a -vision of the night they passed, and from beyond a swell of ground in -front a winding horn sent forth the well known mort. Cuthbert, -naturally excited, ran to a knoll before him, which might command the -country beyond. On the side of an open slope, at some considerable -distance, he saw the last act of the death. The lifted knife, all red -and reeking, was in the hand of a stranger of noble presence, by whose -side stood Sir Charles Lambert. The lordly game lay stretched upon the -ground, and near, with lolling tongues and panting sides, the hounds -lay gasping as for life. The riders were all dismounted, and their -horses, with drooping heads and their hind quarters sunk and -contracted, stood stiff and motionless beside them. By the loud and -exulting voices of the sportsmen you might know that the run had been -severe; two or three lagging horsemen were seen coming up in their -track; and by a cross path, just above the spot where the stag was -killed, two foresters on foot burst down at the top of their speed, -and joined the group that now more closely surrounded the noble game. -The sound had brought out all the household at Milverton, from whence -the slope was plainly to be seen. The boy Arthur, with some of the -serving-men, ran down the pathway towards Guy's mill, while Cuthbert -could discern Sir Oliver standing out on the terrace, and Mistress -Katharine by his side, with a loose white kerchief thrown over her -head, to keep off the rays of the sun, which were already powerful. - -The hunters now sounded the relief, and waved their caps towards -Milverton; intimating, by that note and action, that they would claim -the hospitality of the mansion; and then, leading their tired horses -by the bridle, they proceeded thither by the mill. Cuthbert, unseen -himself, watched all their motions; and when they had disappeared -within the gates of Milverton, and all below and around him was again -still, he turned, with a dead and jaded interest, towards the -sand-pit. Upon the edge of it, near the rock, he saw the bent figure -of Margery, as if in the act of listening; and as she raised her head, -and observed him walking to the spot, she hastily disappeared below. - -He stepped quickly after her; but the door was already barred; and -when he knocked and called to her, the hoarse croak of the raven was -the sole reply. He rapped more loudly,--still the same voice of ill -omen replied; but as he persisted, and said words to re-assure her, -the door was slowly opened, and the withered tenant of the pit -appeared. - -"Is it you, young master?" said Margery; "and are you alone, and is -there no hunter with you?" - -"There is no one with me," he replied: "the hunters have gone over the -river." - -"That's well, that's well, master: a hunting day, if the game takes -this way, is ever an ill day with me. They that be cowards alone, are -bold in merry company; and I have had a whip on my old shoulders, and -the dogs hounded on me before now, if any thing crossed their sport. -Three years ago, last fall, when his best hound, Bevis, was killed in -the hollow yonder, nothing would serve the turn of Sir Charles but to -float my poor old carcass across the river, and to weigh me against -the church Bible! But he hath had many a sleepless night for that; and -bold as he looks by day, the ticking of a death-watch will keep him -shivering in his bed." - -"What do you mean, Margery? The folk may well think you a witch for -words such as these." - -"Why, I mean," said the old woman wilfully and spitefully, "that I -never wished ill to any one, but ill came upon 'em." - -"Had I thought this of you yesterday, I should have been slow to ask -any one to give you house room; but you are God's creature, and have -been crossed with ill usage; and when you find yourself beneath the -roof of a Christian, safe from all enemies, your heart will melt, and -you will taste God's peace yourself, and wish it to others. I have -found a good man, that lives in Croft's Alley in Coventry, and he will -give you a chamber and a chimney corner, and kind words, and a stout -arm to protect you; and when we get you safe there your thoughts will -be quiet." - -"Hout-tout! what talk ye about Alley and a chimney corner? haven't I -my own ingle, and my own ways, and my own company? What voice more -pleasant to me than those I heard when I was young, and hear still? -What'll take better care of me than that old bird? Few there be that -don't shun to pass close by this hut; and they that come to it step -swiftly back again. I was told, with a curse, that I might not live -any where else, many years ago; and here I shall stop till my old -bones crumble." - -"Why, mother, why, you might starve here if you were taken ill, and -none to help you." - -"Well, death is but death, let it come how it will." - -"But hunger is a bad death; and besides, are you not in constant -danger of being taken up, and losing your life for a witch? Why, this -bird that you keep, and your words and ways, will surely bring you to -the stake one of these days." - -"Let the day come, if it is to come; and as to dying of hunger, where, -think you, do the foxes die? and where do the birds of the air die? -Why, they that escape the hounds die in their holes; and they that the -bird-bolt misses find a dying place in some nest or corner. Go your -way, young master! I am no tame rabbit, to be kept in a town hutch, -and tormented by children. I don't want to be led to church, and hear -the parson's jabber about my old soul." - -"Do not utter such wickedness, unhappy woman. It were charity to think -you crazed, and take you into safe keeping against your will." - -At this the old woman gave a shriek of passion, fitful as that of a -thwarted child, and then, suddenly overcome by fear, fell upon her -aged knees, and lifted and joined her withered hands, and implored -Cuthbert, with wild earnestness, never to have her moved. - -"Look you, young master, winter and summer, here I have watched and -waked these many years. It's a small matter of meal that makes my -porridge;--some give it for pity, and some give it for fear. There's -no lack of rotten sticks to keep me warm: yonder spring is never dry; -and it's free I am to go and to come, and nothing here to flout or to -fret me: the deer and the kine take no count of me--the pretty -creatures don't fear me; and it's not all the world calling me witch -that will make them. That place is best we think best. Oh, for the -love of God, master, let me alone--let me rot where I am." - -Cuthbert's mind was in an agony of prayer; but his tongue clave to the -roof of his mouth. He would have said much; but he could speak -nothing. He gave her alms; and telling her that he would do nothing -against her will--nothing to make her unhappy, but that he would come -and see her again--he raised her from her knees, and went upon his way -homewards. - -"My father would not thus have left her," was his first thought. "He -would have found some way to break into her heart. Strange -world--strange thing this human life! This old solitary miserable has -been wrapped in swaddling clothes, even as others--has been suckled at -a human breast--has grasped, with tiny hand, a father's finger--and -been kissed, and muched; and now, she has survived all kindred--lost -all defence of strength or money--hath none of wisdom, and because her -back is crooked, and nose and chin have come well nigh together, she -has been hunted from her kind, and dwells apart. As God is love,--and -that he is I cannot doubt and live,--this is a mystery! It's a skein -so much entangled that my poor wit can not unwind it." - -Muttering to himself these wayward fancies, he hurried back to -Milverton as to his heart's home. There he could see sunlight upon the -earth, and feel warm in the comfort of it. Nor in his then mood was he -sorry that the guest chambers would be full: he wished a day of -cheerful cups, and pleasant voices, and music. Thus absorbed, he -reached the mill, and passed it as swiftly as in the morning. - -"There he goes," said the old miller, speaking to his daughter, who -was spreading out some linen to bleach--"There he goes, as shy as a -hare, and as fast as if he were making for his form. I never gets a -bit of chat with him. He's not much for company." - -"Why, father," replied the girl, coming upon the pathway, "he's a -scholar, you know, and that's the fashion of them, you know." - -"Well, it's a bad fashion to go poking about the woods as lonesome as -a stray mule; no good comes of those crazy fashions. I like an open -face, and an open hand, and a free tongue." - -"Eh! he can talk fast enough, I'll warrant me, if he had a sweetheart -to talk to." - -"He talk to a sweetheart! She must be a poor silly body that would -listen. There are merry men and merry hearts enough in old England for -the lasses to choose from, without giving ear to such as he." - -"Well, they give him kind words at the Hall,--and they say he's always -more for good than harm; and I find him pleasant spoken enough when he -comes to angle in the mill-pool." - -"There it is! I can never make him say a dozen words, black or white; -now Parson Mullins will chat free for an hour on, and tosses you off a -pot of ale with good words and good will. Why, he and I have smoked -many a pipe together; and he's a clerk, and a rare scholar too. He -doesn't give you ignorant stuff o' Sundays; but Latin, and Greek, and -all the best that he has learned at college. That's the man for my -money." - -"Well, father, for the matter o' that, I like to know what folk are -saying; and it might be gipsy language for all you or I are the -wiser." - -"I know where you got that lesson, Miss Pert; that's what the old -Puritan pedlar said the other day,--rot him! he shall take seat on the -old wive's ducking-stool if he comes this way again." - -"I am sure he was a quiet civil man; and you have not had a better -piece of linen, or a cheaper, than he sold us, this many a year." - -"Hang his linen, and him too!" rejoined the sturdy old miller. "I -didn't like the cut of his black head;" and with that he passed into -the mill, and the girl went towards the dwelling. - -While this dialogue was passing, Cuthbert Noble was rapidly ascending -the path, which rose gently over a swelling field of luxuriant grass, -to Milverton. Certainly there was much about Cuthbert to excuse the -prejudice of the miller. He was of low stature, with a long visage and -grave aspect; and there was a peculiar expression of his eye, which -disturbed or repelled those who saw him for a first time, or who saw -him not at his ease; but to those whom, upon a nearer acquaintance, -he liked, his dark eye beamed with light; the expression about his -mouth was humane and gentle; his voice was low, and rather tremulous -before strangers; he never laughed, and seldom smiled, save with his -eyes, which gave quick and lively response to whatever pleased him. -Though, in his first manhood, he was not without a knowledge of life -and of the human heart, for his reading had been extensive; and he had -that felicity of apprehension, by which the lessons of books are most -happily caught, and most easily applied to the heart's daily wants. -Moreover, he had all those graces of persuasion by which a pupil is -best won upon and encouraged to climb the steep hill of fame. More -happily placed he could not have been than in the family of Sir Oliver -Heywood, but for one circumstance--he was too happy. A fear lay -beating in his bosom. He dared not confess to himself the strange, yet -deep, sentiments of admiration with which he regarded the daughter of -the worthy knight. He would fain persuade himself that it was nothing -but an emotion of gratitude to Mistress Katharine for that generous -courtesy which would not suffer a scholar of gentle birth to want such -attention and respect as she might delicately pay to him. Here, -however, his wisdom was at fault. In vain had books taught him the -misery of misplaced affections. He was launching out upon an unknown -sea that has no shore. - - - - -CHAP. VI. - - Some snakes must hiss, because they're born with stings. - - -The table in Milverton Hall was already surrounded by the hungry -guests; and a substantial old English breakfast, well suited to the -appetites and the digestion of active and manly hunters, was spread -before them. They were so busied over the cold joints and the venison -pasties, or with the amber ale that foamed in silver tankards, as -scarcely to notice the entrance of a latecomer, and therefore Cuthbert -slipped into a vacant place at the bottom of the table, without other -greeting than the good-humoured nod of a ruddy-looking young parson -seated opposite, as he raised a tankard to his lips. There was little -talk, save a few words about the sport, until having fairly finished -their meal, the chairs were backed a little from the huge oaken table; -the serving men lifted off the large dishes, still weighty with good -fare, removed the trenchers, and having carried round the basin and -ewer, large silver cups, filled with canary wine, prepared, after the -fashion of the time, with sugar and with certain herbs, so as to make -a delicious beverage in warm weather, were placed upon the table. The -short grace "Benedicto benedicatur" having been uttered by George -Juxon, the youthful rector alluded to, Sir Oliver took the massive cup -which stood before himself, and intimating to Juxon to follow his -example with the other, he rose, and giving for a toast, "His most -gracious Majesty King Charles," took a small draught of it, and passed -the cup to the noble looking gentleman who had been sitting on his -right hand, and was then standing by his side. The toast passed round -with an audible "God bless him!" from every guest, after the example -of the loyal host. - -"Ah, Sir Philip," observed the worthy knight to the noble stranger -near him, "we have fallen upon evil times; and it is grievous to think -that there should be one house in all England where the health of his -most sacred Majesty may no longer be duly drunk, as is becoming in -all good and true subjects." - -"Yet, I fear," replied Sir Philip Arundel, "there are many in which -the King's health is no longer a standing toast: unquestionably -republican feelings and principles have made great progress among the -burgher classes generally, and have infected not a few above them." - -"It is those sour-faced, canting rogues, the prick-eared, -psalm-singing Puritans, that are doing all the mischief," said Sir -Charles Lambert: "we want their ears, after the Turkish fashion, -cropped by sacksful." - -"But it is not calling them names, or cutting off their ears," said -George Juxon, "that will put them down; neither will all the water in -your horse-ponds quench the fire in any of their bosoms." - -"Very likely; but there is nothing like trying what will stop them; -and as sure as ever I catch any of the hypocritical rogues praying and -singing near our parish they shall have a bellyful of muddy water, and -a back-load of smart blows with whip or cudgel." - -There was an expression of most irrepressible disgust on the -countenance of Cuthbert Noble as Sir Charles uttered this brutal -speech; which Sir Charles observing, he turned quickly to Sir Oliver, -and added, "These are times in which we should look well to all our -housemates, for fear we should be fostering some of these godly -knaves, who cover their false hearts with closed lips and demure -faces, and may corrupt our children and our servants." - -"You mean me," said Cuthbert, starting on his feet with an energy -which startled every one at table, and took Sir Charles so totally by -surprise that he turned pale and livid, and seemed at a loss for -words. - -"Sir Oliver," pursued the youthful tutor in a glow of indignation that -overspread his cheeks, and made his eyes glance fire, "I have long and -often endured the contemptuous and studied insults of your haughty -kinsman on his visits here; and while they were only directed against -me as a poor scholar and a dependant, it was well:--happy in your -favour, and in the attachment and respect of the gentle young master, -who is my pupil, I could afford to look down upon the dwarfish stature -of so mean a mind; but when he would thus----" - -Before it was possible to arrest him, Sir Charles, who sat upon the -same side of the table, had run behind him, and, ere he could turn, -inflicted a deep wound in his back with a large hunting-knife. The -young student fell, bathed in his blood, upon the floor; and all the -household, already brought near to the door by the loudness of the -voices, rushed into the hall. Nothing was more affecting than to see -the terrified agony and loud sobs of the noble boy Arthur, who stood -over his fainting tutor with tears, and would neither be comforted nor -removed. - -George Juxon had instantly seized Sir Charles with an iron grasp. Sir -Oliver was troubled, and scarce knew how to act; while Sir Philip -Arundel, the most self-possessed of the party, desired the attendants -to send swiftly to Warwick for a surgeon, and suggested to Sir Oliver -that the aggressor should be committed to his charge, and that he -would take him to his own home, and be responsible for his appearance -to answer for the crime which he had just committed, when the charge -should be preferred against him in due order. But George Juxon -required that he should remain in custody at Milverton until it was -ascertained whether the stab inflicted on Cuthbert might not prove -fatal. - -The ladies of Milverton, who were absent, walking in the grounds, were -happily spared this painful scene. To the exclamations of wonder, -regret, and even condolence, with which Sir Charles was addressed by -some others of the party, he answered nothing, but stood with lips -closely compressed in sullen scorn and in a dogged silence. - -Juxon unhanded him, after Sir Philip promised that he should for the -present be kept close guarded, and gave all his attention to Cuthbert, -who was borne slowly and carefully up into his chamber, and his wound -there bound up with a temporary dressing by Juxon himself, till proper -assistance should arrive. This done, he left him for a while in the -care of the servants, while he went down to aid in composing Sir -Oliver and the ladies of the family. - -This young clergyman, who was a distant connection of the good bishop -of the same name, the treasurer at that time of the King, was a good -specimen of a particular class of richly beneficed clergy, not -uncommon in his day. He was a ripe scholar, a kind, orthodox -churchman, and a manly country gentleman. His habits were those of his -time: they grew out of the circumstances of that period and the state -of society in all country places; and he had seen his own pious and -dignified relative hunt his own pack of beagles, without a thought -that he was doing any thing more than taking a vigorous exercise, -beneficial alike to the health of his body and his mind. - -Juxon was among, but above, sportsmen. He had a wealthy rectory, and -lived hospitably with his equals, and charitably towards the poor. In -the discharge of his parochial duties, he was sensible and serious: he -valued books, and he had a due appreciation of genius. - -He had been of the hunting party this morning, and was thus a guest -at Milverton, where he had long occasionally visited, and where, upon -a former day, he had chanced to have rather a long and free -conversation with Cuthbert, and, albeit widely different in their -habits, had found common ground of interest in the subjects on which -they talked, and they had parted well pleased with each other. Had -they touched on politics, indeed, they would have differed; for Juxon -was a most stanch supporter of the court party: through evil report -and good report he stuck close to the crown; he wrote for it, spoke -for it, and was ready to lay down his life in the defence of it; but -he was of too large a mind to wonder at the opinions of those opposed -to the government of the King; nor was he blind either to those abuses -of the prerogative which had first awakened a spirit of resistance in -men of undoubted worth and patriotism, nor to the grievous folly of -those deplorable counsels, whereby the King had been induced or -encouraged to force upon the proud and resolute Scots the discipline -of a church to which they disclaimed allegiance. - -Again, he was of a generous spirit, detested persecution in any thing, -especially in religion and matters of conscience, and had felt, with -the Lord Falkland, in all the earlier stages of the present quarrel. -Nevertheless, a decided and sincere attachment to the monarchy, an -unshaken respect for the personal qualities of the King, and a -devotion to the forms and to the spirit of that church in which he was -baptized, suckled, and educated,--a devotion quite distinct from, and -independent of, any feeling of self-interest, as an incumbent,--caused -him to resolve upon his own course in the coming troubles with a -cheerful firmness. - -These sentiments, if the conversation in the hall had not been so -suddenly put an end to, would there have been elicited. He had not -approved the outbreak and burst of indignation with which the -sensitive and excited Cuthbert had so energetically appropriated the -indirect, but mischievous, speech with which Sir Charles Lambert had -sought to sow a suspicion of his tutor's integrity in the bosom of Sir -Oliver; but he with his whole soul detested and abhorred the cowardly -and bloody ferocity with which the haughty and maddened barbarian had -resented the contemptuous expression of Cuthbert. There sprung up in -his heart at that moment a warmth of interest for the youth, which -never afterwards, in fortunes the most dark and divided, entirely died -away. But to return to the actual present. He saw the ladies, who had -but just returned from a walk to the vineyard, in company with Sir -Oliver, in a remote corner of the garden, and immediately joined them. - -They were, as might be expected, very greatly troubled at the cruel -occurrence, and pale with natural anxiety. Indeed there was an -expression of concern upon the countenance of Mistress Katharine, so -very deep, so profoundly sad, that even amid the sorrowful -perplexities of the moment it glanced across the mind of Juxon, that, -in one or other of the parties in this business, her own heart was -most closely interested, and he thought that he had never before seen -human beauty with such a divine aspect. At the readily adopted -suggestion of Katharine, her aunt Alice would have proceeded -instantly to the chamber of the sufferer, to render him any service in -her power; but Juxon requested of her not to do so, and recommended -that the ladies should keep themselves quiet and apart until the -surgeon arrived, and the gentlemen now in the mansion should have -departed. Observing, too, the extreme perplexity of Sir Oliver, who -had been and still was exceedingly agitated by this strange event, he -entreated him to remain with them, and to keep himself calm and quiet -for the present; assuring him that every thing which he could suppose -him to wish in the present distress should be properly done, and that -he would certainly not leave Milverton himself while he could hope to -render the slightest service to Sir Oliver in this difficulty. There -was an earnestness of manner about Juxon, and at the same time such a -quiet tone of internal confidence in the resources of his own -judgment, that they all submitted to his guidance; and Sir Oliver was -greatly comforted and strengthened by the thought that so wise and -judicious a friend was near him in his necessity. - -The boy Arthur was watching and walking forwards on the Warwick road, -as if his doing so could hasten the coming of assistance, and was in -all that confusion of the troubled spirits which keeps the young heart -throbbing with fear. - -In the library Sir Charles Lambert sat with folded arms and a lowering -brow, while Sir Philip Arundel stood, looking from the window with a -countenance simply expressive of cold annoyance. - -Of the half dozen gentlemen, who were still grouped in the hall, one, -after observing, that "All's well that ends well,--and, perhaps, after -all, the young man's hurt might not prove dangerous, and that he -always hoped for the best,"--stole his hand across quietly to the wine -cup, and took a very copious draught; another remarked, that he must -say "the young man was very irritating;" a third wanted to know what -was the use of their remaining there, and said he wanted to go home; -while a fourth said, "One was a brute, and the other a fool: that he -cared nothing for one, and knew nothing of the other." - -But two gentlemen of a more thoughtful cast walked the hall in low and -serious discourse, apprehensive by their words that the injury would -prove fatal to Cuthbert; and resolving that so fierce an action as -that of Sir Charles should not pass unpunished. These were friends and -neighbours of George Juxon; and expressed themselves well pleased -that, for the sake of Sir Oliver and his family, so useful and kind a -person chanced to be at Milverton under the present circumstances. - -At last the long expected surgeon arrived with the messenger who had -been sent for him, both having used all diligent expedition. He was -introduced into the chamber of the patient by Juxon, and immediately -proceeded to examine the wound. At the first sight he shook his head, -and said to himself, in a very quick, low tone of voice, "The wonder -is, that he is yet alive;" but on questioning Cuthbert as to his -feelings, and finding some of the expected symptoms absent, and on -very carefully applying the probe, he cheerfully exclaimed, "There is -good hope of you, young master: there is no man living could pass a -sword where this blade has passed without injuring a vital part, if he -were to try; but a good angel hath had the guiding of this one. If it -please God to bless my skill, you shall do well; but it will be a slow -case, and a tedious time before you will be fairly on your legs -again." - -"God's will be done," said Cuthbert, "for life or for death." - -"If that is your mind," rejoined the surgeon, "my care will be well -helped, and your cure the easier." - -After cleaning and dressing the wound, and giving particular -directions as to diet broths, and writing a prescription for the -necessary medicines to produce composure and sleep, he took his -departure, promising an early visit on the morrow. - -The favourable opinion thus given of Cuthbert's wound was quickly made -known throughout the mansion, and received as welcome by all; -operating upon each according to their personal characters, and to the -interest which they had felt in the issue of the violent deed which -had stained the hospitable hall of Milverton. Sir Charles Lambert, -indeed, but for the inconvenience and danger to himself, would have -preferred the more tragical event. As it was, when Sir Philip Arundel -returned from the gallery to the library, to announce to him that -Cuthbert was considered in no present danger, he uttered no word -beyond his wish instantly to return home. - -"You are surely thankful," said Sir Philip, "that this unpleasant -affair has ended so much better than was feared. If you will not go -and say so to the bleeding youth, which perhaps might just now too -much disturb him, you will at least offer some words of atonement to -your elderly relative, Sir Oliver, for the outrage done under his -roof, and to a youth under his protection; a deed to be only excused -by pleading that your anger transported you into a paroxysm of -madness." - -"I shall go home," said Sir Charles: "are you ready?" - -"I will never, sir, again cross your threshold: you are no English -knight--you are not even a man. I shall send orders to my grooms to -follow me on my road home." - -These words were swallowed by the same man who would have taken a life -that same morning for a look of contempt; and with a white cheek, on -which passion literally trembled, Sir Charles hurried to the -court-yard, called for his horse, mounted, and dashing spurs into his -sides, rode violently away--hatred in his own heart, and contempt -pursuing him. In succession all the guests took their departure, -except George Juxon, whom Sir Oliver requested to continue with him -till the morrow; and who, more for the sake of the patient than of the -family, assented. He was not sorry that Sir Charles had departed in -the manner and in the temper described, nor did he care now to have -his person secured; for his offence, though grave as it yet stood, was -not of a nature that in those days subjected to imprisonment any one -who could find bail for his future appearance: and in the present case -it was clear that Cuthbert would never prosecute a relation (albeit -base and unworthy), yet a relation of Sir Oliver Heywood. - -The good knight, though a kind man, a fond father, and an easy master, -having walked through life upon a path of velvet as smooth as his own -lawn, was sadly discomposed by this visitation of care; and the very -trouble and irregularity that was caused by it was felt by the old -gentleman in many ways that he dared not confess to others, and was -ashamed to acknowledge to himself. A great weight, indeed, was taken -from his mind by the assurance of Cuthbert's safety; for he was -humane, and he liked the youth: but he had private reasons for a deep -regret at the conduct of Sir Charles Lambert, and the interruption to -their intercourse which would of necessity ensue, and almost wished -that he had parted with his young tutor immediately after that -discovery of his political leanings which he had himself not many -days ago so frankly made. - -However, what had now befallen Cuthbert beneath Sir Oliver's own roof, -and by the hand of his own relative, gave him new and increased claims -upon the knight's protection and kindness, and there could be no -further thought of their separating now till a distant period. The day -wore rapidly away, and by the hour of supper some appearance of order -was again restored to a mansion, in which every thing usually -proceeded with the regularity of clockwork. - -An intermitted dinner was an occurrence of which there was no previous -memory or record in the recollection of the oldest servant on the -establishment. Among the minor circumstances, and not the least -affecting to the manly mind of Juxon, was a little dialogue which he -overheard between the little girl Lily and the boy Arthur, the child -being unable to comprehend the fact of one man cutting another man -with a knife on purpose to hurt him. The true nature of the atrocious -action of course no one cared to explain to the little innocent: but -she had learned from the servants that Master Cuthbert was run through -with a knife by Sir Charles Lambert; and she had come to cousin -Arthur, in a grave and pretty wonder, to know what they could mean. - -The next day, being the birthday of Sir Oliver, was that on which the -masque in preparation was to have been represented before a party of -the neighbouring gentry, who had been specially invited to celebrate -that annual feast in the good old hall of Milverton. Of so pleasant a -holyday there could now be no further thought; and the May-day -festival which was to follow the day after, though of course the -villagers would have their dance according to the immemorial custom, -would lose half its gaiety and spirit by the absence of the family -from the manor house, and especially of the gentle and sweet Mistress -Katharine, whose words and ways had won for her all the hearts in -Milverton, and for miles round. - -It was an evening memorable in the life of Juxon, that in which he -first sat down at table with the small family circle of the -Heywoods;--in which he looked upon the majestic forehead of -Katharine,--marked the gentle fire of her dark eyes, and the -expression of all that is sweet and engaging in humanity about a mouth -where her noble qualities were most fairly written. - -After the grave and laudable custom of those good old times, the -evening service from the Book of Common Prayer was invariably read to -the assembled households of the country gentlemen. The office of -reading prayers was usually in the absence of a clergyman performed by -Sir Oliver himself as the priest of his own family, or at times he -deputed Cuthbert to supply his place. The duty this evening was -performed by Juxon in a solemn, feeling, impressive manner; and when -it was concluded, and the family retired, he hastened to the chamber -of Cuthbert, and finding that the composing draught had taken kind -effect, and that he was dropping off into a comforting sleep, withdrew -again with as soft a step as he had entered, and, exhausted with the -fatigues and the painful excitements of the day's adventures, he -repaired to his own room, and thankfully lay down to rest. As he was -extinguishing the lamp, his eye read the posy on the wall; and he -could not but feel a sweet pleasure to be reposing in such a mansion, -and with such a family:-- - - "Would'st have a friend, would'st know what friend is best? - Have God thy friend, who passeth all the rest." - - - - -CHAP. VII. - - Love is a kind of superstition, - Which fears the idol which itself hath framed. - SIR THOMAS OVERBURY. - - -Cuthbert was awakened at midnight by pain:--the glimmer of the night -lamp in the little room adjoining cast a dim light into the chamber -where he lay; and the breathing of the aged female servant, who sat -there in watch, told him that she had been overcome by sleep. He cared -not to disturb her, and made an effort to reach the cup of water on -the little table by his side, but he found that he was no longer equal -to the slightest exertion--he could not even change his posture. He -endured his thirst, and tried to collect his thoughts, and gather up -all that had passed in the hall, but he could not: he was dizzy with -the sense of having been pushed to the very brink of eternity, and -snatched back again. A gleam shone upon the portrait of Luther which -hung opposite. "Though he slay me yet will I trust him," was now his -own whispered act of confidence in God, and he lay passive, silent, -and hopeful. Not only was he heavily oppressed with bodily anguish, -but his mind, after undue excitement, and proportionate depression and -exhaustion, had sunk into a state of torpor. At the moment when Sir -Charles Lambert made the insidious speech to Sir Oliver, which -Cuthbert truly discerned to be aimed at his suspected principles, and -still more basely at a supposed line of conduct which he had far too -high a sense of integrity to pursue. - -At that moment it seemed to him as if it was but fair and honourable -to make open avowal of his true sentiments; but in the same quick -glance of the mind he saw the first bitter and inevitable consequence. -He must quit Milverton immediately, and for ever. Sir Oliver could no -longer have retained in his family a man openly admiring the cause -and the course of that party in the kingdom which opposed the crown. - -The collision in his mind of this fear of separation from so much that -he loved, and of the honest impulse to do what was right, begat a -momentary desperation; and thus it was, that he rose upon that -occasion with so unbecoming a want of calmness, and that he was about -to preface his statement by exhibiting his unmeasured scorn for the -base assailant of his character, but the too sure destroyer of his -present happiness. - -By the strange and bloody interruption of his purpose, the avowal of -his political opinions was checked: his expression of contempt for Sir -Charles had found utterance, and had been followed by a consequence, -carrying with it, indeed, a severe rod of rebuke to himself for his -rashness, but punishment in a tenfold degree more insupportable to his -proud and brutal enemy; and, as a crowning consolation to Cuthbert, -his sojourn beneath the blessed roof of Milverton was at least, for -very many weeks to come, perfectly secure. He had felt no sorrow when -he heard the surgeon pronounce his case as one that would be -tedious--and that it must be long before he could be safely moved. - -He would have had a stronger reason for joy and thankfulness, could he -have known that he had been the cause of producing such a developement -of the fierce and cruel temper of Sir Charles Lambert as saved -Katharine Heywood, if not from actually accepting him as a husband, to -which she would never have consented, at least from all the present -persecution of his attentions, as well as from all expression of the -blind but yet obstinate wishes of her otherwise indulgent father. - -As Katharine lay wakeful on her pillow, believing and hoping that the -life of Cuthbert would be spared, and no permanent injury would affect -his future health or usefulness, she could not regret the occurrence -of the morning. - -Certainly she would have died rather than have gone to the altar with -Sir Charles, but she would have remained continually exposed to his -selfish addresses; and this match having been the favourite plan of -her father from her earliest girlhood would have been perpetually -urged upon her by him in those many indirect and distressing ways in -which affectionate and obedient children are sometimes long and -ungenerously tormented by covetous or ambitious parents. - -One thing, when she first heard of the catastrophe, found a brief -admission into her mind, and till she was made fully acquainted both -by her father and by Juxon of all that had passed, and of the words -which had been uttered at the time, was not entirely dismissed. This -was no less than a fear, faint, indeed, and most reluctantly viewed as -possible, that the quarrel might have arisen out of some feelings on -both sides connected with herself. Nothing was farther removed from -the true dignity of her noble character than the desire of making an -impression upon any one; and it would have very seriously pained her, -if those kind attentions, by which she had sought to make Cuthbert at -home in the family, should have given birth in his breast to any -warmer sentiment than that of respectful friendship. - -Her humility and her modesty were so genuine that she was quite -unconscious of her own personal attractions, and, though alive to the -beauty of many of her female friends, she regarded it as a quality so -inferior, and secondary in its power of interesting the heart, or -winning the homage of the mind, as to give little advantage to its -possessor in the daily intercourse of society. This opinion being in -her sincere and rooted, her charms were worn with a grace and ease so -natural, that her influence over all who came within their sweet and -magic circle was irresistible. - -This being her character, it was a great relief to her to be persuaded -that there was not the slightest ground for the apprehensions, which -she had slowly admitted. She was now surprised at herself for having -entertained them even for a moment. She saw in the conduct of Cuthbert -nothing more than a burst of human pride irritated into violence by -the haughty insults of a worthless superior. Thus all her suspicions -of the truth were lulled to sleep; and to alleviate the sufferings of -Cuthbert during his confinement, and to cheer his convalescence when -the hour of it should arrive, was to her plain judgment a simple and a -pleasing duty. - -Sir Oliver himself passed a weary and feverish night,--all things -seemed out of joint: one of his most favourite schemes was -broken,--and his prospects of a peaceful and indolent old age, under -the shadow of his own trees, were somewhat shaken. The trumpet of war -had not, indeed, as yet sounded in the heart of England, though -English blood had been already spilled freely on the borders. The few -tall yeomen, with their goodly steeds, sent by himself to join the -King's forces in the north, had marched fast and far only to meet an -early end, and to swell the loss and the discredit of the ridiculous -expedition against the Scots. With Sir Charles Lambert for a -son-in-law, he would have felt better able to meet and take share in -the coming troubles; and he reflected on the difficulties before him -with dismay. Of battle or of death he had no fear,--though at his time -of life, and with his habits, it was small service beyond that of a -ready example of devotion which he could render in a camp; but when he -thought of Katharine, and of Arthur in his boyhood, and of his aged -sister, his household presented but a defenceless aspect. However, -after the scene of yesterday, he could not ever directly encourage any -future addresses of Sir Charles to his daughter; and it could not but -suggest itself plainly to his own mind, as a gentlemen of a true -English spirit, as far as personal bravery was concerned, that little -dependence could be placed upon the courage or firmness of a man -capable of the cruel and dastardly assault which he had yesterday -witnessed. He had yet to learn the moral energies and the latent -heroism of his noble daughter, and to discover the strength and the -wisdom of a woman's mind, when the love of father and of country guide -it in the path of duty and of honour. Some time was to elapse before -the days of trial; and, indulging that love of ease which was habitual -to him, he strove to stifle or put away from him the unwelcome -conviction that come they must, and could not be averted. Therefore -it was with no common sense of comfort, that, when he came forth into -the gallery the next morning, he found Katharine, and his sister, and -Arthur, already there, waiting to receive him with the kisses of fond -congratulation, and saw his own portrait and that of his departed -wife, who had been to him as an angel gently leading him for good, and -ever watchful to guard him from error, framed, as it were, with choice -and dewy flowers. He gazed at the portrait of his wife and then at -Katharine, alternately, and was melted into a gush of grateful -tenderness. All fears, difficulties, and troubles seemed to vanish in -a present feeling of thankfulness and delight. He went instantly on to -the chamber of Cuthbert: Juxon had been there from an early hour, and -the surgeon was engaged at the moment in dressing his wound. - -The sight of the amiable young man, lying pale and helpless, bandaged -and in pain, greatly moved Sir Oliver. He took Cuthbert by the hand, -and spoke to him in that warm and feeling language of condolence which -is balm to a sufferer's mind. The benevolent surgeon took a lively -interest in his patient, and spoke most confidently of effecting a -complete cure,--although he repeated, that the case would prove very -tedious, and many weeks must elapse before he could be permitted, or -indeed be able, to quit the recumbent posture. He gave directions that -he should be kept particularly quiet in his actual state, and not be -spoken with or disturbed throughout the day, except to give him -necessary refreshment or medicine. - -At the earnest invitation of Sir Oliver, Juxon consented to remain at -Milverton till the evening. The day passed pleasantly away. The worthy -knight recovered his usual spirits; Mistress Alice her composure; and -Katharine Heywood, having much secret content and thankfulness at -heart, looked like some gracious angel of peace and goodness. - -It was a day of bliss to Juxon:--one never forgotten, but marked white -for ever. He was one of those men who felt a reverence and tenderness -for woman; and, whenever he addressed them, his eyes, his voice, his -whole manner plainly manifested respect. He expected in the female -character gentleness, purity, and charity; and yet, by some strange -inconsistency, he shunned the society of women, was seldom to be seen -in those gay and glittering circles where they shone, and where he -might have been soon disenchanted of his cherished illusions. - -His residence in a sequestered parish in the country afforded him few -opportunities of visiting where ladies were to be met; and being fond -of all sports and manly exercises, and so ripe a scholar as to find -study and the chase a pleasant relief to each other, he had not as yet -been careful to seek opportunities of increasing his female -acquaintance. - -Whatever there was of silent and maidenly reserve in sweet Katharine -herself towards common strangers, and upon ordinary occasions, -vanished at a time like this, in the presence of so manly, so modest, -and so frank a man as George Juxon. As the family sat that day at -table, not a shade of embarrassment was visible in any of the -party:--Sir Oliver was in high good humour; the boy Arthur looked at -their guest with those honest eyes which, in boyhood, fear not to -show either like or dislike; and the little girl Lily, permitted that -day to dine in the hall, sat without shyness opposite to Juxon, and -shunned not his smile or his word of notice. - -The day wore on:--he walked with the ladies upon the verdant and -velvet paths in the flower garden,--he paced the terrace with Sir -Oliver,--and his presence was felt by them all as a strength and a -comfort. - -The shade upon the dial had stole silently, but swiftly, forwards, and -touched upon seven in the evening, when he ran up to the chamber of -Cuthbert to press his hand at parting; and having afterwards said his -farewell to the ladies on the lawn, he descended to the court-yard, -accompanied by Sir Oliver and the boy Arthur, mounted the gallant roan -gelding upon which he had hunted his way down on the morning of -yesterday, and again shaking the hand of his host, and accepting a -warm invitation to repeat his visit soon and often, George Juxon rode -out of the gates at Milverton with a very new and strange feeling. - -The free animal, on which he rode, was impatiently checked as often as -it broke from the measured walk at which it was now the pleasure of -his master to travel homewards; and, whatever might be the cause, he -was not allowed to perform in less than two hours a distance to be -very easily accomplished within one. The reverie of Juxon was unbroken -during the whole ride. The evening was mild, and the hedgerows were -green, and the air was perfumed here with the scent of violets, there -with the fragrance of cottage gardens or blushing orchards, and upon -the woody or open parts of the road with the rich incense of the -fresh-blown May. - -The news of Sir Charles Lambert's violence had reached his parsonage -before him; and in the stone porch his old housekeeper met him as soon -as he had dismounted, with as much anxiety as if he had narrowly -escaped murder himself. The good old body, with that genuine -philanthropy of feeling which is as natural as their breathing to -kindly natures, learned the safety of Cuthbert, whom she had never -seen or heard of before, with a lively expression of motherly joy; -and Juxon was roused to remember how very narrowly the youth had -missed an early and melancholy fate. Truth to say, so much of pleasure -had grown up within these two days from the very circumstances arising -out of the assault on Cuthbert, for her young master now to dwell on, -and there seemed to open before him so pleasant a prospect in future -intercourse with the family at Milverton, that, perhaps, he hardly -felt enough for the present sufferings of the unfortunate patient. - -His thoughts, however, were soon diverted from Milverton, and from -himself, by the entrance of his old gardener, to say the May-crown, -which was kept in the summer-house, had been taken away, and that he -had found a written paper on the shelf where it stood. This the old -man handed to his master, saying he could not read it, but guessed it -boded no good for the coming holyday, and that he had been gathering -flowers to dress out the old May-pole to little purpose. George Juxon -took the paper, upon which, in a stiff, quaint hand, were written -these lines:-- - - "This head in a crown, and that without ears, - Is the pleasure of prelates, of courtiers, and peers. - Dance, revel, and sing, ye butterflies gay; - The time is at hand you shall weep, fast, and pray. - One holdeth the war-dogs, all ready to slip; - Pleasure's cup shall be spilled, and dashed from the lip. - To me is committed this message of woe: - The tears of the proud ones unpitied shall flow." - -He no sooner read it, than, quitting his supper, he went out into the -village to ascertain if any copy of it had been left at any other -place; and found, to his vexation, that one had been fastened to the -May-pole, and had been taken down and read to half the people. -Determined, however, that the customary sports should be neither -hindered nor damped, he took home with him the village carpenter, set -fairly to work, and in two hours, by the aid of lath, and pasteboard, -and Dutch gilding, they finished off a crown far more splendid than -the one stolen; and he wrote underneath it, with prompt good humour,-- - - "The preacher hath said it--For all things a time-- - For fasting, for feasting, for dancing, for rhyme:-- - No rhymes without reason shall hinder our pleasure; - We'll crown the old May-pole, and tread the old measure." - -This done, he again thought of Cuthbert's bed of suffering, and -remembered him in his prayers. This little cross occurrence in his -parish neither drove away his own sleep for a second nor delayed on -the morrow the sports of his parishioners. Here, as in many other -places, the popular and wise course of the minister preserved a good -and happy understanding among the people. There is no social state -more truly desirable than that of a well-ordered village population, -where the miseries of the lane and the alley cannot reach; labour is -performed in the open air; festivals are days of thanksgiving, danced -through upon a green sward, to the nodding heads of merry musicians; -and they see no crowns but such as are woven with roses for their -May-queen, and know no sceptre but a white wand wreathed about with -fragrant flowers. - - - - -CHAP. VIII. - - Though their voices lower be, - Streams have, too, their melody; - Night and day they warbling run, - Never pause, but still sing on. - GEORGE HICKES. - - -For three summer months Cuthbert Noble was confined to a couch; and -though latterly he was led forth into the garden, and suffered to lie -down on a bench in the shade, yet his confinement had been lonely as -well as tedious. No kindness on the part of any of the family was -wanting: whatever could be thought of for his convenience and comfort -was provided. While he was obliged to keep his own chamber, he was -visited daily by Sir Oliver; Mistress Alice and Katharine looked in -upon him together, and inquired gently concerning his pain; the boy -Arthur would often forego his play in the garden, or his practice in -archery, to sit and read to him; and not a week passed without a -friendly and cheerful visit from George Juxon. Nevertheless, he was -evidently dejected; and while he was grateful for all these -attentions, nothing, it was observed, could effectually rouse his -spirits to cheerfulness, although he repaid, by anxious words and -quiet smiles, the least service which was done him. About the trouble -which he unavoidably gave the servants, who, for their parts, were -ever ready to oblige him, he was scrupulous even to anxiety. He seemed -to pine after liberty--and would sit, for hours together, lost in deep -thought, or in vacant sadness. It so happened that the clergyman of -Milverton, whose manners were coarse, and whose morals were low, did -not visit at the Hall. Although originally appointed by Sir Oliver, at -the request of a friend, who, acquainted with his family, had taken -little care to inquire more particularly into his character, he had -early quarrelled with his patron, and preferred the freedom of an ale -bench to the restraints of good society. This was unfortunate for -Cuthbert; as a learned and religious clergyman, residing in the -village, and intimate at the hall, might have kept him straight in -the plain path of the true churchman. Now, though Juxon, had he been -aware of all that was passing in the mind of Cuthbert, might have been -truly serviceable in disabusing him of some strong prejudices, yet, as -he presumed him to be a true son of the church, the subject was seldom -named. - -He came to cheer and amuse him if he could; and the very atmosphere of -Milverton Hall was that of purity and delight to George Juxon. His -summer months presented a strange contrast to those of Cuthbert. He -gave up his buck-hunting in the afternoons: he could not abide the -rude and noisy companions of that sport of which he had been always so -fond; and now he might be seen, day after day, in the guise of an -angler, on the grassy margin of a silver stream, or, not unfrequently, -stretched at his length beneath a shady tree near the bank, or sitting -under a high honeysuckle hedge; and if he were not chewing his own -sweet fancies, some book in his hand, of good old-fashioned poetry, to -aid his pleasant meditations. George Juxon was now a lover--without -melancholy, I do not say,--but only with so much of it as is ever -welcome to a lover's mood, and gives a dignity to his passion. -Nevertheless, his hope was unavowed; nor was he in haste: a long -courtship was the fashion of those days; and a mistress seemed raised -in the fancy of her admirer, by the thought that she must be slowly -approached, and would be slowly won. - -His family, his private fortune, his present provision in the church, -and his future prospects from the favour of the bishop, were such, -that Sir Oliver could not object to him as a suitor for his daughter, -though he might give the preference to another; and certainly, with -her father, the title of a baronet would have outweighed that of a -dean. However, these circumstances could only encourage him in his -more sanguine moments, for Juxon was a modest man; and when he called -up the image of Katharine in his walks, and thought upon a certain -majesty in her countenance, and how serene and unmoved she was, how -unsuspicious of the admiration which she excited, he could not but -fear that she might prove indifferent to the suit of one so plain and -unvarnished as himself, and that she would never entertain his -addresses. Therefore it was that he nursed his love in secret, and -patiently restrained all expression of particular regard for Mistress -Katharine in his present visits to Milverton. How pleasant, in the -mean time, were all those visits; how swiftly he rode through lane and -wood, across field or common, as he went from home on those permitted -errands of friendship; and at what a slow and lingering pace would he -return from the gracious presence of this lady of his love! - -He had often heard it rumoured that Sir Charles Lambert was thought to -be the accepted son-in-law of Sir Oliver; but this he had always -doubted from the very first moment of his introduction at Milverton; -and he felt that Katharine could never have endured his attentions. By -these, however, she could now be troubled no farther; for Sir Charles, -being deeply mortified and ashamed of the frantic violence which he -had committed at his last visit, had left his home suddenly for -London, and was solacing himself, for the contemptuous affront which -he had received from Sir Philip Arundel, in the congenial atmosphere -of bear gardens and cock pits. Nor had he forgotten how roughly he was -handled by George Juxon, whom he at once feared for his courage, and -hated for his virtues. - -However, he was no longer a visiter at Milverton; his sisters, indeed, -still rode over from the Grange occasionally to pass a day with -Katharine, and twice Juxon was of the party at table. - -To most eyes he would have appeared the admirer rather of these ladies -than of Mistress Katharine; for Old Beech rectory was only four miles -from Bolton Grange: and though he seldom accepted the invitations of -Sir Charles, yet he met them often in hunting or hawking parties, and -was apparently a very great favourite with them both. Sophy and Jane -Lambert were both pretty: the one, with the rosy cheeks of health and -laughing blue eyes; the other, brown and freckled, with an arch look -that seemed to detect those secrets which men, and women too, most -anxiously conceal, with a provoking and unerring sagacity. - -These good-tempered and warm-hearted girls had been at first sadly -afflicted about their brother's conduct; but this last care concerning -him was now six weeks old, and had been dismissed from their minds. He -was, to their great contentment, now absent, and their tongues were -again loosened to playfulness. - -As the party sat at dinner in Milverton Hall one day, about the middle -of June, and as Juxon was carving a capon, that he might help Mistress -Alice to a delicate wing,-- - -"Prithee, Master Juxon," said Jane Lambert with a very roguish -expression of the eye, "did you not hear our merry voices on Wednesday -evening as we killed a buck under Walton coppice? and did you not see -us lift our velvet caps to you? and did you shut your ears to the -pleasant horn? or were you charmed to sleep by the fairies under that -broad beech tree in the Bird Meadow? or were you saying your prayers? -or were you reading Master Ford's Lover's Melancholy? or were you -thinking of our Lady St. Katharine here at Milverton?" - -Juxon was so confused at this last question that he put the wing of -the capon into the sauce boat instead of on the trencher of Mistress -Alice, and said, with a stammer and a blush,-- - -"Really, Mistress Jane, you are too bad; but I know that you dearly -love a joke upon anglers: you are always jeering poor Moxon." - -"O do not mind her," said Katharine Heywood, coming to his relief: -"she is privileged to say what she pleases, without meaning what she -says; and my poor name always serves to point a fancy, if she wants -one: if she were not so young and so pretty, she might be taken up for -a false fortune-teller, and a dealer in witchcraft." - -"Cousin Kate, if I am a fortune-teller, I am a true one; and if a -witch, you know I am a white one, and work marvellous cures. Shall I -tell your fortune? and shall I name the name of a true knight in a far -country?" - -A glance from the noble eyes of Katharine, which no one perceived but -Jane Lambert, rebuked her into silence; and trying, though awkwardly, -to laugh off the liberty which she had evidently taken with the -feelings of Katharine, she sent her trencher for some venison, and -said no more. - -Sir Oliver, too, fastening upon the simple fact of Juxon having turned -a fisherman, began rallying him for having made so bad an exchange, as -to leave the merry and social sport of hunting for the dull and -solitary exercise of angling. - -"It is true," said the knight, "I have myself been forced to give up -the jolly buck hunt; but, life of me, I could never take up with a rod -and line in the place of it. I do wonder, when I see a man mope about -the meadows, and stand, it may be, for hours, under the same willow, -by the broken bank of a sluggish river, that it doth not end in his -hanging himself for very weariness of the flat world." - -"And yet," quoth Juxon, "fishing hath its pleasures, ay, and its sport -too; but if the angler catch nothing, still he hath a wholesome walk -in the pure air; and if he go abroad early, and listeneth to the -matins of the heaven-loving lark, he shall not want sweeter music -than the cry of hounds, and the blasts of hunting horns." - -"By my faith, Master Juxon, you are bewitched; but whether by old -Margery or by the sparkling eyes of Jane I say not; by Margery, -methinks; for the faint heart of an angler will never win such a -sprightly lady of the woods as our Jane." - -"Nay, nay, Sir Oliver, when a man is bewitched, and by love, too, as -Mistress Jane will have it, his thoughts must be too roving and -unquiet to sit still upon a mossy bank watching for the trembling of a -quill." - -"Ay, ay; but he may sit quiet enough, and not watch any thing but his -own fancies. I do verily think that thou must be touched with some -strange care, to let thy brave gelding race it round his pasture for -the madness of his desire to follow the chase, at sound of which he -neigheth for his rider, and thou sitting the while like some poor -scholar alone upon a tree stump." - -"At the least I find one blessing rests on anglers--where they walk, -the grace of humility doth grow, lowly as the daisy, and plentiful as -the meadow sweet." - -"I think," said Katharine, "that Master Juxon has good right to walk -the valley with his rod, without being thus rated for his pleasure; -and if he useth to find good thoughts in all he meeteth by the river -side in summer evenings it is more than hunters do in the forest." - -"Marry, Kate, it is to get rid of thought that men go a-hunting. I -tell thee that cares and sorrows, and wrongs and vexations, cannot -keep pace with a bold hunter; self is forgotten; all is life, and joy, -and wild delight. Troth I have lost mind and heart since the merry -days when I hunted." - -"I am of thy mind, Sir Oliver," said Juxon, "and the falling leaf of -October, and the chill gloom of November skies, can never cloud the -heart of a hunter; but when woods are green, and sunbeams warm, and -birds are singing, methinks the yelp of a hound is unseasonable -music." - -"Well," said Jane, "all I know is, that you seldom missed an -afternoon last summer; and if it was an early hunting day and a stag -turned out in the morning, in spite of the green trees and the -warbling larks, Master Juxon was never last in the field; but I will -rate you no more: for, may-be, you are afraid of the Puritans, and do -study _Master Stubbes's Anatomie of Abuses_, and will give up the -wicked ways of Esau, and turn shepherd--gentle shepherd, shall it be, -or good?" - -"Lady," said Juxon, gravely, "there are good men among the Puritans;" -and seeing her colour a little at his tone, he added, with a smile, -"and good anglers too; but, in truth, you have hit me hard: for there -are good men, who are no Puritans, who think that the sport of hunting -is not seemly in a parson, especially in times like these." - -"Puritans or no Puritans," said Sir Oliver, "I hope you don't mind the -muddy race that croak these black lessons of duty. I do not know -whether they be fools or knaves; but they would preach us into walking -tomb-stones, each showing its _memento mori_." - -"Beyond all question," replied Juxon, "they are wrong in many things; -and push their severity against things innocent and pernicious with -little or no distinction, with a strained application of Scripture -prohibitions, and with a profound ignorance of human nature; and they -seem only to discern God in clouds, and to hear him in the thunder. -But there are men of great and stern virtues among them; and, it may -be, of gentler hearts and gentler views than we give them credit for." - -"I don't believe a word of it. They are fanatics in religion, and -knavish traitors in their politics: you think of them with more -charity than I do, and it is a false charity, Master Juxon. There was -one of my own name and kin among them: he turned republican, forsooth; -old England, forsooth, had no liberty; our good church was a harlot, -and all the rest of it; and he would seek true freedom in the forests -and swamps of New England; and away he went with wife and daughters, -and a son, whom he had made as great a fool as himself. A youth, sir, -that bearded me with his treason at my own table. I sent him packing -at midnight, sir, and would not let him sleep the night under my roof; -and, in good truth, he was as ready to go as I to bid him; and now he -and his father are felling trees in America for aught I know, or care, -indeed." - -Katharine Heywood proposed to her aunt and the Lamberts that they -should go into the Lime Walk, and Juxon would have turned the -conversation; but Sir Oliver, with the images of his absent cousins -before him, went on venting his feelings, as if in soliloquy. "The son -of a clergyman, too, sir, a younger brother of mine, long dead, and he -himself having been the faithful servant of a king, well accounted of -for valour and discretion in the camp of the great Gustavus, where he -commanded a regiment of musketeers. He to turn against kings and good -order! He that punished a fault against discipline like a sin against -Heaven, and taught his son that obedience was the first duty of a -soldier, to come home, with his brave boy to his own country, and -teach him to flout at the majesty of the crown! Troth, sir, the king -was quit of bad subjects, and I of troublesome relations, when they -took ship for the Plantations. I wish all that are as fantastic in -their notions would follow them." At the close of this burst, the old -gentleman took a cup of wine with an eagerness that sought relief, and -a trembling hand, that betrayed how deeply he was agitated by angry -feelings. - -Juxon, very unwilling to hear him further on so painful a subject, -asked permission of the knight to go and visit Cuthbert Noble for half -an hour, and promised to join him afterwards in the bowling green for -their customary rubber. As he passed out of the hall, a serving man -was coming in with Sir Oliver's pipe and tobacco-box; and leaving the -strange weed to perform its calming office, Juxon, happy to escape, -ran up stairs to the chamber of Cuthbert. - -The surgeon was seated by his side; and from the conversation, which, -although they concealed not the subject or the tenour of it at the -entrance of Juxon, they soon dropped, it was evident to him that they -had a mutual understanding in matters of religion and politics, and -were both of them friendly to the cause of the parliament. It had so -chanced that, during the whole of his confinement, Cuthbert had, in -the person of the surgeon who attended him, been daily in contact with -a mind very deeply imbued with serious and severe principles. By this -man Cuthbert's heart had been probed to the quick; and, under his -influence, combining with a strong predisposition in itself, was made -sad and heavy. - - - - -CHAP. IX. - - Passions are likened best to floods and streames; - The shallow murmur, but the deepe are dumb. - RALEIGH. - - -When, at the proposal of Mistress Katharine, the ladies left the hall, -they proceeded to the Lime Walk: here they separated, Aunt Alice -taking Sophia Lambert aside to show her a late addition to her aviary, -and Katharine leading forward Jane towards the fish-pond, where, upon -a low bench, placed under the broad arm of a noble cedar, they sat -down quietly in the shade. - -Under all the disadvantages of a most neglected education, and a -rusticity of manner very near to rudeness, Jane Lambert had some rare -and valuable qualities, which greatly endeared her to those who took -the pains to discover them. This Katharine had done. As for the last -three years she had been thrown much into the society of the -Lamberts, owing to their residence at Bolton Grange, and the frequent, -but yet unavoidable, visits of Sir Charles, she had studied all their -characters thoroughly; and the result of her observation satisfied -her, that in Jane there was at the bottom a fund of sterling worth, -high courage, and genuine affection. Her attainments were few and very -imperfect; but she had a vigorous and a healthy intellect, which -digested well the best and most generous sentiments of the few books -which she was careful to read. Not a tenant or cotter upon the estate -of her brother but had a look of honest love for Mistress Jane; and -the falconers and foresters were proud of a bright lady who knew their -craft so well, and had so true an eye for the slot of a deer or for -the dim-seen quarry. If any poor man had a favour to ask of Sir -Charles, it was through her, as the ready advocate of all who needed -help or implored mercy, that the petition was preferred. Her -admiration and love for Katharine Heywood were unbounded: she looked -up to her as a model of exalted excellence, and with that affection -which partakes of reverence; not that this was of a nature to check -or chill the natural display of fondness in their ordinary -intercourse; but at times the power of the loftier sentiment over her -was so great, that her exuberant and unguarded levity would be in a -moment abashed and driven away by one look from Katharine. Thus it had -been to-day at table; and now, as they sat, she pressed her hand upon -the shoulder of Katharine, and leaned her cheek upon it, and said -feelingly,-- - -"Dearest cousin Kate, why did you look so very sad and so very grave -to-day? I was only joking; do not be angry with me, my sweet coz: I -shall fret if I think you have been really angry." Katherine bent her -face and kissed the presented cheek. - -"Was I ever angry with you, Jane?" she asked. "You know that I never -was; but it is true that you often make me very anxious for you, and -sometimes quite sad, by your ill-timed and thoughtless gaiety. -Consider a little more the consequences of idle words, and their -effect on strangers." - -"Well, my dear, I will: but there is no harm done, for I do not look -upon Juxon as a stranger; and he is so sensible, and so good-tempered, -that he will never take any speech by the wrong handle, and so honest -and straightforward, that he will never look under it for a hidden -meaning." - -"But yet, Jane, even Juxon will think it odd, that while the victim of -your brother's passionate frenzy still lies on a couch helpless with -his wound, and while your brother, who has narrowly escaped committing -the heaviest of crimes, has absented himself for very shame, his -sister should sport, as if nothing had happened, and be as playful in -her words as a girl without care." - -"Do you think so? I should be sorry for that: but you know that I do -not love my brother; and Cuthbert is safe from all danger, and out of -all pain; and you are well, cousin, and not the sadder for this -accident, if I know your heart as well as I love your happiness; and -why then should I not appear cheerful, when, in truth, I am so. I -should be vexed, indeed, if Juxon thought the worse of me; for he is -one whose good opinion is worth having; but as for that of the world, -I care not a jot about it." - -"There you are wrong, dear Jane: the opinion of the world may, and -must be, in some things, despised, but the rule of its established -proprieties and gentle observances can never be transgressed, without -bringing some heavy penalty on the offender." - -"I do not love the world so well, dear Katharine, as to care for -either its frowns or its favours; and I looked not for an advocate of -its cold maxims and its deceitful forms in you--let it see me as I -am." - -"There is your error, Jane: it cannot, it will not, it cares not to -take the trouble to see you as you are; it looks only at your -_seeming_; and though to be is better than to seem, and many seem fine -gold that are but base metal, yet no one can despise the judgment of -the world without rashness and without danger. They who place -themselves above the opinion of the world, and the best rules of -society, cast off a useful and an appointed restraint in the -discipline of life." - -"Sweet coz, I love to hear you lecture, but you will never make me -wise: I was born under a common star, and reared with foresters:--look -as I like, and speak as I think." - -"Ah, dear Jane, you will some day learn to govern your bright looks, -and to keep your sweetest thoughts locked closely in your heart. -Wisdom herself, and, perhaps, though God forbid, sorrow will be your -teacher." - -The serene eyes of the majestic Katharine were clouded, for a passing -moment, with such a sadness as a compassionate angel might have worn; -and she pressed Jane tenderly to her breast. - -"Promise me," she said, "dearest cousin, promise me faithfully that -you never again hint even to any human being, the idle fancy that hung -this morning on your lips, or the name you would have connected with -it." - -"The promise has been already made in my own mind: your look was -enough to make me wish the light word unspoken, and the tongue that -uttered it blistered for a month to come. You are the only one at -table who could have understood my allusion. I am certain that the -most distant thought of my meaning could not enter the mind of your -father or your aunt." - -"This, I believe, and it is well it should not: the bare suspicion, -harboured in his mind, would make him miserable for life, and embitter -his last moments with unworthy fears. I know his nature well: much as -he loves me, and confides in me, to pacify his anger, and quiet his -jealous apprehensions, would be, even for me, an impossible -achievement; and yet he knows, or should know, that I am an English -daughter." - -"How is it, Katharine, that you command all hearts? that not a man -approaches you but he is at once, as by some sweet force, compelled to -love you? and yet it is no wonder: there cannot be on earth another -Katharine." - -"Cousin, this is idle and wicked talk; you must not use such vain and -sinful words: would you could see me as I see myself, when, prostrate -in weakness, I implore and find strength where alone it is to be -obtained; but you cannot understand me yet." - -"Nay, Katharine, do not rebuke me so sharply for simple truths: why -Charles himself is so tamed and altered for the day whenever he -returns from Milverton, that I have sometimes been selfish enough to -wish to see you his, in the hope that I might find a brother changed -in nature; but no, dear Kate, I love you too well ever seriously to -dwell on such a desire." - -"Jane, do not, prithee, do not pursue this foolish fancy further." - -"It is not fancy: can I not see? have I not eyes, and the perceptions -and sympathies of woman? I tell you, the poor woe-begone scholar, that -lies lonely on his couch above there, did look upon you as good men -look up to the blue heavens." - -"Cousin, I will not stay another moment with you if your discourse is -not changed to some better tone than these weak and unwomanly -delusions of your idle brain do give it." - -"As you will, blessed coz, I say no more; but one need not be very -deeply read in love-craft to prophesy that one of these fine days the -worthy young rector of Old Beech will tell you that himself which I -may not tell you for him." - -"Jane," said Katharine, as she slowly rose, and they moved back -towards the Lime Walk, "you are not, my dear girl, serious, I hope, in -this last surmise: you are not in earnest: it would greatly perplex -and trouble me if I thought you were, and had good reason: about -Cuthbert I am sure that you are altogether mistaken." - -"No, Katharine; I am a poor unfashioned creature, with little -knowledge of the world, and little skill in books, or fair -accomplishments: but this one gift I have,--I can read the human -countenance, and see written thereon the thoughts of the heart, the -play of the secret passions, the inclinations of the inner will, in -characters plain to my faithful eye, and plainly I repeat my -conviction that both these men do love you. The one will give you no -trouble: his flame will burn within his melancholy heart, like a lamp -glimmering in a tomb; but the other will make open avowal of what he -is proud to feel, and will surely be courageous enough to confess: now -do not look so pale and grave, but thank me for the timely caution. -Kiss me, sweet coz; my sister is calling for me, and we must go." The -tall and queen-like Katharine folded her young cousin to her heart; -and Jane felt a tear fall heavy on her cheek as they embraced and -parted. - -Katharine had one of those fine and stately forms which the sculptor -of ancient times would have chosen to copy with his happiest skill, as -the incarnation of wisdom. Her features were Roman; her dark hazel -eyes were long and even, and there shone in them a soft, chaste fire; -her mouth was pensive; but though the expression of her countenance -was ever serious, yet was it human, gentle, and she would more fitly -have represented the melancholy vestal, than the calm, passionless -Minerva. She returned leisurely to her favourite cedar, and seated -herself in that sad repose of the mind into which even the strongest -and most virtuous will sometimes allow themselves to sink, as a short -relief from the internal conflict. It was clear to her that Jane had -penetrated that one secret, which she would hardly confess to herself, -and which she could have wished had been altogether confined to her -own bosom, and that one other, from which she felt resolutely and for -ever divided. It was strange that the open-hearted girl had never -mentioned it before; it was well that she had only now hinted it so -vaguely as to leave it impenetrably veiled to others; it was well, -too, that she had thus early arrested the danger of all further -discovery, and obtained from the fond and faithful Jane that promise -of secrecy, on which she could safely rely. Still it was disturbing to -her pure and noble spirit, that even this sweet girl should be privy -to her heart's great trial. However, Jane would understand her future -silence on the subject, and well knew that those confidences, which -the weaker order of women are ever ready to pour into the ear of the -female friend, would never pass her lips. She held them too sacred, -and she had that dignity of soul which in a sorrow of that peculiar -nature is all-sufficient to itself. Could Cuthbert from his couch of -patient suffering, or George Juxon from his solitary rides and walks, -have looked in upon the heart of Katharine, and seen the image, which -often rose before her mind's eye, and as often as it did so was felt -to be a cherished one, the former would have striven against his weak -idolatry yet more resolutely than he already did, and the manly Juxon -would have given to the wind his vain hopes, and would have forborne -to distress her with the language of a suitor. - -Katharine did not return to the mansion till long after all the guests -had departed. - -It was the hour of supper; but she pleaded headache, retired to her -chamber, and seated herself at the window to watch the dying day. -There was a universal calm in nature; every leaf was still: there was -a holy hush around; colours of a blessed hue streaked the far western -sky; they grew faint, they faded, and the grey gloom of a summer's -night rested upon all things. She was roused from a long reverie of -sweet though solemn fancies by the entrance of her maid with a lamp, -and in a few minutes afterwards she was joined by her aunt Alice. - -There was never in any nature more of the milk of human kindness than -in Mistress Alice:--her own disappointments had subdued her vivacity, -without souring her temper, or freezing her manners. Forgetful of -herself, she lived for and in the happiness of others, and her niece -Katharine was to her as a daughter;--not that she exercised any thing -like a mother's control; Katharine had so ripe an understanding, and -so mature a judgment, that Mistress Alice leaned upon her mind as -though it were that of a sister or a bosom friend, to whose opinion -she was pleased to defer her own. - -She loved Sir Oliver with a true affection, but she was not blind to -the faults of his character. She knew him to be impatient of -contradiction, full of strong prejudices, easy and indolent--the being -of habit and of custom--but violent when thwarted, and selfish when -opposed. Nevertheless a kind brother, a fond father, a liberal master, -and a most loyal subject. It always deeply grieved her when she heard -him speak harshly of her nephew Edward Heywood, and his son Francis, -for they were the offspring of an unfortunate brother, to whom she had -been very closely attached from her childhood. - -"This has been a trying day to me as well as to you, Katharine," she -said when they were left together. "I think my poor brother allows -himself to be more troubled about public matters than is good for him; -and I wish that he would avoid the mention of your unhappy cousins in -connection with those subjects--however wrong they may be, they have -cares and troubles enough for pity, rather than hard words and ill -wishes." - -Katharine looked steadily at her aunt when she began to speak, and was -rather startled at her opening words; but as she proceeded, discerning -clearly it was only a sympathy in common with her own that she -invited, replied, quietly, that "it was indeed very painful to see the -good temper of her dear father giving way so early in times like -these, which were only the beginning of troubles; but consider, -dearest aunt, he has passed all his life in pleasure and ease--my -blessed mother made his peace her study; and, though she could never -win him to her own happiest views of the only bliss, her whole life -was a transcript of those gentle and charitable sentiments which were -the secret springs of all her actions. He reposed upon her character, -and found a tranquillity, of which he shared the comfort, but which -lived not within his own breast." - -"Well, Katharine, I am sure you follow in your mother's path, and as -far as daughter may, you supply her vacant place in his esteem and -reverence. He loves you not as parent loves a child. You are his -daughter, but you are also, in all seemly matters, his cherished -adviser:--I have often noted it, my dear, with joy." - -"Do not humble me so sadly--my mother's path!--alas! I am far from -it--far out of the way, when I think of her exalted hopes, her -self-denying life, and her settled peace; and when I look within, I am -ashamed, and may well tremble at the comparison:--but yet I cherish -the memory of her bright example; and the words you have just spoken -shall rouse me to do all by my father, which if her sainted spirit -could look down upon us she would herself approve. I know the duty of -a daughter, and I know how much the happiness and the honour of a -father may be promoted by her due performance of it. You have well -shown me the better way. For my father, and to my father, I will -devote my life, and cast self and all softer wishes behind me. When -the first rough steps of difficulty are passed, the noble qualities of -my father will all be seen:--bless you, Aunt Alice, for your sweet -counsel." - -"My dear Katharine, you are not wont to be thus excited: your calmness -and your even dignity have ever been beyond your age: I meant simply -what I said, and designed not, by any hint, to stimulate you to any -course of conduct beyond that which I have always observed you to -pursue:--you are not well--you think too much of what may -happen--troubles are fast travellers, and need not be met half -way--you are not well." - -"I believe you are right--I cannot be well--the day has been -oppressively hot--and my temples throb with pain." - -Mistress Alice taking from the dressing table a curious shaped bottle -of eastern porcelain, which contained elder-flower water, sat down -tenderly by Katharine, and bathed her temples with gentle care. The -noble girl leaned back upon her chair, silent, passive, grateful:--no -sob escaped her; no nervous tears were allowed to fall; but to a -keener eye than that of her benevolent aunt a slight quiver on the -lip, and a heaving of the folds above her bosom, quicker than the -wont, might have told that very deep and painful emotions were -struggling in her full heart. - -Mistress Alice would not leave her till she saw her quietly put to -bed, when, giving her the kiss of peace and good night as her pale -cheek lay upon the pillow, she took her lamp, and went softly out of -the chamber. - -Restored to solitude and silence, Katharine sent her sweet thoughts -and prayerful wishes to that distant land, where, upon the narrow -clearing of some tall and ancient forest, in their canvass booth or -rude hut, after a day of new and unaccustomed toils, her self-exiled -but heroic cousins reposed: the picture of their labours was to her -mind primitive and sacred--and all the images presented to her fancy -were peaceful. - - - - -CHAP. X. - - Can warres, and jarres, and fierce contention, - Swoln hatred, and consuming envie, spring - From piety? - HENRY MORE. - - -The good parson of Cheddar was never informed of the severe misfortune -of his son till all danger was long past, and his convalescence was -advanced to such a point that he could assure his parents he should -soon be perfectly restored to health and to his wonted activity and -strength. - -Noble and his wife were both deeply affected at the thought of all -which Cuthbert must have suffered, and at the considerate care which -he had manifested for their feelings. His letter was brief, and his -relation of the conduct of Sir Charles Lambert was given in such a -calm and quiet tone that it was plain he had learned the hard lesson -to forgive an enemy. Yet it contained some expressions which troubled -his father with the too sure presage of that course which Cuthbert was -about to follow. - -He intended, it said, to leave Milverton at Michaelmas, and should -recommend that Arthur, who was sufficiently forward in his studies, -should be then entered at the University. "I shall not," it added, -"accompany the dear boy to Oxford; indeed, with my sentiments, it -would be alike unjust to Sir Oliver and to the youth himself to retain -my present office in this family. Where a tutor is called upon to -conceal his opinions and suppress his feelings (on the most important -and the most sublime subjects which affect the present interests of -society and the everlasting happiness of man), in his daily -intercourse with his pupil, both parties are very seriously injured." - -It was particularly remarked by his mother that, in this letter, while -Cuthbert acknowledged, in general terms of warmth, the kindness with -which he had been treated throughout his illness by the whole family -at Milverton, and while he mentioned the friendliness of Juxon, of -whom they had never previously heard, and dwelt still more on his deep -obligations to Master Randal, the surgeon, he never even named -Mistress Katharine, of whom he had spoken with such a romantic warmth -in his former correspondence. - -"My dear," said Noble, "Cuthbert has been on the brink of the grave, -and his mind is full of all that has been solemn and awakening in that -awful experience; but it is not a good sign that he has avoided all -detail of that experience to us. I doubt not that his piety has been -deepened, but I am not without a fear that his head is taken up with -new notions, both of doctrine and of duty, and that he was unwilling -to open them out to us. However, if by any path he has advanced to a -nearer and more affecting view of his Redeemer than that to which he -has hitherto attained, let us rejoice and thank God. He has all along -been deficient in that simplicity of view which begets humility, -peace, and joy:--he refines too much on every subject which is -presented to his mind; muses when he should act; speculates when he -should pray; and is lost in the cold and unsubstantial clouds which -veil the mountain, when he might stand upon the serene summit in the -warm light of the Sun of righteousness. - -"It was ever thus with him. In childhood we neglected to subdue his -will, and we shall suffer, and he himself will suffer for our fond but -mistaken indulgence." - -"I am sure, dear, that he was always affectionate and dutiful, and -always will be." - -"Nay, Constance, that does not follow. He will always love us, I am -well persuaded; but whether he will remain obedient to our wishes in -those trying scenes which may sooner or later be presented to our eyes -is very doubtful." - -"Well, Noble, it will be time enough to think of that when the trial -comes:--happen what may, I feel certain that all will be safe and -happy where you are. God ever takes good care of his own; and I always -feel that there is a blessing and a guard round about our dwelling, -for your dear sake." - -"Wife, how can you talk so weakly. What is there in two worms of the -earth, like you and me, that should procure for us an exemption from -calamity?--but this is unprofitable talking--sufficient unto the day -is the evil thereof--to enjoy is to obey--and the voice of -thanksgiving is melody. Let us bless God for past mercies, and bless -him by trust for all future goodness." - -Their conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of Peter, to -say that Master Daws, the sour precisian, who, it may be remembered, -would have before prevented the customary sports and pleasures on the -festival of the Mayday, was at the gate, and wanted to see Parson -Noble, for a few minutes, on very urgent business. - -To rise and go out and ask him into his study with all courtesy was, -of course, the duty of Noble, both as a brother minister and a -Christian gentleman; but it was with no doubt as to the nature and -object of his visit that he did so, and with a desire to bring their -interview to as early a close as might consist with common civility. - -The contrast of the two parsons as they entered the study, and as -Master Daws seated himself in the tall chair which Noble drew forward -for him with a quick and rather, indeed, an impatient motion, was -comic in the extreme, and would have greatly diverted any of Noble's -old college cronies, as it would, of a truth, the good vicar himself, -could he have looked on, and been spared the vexation of playing as a -principal in the dull performance. - -Master Daws was a tall, gaunt, bony personage, of a stature exceeding -six feet by nearly two inches: he presented a rigid outline of sharp -angles from his cheek bones to his pointed and protuberant ankles. His -features were coarse; his complexion muddy; his eyes round and dull; -his forehead low; and there was an expression of bad temper about the -corners of his mouth. His black hair was cut close, and he had thin -weak eye-brows. - -He seated himself with a slow solemnity of manner; placed his tall -greasy cane erect between his knees, and folded his clumsy hands upon -the top of it; turned up the whites of his eyes in a pretended -ejaculation; and in a drawling tone delivered himself of his -hypocritical errand as follows:-- - -"My dear brother in the Lord--thou art esteemed a master in -Israel--thou hast a name to live. I would fain hope that thou art not -a willing partaker of the sins of thy people; but verily they stink in -the nostrils of all true Christians, who are thy neighbours. We have -conferred together--we are sore grieved--we are ashamed for thy -sake--and I am come to reason with thee alone concerning the -abominations which are daily committed in thy parish, lest thou perish -and thy people with thee." - -The good parson listened to this strange address without anger, -without wonder, and without reply. The graceful ease of his composed -attitude of attention,--the clear light of his kind intelligent -eyes,--his high pale intellectual forehead,--his frame slender, and a -little bent with the weight of advancing years, and the thin white -hairs scattered on his temples,--would have made the sincere but -deluded fanatic hesitate to proceed, or would have melted his -remonstrance into all that was gentle and affectionate in expression. -On the conscious, the interested, and the incensed hypocrite, however, -his calmness had the opposite effect; and Master Daws, with a most -stern tyranny of tongue, in language clumsily misquoted from the -sacred books of the prophets, and grossly misapplied, went forward to -denounce the wrath of Heaven against the poor rustics of Cheddar and -their aged pastor. This speech we would rather leave to the -imagination of such readers as may be familiar with the incongruous -and disgusting jargon in which the sour zealots and the gloomy -sectarians, who were then daily extending their severe notions, -uttered their iron anathemas against the innocent gaieties of life. At -the close of his very offensive harangue, he drew forth from his -pocket a small volume in black letter, and presented it to the good -vicar with these words:-- - -"Brother, I have been perhaps too warm; but the fire burned within me, -and it is accounted the first duty of a servant to be faithful. It is -my zeal for the Lord;--and herewith, in love and compassion to thy -poor blinded people, and in pity to thy soul, I do present to thee for -thy private reading, and for the instruction of thy benighted mind, -this book, which is _The Anatomie of Abuses: containing a Discoverie -or briefe Summarie of such notable Vices and Corruptions as now raigne -in many Christian Countreyes of the Worlde: but especially in the -Countrey of Ailgna: together with most fearfull Examples of God's -Judgements executed upon the Wicked for the same, as well in Ailgna of -late, as in other Places elsewhere. Very godly, to be read of all true -Christians every where; but most chiefly to be regarded in England. -Made Dialogue-wise by Phillip Stubbes._ This wordy title-page, placing -his spectacles upon his nose, he read slowly with a nasal whine, which -the compression of the ill constructed spectacles he wore not a little -assisted." - -"Neighbour Daws," said Noble patiently, "I do not need thy service in -this matter, seeing I have on my own shelves the book of Master -Phillip Stubbes; and I deny not that it contains some godly maxims and -sound precepts, and it may have done some good by its ridicule of -many vanities, and its condemnation of many sins and abuses: but I -think he distinguishes not between things innocent and hurtful, and -tears up many pleasant flowers of God's giving, under the dark fancy -that they are poisonous weeds;--for the rest that thou hast spoken -thyself concerning the little flock and fold over which the providence -of God hath made me the humble and willing shepherd, I will not call -thee unmannerly and uncharitable. I have heard thee with pain, though -with patience; and, while I give thee full credit for sincerity in thy -opinions, desire not to hear them further, now or ever again." - -As thus he spoke, he rose, and indicated by that action his wish that -the interview should not be prolonged. Daws also, with a horrible -smile upon his hideous face, in which was to be discerned all the mad -irritation of a mean person, who felt himself despised, and for the -moment baffled in producing alarm, raised himself slowly from his -seat, and answered,--"Satan, the prince of hell, is lord over thy -village and thy people--and he has blinded thy aged eyes, and sealed -thy dumb mouth:--verily the Lord shall visit for these things, and -that speedily;"--so saying, he stalked out with uplifted eyes, and as -he passed the threshold stamped the dust from his feet with a -vindictive action, and departed. "I wish that Cuthbert could have -witnessed this scene," said Noble, as he saw the ruthless and envious -bigot pass forth out of the wicket, and stride angrily across the -church-yard; "but the wish is vain." - -Upon inquiring of Peter, he learned that, on the preceding evening, -this morose personage had found a dozen children playing round a small -bonfire, in a glen about half a mile from the village, and -celebrating, as a game of play, the festival of St. John's eve,--the -observance of which had in the present reign been discontinued. The -joyous urchins, alike innocent of pagan or popish idolatry, were -dancing about the flames, and tossing flowers into the rivulet, which -flowed past the spot where they had kindled them, when Daws, who had -his secret designs in many a walk which he took to the neighbourhood -of Cheddar, came suddenly upon them, and driving them off with -execrations and blows, kicked the half burned sticks into the -water:--the little fearless sinners, however, making a swift and -active retreat up a rock, where they felt secure from pursuit, -revenged themselves by shouts and laughter; and in this the little -fellow who had witnessed the ludicrous fall and flight of this same -Daws on May morning, and who had been again recognised by him this -evening, led the merry chorus of impudent little rebels with -conspicuous glee. - -Although Noble listened to this news with a smile, the severe and -mischievous spirit evinced during his interview with Daws, both in -language, tone, and manner, gave him more uneasiness than he chose to -impart to his wife, to whom he related much of what had passed between -them in a light and jocular vein. But, alone, he could not but be -impressed with the conviction, that a curate of this harsh and -malevolent character was a very uncomfortable and unsafe neighbour, -and might hereafter prove dangerous. - -However, he had now plainly paid his last visit in the quality of -brother clergyman; and, if he was ever to come in that of enemy and -accuser, he could only do so under the restraining guidance of that -mighty, merciful, and mysterious Providence, which ordereth all things -wisely and well. - -The good pastor was ill qualified to counteract the intrigues, or to -contend with the violence, of parties. He was a quietist, an optimist, -a dweller at home, enjoying to-day, and taking little anxious thought -for the morrow. His hours were divided between his parish, his study, -and his garden. - -Old Blount, the most honest and hospitable of English franklins, was -the only neighbour with whom he could associate upon a footing of -mutual intercourse: but there was not a threshold in the village which -he did not often cross with some friendly inquiry or cheerful words -upon his lip; not a child, that would not rather run to than from him; -and the cottage curs were too familiar with his step and voice to do -more than raise and turn their heads as they lay watching at the -doors, when Noble passed by. - -His chief recreation was the weekly visit to Wells. As regularly as -the appointed day came round, the worthy parson mounted his old white -mare, with her well stuffed saddle, rejoicing, in a seat covered with -cloth of a pale sky blue, much faded, and he was carried at a -meditative jogtrot to the fair and ancient city. - -Here, at the house of his friend, he would refresh his spirits by -listening to (and sometimes joining in the rich performance of) the -best madrigals of the never surpassed composers of that day, and -taking his part in most pleasant and tuneful exercises on the viol and -the lute. - -The troublous aspect of the times had of late somewhat altered the -character of these meetings; and the two holyday hours were now for -the most part, if not entirely, consumed in grave and anxious -consultations on public affairs. The severe spirit of the church -reformers of that period frowned upon every semblance of pleasure: to -them the song of harvest, the dance of the village green, and the -merry catch round the winter hearth, were things sinful and forbidden, -and the peal of the solemn organ in the house of prayer and praise -was hated as an abomination. - -Yet they might have read in Scripture, in the very words of holy men -of God, that "the ear of the Lord listeneth to the song of the reaper, -and the joy of harvest; and that he delights not to turn the dance of -the vintage into mourning, nor to make the young cease from their -music:" but because the good provisions of God are daily abused by the -many, who consider not the gracious Giver of them, therefore they -would have the bread of all steeped in tears, and eaten with the -bitter herbs of mourning. Of a truth, in some degree every Christian -man, and minister more especially, must be a mourner, and is: but the -spirit would fail and faint if it might not also taste the rich -consolations of a hallowed joy; and if, amid the labours, the toils, -and the mean cares of the daily pilgrimage, man might not stoop to -gather the flower at his feet, or pause to listen to the feathered -choristers of God's own temple, it would be to refuse and put away, -with a sullen unthankfulness, the comforts which the Father of mercies -has provided. - -Of such enjoyments Noble was most fearlessly fond. To him the world of -nature was a vast and richly illuminated volume; on the various -pictures of which he could pore for ever, with all the wonder, and -with all the rapture, of childhood:--"his Father made them all"--that -was his feeling. The arrows of trouble and disappointment fell blunted -from a bosom, the shield of which was a God seen, acknowledged, and -felt, in all things visible, as the very essence of love. - - - - -CHAP. XI. - - He makes the infirmity of his temper pass for revelations. - BUTLER. - - -The summer months at Milverton rolled swiftly on, Cuthbert slowly, but -perfectly, regained his strength; and, early in August, he was once -more able to walk abroad and to take exercise on horseback; but his -vivacity and animation did not return with his health: he was no -longer the cheerful and entertaining companion at table, or in the -intervals of leisure. Sir Oliver found him a dull restraint, and -wearied of his presence: even his pupil, who was truly attached to -him, and was still, in the hours of study, delighted with his -preceptor, felt the sad and depressing change; and if it had not been -for the frequent visits of George Juxon, would have been disappointed -of many of those joyous and manly exercises which Juxon delighted to -encourage, and in which he excelled. The only diversions by which -Cuthbert could now be attracted were fencing, and the use of the broad -sword: but he practised them without a smile; and there was an -earnestness of attention and a seriousness of effort about him, -whenever he took a lesson from Juxon, which drove away smiles and -jokes. His stamp was angry; the glance of his eye rapid and piercing; -and after six weeks of occasional practice, when Juxon told him he -would soon be a strong and complete swordsman, the grave scholar, so -quiet and gentle in all his ways and words on common occasions, -hastily and vehemently exclaimed, "Thank God." - -"For what?" asked his good-tempered instructor, "for what do you thank -God so warmly?" - -"It matters not, it matters not," replied Cuthbert, hastily; "time -will show." - -Juxon put down his sword, and, looking him earnestly in the face, -asked him if he was well? - -"What a strange question! quite well." - -"No, Master Cuthbert, it is not always that a man is well who calls -himself so, or even who thinks himself to be so. We are alone; we are -friends; tell me what has thus moved you; tell me what it is that has -so changed and saddened you; what are the dark purposes which lie hid -in your bosom?" - -"Methinks this question is yet more strange. I have no purposes that -be not honest; none that will not bear the light of open day; but, -yet, I may not care to trouble others or myself by babbling of them." - -"Does the blow still rankle in your bosom, Cuthbert? Have you -retracted the pardon uttered on your bed? And do you mean to seek out -Sir Charles, and make him do battle for your revenge?" - -"Master Juxon, that is not well asked: such purpose would be dark, -indeed: was not my pardon spoken before God, and at the grave's mouth? -No; I forgave him as I hope to be forgiven; nay, in that it was a stab -which sought my life I forgave it more readily than I could have done -a blow; that, indeed, such slaves we are of pride, that might have -rankled still." - -"True--I had forgotten--and my words have wronged you; but, Cuthbert, -whatever are your purposes, they do not make you happy. I met you the -other day riding much faster than is your wont, and your countenance -was clouded, and your teeth were set, as if in hottest anger, and you -would not stop, but only muttered a good morrow as you passed swiftly -by. What do all these things mean?" - -"They mean that I am sick at heart for England; sick for the meek -man's wrongs. I had just then met an aged countryman, his furrowed -cheek newly branded, for a churchyard brawl: I questioned him closely, -and found him a sufferer for conscience' sake, falsely accused and -persecuted by a godless parson of his parish." - -"Cuthbert, did the countryman tell truth? Did he name the parish and -the parson?" - -"He did; I know them well: in Oxfordshire was this outrage done, and -the crime is not three months old." - -"Well, here is a case of wrong to be made known and to be redressed. -Scandals there must be, even in the most sacred offices, when they are -held by mere men. Some are cruel, and some are wanton by nature, and -to punish these we have our judges and our bishops." - -"Yes we have--and the same who ruled the decisions of the -Star-chamber. The wrong redressed! it would be smiled at; and if it -were punished, what then? There's nothing but the grave-worm can take -away the brand from the old man's cheek: his grandchildren will put -their little fingers on the mark and ask the story of it, and he will -tell them what he told me, and more. It is a hard world, Juxon." - -"And always was, and always will be. Legislation is a coarse thing: -some innocent will always suffer with the guilty." - -"The guilty! is liberty of conscience guilt? Look you, Master Juxon, -there are good men and true ready to stand up for that liberty." - -"And for a little more, perhaps: your secret is out; so, instead of -our sword-play being mere exercise for pastime, after college fashion, -I have been teaching the noble science of defence to a stout -Parliamentarian, to an enemy of mother church." - -"Nay; no enemy to any persons or any institutions, but to the -oppressor every where, and to oppression every where, by whatever -titles or names they may be disguised." - -"You confess, then, that you wish an appeal to the sword." - -"I say not so; but if it come, as it may, and as in my present -judgment it surely will, I shall be well pleased that my fingers have -been taught to fight; for I would not be wanting in the day of -battle." - -"I have heard you, Cuthbert, speak words of Christ's religion since -your late illness, which I have thought of so sweet and heavenly a -temper, as might well engage all men to follow the truth in love. -Surely the weapons of a Christian's warfare are not carnal." - -"I tell you, the fat heart of the oppressor is proof against all -other, and they that govern with the headsman's axe must look to be -wounded by the patriot's sword." - -"Stop, Cuthbert, we'll say no more on this subject--you are standing -upon a precipice--the gulf beneath is treason." - -"Not against Heaven, Juxon; and it is a poor thing to me to be judged -by my fellow man." - -"Yes, Cuthbert, against Heaven. Your father will say so." - -"Never; though it is true that my father is old and timid, and he -would bear the errors of the crown in charity and in hope, rather than -see them openly opposed by arms." - -"And you would punish them in the field of battle?" - -"And gain a victory over the crown for the greater honour and more -golden purity of the crown itself!" - -"Are you so weak, Cuthbert, as to think that a crown, beaten from a -king's head by the sword, and lying soiled by the dust of a fall, can -ever be replaced on the same brows with honour?--No! but among the -successful rebels, some stern spirit would be found to wipe it and put -it on; whose sceptre would have no peaceful globe surmounted by a -dove; but would rather be a naked sword crimsoned to the hilt with -blood." - -"Never, never:--you, like many good and generous persons, are the -creature of prejudice and of circumstance; you do not see, and you -will not believe, that the temple of true freedom needs only to be -opened, and all the virtuous and the holy will flock there to worship -in peace, and they will guard it alike from the rude tyrant and from -the slavish rabble." - -"Cuthbert, you dream, and will awake some day in bitterness of soul. -But if these be your sentiments--if thoughts like these fill your mind -and colour your gloomy fancies--no wonder that your looks are sad." - -"My fancies are not gloomy. They are solemn. I am not sad, but I am -serious. In visions of the night, I have seen this earth -regenerate--its people walking in peace--holiness on the bells of the -horses. I have heard the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. -I have listened for sighs, and looked for tears, but there were none. -I have asked about their happiness, and they have told me, 'In this -region there is no one to hurt or to destroy:--we do not teach every -man his neighbour, for from the least to the greatest we all know -God.' Such have been my revelations; and I have been called, and -chosen by name, to join that sacred band, which is to awaken a -slumbering and captive people, and lead them forward to prepare the -way for that monarchy of truth and universal love which is even now -about to descend and bless mankind. The spear shall be broken, the -sword turned into a ploughshare, and the sovereign Lord of all shall -stand a second time upon the earth, and proclaim his promised reign of -holiness and peace." - -Juxon listened to this rhapsody with awe and pain; and not without an -effort to shake the strong delusion, which was evidently taking a fast -hold upon the mind of Cuthbert. - -"My dear friend," he said, laying his hand gently upon his arm, "I -confess that you greatly alarm me. Consider that, for the first two -months after your wound, you were very weak in body; you were often -obliged to have recourse to opiates to procure rest; and you was not -in a state to examine the impressions made on your mind, and to -separate illusion from reality. There is nothing wonderful in these -phantasma having floated past your mind's eye: it is with sounds as -with sights; the music of a dream is often clear and ravishing to the -mind's ear; and our name may be thus, to our sleeping fancy, very -distinctly called and connected with some message or charge of solemn -import spoken as by a voice from Heaven. Or, it may be, Cuthbert, that -the enemy of your soul, knowing that you can only be led aside from -the path of duty and peace by the fair semblance of true religion and -freedom, hath assumed these angel shapes to lure you to your ruin. - -"I can understand the plain and manly language of a Hampden, but this -I cannot. It is unhealthy; it is the false fire of the fanatic. Rouse -your intellect, and turn away from these notions, or you will be -entangled and overcome: strangle the serpent while you have strength -to do so." - -Cuthbert replied only by the grave smile of one so firmly persuaded -of the truth of his own convictions as rather to pity than resent the -very unwelcome effort to disturb them. However, he now communicated to -Juxon that, in another month (it being then the end of September), he -should accompany his pupil to enter at Oxford, and should there leave -him, and proceed himself to join a friend in London. This arrangement, -he observed, would enable him to reach the capital about the time when -the new parliament was to assemble; for it had been just resolved by -the King, in his great council of peers held at York, that a -parliament should be called to sit on the third of November following. - -George Juxon was truly concerned to find that Cuthbert was so far gone -in his views, that to reclaim him seemed hopeless; but there were so -many amiable and engaging points in his character, that he could not -allow any one chance of recovering him from a course which he truly -thought would distress his father and destroy his own peace of mind, -altogether neglected. - -He was aware that Cuthbert maintained a scrupulous silence on the -subjects on which he had just spoken in his intercourse with the -family; but he had often observed that, whatever was the matter of -discourse at table, or elsewhere, the opinion of Mistress Katharine -had great weight with him. He determined, therefore, to make a full -disclosure to her of the state of Cuthbert's mind, and to engage her -good offices to dissipate, if possible, the cloud of illusions which -obscured or dazzled his present judgment. He was, however, obliged to -defer this step by the sudden arrival of Sophia and Jane Lambert; the -latter of whom instantly joined Sir Oliver and the ladies in the -gallery, to communicate the arrival of their brother at the Grange, -and his intention of again presenting himself at Milverton that -evening, to express his sorrow to Sir Oliver for what had passed in -the spring, and to acknowledge duly the frank and Christian -forgiveness of Cuthbert Noble. - -Juxon learned from Sophia Lambert that Sir Charles having met with Sir -Philip Arundel at some place of public amusement, had demanded -satisfaction of him for the insulting words which Sir Philip had -addressed to him on the evening when they last parted at Milverton; -that they had retired to an adjoining tavern with their friends; and -Sir Philip having been wounded, the quarrel was amicably adjusted, and -the parties shook hands. - -By this duel, Sir Charles at once succeeded in stopping the mouth of -one who would have reported the occurrence at Milverton more to his -disadvantage and shame than it was yet considered among his London -acquaintance, and knew that he should in some degree recover his lost -ground with Sir Oliver and his neighbours in Warwickshire. For the -credit of their family the sisters were naturally desirous of this; -and, therefore, they had preceded their brother with cheerfulness, and -with an earnest anxiety to secure him a good reception. Jane, indeed, -well knew the feelings of Katharine Heywood, and loved her happiness -far before that of Sir Charles; but still he was a brother, and the -head of their house; and though she secretly determined to divert his -attentions and his hopes from Katharine, she wished that the two -families should resume their old footing of neighbourhood and -frequent intercourse. - -The various projects devised by the kind heart of Jane Lambert were -always most readily aided by an acute and contriving mind. - -She had already rendered Katharine a most important service in the -matter of George Juxon's suit, which she had put an end to before any -declaration of it distressing to the fair and noble object of it had -been made. - -The modesty, the good sense, and the manliness of Juxon, enabled him, -with very little assistance from the delicate though playful -management of Jane Lambert, to discern the painful truth. He plainly -saw that Katharine Heywood was not at all disposed to favour, or even -entertain, his pretensions as a lover; and he made a worthy and -successful effort to stifle in his breast the sentiment, which she had -inspired, that he might still enjoy the privilege of visiting at -Milverton as an intimate, and might attain to the happy and soothing -distinction of being her true and faithful friend:--this consolation -was already granted to his manly heart. Katharine saw and valued his -sterling qualities; and to no one in the whole circle of her -acquaintance were her manners more open, cordial, and confiding than -to George Juxon. - -It was a curious thing, that evening, to see with what a shy, -embarrassed air the noble Cuthbert, noble even in his errors, received -the silken, though forced and momentary, submission of the man, whose -savage anger had well nigh deprived him of life. No looker on, -ignorant of their peculiar relation to each other, at the first -interview, could have remotely guessed it from the manner or bearing -of either. - -The cheek of Sir Charles was indeed coloured by a deep, though -transient, stain of crimson, as he made his obeisance to Mistress -Katharine, and took her slowly extended hand,--but with Sir Oliver he -was quite at his ease immediately; not so, however, with Juxon, whose -presence a little disconcerted him throughout the evening. - -As the weather was, for the season, very open and mild, and as there -was a fine moon, it was soon arranged by Sir Oliver, that the party -from the Grange should sup at Milverton, and ride home by moonlight. -To Sir Oliver the reconciliation was most satisfactory; and as he saw -Cuthbert sitting at the table, as strong and healthy as before the -misfortune, and as he considered the name of Sir Charles completely -white-washed in society, by his duel with Sir Philip Arundel, he -dismissed all further thought about the ferocious crime which he -committed. It was now passed without the sad consequences which might -have followed--it was forgiven--it was already dwindling into very -insignificant proportions--and was soon to be altogether forgotten. - -After the pleasant customs of that time, when supper was ended, the -music books were introduced--the viol and lute were brought;--and an -hour, or more, was delightfully spent to the health and refreshment of -mind and body, in that familiar concert, where each person was -expected to sing the appointed part at first sight. Among the -permitted pleasures of our existence, those derived from the gift of -sweet sounds, and from the divine art of musical composition, may be -classed among the purest and most refined. - -They sung a few of the best madrigals of Orlando Gibbons, and Bird's -rich harmony--"My Mind to me a Kingdom is;"--and they closed with a -flowing glee for five voices, from Gibbons, entitled "The Silver -Swan." The summer parlour in which they sung had been found so warm -that the casements were half open, and the moonlight streamed in, -scarcely overpowered by the lamp, which stood upon the table, and but -dimly illuminated the oaken wainscot and ceiling. Except a whispered -word, to the one sitting next, on the richness of Bird's harmonies, or -on the delicate and sweet style of Orlando Gibbons, a long and silent -pause followed the evening's performance, and they seemed to be -enjoying again in memory what they had just made vocal. Suddenly there -stole upon them from among the trees, at a short distance, a simple -and soft melody of a most tender expression. It was the music of a -pipe or reed, but such as none of the party had ever heard before. The -tones were various,--now full and clear; now faint and exquisite; now -died away into a charmed stillness; now, again, they were heard slow, -chaste, and solemn, as if the burden of the air were some sacred hymn. -At last, after ravishing the ears of the astonished party, who stood -at the window, or leaned upon their chairs with mute attention, by -breathing forth airs of strange harmony, which none could distinctly -recognise, the invisible minstrel closed the magical prelude, in -heavenly and melancholy notes of surpassing sweetness, with the -favourite air of "Now, O now," by the famous Dowland, the well known -friend of the immortal William Shakspeare. Not one of the party -observed the sudden paleness and deep agitation of Katharine, while -the sweet notes of this beautiful air were sounding in their ravished -ears. All were silent, and most of them absorbed in still attention; -and Katharine sat back in the shadow of the apartment, so that her -countenance was hid. - -"Methinks it is a spirit," said Jane Lambert, with a smile. - -"Nay, if it be," observed Mistress Alice, "it is a good one, and has -been gently bred.--I am sure I felt quite sorry when the last air -ceased; and as for poor Master Cuthbert, I never saw any man so -affected by music before.--Do you not observe it, Katharine?" - -"I cannot wonder, because I know that Dowland is a great favourite -with him; and that air, played as it was, might affect a person less -easily moved than Master Cuthbert." - -"Well, Kate," said Sir Oliver, "after all, it is but some piping -stroller, perhaps, that is trudging it to Coventry fair; but, what -with moonshine and fancy, you are making an Orpheus of the -vagabond,--and I dare to say he would be well pleased to pipe a good -fat hen out of the fowl house." - -"Really, Sir Oliver," said Jane Lambert, "you old gentlemen are very -provoking:--you have a way of knocking down all castles in the air -with a crab-stick; and if we do now and then get lifted off plain -ground, you bring us down again with a vengeance. Now, even I, who am -not very romantic, was painting to myself some disconsolate bard of -noble presence, wandering about in sad banishment from the lady of -his love, and solacing his despair with the melody of this pipe, given -him, I am sure, by a magician." - -"Whoever he is," said Juxon, who with young Arthur had leaped from the -window and ran to the wood, coming to the open casement a few minutes -after, "he has certainly got the ring of Gyges; for there is not man -or animal in that open beechery; and if any one had run forth we must -have seen them in the close behind." - -"It may be, Juxon, he is perched in a tree, like your true -nightingale," said Sir Oliver. - -"Nay, we looked up into the branches carefully, but could discern -nothing: the birds at roost, though, had raised their heads from -beneath their wings, to listen to the strange chorister. In faith, he -is no common shepherd in clouted shoon, but a rare minstrel, such as -poets feign Apollo. Hush! listen again." - -Again, after a playful prelude, the invisible musician performed the -sweet air to which the song of Ariel in the Tempest was always sung. - -"Marry, Master Juxon," said Jane, "the precious songster mocks your -pains, and gives you fair challenge to renew your hunt; but I think -you might gather the night dew till cock-crow before you would find -him." - -Every one seemed spell-bound till the air was done, and Jane Lambert -spoke; but Juxon and Arthur now ran again to the beechery, and in a -few minutes returned without better success than before. - -"Well," said Jane Lambert, "we shall soon find out who it is that this -dainty spirit is come to honour; for if it be Sophy or me, we shall -have him flying with us on a bat's back all the way to the Grange; and -if it be you, dear Kate, you will have more music than sleep -to-night." - -Katharine was spared all reply by Sir Oliver gravely saying, "that he -remembered when he was a boy that beechery was said to be haunted, and -that whenever the white lady appeared it boded evil to the family at -Milverton." This old Philip had already mentioned to the servants, who -stood grouped at the gate of the court-yard on the right, but none of -whom had dared to venture down to the spot whence the music came, -though they had seen all which passed. - -Master Cuthbert ventured to observe, that the music was not like the -wailing of a ghost, which came as a forerunner of grief; nor was it of -such solemnity, that a spirit from heaven could take delight in it: -and he doubted not that the minstrel was plain flesh and blood; that -he had, probably, been arrested by the sounds of their little concert, -had amused himself by responding to them with his own pleasant -instrument, and had practised cleverly upon their curiosity by the -nimbleness with which he had evaded their search. But Sir Oliver shook -his head at this natural explanation of the mystery; and the Lamberts -and Juxon, after putting their lips to a stirrup cup of spiced wine, -took leave of their host, and the trampling of their horses soon died -away in the distance. - - - - -CHAP. XII. - - Why, alas! and are you he? - Be not yet those fancies changed? - SIDNEY. - - -To Katharine there had been no mystery: she could not doubt that the -invisible minstrel was her cousin Francis, and that he was again too -near for her peace or his own. - -Yet such is the sweet treachery of a loving heart, that she could not -be sad to know, that one so dearly, though so hopelessly, attached to -her, was perhaps within sight of the very window of her apartment, and -standing upon some spot where they had formerly walked together in -joy. Though resolved not to grant him more than one interview, and to -dissuade him from seeking any future opportunities of intercourse, she -could not but admit a natural feeling of delight, that she should -once more, though but for a few brief moments, look upon him, and -listen to his well remembered voice. In the solitude of her chamber -she found that relief and freedom of thought which her spirit needed: -her wakeful night was passed in reviewing former, and in shaping out -future scenes; but of this last exercise of the mind she soon grew -weary, for doubt hung over all her future prospects. It was about two -hours after midnight, and the house was quite still, when Katharine, -in a frame of mind that ill agreed with sleep and peace, arose, and -wrapped in her night robe leaned from the casement of her chamber, and -gazed out upon the fields and woods, and caught the sheen of the river -as it glided beneath the holy moon. The scene was calm, the air -serene, and her anxious spirit was soothed by contemplation. She -remained long at the window; and as she was retiring turned her eyes -to the left, where, beyond the Lime Walk, she could see the black -shade of her favourite cedar near the fish-pond. In the moonlight near -it she discerned the figure of a man walking slowly upon the grass. -Her heart beat quick in her bosom; she leaned her brow against the -wall: that surely was Francis. A projection of the building threw such -a shadow over her window, that her figure could not be seen, and -therefore she again looked forth and cast her eyes towards the cedar. -The figure near paced slowly backwards and forwards, occasionally -pausing for a minute or more, as if gazing at the house. Certainly it -was Francis. Forbidden all access to the mansion by the angry -prejudices of Sir Oliver, he had recourse to music to tell her of his -return. They had often watched the moonbeams together from the terrace -below; they had often been sheltered together beneath the broad arms -of that very cedar in the heats of noon, till, suddenly, as by -surprise, they loved and after shunned each other, from the sad -knowledge that the barriers to their union were many, were cold, and -were impassable. As all these after-thoughts crossed her noble mind, -she suffered herself to look upon her cousin where he kept his lonely -vigil, with that deep interest which must ever be inseparable from -that being in whose heart we know that our image is enshrined and -cherished. - -When the morning star shone brightly out the figure of Francis -suddenly disappeared. Katharine now withdrew from the casement; and, -exhausted by the various emotions, which had filled and troubled her -anxious bosom with apprehension and with delight, she threw herself on -her bed without taking off her robe, and slept so very long and -profoundly, that when she awoke she found Mistress Alice seated by her -side, with a look of affectionate alarm upon her kind face, and her -maid frightened and in tears. It was already high noon. Katharine, -however, knew nothing of the lapse of time; and imagining she might be -an hour later than usual, was raising herself up with some expression -about her strange fit of sleepiness, when her aunt put her hand gently -upon her, and bade her lie down again. "When Master Randal has seen -you, my dear," she said, "you shall be undressed, and have your bed -made, and be put to rest properly and with comfort. He is below, and -has been here this half hour, but he wished that your slumber should -not be broken." - -But the effort to rise had already shown Katharine the unwelcome -truth--she was in a high fever:--her head ached, her lips were -parched, her mouth was dry, her skin was burning. - -The good doctor was instantly summoned; and having examined her case -with very careful attention, directed that she should be confined to -her bed, and that her chamber should be kept dark and still. - -"It was a violent fever," he said, "which would probably, in another -stage, take an intermittent form;" but evidently, from the doctor's -manner, it was a case of danger, demanding great watchfulness and -skilful treatment. - -Promising Mistress Alice that his visits should be as frequent as -possible, he returned to Warwick at speed, accompanied by a servant, -who was to bring back the medicines prescribed. - -The trouble of Sir Oliver almost amounted to terror. His mind was by -no means superior to those fears which vulgar errors impose; and as, -in addition to the strange music of the evening before, he had that -very morning seen a hare cross the high road just before his horse's -feet, he augured no less a calamity than a fatal end to the sudden -illness of his beloved daughter. - -Cuthbert Noble, however, rose to the occasion; and though it is -certain that no individual in the family felt a more tender affection -and concern for Katharine Heywood than he did, yet he was enabled, by -a wise sympathy, to compose the fears and animate the hopes of Sir -Oliver, and indeed of an entire household; for a despondency fell upon -all, which the most comfortable arguments of plain reason and sound -religion did but imperfectly remove. - -For three days the life of Katharine Heywood was, in truth, in very -imminent danger, and the fever was of that malignant nature which -defied all ordinary treatment: but as the doctor was a man of great -decision and boldness in his practice, and, at the same time, one who -committed all events with humility and simplicity to the will of God, -he fought bravely with the disease; and after the third night of -patient watching and vigorous experiments, he subdued it so far that -he could announce to Sir Oliver the safety of his daughter. The crisis -was passed; but her weakness was great, and her recovery very gradual. -For the first three days of her attack she was almost without -consciousness; but though her head became light, and her mind was -confused, she uttered nothing in her wanderings which attracted the -particular notice of Mistress Alice, or any of her attendants, or in -the least betrayed the secret of her heart. - -Meanwhile Francis Heywood, in ignorance of the sad condition of his -cousin Katharine, endured all the agony of a suspicion that he was at -once neglected and scorned by her who had been the vision of his -lonely hours of labour in a remote plantation, and who, as the very -star of his destiny, had led him back again to the land in which she -dwelt, as a land of promise. Liberty was his watchword; and it is true -that when letters spoke so confidently of a civil war as inevitable, -he obtained his father's permission to return to England, that he -might join his patriotic countrymen in their contention for the rights -of civil and religious liberty. Nor was this a mere pretext for escape -from the tame drudgery of colonial life,--the cause of freedom was -sacred in his sight, and was precious to his heart. He came to draw -the sword, and bare his bosom in the battle. He had a life to offer on -the altar of duty, and he joyously brought the willing sacrifice; but -yet there lay at the bottom of his heart one bright, one good hope. He -might be lifted, by the fortunes of this war, to renown, to rank, to -fortune; he might survive all its chances; he might see peace and -happiness restored:--the present relations between himself and his -wealthy uncle might be greatly altered; the old prejudices against him -might at last give way, and the crowning reward of all his honours and -his fortunes might be the hand of Katharine. This was his dream by -day--this was his dream by night:--like some chaste and solemn star, -seen brightly shining in solitary and calm glory at the extremity of a -narrow and gloomy valley, darkened by the shadows of lofty mountains, -so the majestic loveliness of his cousin Katharine, irradiated by all -her virtues, shone out beyond the cloudy path of blood and peril, as -the blissful end and rest of all his labours. - -He had not passed a night of such rapture since he last parted from -his cousin as that on which he reached Milverton, and the whole of -which he mused away within sight of the mansion that contained the -noble object of his attachment. - -Although he was fully persuaded that he should be recognised by -Katharine as the wandering musician, yet he was in doubt whether she -would afford him an immediate opportunity of meeting her alone; -therefore he prepared an earnest appeal to her, in characters which, -though enigmatical to others, would, he well knew, be readily -understood by herself. The moon shone that night with so clear a -brightness, that he had no sort of difficulty in executing his design. -He made a slight fancy sketch, on a small piece of paper, of a setting -sun; he introduced the cedar in the fore-ground, and in one corner he -wrote, in a small hand, the Italian word "implora:" on the back of -this paper he faintly sketched a dial-plate, the shadow touching the -figure of seven in the evening. He placed this between the leaves of a -copy of Spenser's "Fairy Queen," which he found upon the seat, and -which he remembered to have been the garden companion of his fair -cousin in former days. When, on the following evening, the sun had -set, and the silver light of the moon touched all objects with the -hues of peace, Francis repaired to the appointed spot with eager -steps, and in confident hope that he should once more behold her for -whom he had all that tender reverence which angelic purity could alone -inspire. He seated himself beneath the well-known tree, and saw with -pleasure that the book had been taken away. Katharine, then, had -received his "implora," and she would not--she could not--disappoint -him, and deny his prayer. The long delay of her coming perplexed him; -and, after an hour of anxious waiting, every succeeding minute was -insupportably slow, and weighty with sadness. He left and resumed his -seat with restless discomposure; he paced the neighbouring bank; he -went into the Lime Walk, to watch for the first glimpse of her distant -form; at last, as he was approaching the cedar tree, with his eyes -bent on the ground, he for the first time observed a fragment of paper -lying near the trunk:--he took it up--it was a part of his note; it -had been torn in halves, and trodden in the dust; it was divided at -the very word "implora." The change of his feeling was, for the -moment, terrible. All that he had read or heard of the pride, the -caprice, and inconstancy of woman, rushed upon his memory to -strengthen his black suspicions, and inflame his sudden indignation. -But this rage was very soon exhausted, and was succeeded by a sorrow -weak as that of infants. He did not weep,--but a few hot tears slowly -gathered at long intervals, and fell heavily on the earth. And then he -railed upon himself, and defended her neglect of him. - -"It was that accursed music: she ever scorned such fanciful and -romantic folly:--how dared I to expect that she, whose words and ways -are open as the clear sunshine of noon, should come in the shadows of -evening, with silent footsteps, to a secret meeting with such an -outcast as me--one who may not ring the bell of his kinsman's gate -with better hope than that of rude dismissal? It is all well, -Katharine, and yet I loved you loyally, and still will love you: of -that privilege none can rob me. Like yon planet above me, you are a -common blessing, for which the comforted pilgrim in this thorny -wilderness glances his eye upward to the bounteous heavens, and thanks -his God." - -Another, but a gloomier, vigil in the grounds of Milverton was thus -passed by Francis; and again, when the dawn approached, he withdrew, -and retired to a small hostelry in the suburbs of Warwick, where for -his better concealment he had taken up his lodging. Here, however, -some relief, if such it could be called, was awaiting him; for as he -lay reposing on his bed, tired, yet unable to sleep, he overheard the -following dialogue between his hostess and a passer by:-- - -"Hast thou heard the bad news from Milverton, dame?" said the latter. - -"No; I have not seen my girl a week come to-morrow." - -"Eh, dear, don't you be frighted for your Ruth, but they've got the -fever there quite bad. Master Randal, the 'pothecary, was over there -three times yesterday, and all last night." - -"Lord, goody, what shall I do? I must go: my poor dear child is so -delicate for taking of fever, she will be sure to catch it. Who is it -that ha got it? is it the old gentleman, or Mistress Alice?" - -"No, God be merciful to her, 't is that dear, kind, blessed young -lady, Mistress Katharine; and they are all in a great take on about -her; for they say that the very night before she was took bad, her -poor dear mother's ghost was seen on the terrace by moonlight, and -sung beautiful, and for all every body was so frighted, yet they say -it was like as if an angel had come down out of heaven; and they say, -it is a sure sign that Mistress Katharine will die, and go happy." - -There is nothing more strange than the peculiar character of the -selfishness of love--but it is ever the same. Francis felt a deep, a -true, an anxious concern for the illness of Katharine: he was keenly -afflicted with self-reproach at the thought that she might perhaps -have been so disturbed by his sudden and strange announcement of his -return as to have been made nervous and unwell. But this sorrow, ay, -and the very apprehension of her death, (which feeling, however, he -did not share,) would have been more endurable than the thought that -he was forgotten, neglected, and scorned by one whom his soul held -dear. However, he was, in his own judgment, persuaded that her -illness, and all the circumstances attending it, were much exaggerated -by those superstitious fears of the household, for which he could -himself so very easily account. Descending, therefore, from his -chamber, while the old gossips were continuing their talk, he took -occasion, as soon as her neighbour had passed on, to urge his hostess -to lose no time in going to inquire after her daughter; observing that -he had often heard of the family at Milverton, and could not but feel -a hope that the lady of whom they spoke would soon recover. - -"Precious angel," said the old woman: "I don't know why we should wish -it, I am sure, except it be for the sake of others; for there was -never a body fitter for heaven than that dear young lady." - -It was with keen anguish that, upon the return of his poor hostess in -the afternoon, he learned that the life of Katharine was really in -danger. At sunset he took his cloak, and passed the night in a -position near the wood, from whence he could command the curtained -window of the sufferer, and watch the dim light within, and those -gloomy shadows which, as nurse or attendant slowly crossed the -chamber, occasionally obscured it. - -His was a mind in which hope was ever anticipating enjoyment, or fear -meeting and realising the dreaded misfortune. Now, therefore, with the -lamp of a sick room burning faint before him, and with scenery around -all silvery and spiritual, lying hushed and calm in a silence solemn -as the grave, and yet sweet and peaceful as that of heaven, he -resigned himself to the belief that Katharine was dying, or, rather, -was departing to the abode of blessed spirits. He grew reconciled to -the thought. No clouds of terror darkened it; and, as her pale image -arose distinctly before his mind's eye, he became elevated with the -sentiment of her sure and celestial happiness; and there was a feeling -of ecstasy in the idea that he might cherish his love for her, as a -sacred thing, for ever. - -Again, on the following night, he lay enfolded in his cloak, or leaned -against a distant tree, or paced like a sentinel his lonely round, -with his eyes fixed on the light in Katharine's chamber, and his -meditations were sweet. But how tenderly he had been rocked in the -cradle of sorrow, and how willingly he had allowed the true state of -his own heart to be hidden from himself by fancied consolations, was -evident, when, on returning from his watch upon the third morning, he -learned from his hostess that the doctor had come home very early, -and said, that the dear lady was out of danger. He had just command -enough over his feelings not to betray to her that he took a private -and deep interest in her intelligence; but, rushing up to his room, -his hopes, his fears, his grief, his joy, his gratitude, gushed forth -from his pent-up bosom in a flood of silent tears. He wept upon his -knees. - - - - -CHAP. XIII. - - What man was he talked with you? - _Much Ado about Nothing._ - - -It was not till the crisis of danger was already past that the illness -of Katharine became known at Bolton Grange, or at Old Beech. - -Jane Lambert was no sooner apprised of it than she hastened to her -friend, and insisted, with all the devotion and tenderness of a -sister, on being permitted to divide with Mistress Alice the duties of -her present charge. - -Katharine loved Jane, and was comforted to have her seated near her, -and was soothed by her affection: it was evident, however, to the -latter, that something weighed heavily upon the spirits of her friend, -and that the feelings of hope and the clear promise of recovery, did -not impart to her all the gratitude and cheerfulness which might be -naturally expected in the pleasant dawn of convalescence. - -She had not been many days at Milverton when an incident occurred -which discovered the cause of her anxiety. - -As Jane was looking from the window in the afternoon, and remarking to -Katharine on the beautiful effect of the low autumn lights, she -observed the figure of a man with folded arms leaning near a tree in -the beechery, and she playfully exclaimed, "That must certainly be the -musical ghost, which played so sweetly, and brought us all such bad -luck, and frightened every body in Milverton House but your dear self, -and the grave Master Cuthbert:--how I should like to have the -treacherous creature caught." - -"Dear lady," said Katharine's maid, "how can you talk so boldly?--why -nobody can catch a spirit. It is only air." - -"I have a notion, good lass," replied Jane, "that it is very proper -flesh and blood, and if I were a man, and not a maid, would try my -speed with it, and bring it to parley. I should like to hear the -voice of it, or see its face, and tell it of all the mischief it has -done." - -"Well-a-day! what a heart you have, lady! There is not one in the -kitchen but stout Richard would venture that; and though he could not -find any thing the other day when he followed it, he's obstinate as a -mule, and says it's no ghost, but a young gallant that's under hiding -at my mother's, in Warwick Liberties; but there is nobody thinks with -him at Milverton." - -"Well, then, I am of Richard's way of thinking, in part:--it is a tall -man; but whether young, and whether under hiding, I know not." - -"Why, there is a gentleman under hiding at my mother's, sure enough, -and one that knows my lady, as she says, and was quite glad when he -heard that she first began to mend." - -"Ruth," said Katharine, raising her head from the pillow, "if you will -go and make me some fresh barley water, I think I shall like it better -than this fever drink." The wish was no sooner expressed than her maid -vanished to do her bidding, and Katharine and her friend Jane were -left by themselves. - -"Jane," said the invalid, "come and sit by me: I have something to -tell you, and I have to ask of you a very strange favour. I desired to -relieve my heart of its burden, but have hitherto delayed it. You -know, Jane, that I love you, and that I have confidence in your -attachment to me; but if it were not for my present helplessness, -which compels me to engage your service as a true friend, whose good -sense and firm principles I can safely trust, the subject which I am -about to speak of would never have passed my lips even to you. The -gentleman of whom they speak is my cousin Francis. He it was who so -perplexed and alarmed the family with his mysterious music, and who -still, I fear, haunts the same spot in silence and anxiety." - -"Your cousin Francis!--why, dear Kate, I thought he was in America!" - -"And I myself thought so until the night when he made his return known -to me in tones which I could not mistake, and the meaning of which I -but too well understood." - -"I have been long aware, Katharine, that he loved you." - -"You have, I believe, already discerned it. Alas! it is true--fatally -for his own happiness and for mine;--but, Jane, have you courage for -the task which I would impose upon you?" - -"Yes, Kate: you can ask me nothing too hard for me, if I can only feel -that I do what may comfort you." - -"Well, Jane, you must contrive to see my cousin Francis; to deliver to -him a note from me with your own hands, and to urge his immediate -departure from this neighbourhood. Now, love, bring me those small -tablets and paper, and support me while I write the few words which I -would say." - -It was a sight for pity to see that noble damsel, her back propped by -pillows, and the arm of her young friend tenderly supporting her, -trace in silence and with a nervous hand the few lines which were to -banish from the neighbourhood of Milverton her worthy and devoted -lover. - -The task was soon done; and with the care as of a mother Jane Lambert -again arranged the pillows for the aching head of Katharine; and the -pale sufferer sunk back exhausted into the recumbent posture, and -heaved a sigh so sad, that the eyes of Jane filled with thick tears. -She averted her head to wipe them away, that they might not distress -her friend, and putting the unsealed billet in her bosom, left the -chamber with a thoughtful step, to do her very delicate and difficult -office. She went to her own room, and taking a dark mantle with a -hood, such as was the common church-going and street costume of women -of the respectable middle classes of that period, she threw it across -her arm, and walked through the Lime Walk, and by the fish ponds, to a -small gate at the farther end of the grounds, by which she could gain -a footpath that led across the fields to Warwick. She had no sooner -passed the gate than she put on her cloak, and passing the hood over -her head, that she might muffle and conceal her features, if she met -any one, she proceeded towards the city. It was about four o'clock in -the afternoon, and the sky was lowering and cloudy. She was anxious -about her strange mission, and settling in her mind what she should do -when she reached the hostelry, whither she was now bending her steps, -and how she should contrive the interview with Francis, when the sound -of steps very closely following suddenly startled her: the very object -of her search had overtaken her, and was already at her side. At -first, however, she was not aware of this, although the circumstance -of this passenger being muffled, as closely as herself, awakened her -suspicions of the truth, and forbade the alarm she would otherwise -have felt at finding herself in a very lonely part of the pathway in -such company. He did not stop when he overtook her, but went a few -steps onward, as if to re-assure her before he ventured to speak. He -crossed a stile and walked some paces without turning his head, till -she had also crossed it; when loitering a little, till she was close -to him, he stepped aside from the path, and gently put a question that -very directly introduced them to each other, and gave Jane the ready -opportunity of delivering her note, and fulfilling the further wishes -of her dear Katharine. - -"You are from Milverton House, as I think, damsel?" - -"Even so, master," replied Jane. - -"Is the noble young mistress better to-day?" - -"I thank God she is; but it will be long ere she be quite well again." - -"She is out of all pain, I hope?" - -"Yes, she hath no bodily pain, save that which arises from weakness; -and for such pain of mind as disquiets her it may be, in great part, -removed by yourself, Master Francis." - -Thus saying, she threw back her hood, and Francis, who had before -discovered his own features, recognised those of Jane Lambert. "I bear -you a note from your cousin Katharine," she added, as he started at -her utterance of his name. She drew it forth from her bosom, and -placed it in his hand. He turned from her that he might read it -without observation; but Jane could see by his action that he kissed -it, and pressed it to his heart. With a glance it was perused, and -then again and again; and with a bent head and staggering step he -moved a few paces from Jane, and spoke in tones of anguish to himself -words which she could not distinguish. At last, collecting himself, he -returned towards the fair messenger of his Katharine, with a manly -composure, and said, "Tell my beloved cousin that I will obey; that -her wish is as a law to me: how could she dream that I would suffer -the words of any one to outweigh her own?--but, she tells me that you -are her devoted and faithful friend, and that to you I may safely -intrust the object of my return, and the news of my father. There is, -indeed, one subject on which she forbids me to speak even to herself; -therefore my answer may be brief enough. My father is well:--all her -kinsfolk in the Plantations are well, and free, and happy. For the -object of my sudden return--it is the love of my country--a love that -will not accept a divided heart; and yet the other love that lay -enshrined beside it, was pure, was noble, was worthy such alliance, -has filled my thoughts by day, has blessed the visions of my lonely -nights. Tell Katharine she hath used me hardly--no, no, do not tell -her that--not hardly--say that she bids me do something I cannot do--I -am not of her order--forget her I never can--she is with me wherever I -go--in all things that I do I think of her--and still must, if I -would have fair and noble thoughts to bear me company." - -"Such things, Master Francis, I may not carry to her ear. There is -about her a reserve so maidenly and grave, she would chide her own -messenger for proving so unfaithful;--but I may tell her that your -father is well; that loyalty hath brought you home; and that you will -quit these parts instantly--for that it is, methinks, she most -earnestly requests of you." - -"Even so: on that she is most urgent--cruel Katharine." - -"Say, rather, wise, dutiful, loyal Katharine." - -"Loyal, loyal!--that is a word of many imports. I, too, am loyal, and -will learn to love the word:--mind you tell her that I am loyal." - -"Can I truly tell her so?" - -"Yes, truly:--but enough of this, fair girl,--go back to her who sent -thee--wait, you are her friend--you nurse her--come, let me look into -thine eyes--give me thy hand--on my knees I kiss it--her cheek is -pale--I know it is--it must be--go touch it with thy hand, and offer -there the chaste cold homage of my sorrow. You see that I am sad, -lady--go--bless you--you are weeping:--how is this, girl?--be not so -childish--a friend of Katharine's should not be weak--I, you see, am -calm and strong--my hand does not tremble--and these eyes are -dry--methinks my heart is frozen--tell her so." - -Jane Lambert stood fixed as a statue while he thus spoke; and as she -watched him walking fast away, she felt, for the first time in her -life, what it must be to have a lover, and to be the supreme object of -such a man's affection. Her cheek was stained with tears--her face -flushed with agitation--her whole air disordered and absent. She -followed with her eyes the tall figure of Francis, till a turn in the -pathway hid him from her view, and then walked slowly back to -Milverton. - -In the very first field she met George Juxon, and it was evident to -her, from his manner, as he stopped and spoke to her, that he must -have witnessed, at least, the close of her interview with Francis. -There was a surprise in his look, and something of embarrassment, as -he shook her by the hand, and asked if she was well; but he did not -seem to expect any particular reply, nor indeed did he offer to return -with her to the house, though she was but too conscious that her -faintness and discomposure might have naturally invited such an -attention. Observing, coldly, that he had some business at a builder's -yard in Warwick, but that he should return to sup and sleep at -Milverton, he leisurely pursued his path to the city. - -Jane's heart gave way to the multitude of troublous and perplexing -thoughts which now beset her; and leaning near a friendly tree, she -found a momentary relief in a passionate flood of warm tears. - -Her trial was strange. The feelings which had been excited were -altogether new to her; and the effect of the interview with -Katharine's devoted cousin, combined with the cross and perplexing -incident of her meeting with Juxon so immediately after, as to make it -certain that he had seen her part from Francis Heywood, had very -naturally overcome the ordinary courage and the cheerful composure of -her character. - -She had witnessed, in the agitated Francis, the emotions of love. The -sentiment, which thus shook him, she had never yet inspired--she had -never felt for any one. Such love had been to her the poet's fable; -but it would never again be so deemed of by her;--and something that -made her heart throb and ache within her told truly the want of that -heart, and unsealed a fountain of affection ready to overflow upon any -being in whom she might be fortunate enough to find the noble -qualities of a manly heart, and the gentle ways and genuine fervours -of an ardent lover. - -It was a cruel thought that she must now be subject to suspicions, if -not of lightness, yet of a secret attachment and stolen interviews -with the object of it. Nor was the oppression of this thought at all -weakened by the reflection that George Juxon, the very man whose good -opinion she most valued, had seen her in a situation, and under -circumstances, which he could not by any possibility interpret truly, -and which her duty to Katharine forbade her to explain, however -deeply her own character or happiness might suffer. In one short hour -she had gathered an experience that filled her with wonder, and had -incurred a suspicion that subjected her to censure and threatened her -with misery. The consciousness of innocence could not restore to her -the respect of Juxon, nor exempt her from the severe penalties with -which the levity and imprudence of the thoughtless of her own sex are -ever silently visited by the other, when some painful discovery of a -woman's guile chills and revolts them. - -However in her case, the judgment of Juxon had not been harsh; but, of -course, when he saw a man upon his knees before her--when he -considered the loneliness of their place of interview--the cloaks -evidently worn for disguise--and the agitated and discomposed -appearance of Jane Lambert--he, at once, decided that she was -betrothed to a lover, whom for fear or for shame she dared not openly -avow. - -He had truly liked Jane, for her spirit, her sense, and, above all, -for her devotion to Katharine Heywood; and his liking might soon have -grown to a manly love,--but the flow of his admiration was now -suddenly checked and frozen, and he whistled "Woman's a Riddle" all -the way to Warwick and back again. - - - - -CHAP. XIV. - - O how full of briars is this working-day world! - _As you Like it._ - - -As soon as the affectionate Jane had entirely recovered her -self-possession, she left her chamber, and repaired to Katharine. It -was the dark evening hour of autumn, and there was no light in the -room of the invalid but that emitted from the glowing embers on the -hearth. Jane seated herself by the bedside, and, taking the hand of -Katharine, gently pressed it, and said,-- - -"My dear Kate, I have done all that you wished; and I have sped well." - -"You have, then, seen Francis?" - -"Yes; I put your note into his own hands. He was much affected; but he -promised obedience to your wishes at once." - -Katharine gave a sigh, and turned her face to the wall. There was a -short pause of silence before Jane proceeded:-- - -"He bade me tell you that his father and your kinsfolk in America are -well; and that the immediate object of his return is the love of his -country." - -"Ah, Jane! I know what that means. I remember too well all the warm -and bitter words that passed between my father and his on that -subject. Would he had stayed in the peaceful Plantations! The ocean -between us was not a wider separation than the gulf that divides party -from party at home; besides, Jane, he is deluded: they will play upon -his generous nature,--they will make a traitor of him. Rebellion is as -the sin of witchcraft. Would he had stayed abroad!" - -"I must not forget, Katharine, to tell you that he strictly charged me -to say that he was loyal. 'It is a word,' said he, 'of many -imports:'--mind you tell her that I am loyal.'--No, dear Katharine, -his is no traitor's heart: he may be on the wrong side of the -quarrel, but he is the King's true subject at the bottom." - -"Hush! Jane; whisper not these dangerous words,--there is deceit in -them. The soul's enemy finds each of us treacherous enough in will, -and crooked enough in judgment, without the weak and indulgent folly -of our friends. Be true to me,--be English, Jane:--I love you passing -well." - -Jane kissed her pale cheek; and there was another pause. At last -Katharine said, in a very low voice,-- - -"How was Cousin Francis looking? Is he in health?" - -"His complexion is more brown, and he has less colour than formerly; -his countenance, too, is very grave--almost sad; yet there is a steady -fire in his eyes; and he is as graceful and as strong as ever. But for -his late care and watching, I should say he was better in health than -when he left Milverton for America." - -"He was not hurt at my note, I hope,--was he, Jane? Speak truly." - -"Not hurt; but disappointed, certainly. However, he is noble and -sensible, and saw that it was right." - -"You think so." - -"I am sure of it, by his manner." - -"Do you think he will go away directly?" - -"Yes; perhaps he is already gone. I could see in the firm and resolute -step with which he walked away from me that his decision was taken." - -"Then it was not at the hostelry that you saw him? Where did you meet -him?" - -Jane now detailed, in part, the circumstances of their interview, as -already related; suppressing all mention of the passionate words and -gestures of Francis, and any notice of her having been seen in his -company by Juxon. It had been the first intention of Jane to proceed -to the house of Ruth's mother, on whose protection she could depend, -and to wait there till Francis, who she doubted not was the lodger -spoken of, should return thither; for, before Jane left Milverton -House, Francis had already disappeared from the Beechery. It would be -easy to invent some plausible excuse to Ruth's mother for her visit -to Warwick; and, having contrived her interview with Francis as if by -accident, to return to Milverton, if belated till dusk, under the old -woman's escort. But this plan was rendered unnecessary by the -circumstance of Francis overtaking Jane upon her way to the city. - -"My dear affectionate girl," said Katharine to her sweet friend, "how -much, how very much, I thank you:--kiss me, dear, and leave me to -compose myself, if I can, to sleep." - -But sleep was impossible in her frame of mind at that moment:--it was -solitude she needed, that she might meditate and weep alone. However, -there was a high sound principle ever at work in her bosom; so that a -little solitary and prayerful reflection never failed to restore the -calmness of her mind, and the strength of her resolutions. - -The spirit of Jane Lambert was of another sort; and, restored to the -privacy of her own chamber, she gave a free vent to the sorrow and -anxiety which she had so courageously suppressed before Katharine. - -When she descended to the hall to supper, and all the party were -assembled, she remarked or fancied that George Juxon expressly avoided -seating himself near her; and, after asking her one or two questions -about the progress of Katharine's recovery, he addressed her no more. - -Her pride was a little wounded to observe that he was in high and -careless spirits, and became quite the life of the table. Cuthbert, -too, was, for him, unusually cheerful. Sir Oliver seemed in great good -humour; and the boy Arthur was radiant with delightful and joyous -anticipations of the new world, which an entrance at Oxford would open -before him. Literary and characteristic anecdotes of distinguished and -eccentric scholars of both universities, in times past as well as -present, enlivened the social meal; and though but a very thin -partition separated the subjects of university discipline from those -of church polity and state government, neither were introduced that -evening. - -Jane thought that she had never before discerned so clearly the fine -qualities of Juxon;--his sound but charitable judgment, his accurate -memory, the kindliness of his nature, and the playfulness of his -stories, at once charmed and depressed her. She wished to leave the -table; yet still she lingered on, listening and irresolute; and the -proposal to retire was first made by Mistress Alice. - -An avowed contempt for the opinion of the many is not inconsistent -with a very earnest and anxious regard for the judgment of the few -whom we chance to admire and esteem. The dear, high-spirited girl, who -thought herself above the censure of the world, and indifferent to its -voice, was now, though clear from the slightest reproach of -conscience, agonised with apprehensions lest she should have forfeited -the respect of George Juxon. When, at a later hour, the household was -assembled for the evening service, and the prayers were reverently -read by Juxon, her heart beat in her bosom so quick and loud as to be -audible to Cuthbert Noble, who kneeled near her. As soon as they rose, -he regarded her with a look of such compassionate inquiry, that Jane, -fearing he was about to question her concerning her health, and not -daring to trust herself with a reply, abruptly left the apartment. - -Juxon had himself observed her flushed cheek and her disturbed -manners, and began to entertain very serious alarm for her. How far -his duty as a friend, and, above all, as a Christian minister, -authorised him to seek acquaintance with the nature and extent of -those secret engagements of Jane Lambert, which he could not but fear, -from her evident agitation, were at variance with plain principle and -prudence, it was not easy for him to resolve. He truly liked her -frank, generous, and inartificial character. He knew full well that in -her brother she had neither a kind, a careful, or a wise guardian. It -was surely wrong to stand upon the brink of a whirlpool, and see any -one drawn down to ruin, whom it was in our power, if not to save, at -least to admonish of the danger. His mind instantly reverted to the -noble Katharine as the proper channel through which his manly and -benevolent warnings might be safely conveyed with delicacy and -effect. But many days might yet elapse ere the opportunity of a -conversation with Katharine might occur; for she was confined not only -to her chamber, but to her bed. Should he venture to hint his fears to -herself? Yes: if she was the character he yet hoped to find her, it -would be taken well; if not, it would matter very little in what light -she viewed his disinterested service. - -On the following morning, soon after breakfast, he saw Jane Lambert by -herself in the Lime Walk, and he joined her. - -She looked surprised and embarrassed; and he was not without a fear -that his presence at that moment was inconvenient and irksome, and -very possibly prevented her going forth to an interview with her lover -in the very same fields where he had met her the evening before. - -However, from the very fear he took courage; and, after the common -salutations and usual words about the garden and the weather had -passed, he broke the subject thus:-- - -"Mistress Jane, you are too little acquainted with the world for your -own happiness, or rather, for your security,--may a friend say this -without offending you?" - -"A friend may say any thing to me, Master Juxon, that a damsel may not -blush to hear." - -"I understand you--I must say no more--and yet I meant you well." - -"But good intentions do often tread upon the foot just where it is -most tender." - -"Well, lady, enough: I will spare your maiden blushes; only remember, -of our sex, that he doth always act most openly who is most loyal." - -"Loyal! Master Juxon, what mean you? Did you then so far forget -yourself as to follow and trace out the gentleman whom you last -evening stood watching as he parted from me?--I do not understand -you." - -"Mistress Jane, you should have known me better;--so far from watching -your interview with the strange gentleman with whom I saw you, it was -to avoid intrusion that I waited in the adjoining close till you -parted from him, and would have gone back again altogether, but for -the great circuit and the business which I had in Warwick." - -"You saw us part, then?" - -"Yes, to my wonder, and to my sorrow that my eyes had caught an action -meant only for your own. Lady, forgive the word; but at lovers' oaths -forget not that Cupid laughs:--may Jane Lambert never be won by any -suitor who does not openly woo her!" - -"Amen to your kind wish, Master Juxon--so be it:--I know what you -think, and am sorry, but I cannot help it;--however, you are not my -father confessor, nor do I ever wish to have one." - -"True, lady; but though not your confessor, I am your friend, your -true and bold friend, or I should never have dared to utter what I -have done. I can have no object in these hints but your best and -highest interest: that which I have noticed to yourself I shall never -mention to any other, except, perhaps, to Katharine Heywood, from -whose lips whatever falls is wise and noble." - -"O! not to her--name not this idle matter to her. Promise me, Juxon, -that you will not breathe a syllable about it to her. I shall be more -unhappy if you do than I am already." - -"Alas! you are then unhappy, and would shun the best help and -consolation which friendship would provide for you. No, this I cannot -promise; on the contrary, I am only confirmed in the propriety of my -intention." - -"Well, I implore you again, and earnestly, not to speak upon this -subject to Katharine. As you value my peace of mind, be silent upon it -to all: there is a mystery about it I may not unfold. I know that -appearances are against me: I am sorry for your hard thoughts, but I -must bear them. I could wish to explain these cross circumstances to -you, but am not free to do so without violating a sacred duty. Promise -me that you will meet my wish." Thus saying, she put her hand upon his -arm, and looked into his face with wet and beseeching eyes. "Juxon, -you have always been plain and true, and friendly to me; and though I -and my perplexities ill deserve your interest or care, promise me -that you will not name them to dear Katharine." - -For a moment Juxon was affected by the wild earnestness of her manner; -and he thought he had never seen more heart or feeling in the -expression of a human countenance than in the flushed face of Jane -Lambert. - -"Well, Mistress Jane, you are so urgent, that I must promise to obey -your will; but it grieves me to see you thus sadly troubled. May God -help you, and guide you, and guard you, and keep you from evil, that -it may not grieve you! Your secret is safe with me." - -"And shall I lose your friendship?" - -"No, lady, never: would only that it may have worth sufficient in your -eyes to be used aright!" - -"Believe me, I shall never forget it, and I will never do aught to -forfeit such a treasure;"--so saying, she hurried away, with tears in -her eyes, and left him absorbed in a state of feeling which cannot be -described. - -The more he thought of what he had witnessed the evening before, and -the more he considered the conversation which had just passed, the -more satisfied he was that Jane Lambert was secretly betrothed to some -one whom she dared not openly acknowledge as her lover. It was also -plain, that, for some powerful reason, she had not confided the secret -of this attachment even to Katharine, who was her bosom friend. He had -comfort in remembering that nothing could be more respectful than the -action of the stranger, when he kissed her hand at parting; and -combining this with her own honest looks and proud though mysterious -expressions, he was satisfied that, up to the present moment, she had -taken no irrevocable step. There was, moreover, a warm strength in her -last words, that assured him his friendly cautions were not thrown -away, and that his motives were not misinterpreted. Upon the whole, he -was justified, to his own mind, in what he had done; and his thoughts -rested upon the character of Jane with greater interest than it had -ever before excited in him. - -"How very generous and devoted would be the love of such a girl," -said he to himself: "what a proud spirit, what an affectionate heart, -she has; what a fire there is in her fine eyes--I never before saw her -look half so beautiful:--it is clear that they have been lighted up by -love:--well, God grant that the man of her choice may be worthy of -it!" - -He now sauntered slowly back to the house; and entering the library, -found Cuthbert Noble sitting alone, and making extracts from an old -folio volume. - -"You see," said the young tutor, "I am making preparations for my -departure from Milverton; but thus I may innocently suck honey from -the hives of Sir Oliver, without robbing him, or those who come after -him, of the smallest portion of such sweets as they contain." - -"And what may be your study?" said Juxon, as he came up to the table, -and looked over him. - -"A curious work," replied Cuthbert, "containing the most remarkable -pieces of John Huss, together with his life--imprinted in the last -century at Augsburg." - -"Friend Cuthbert, you are too constant in these serious and solemn -studies and speculations." - -"Master Juxon," answered the pale youth, "they are every thing or they -are nothing." - -"Verily, for my part I think divine truth is as clear and glorious as -the sun in the firmament; and to warm ourselves, and to walk in the -light of it, is better wisdom than to read so many commentaries and -discourses upon it." - -"May we not sometimes lie indolently warming ourselves by a fire of -our own, and fancy it as comfortable as basking in the sun? Walking in -the light is no such easy matter; and in my case I find that the -words, and, above all, the examples, of those who have earnestly -contended for the truth, as so many outstretched and helping hands to -assist me in climbing the hill." - -"What hill?" - -"The high hill, Master Juxon, where the reformers and martyrs of past -times have left the print of their blessed footsteps." - -"Cuthbert, I see that you are in earnest, that you are sincere; but -you are on a road beset by enemies, to the full as dangerous as those -on any other. Pride may be waiting to assail you,--spiritual pride, -the worst of all enemies: you want to do something; you would unlock -heaven's gates by some great performance:--remember its arches are so -low that none can enter them who crawl not on their knees:--the little -child's is the appointed stature for all believers." - -"That, indeed, is true--it is a solemn truth; but there are beasts to -be fought with, Juxon, and the stern combat is at hand. It is upon -this I think by day, on this I dream by night." - -"So much the worse: you are commanded, in many senses, to 'take no -thought for the morrow;' and in none is it more your duty to obey the -precept than in waiting the events of the coming day in quietness and -in confidence: you conjure up shadows that you may fight with them." - -"Nay, but you wrong my judgment:--to you they may so seem; but my eye -can see the black and dismal realities beyond, which reflect these -shadows." - -"Well, Cuthbert, it is vain to talk with you on these subjects:--on -all others you are so clear and reasonable, that I shall always -remember our intercourse with pleasure. I hear that there is a new -arrangement, and that you do not wait to accompany Arthur to Oxford; -but that you leave Milverton next week, therefore, very probably, I -shall not see you again till your departure. Farewell, friend: my best -and warmest wishes for your happiness will always accompany you. I -shall ever be happy to hear of or from you, and be delighted to meet -you again." - -With these words he put out his hand to Cuthbert, who grasped it -eagerly, and struggled for a reply in vain. - -The parting had taken him totally by surprise:--the thought of all -Juxon's friendly and kind services, of all his frank and endearing -qualities, came up, with a rush before his fancy, and choked his -utterance. The strong pressure of Cuthbert's hand, and the slowness -with which he released that of Juxon, told the latter all that he -would have said; and, as the door closed behind his departing friend, -Cuthbert sank back into his seat, and, resting his head with hidden -face upon the table, remained for several minutes silent and -motionless. - - - - -CHAP. XV. - - Religious contention is the devil's harvest. - - _Old Proverb._ - - -To every member of the family at Milverton House Cuthbert had said -farewell, when he retired to his chamber on the night before the -morning fixed for his departure. He had taken leave of Mistress -Katharine, in the presence of her aunt Alice and Jane Lambert, with a -grave self-command which had surprised himself; and, as he left her -room, he lifted his heart to Heaven in thanksgiving for the help of -that strength which he had so earnestly implored in the privacy of his -closet. - -But when he was alone for the last wakeful vigil in the apartment in -which he had passed so many a sleepless night the image of Katharine -looked in upon his solitude, and, for a time, re-asserted all its -power over his heart. - -He had just parted, and, probably for ever, with her who had been to -him, for many months, the angel of the scene. These months, though now -short as hours to look back upon, had gathered into their brief and -silvery revolutions much of that soft and essential happiness of his -affections which he knew could never return again. Nevertheless, it -was not in the power of separation or of hopelessness to destroy the -memory of that sweet season of his youth; and he was content to accept -that as all the bliss of its kind which the fortunes of his life and -the new aims of his being, would permit him to enjoy. - -"Here, and for ever," said Cuthbert, speaking to himself aloud, "I -forswear the weaknesses of love: life has rugged paths that are better -trod by single men;--such a path is now shaping for me and for many. -In the labour of establishing a people's rights I shall find a sense -of peace; and when the call of duty is obeyed, contentment is the -golden fruit with which conscience herself presents us." - -There is no process of the mind more common than that by which a man, -while sore at heart by the thought of some desirable but unattainable -good, turns away from the painful consideration of his own sorrows, -and erects himself into the zealous friend of suffering humanity, and -the ardent reformer of social evils. - -What curious springs in the world's clockwork are sorrow and -disappointment! How many wheels are set in motion by their secret -action, and what different results from those at which men aim are -produced by their conduct! Here they strike for freedom, and elevate a -despot--there they trample for the oppressor, and, lo! a seed of armed -patriots is sown beneath their horse's feet. - -The idea of seeking the society of those among his friends whose minds -were full of the stirring themes now daily suggested by political -events was hailed as a relief and a consolation. - -Absorbed in musings, Cuthbert watched away the night, and obtained -only a short and broken slumber towards the morning. - -It has been before observed, that to the language of love from the -lips of Cuthbert Mistress Katharine never would have listened, and -could not have responded. - -Katharine Heywood had only done what thousands have done before her, -and are continually doing in the intercourse of life. She had -manifested her own sweet nature in a ready and gentle appreciation of -those qualities in the shy and humble student, which, wherever they -are found, are worthy of regard. - -Indeed, during the residence of Cuthbert at Milverton, as the tutor to -her cousin, she had largely shared the benefit of his instructions. He -had imparted new pleasures to her mind, had purified her taste, -enlarged her conceptions, and elevated her thoughts. - -These services she had repaid, in the character of mistress of her -father's mansion, by studiously throwing the grace of her protection -over the retiring scholar; but the smile of a queenly woman is a -perilous shelter, and does oftentimes blight the happiness of those -whom it was most innocently designed to cheer and to defend. - -It had been arranged that Cuthbert should depart before eight in the -morning. By that hour his horse was already saddled in the stable, -and the boy Arthur was in the stable-yard watching minutely all the -preparations for the journey. The strapping on of the vallise, and of -the holsters especially moved him on the present occasion, although he -had seen the very same thing done a hundred times for others without -curiosity or disquiet. What from the liveliness of his fancy, and the -affectionateness of his disposition, the images of lonely ways and -evil robbers made him fetch his breath quicker than usual. The good -tempered groom, perceiving this by the youth's questions, began to -allay his fears by saying, that "nobody would ever let or hinder a -poor scholar like Master Cuthbert, and, besides that, God took care of -all good persons; so there was no ill chance for such an one, but that -he would go and come as safe as the King's own majesty;" which was the -simple groom's notion of the most perfect security on earth. - -Meanwhile Cuthbert himself was taking a last melancholy gaze at the -gallery, the hall, the summer and winter parlour, and the various -objects of interest which they contained. The pictures, the books, the -organ, the virginals, the lute, were all most intimately associated in -his mind with her, whom to have seen and known was of itself a -blessing. - -In vain the grey-haired butler, Philip, pressed him to partake of -breakfast, and cautioned him against a weary way and an empty stomach. -He pecked like a sick bird at the substantial venison pasty, and -sipped at the warm tankard with a word the while now to the old -domestic, and now to young Arthur, who had come in, and sat opposite -him, in that vacant and natural sorrow which belongs to the broken -moments of such a parting. - -At last Cuthbert descended the hall steps, which were full of the -warm-hearted servants; and, pressing the hand of his affectionate -pupil, mounted his horse and rode away. - -The day was cold and wet: nothing could be more gloomy or comfortless -than his long and lonely ride. He met only one train of pack-horses, -and a few single travellers on horseback, throughout the day. He -baited his animal at a wayside alehouse, where he found nobody but a -cross old woman and a deaf hostler; and it was not till the dusk of -evening that he reached the town of Aylesbury, where he proposed -sleeping. - -Within five miles of this place he was overtaken by a gentleman on -horseback, who fell into conversation with him; and who, being like -himself on a journey to town, offered to join company with him that -night at the inn. - -Although it would have been far more agreeable to Cuthbert to have -proceeded alone, yet the appearance of the stranger was so -prepossessing, and his manners were so frank and courteous, that it -was not possible to shake off his company without rudeness. Moreover, -his speech had already shown him to be a man of gentle breeding, and -that Cambridge had once reckoned him among her students,--so they rode -forward together. - -At the entrance of the town, hard by one of the first houses in the -street, sat a cobbler working and singing in his hutch. The companion -of Cuthbert here pulled his bridle; and, turning his beast's nose -almost into it, called out, in a loud jolly tone, "Ho, Crispin! canst -tell me the way to the church?" - -"No," said the cobbler, throwing up an indifferent glance, and then -stooping again over his last. - -"Art deaf, or hast lost thy wits, old surly?" said the traveller: "you -know what a church is, don't you?" - -"I know what it is not," replied the old cobbler bluntly, without -looking off his work. - -"What is it not, sirrah?" - -"It is not a great stone building standing alone in the middle of a -town," said the cobbler raising his head, and looking his interrogator -full in the face. - -"Thou hast more wit than good humour, knave," said our Cavalier. - -"And thou words than good breeding," retorted the sturdy artisan. - -"I see the stocks of this place are little used, or you should try how -they fitted. You have not much fear, methinks, of the wooden collar. -Didst ever see a pillory?" - -"I have, and a godly man in it; and I shall not soon forget the -sight. Are you answered, my court bird?" - -"You are a prick-eared knave; and, if I were not tired and hungry, you -should smart for your saucy answers." - -By this time a neighbour or two stood forth from the adjoining houses; -and the horseman, turning to the nearest, said, "Prithee, friend, -canst thou tell me the way to the Boar's Head, which is next to the -church, as I think?" - -"It is so, true enough," answered the man, "and well placed, to my -thought; for thou wilt be sure to find the parson on the bench of it, -or it may be in the skittle yard wrangling with cheating Bob, and -staggering at his own cast:--ride straight on--you can't miss it." - -"A pretty nest of godly rogues I have got into," said the traveller: -"there will be an iron gag for your foul mouths soon." With this he -struck spurs into his steed: the beast broke into a smart -canter,--that of Cuthbert started in like manner; and they were -instantly carried beyond the jeers and the loud laughter of the -humorous old cobbler and his neighbours. Of this little scene -Cuthbert had been the silent spectator; indeed the dialogue was so -short, and so rapidly spoken, that there was no room for any question -or remark of his;--and his companion having observed a silver crest -upon the holsters of Cuthbert, did not doubt that he was a church and -king man,--especially as there had not dropped from him a single -expression which savoured of the Puritan. - -Mine host of the Boar's Head, a big and portly personage with bloated -cheeks, received our weary guests with a cheerful welcome; and led the -way to a large travellers' parlour, where, in an ample fire-place, -huge logs were blazing on the hearth. The seats on either side were -already occupied by guests, before whom, on small three-legged tables, -their repasts were smoking. - -At one of these sat two persons, whose appearance was that of military -men:--the younger of the two was very handsome, and of a commanding -figure. No sooner did the gentleman in Cuthbert's company approach the -fire than this martial youth rose, and addressing him by the name of -Fleming, shook him cordially by the hand. The ear of Cuthbert did not -catch the name by which, promptly responding to the recognition, -Fleming replied, nor did he learn it throughout the evening. However, -another small table was immediately drawn near, and covered. Eggs, -sausages, and broiled bones were served up hastily; and, after -Cuthbert and his companion had satisfied the keen appetites which they -had gotten by a long journey in cold rain and on miry roads, a large -jug of burnt claret was placed before them; and the following -conversation between the two acquaintances was listened to by Cuthbert -in silent astonishment:-- - -"Well, Frank, you have not forgotten old times, I hope. I trust that -we shall teach the volunteer gentry how to handle a sword after the -fashion of the old Swedish troopers before long:--they made sorry work -of it in the north last year; and for my part I was half ashamed to -ride among such a rabble!" - -"What made you go at all then?" said the youthful soldier. - -"Why, to say truth, Frank, I found my life in the country very dull, -and my old father's hunting companions as heavy as lead; and I -heartily wished myself back in Germany, where I might hear a trumpet -once more:--so when I heard that the King was going against the Scots -away I posted to court, and waited upon his Majesty, and got a -commission." - -"I hope, Fleming, you made yourself master of the quarrel before you -offered your services." - -"Look you, Frank, I remember you was always as grave as a judge about -war, and examined sides, and would know the rights of all that was -done. That was never my way. I left Cambridge at nineteen, and went to -the camp of Gustavus, as eager and as blind as a young colt; and so -again now:--wherever the King's standard flies all must be right; -besides, I hate these pricked-eared Puritans, and yon Scotch psalm -singers that wo'n't use the Prayer Book." - -"It seems, however, that they can use the broad sword, and with good -effect, if accounts speak true." - -"There you have me," rejoined the cheerful and light-hearted -campaigner,--"there you have me. I never felt shame as a soldier till -this Scotch campaign. Our tall fellows always turned their backs -first, and retreated true runaway fashion:--you could never make them -fire their pistols, and wheel off orderly; and it was well for them -that they had raw Scots troopers at their tails instead of -Pappenheim's cuirassiers." - -"It is clear enough that you must have run too," said the young -soldier, laughing, "or you would not be here to tell the story." - -"To be sure I did,--but not without leaving the mark of my sword in -the cheek of a stout Scotsman that pressed me a little too close and -unmannerly. However, live and learn is a wise saying. When the King -fairly raises a proper army, instead of a set of footmen and servants, -commanded by courtiers and parsons, there will be warmer sport than we -had in the north." - -"It will be sorry and grave sport, methinks, comrade, when Englishmen -stand up against Englishmen, and little pleasure to see an old -fellow-soldier in the ranks opposite." - -"Odd's life, I shall never see you enact rebel." - -"Rebel is a rough word:--suppose we change the subject." - -The conversation was now continued on various indifferent matters till -the hour for rest. Cuthbert himself made but few observations, and was -strangely exercised in his mind by contemplating the characters before -him. In addition to those already named, there was one other traveller -at a table by himself, who had partaken of no better fare than a bowl -of oatmeal porridge, and who sat intent over a small closely printed -book, without once opening his lips, and seldom even raising his eyes. -The companion of Cuthbert often looked contemptuously askance at him, -and indulged in many a fling against the Puritans; but the silent -stranger either did not or would not hear these rude jests, and, as -they met with no encouragement from any one present, they fell flat -and powerless. At length the time of going to bed came; and the host -appeared to conduct his guests to their chambers. Our host, having a -quick eye to the quality of the parties, placed the Cavalier captain -in his best chamber; the two military-looking men in the next; and the -pale stranger in a small cold garret with Cuthbert. - -As soon as the door was closed behind them, and the foot of the -landlord was heard descending the stairs, the stranger approached -Cuthbert and invited him to join in prayer. - -"To me," said the stranger, with a face of the most earnest gravity, -"to me is committed that rare and precious gift, the discerning of -spirits: I see thou art a God-fearing youth:--as soon as thou didst -enter the parlour I smelled the perfume of the angelic nature; even as -also the sulphur and the brimstone of Tophet in the three sons of -Belial, who are gone to lie down under the power of Beelzebub, and to -sleep with evil spirits for company." - -"Friend," said Cuthbert, "I do not understand you: it is not my custom -to join in prayer with an unknown stranger; there is thy bed, and -here is mine:--let us lie down upon them in peace, and commune with -our own hearts and be still." - -"Verily," rejoined the stranger, "thou art afraid:--it is no -wonder:--thou art but a mere babe of grace, and thine eyes do see but -dimly the glories of my high calling;--but I tell thee thou art a -chosen vessel of the Lord,--and even now I feel my bowels moved -towards thee, and the spirit of prayer is upon me, and I must wrestle -with the powers of darkness to deliver thy poor soul from the snare of -the fowler. This is my command,--and even now I am appointed unto thee -for an angel of defence, and the fight is begun." - -The stranger now threw himself upon his knees, and poured forth a -long, rambling and blasphemous petition,--the words of which made -Cuthbert shudder. - -However, as he had been already told that there was no other chamber -or bed vacant, and as he was greatly fatigued, he lay down to sleep, -silently commending himself to the care of God, and endeavouring to -substitute a feeling of pity for the deep disgust with which this -crazy chamber-fellow inspired him. - -The last sounds of which he was conscious before his heavy eyes became -sealed in forgetfulness were groanings from the adjoining bed--nor did -he awake in the morning till it was broad daylight. He looked -around--the chamber was empty;--at this he felt thankful: and, -supposing that his last odd companion had travelled forward at an -earlier hour, he arose, and proceeded to dress himself; but he -instantly discovered that his purse was gone. He went forth on the -stairs, and called loudly for the landlord. It was some time before he -made his appearance; and when he did so, he listened to the tale with -hard indifference, and coarse incredulity. - -"Ah! that's an old story, my devil's scholar, but it wo'n't go down -with me:--you shan't budge from the Boar's Head till you pay your -shot, I can tell you; and your nag shall go to the market cross before -I let you ride off without paying for provender." - -Cuthbert's fury was roused to the uttermost; but his hot words were -only laughed at by the rosy Boniface, who soon left him. He slipped on -his clothes with all haste, and came down into the guest parlour, -where the Cavalier and the two military men were already seated at -breakfast by a cheerful fire. He stated his case before them all with -the warm earnestness of truth. The Cavalier picked his teeth and -whistled; but the younger of the other two seemed very much to -sympathise in the embarrassment of Cuthbert, which in fact was more -serious than he himself apprehended; for mine host came presently into -the parlour to say, that his horse and his vallise were taken away by -his chamber-fellow before dawn. - -"It was all a made up thing," said the landlord in a storm of passion. -"I saw they were a couple of hypocritical rogues, and packed 'em -together for safety's sake--'twould only be thief rob thief, I -knew:--but it's my belief they take the horse turn by turn, and steal -in company; for yon old one has left half a bottle of strong waters -and the leg of a cold goose at his bed-foot:--come, young knave," he -added, attempting to take Francis by the collar, "come with me afore -the justice. He'll find thee a lodging in our cage." - -With a force to which indignation gave strength, Cuthbert threw back -the fat bully against the wall, and turning to the Cavalier, who had -rode with him part of his yesterday's journey,-- - -"You may remember, sir," he said, "that when you joined me, I told you -that I came from the neighbourhood of Warwick, and was on my journey -to London. I told you, moreover, that I was a member of the University -of Cambridge:--the silver crest on my holsters was the crest of Sir -Oliver Heywood of Milverton, in whose house I have resided for this -year past, as tutor to his nephew's son. The animal, in fact, is Sir -Oliver's property, and was kindly lent me for the journey:--if you -will answer for me to this landlord, and give me a crown piece to -travel on with, I will faithfully repay you when I reach town. My -name, sir, is Cuthbert Noble, son of Mr. Noble, rector of Cheddar, in -Somerset." - -"A pack of stuff, good master," said the angry landlord to the -Cavalier,--"don't you be made a fool of; don't be bamboozled by a -smooth trumped up cock and a bull story like this: if the horse is Sir -Oliver Heywood's, they have stolen it, and change riders on the road -to Smithfield, where they will turn it into a purse of nobles before -night. Marry, I'll go for constables, and, as you are honest gentlemen -and true, hold the knave fast in your keeping till I come back again." -Before, however, he could leave the room, as much to his astonishment -and shame as to the surprise and relief of Cuthbert, the younger of -the two travellers, whom his companion the Cavalier had last night -claimed acquaintance with, came forward in a very open and cordial -manner, and assured Cuthbert of his readiness to assist him. - -"I am connected," said the noble looking youth, "with the family at -Milverton, nor is the name of Master Cuthbert Noble unknown to me. My -purse is at your service; and I shall be glad of your company on the -road. Though I have no horse to offer you, post-horses can be easily -procured at every stage." - -Thus was Cuthbert at once released from a perplexity, and introduced -to the friendship of Francis Heywood. - - - - -CHAP. XVI. - - The great vicissitude of things amongst men is the vicissitude - of sects and religions; for those orbs rule in men's minds most. - BACON. - - -On the third of November, 1640, the fatal Long Parliament began. On -the 12th, the Earl of Strafford was impeached of treason, and -committed to the Black Rod. The Lords denied him bail and council; and -he was, in a few days more, commanded into close imprisonment in the -Tower. One hundred thousand pounds were now voted to the Scots, and -borrowed of the city of London. Ship money was soon questioned by the -Parliament, and voted an illegal tax; and, in fine, all grievances and -abuses were loudly proclaimed, and resolutely brought forward, by -intrepid and patriotic men; of whom the best and noblest did certainly -never contemplate, at that time, the sad and humiliating close of the -labours and the authority of that memorable and august assembly. -August, of a truth, that assembly may be called, in which a Hampden -and a Falkland stood, at after moments, opposed in debate; and in -which, in the following year, the grand remonstrance of the Commons -was the subject of grave deliberation for thirty hours, and was only -carried, at last, by a majority of nine voices. - -But to return to our story. It may be supposed that Cuthbert Noble was -no indifferent or unmoved spectator of the great public events which -every day brought forth in the winter of 1640. With his serious and -peculiar notions, the questions that affected liberty of conscience -and church reform were those which most deeply interested him; and -when, upon the morning of the 23d of November, Prynne and Burton -entered triumphantly into Westminster, followed by many thousands of -the people, Cuthbert was foremost in the crowd; and not a zealot among -them was more wildly excited than himself. - -Laughter and tears succeeded to each other, as those around expressed -their rude sympathy;--now in remarks quaint and comical--now in pious -commiseration, or in the stern tones of indignant and just anger. - -"Which is old Prynne?" said one.--"That's he," said his neighbour, -"with his black head clipped close, looking, for all the world, like a -skull-cap."--"See how the old boy grins."--"He's no beauty."--"Hurrah! -hurrah!"--"Can you hear, old boy?"--"I wonder if a man can hear -without his ears."--"To be sure a' can, all the better."--"Well, he -can't have the ear-ache no more."--"Don't talk so unfeeling."--"Look, -poor dear good man, he is as white as a sheet."--"That is prison and -hunger."--"This is your bishops' work--od rot 'em--their turn shall -come." - -With such vulgarities were mixed the solemn tones and pious -expressions of many a sincere Christian, giving utterance to praise -and thanksgiving for the deliverance of these persecuted men; while, -here and there, a strong voice would be heard, above the crowd, -denouncing the tyranny of the church and the crown in coarse language, -in which the Establishment was likened to the whore of Babylon,--and -the Archbishop of Canterbury was pointed out to the vengeance of the -rabble. - -Such language would, in a moment of calm reflection, have been utterly -revolting to the feelings of Cuthbert. He would have shut his ears to -the base and bloody cry, and hurried away from the wretches who gave -it utterance, as from the company of sinners, whose feet were already -planted in the paths of wickedness, and were swift to shed blood. But -now, though such fierce cries gave a jar to his better dispositions -and nobler nature, they were regarded as the natural ebullitions of an -irritated mob; and he stood among them as a partaker of their guilt by -the sanction of his presence. - -Nothing is so blind--nothing is so deaf--nothing can stoop so low--as -party spirit;--and at no period of English history was this more fully -exemplified than at that of which we are now speaking. The Cavaliers, -on their side, were not without the support of a rabble of their own; -and by these, the slang of the tavern, the bear garden, and the -brothel, was exhausted to furnish epithets of scorn, contempt, and -ridicule, by which they might insult their fanatical opponents. - -To the mental eye of Cuthbert the two victims of a severe and -intolerant hierarchy stood out in large and disproportionate -grandeur,--filling all the foreground of the picture upon which he now -gazed to the exclusion of all other objects. - -He saw them bearing the evident marks of torture and degradation on -their mutilated forms. They had been thus treated, according to his -notion, for a mere error in judgment--they were sufferers for -conscience-sake:--his heart grew hot within him,--and he would have -called down fire from heaven on the heads of their oppressors. - -He accompanied the crowd all through Westminster; and, in the -eagerness of his excited mood, pressed in once close to the horse of -Prynne, that he might utter a "God save you, master!" to the stern -Puritan, face to face. - -There was a keen twinkle of triumph in the little eyes of the sour -precisian, which showed that he felt his day of revenge would soon -come, and that it would be his turn to play inquisitor towards his -late haughty oppressor. - -However, he would have been more than human had he been superior to -such an infirmity, after sustaining injuries so great. - -It happened on the day of this public entry of Prynne and Burton that -Cuthbert was alone in the quarter of Westminster; and having remained -a long time gazing on the show, he went into a tavern in a narrow -street behind the Abbey to refresh. - -After satisfying his hunger over a fine joint of roast beef in company -with a grave looking lawyer, who sat opposite him at the same table, -with a roll of parchments and papers by his side, the man of law -proposed a cup of canary to the health of Masters Prynne and Burton, -in which he was readily seconded by Cuthbert. - -"Ah," said the stranger bitterly, "this is a different kind of -procession to the fool's mummery which they made us play seven years -ago, before the wanton queen and her dancing French gentlemen." - -"What! you mean the mask of the inns of court, on Candlemas-day, seven -years ago?" asked Cuthbert. - -"Just so: that was got up to tickle the court party, and trample down -Prynne and his book; but tables are turning." - -"Well, though I think they were very tyrannical about Prynne, I did -not like his book; and never saw any harm in a mask or an interlude." - -"Why, to judge by your looks, you could only have been a boy when that -mask was given, and perhaps you did not see it." - -"That is true; but I read the account of it that was printed, and -surely it was a brave and glorious show; and, methinks, there were -some witty hints given his Majesty in the anti-masks, which he might -be the wiser for." - -"The man Charles Stuart," said the stranger, "will never be the better -for hints." - -It was the first time that Cuthbert had ever heard from any lips so -irreverent a mention of the King, and he coloured and was silent. - -"I say he will never be the better for hints,--though it is true that -some of them were broad enough, and too humorous for offence; but you -have forgotten that there was one anti-mask got up by the serviles to -insult the poor. If it may not have a sneer of ridicule for poverty -and misfortune, the pleasure of the proud wanteth its best relish." - -"I do not understand you," said Cuthbert; "of what speak you, master?" - -"Of that which has been played in joke, and shall come to pass in -earnest. Little they thought, with their gibes and their mockery, that -they were but foreshowing events, which the turn of the wheel is even -now bringing to pass. I do remember all their gilded chariots and rich -apparel, and gay liveries; and in the midst of that costly show, there -rode an anti-mask of cripples and beggars, clothed in rags, and -mounted on sorry lean jades, gotten out of dust carts, with dirty -urchins snapping tongs and shovels before them for music,--and thus -was the noble music, and thus were the gallant horses, and the velvets -and silks and spangled habits, made more pleasing to the painted court -Jezebels by the pitiful contrast. Shall not the Lord visit for these -things?" he added, raising his voice, and changing the tone of it to a -solemn sternness: "Yea, verily, he shall visit:--in his hand there is -a cup,--and the dregs thereof shall be drunk out by the -oppressors,--and the sword shall go through the land, and it shall be -drunk with blood." - -The severe inference thus forced by the speaker from a trifling -circumstance, of which the joyous projectors of the interlude thought -perhaps very differently, and which might have been so turned by a -playful mind, as a caricature against the foreign musicians, then so -much about court; or, again, by a thoughtful mind, as a memento of -those dark realities of human misery which invite and demand -compassion. This inference was at once received by Cuthbert as just. -It touched a chord in his heart that immediately responded, and he was -played upon as a lute by his companion; till, at last, the latter -opening a roll of parchment requested him to put down his name as a -subscriber to the necessities of a few godly and persecuted men now -suffering imprisonment for the great cause of liberty of conscience, -and whose families were quite destitute. - -From his slender purse Cuthbert instantly took the few crowns it -contained, and only reserving sufficient money to pay for his dinner, -shook his new acquaintance heartily by the hand, and set forth on his -way to the city, where he lodged, with a heart glowing with the love -of God, of his country, and of mankind. His evil angel had only to -appear clothed like an angel of light, and Cuthbert would follow, -nothing doubting, whithersoever he was led. The false fire, which -glimmered over the dangerous quagmire of gloomy fanaticism, was -mistaken by Cuthbert for light from Heaven; and by the frequent -perusal of controversies on religion, and a constant attendance on the -private ministries of those fierce zealots, who were urging forward -the overthrow of the Established Church, he became at length totally -bewildered. It was in vain that Francis Heywood exposed to him the -hypocrisy and inconsistency of some of those wolves in sheep's -clothing by whom he was now continually surrounded, to the neglect of -Heywood's own society and that of the higher and better order of the -Parliamentarian supporters. He listened with pity to remonstrances -which he considered as proceeding from a man of the world, and a -deceived soul wandering in darkness; nevertheless his affectionate -disposition survived the strength of his reason. He looked up to and -loved Francis Heywood as a model of what the natural man might attain -to; and as in their political views they were altogether agreed, they -very often met. The ardent Francis might indeed have well doubted of -the soundness of a political creed which numbered among its supporters -such diversified and crazy characters as those whom he saw daily -embrace it: but although he was not able to endure their sanctimonious -professions, and morose manners, he viewed them as instruments -necessary to the present warfare of principles; and, having returned -from America on purpose to stand up for the popular rights, he -remained steadfastly at his post, watching with intense interest the -proceedings of parliament, and eager for the moment when those -services, which he came to offer, might be required in the field. - -In one particular the lives of Francis Heywood and of Cuthbert Noble -during the two following years corresponded well. Never were those -hard duties which self-denial enjoins, practised with a more resolute -and cheerful virtue. The means of both were slender; and they -supported themselves by the exercise of their respective talents with -credit and success. - -Cuthbert attended daily in the families of two or three merchants of -the Puritan party as classical tutor to their boys; while Francis -Heywood, reserving with great care the sum necessary to purchase a -good charger, and military equipments, whenever he might need them, -maintained his current expenses by the drawing of maps, plans, and -views illustrative of the late campaigns of Gustavus Adolphus, and of -the actual warfare in Germany which was then carrying on. These -drawings found a sufficient sale, among the curious in such matters, -to remunerate the light labour of producing them; and though the -printseller, who purchased them from Francis, told him that gentlemen, -very capable of advancing his interests, had made inquiries after him, -yet he was forbidden by Francis to disclose his residence, or to -answer any questions about him. His leisure from this easy occupation -was employed in useful studies or in manly exercises. He daily -frequented a school of arms, not for instruction, indeed, for he was a -master of all weapons, but for health and diversion; and for the same -end he went often to the grand manège in the quarter of the court; -where he was so great a favourite with the chevalier, who taught the -graces of horsemanship, that he was asked as a kindness to exercise -the most spirited and beautiful animals of his stud in the open -country:--an offer which, from the delight he took in the amusement of -schooling a young and high bred horse, he very often accepted. - -Francis Heywood was not unknown to many families with whom his father -had been intimate; and by some of them, notwithstanding his fortunes -and his politics, and by others on account of them, he was invited to -several houses, where he might have enjoyed all the pleasures and the -refinements of social life; but he very rarely accepted their -invitations, not merely from mistaken pride, but from a disrelish of -scenes which would always so strongly and painfully suggest to him the -happy intercourse he had once enjoyed in that domestic circle, of -which his adored Katharine was at once the charm and the idol. - -Upon this sweet memory, in lonely hours of leisure, his mind would -feed, and he would discourse of it, not indeed in words, but in the -soft breathings of his lute; till, suddenly, by the strong effort of a -manly will, he would tear himself from the dangerous indulgence, and -sit closely down to his writing desk, that he might complete the -minute journal of public events which he kept for his father, and -despatched, as opportunities offered, to New England. - -To the review of these grave subjects he brought a generous spirit; -and it was not without an occasional pang that he related the progress -and triumph of the cause to which he was sincerely attached. - -He could not but exult to see the principles of government openly -examined, and the just rights and liberties of the people clearly -defined. - -He looked with veneration upon the labours of the Commons; and he -watched with jealousy the advisers of the crown, and the sycophants -about the court. He saw many abuses rectified, many grievances -redressed. He saw the iniquitous Star Chamber and the High Commission -Court abolished,--and a noble security against a return of -misgovernment and tyranny in the famous bill for a triennial -parliament. - -This last measure, the main pillar of the new constitution, was -received by the whole nation with rejoicings; and when it passed -solemn thanks were presented to his Majesty by both houses of -parliament. But the sincerity of the court party and the moderation of -the reformers were alike suspicious. The passions, the prejudices, -and the interests of conflicting parties had been too rudely aroused -by discussion to subside without an explosive collision; and it was -evident to Francis that the struggle between the prerogatives of the -crown and the privileges of parliament would never terminate without -an appeal to arms. - -He shuddered to see the scaffold stained with the blood of Strafford; -and though he was among those who clamoured against the minister, he -profoundly commiserated the man, as the abandoned victim of his -party,--and in his heart he despised Charles for signing the -death-warrant of his favourite. - - - - -CHAP. XVII. - - There let the pealing organ blow, - To the full-voiced quire below, - In service high and anthems clear, - As may with sweetness through mine ear - Dissolve me into ecstasies, - And bring all heaven before mine eyes. - MILTON. - - -The affliction of the good parson of Cheddar at the strange and -painful conduct of his son Cuthbert was heavy to bear. However, from a -sense of duty to his weaker partner, he made great efforts to preserve -his wonted serenity and composure in her presence; but when alone he -was bowed down in the dust. - -Nothing could possibly present a greater contrast to the tone of -religious profession which was, at this period, obtaining a wide -reception among men than that in which old Noble lay prostrate in his -closet before his God. - -He had ever been a meek and cheerful Christian; but there were depths -of humiliation which he had not as yet fathomed; and he would have -fainted at the waves of trouble, which his prescient eye saw rolling -onward, if he had not felt the hand, which led him down into the deep, -was that of a heavenly Father, if he had not heard a voice that -whispered in his ear, "_It is I, be not afraid_." - -In vain did he exhaust his heart in sound, pious, and affectionate -remonstrances, meditated and penned in the spirit of prayer, that he -might recall his dear and wandering child to the bosom of the church, -or, at all events, so far recover him from gross delusions as to see -him join that upright and devout portion of the community, which, -though differing from the discipline of the church, maintained a pure -and practical doctrine. - -In vain did he press the return of Cuthbert to Cheddar, by every -argument which parental love could suggest. - -The letters of Noble and his wife were replied to in the words of -love; but the fruit of his new persuasion was an obstinate self-will; -and while he implored them, at great length, to consider his views, -and urged the danger of despising them, he evinced to others, what was -not perhaps suspected by himself, a degree of spiritual pride only to -be exceeded by the strength of his delusion. - -He had adopted the notions of those fanatics who were styled -Fifth-monarchy Men, and who ranged themselves where, indeed, any sect, -however extravagant, might have found a place, under the banner of the -Independents. - -It was some consolation to these troubled parents to hear from the -Philips's, their relations, and also from other friends, that the life -and the conduct of Cuthbert were, as regarded all moral and social -duties, a credit to any theory, and such as became the pure precepts -of the Gospel. - -His intellect was clear upon every other subject, except on that -which, if it be rashly touched, seems to be guarded by invisible -angels, who put forth their hands and smite the daring intruder with -madness. "Oppression," saith the preacher, "will make a wise man -mad;"--a truth abundantly proved by the events, which, leading first -to a secret and salutary reform, ended at last in a bloody revolution -and an iron rule. - -It may be added, that he who seeketh to meddle with the hidden -mysteries of unfulfilled prophecy is often smitten with blindness and -confusion for his presumption. Thus it was with Cuthbert:--sensible, -amiable, and affectionate in all the relations of life, he was now the -subject of a monomania, and turned a deaf ear to the voice of truth -and wisdom, though it spoke with all the authority and all the -earnestness of a father. - -These were not times in which a minister could leave his parish for a -distant journey, nor, indeed, was it at all likely that the presence -of his parents would have effected that change in the sentiments or -the course of Cuthbert, which their admirable and Christian letters -had failed to produce. - -Time wore on gloomily enough, even in the peaceful parsonage at -Cheddar. Many a time as old Noble paced his garden amid sunbeams and -flowers, praising that "mercy which endureth for ever," his -thanksgivings ended in tears and lamentations, not for his domestic -troubles, but for the great evils which he feared and expected would -befall the church and the nation. - -Laud was already paying the penalty of his mistaken, but certainly -conscientious, severity, in a prison, from whence it might be plainly -foretold he would at length be conducted to the block. The bishops' -votes in parliament were taken away, and the deans and chapters were -already voted against in the Commons, although their spoliation had -not yet taken place, neither were the cathedral services as yet -discontinued. As regularly, therefore, as the Thursday came round, -Noble, if not prevented by a special call of duty at home, made his -weekly visit to the fair city of Wells; where he in the first instance -always bent his steps to the cathedral, and joined the congregation -assembled for morning service. - -It was on a saint's day, in the summer of 1641, that, as usual, he -proceeded to that venerable and glorious temple, and took his seat in -the vacant stall which it was his wont to occupy. Directly opposite he -observed a tall uncouth man of harsh features and a sour countenance, -sitting very upright, and glancing a severe and restless eye at the -organ, the first tones of which were pealing through the long aisles, -as the dean, the prebends, and other officers of the choir, preceded -by the vergers with their maces, slowly entered, and reverently took -their seats. - -The service began, and was conducted with that solemn decency, and -with those clear fine chants, which dispose most hearts to a subdued -feeling of intense devotion. - -There is a something in sacred music which does wonderfully compose -the mind, and cleanse it of all earthly-rooted cares. Upon the -stranger above mentioned, however, it produced no such effect. He sat -erect, cold, and contemptuous: he put aside the Book of Common Prayer -with a rude thrust; and taking a small volume from his pocket opened -it with ostentatious gravity, and, not joining in the worship that he -witnessed, either by response, gesture, or any conformity of posture -with those around him, sat, now casting his eyes on the page of his -book, now severely around, and now raising them to Heaven after a -manner that left nothing but the jaundiced whites visible. - -This strange conduct disturbed, irritated, or amused the observers, -according to the impression that was made upon them. Some of the -prebends and vicars choral looked red and angry. The dean was greatly -distressed, and knew not what to do. At first he called the verger, -with a design to remove the intruder; but, upon second thoughts, he -feared that a yet greater interruption and indecency might take place -if such a course was attempted, he therefore commanded his feelings -with as much dignity as he could. But his grave frowns were totally -without power upon the youthful choristers, whose laughter would have -been loud and audible, but for the thick folds of the surplice with -which they stuffed their rebellious and aching jaws. - -Noble himself was mournfully agitated, and prayed in the spirit with -that deep and melancholy fervour which hath no outward expression but -the abased eyes. - -By degrees, the congregation recovered their composure, and never was -an anthem performed with more earnest solemnity, or a sweetness more -touching to the inmost soul, than the "_Ne Irascaris_," the "Be not -Wroth," or "Bow thine Ear" of the famous composer Bird. At the words -"Sion, thy Sion is wasted and brought low," which are set to a tender -and solemn passage, and are sung very soft and slow, the effect was -sublime. Moved by the deep pathos of the expression, the cheeks of -Noble, as of a few others present, were bathed in tears. - -But the stranger remained in his seat without rising, and perused his -book with a kind of resolved and insulting inattention to it all. - -The service was not permitted to close without this mysterious -personage marking his contempt of it yet farther, by rising suddenly, -while all the congregation were on their knees, and stalking slowly -down the middle of the aisle with a loud and measured stamp of his -great thick boots. - -He wore by his side a long heavy-looking sword, and had certainly the -air of a man who could use it, if he chose, with little fear and no -favour. - -Noble joined the clergy in the chapter-room directly after the morning -prayers were ended, and there learned that there had been a riot the -night before in the streets, excited by some mischievous emissary from -London; and that some of the rabble had burned a bishop in effigy, in -the close just under the windows of the dean. It seemed, however, that -this outrage had been committed by a band of low persons, who had come -up from Bristol to attend a fair, and had brought with them sundry -printed papers and ribald songs to distribute in the lanes and alleys -of the city: the object of which was to bring the church and clergy -into public contempt. - -However, it so happens that, for the most part, the inhabitants of a -cathedral town take a great pride in the edifice itself, whatever may -be their indifference to religion. Those magnificent structures are -the first wonders upon which the eyes of the human beings, born and -suckled beneath their shadow, are taught to gaze. They are noble and -solemn features in the scene of early life; and are printed so -indelibly on the mind, that, let the native of a cathedral city wander -where he will, the recollection of the venerable temple goes with him, -associated, in his memory, with his birthplace, his holydays, his -truant hours, with the merry music of festival bells, with the pride -of having often seen strangers and travellers, both of high and low -degree, walk about its walls, and linger in its spacious aisles, with -pleasure and admiration. - -Therefore a party among the common people was easily roused to take up -sticks and stones against the insulting mischief-makers, who were thus -at last driven away from the city with great tumult. - -It was the very day following this riot that the offensive adventure -in the cathedral, which we have just related, occurred. As no doubt -existed in the minds of the clergy assembled in the chapter-room that -the extraordinary person, who had just committed so gross and indecent -an outrage in a place of public worship, was, in some measure, -connected with the disturbance of the preceding day, they resolved to -make an immediate complaint to the Mayor of Wells, that the obnoxious -individual might be taken up, and committed to prison, or otherwise -punished for his offence. - -Some little time had been lost in their consultations; and they came -forth from the cathedral in a body, with the intention of despatching -two of the prebends, already deputed for that purpose, to wait upon -the mayor, when, to their surprise and mortification, they saw the -object of their anger approaching them on horseback. As he drew near, -it was evident that the opportunity of arresting him was already lost. -He rode a very powerful young horse of generous breed and fine -action--and he sat upon him as on a throne. - -"Look ye," said he, as he drew up close to the astonished -group,--"Look ye, Scribes and Pharisees! hypocrites!--ye love -greetings in the market-place--take mine:--the time is come to set -your houses in order--even now the decree is gone forth--the sword is -now sharpening that shall pass through the land:--it glitters, look -ye." So saying, with a grim smile he drew the blade of his own half -out of the scabbard, and let it fall again with a forcible rattle. - -The dean, who was a bold and athletic man, disregarding this fierce -action, made an active effort to seize the bridle of the Puritan's -steed; but the wary rider with a jerk of the reins threw up the -animal's head, and at the same moment touching his flank with the spur -made him give a plunge forward that scattered the frightened priests a -few yards on either side. Nevertheless, the dean remonstrated in very -angry terms against his insulting abuse; as did others, who were, like -himself, courageous. They did not, however, succeed either in stopping -the fanatic or in driving him away:--a small mob was gathering in the -cathedral yard, and the fiery zealot continued his address. - -"What mean ye, ye priests of Baal, by your silks, and your satins, and -your hoods, and your scarfs, and your square caps, and your surplices, -and all your fooleries? what mean your boy choristers that bleat like -young kids, and your men choristers that bellow like oxen? what means -your grunting organ? Is it thus you worship God, as though he were an -idol and an abomination, and his temple like that of the heathen? It -should be a house of prayer, and ye have made it a den of thieves, and -all its services vain and lewd mummeries. I cry, Fie upon you!--Wo, -wo, wo!--Ye shall see me again when the blast of the trumpet soundeth, -and mine eye shall not pity. I will smite, I will not spare you. Have -ye not preached blasphemies? have ye not broken and polluted the holy -Sabbath with your sports and your harlotries? have ye not shed the -blood of God-fearing men? yea, verily. Now hear my warning:--come out -of her, come out of her, my people. There are among you, even among -your priests, some whom the Lord hath chosen:--yet again I call to -you, Come out of her, come out of Babylon, that ye perish not with -her. To me is appointed this cry:--every where I must lift up my voice -thus, till the day of vengeance come. Wo shall be the portion of those -who hear me not!" - -An insane delight gleamed in his dark eyes, a convulsive energy -distorted his features, and seemed to affect and agitate his whole -form. The crowd drew closer to him: the resolute dean beckoning them -forward, again advanced with the intention of seizing him, when he -suddenly gave his horse the head; and touching the high spirited beast -with both spurs, he was borne out of their sight at a few rapid -bounds, and was very soon beyond all danger of pursuit. - -Several of the mob ran round the corner after him jeering and -cheering; but the clergy went their ways, by twos and threes, and -talked over the uncomfortable though diseased words of the fanatic -with much gravity and discomposure. - -Many painful extravagancies of a fanatic character had been already -committed in various parts of the country; and in London many -scandalous scenes had been enacted, expressive of a contempt for the -Established Church and her ministers. - -The prelates and dignitaries were the especial marks of popular -hatred; but, hitherto, nothing approaching to the indecency and -outrage above recorded had occurred in the neighbourhood and under the -eye of Noble. - -Again he could have wished Cuthbert to have been present, as he had -formerly wished that he could have witnessed the unmannerly and -unchristian bearing of Master Daws, the morose and designing curate, -whose interview with Noble we have in a former part of this story -related. - -"Surely," thought the mild man of peace,--"Surely such things would -open his eyes to the spirit that is abroad, and to the aim and end of -these violent men, who would purify our venerable church as with fire, -and wash away her few stains with the blood and the tears of her -faithful children." - -After partaking of a dinner, with little appetite, in the house of his -friend, where the party assembled formed but a sad society, and where -the time passed in the discussion of more grave and anxious matters -than those upon which they were commonly engaged in these innocent -weekly meetings, the worthy parson mounted his old mare, and rode back -slowly to Cheddar. His thoughts were so profoundly and mournfully -absorbed by reflections on the very startling occurrences of the -morning, that he saw not the clouds which were gathering overhead, -until he was awakened to observe them by a sudden and loud clap of -thunder. The sunshine was suddenly obscured by a deep gloom. A few -heavy rain drops fell upon him, and were soon followed by a thick and -rushing deluge of such rain as falls in summer tempests. The sky was -covered with a mass of clouds black as a funeral pall. Every moment -flashes of angry lightning passed across it in vivid and arrowy forms; -while thunder followed, peal after peal rolling in quick and troubled -succession. Noble had just entered the defile or pass by which Cheddar -is approached; and as the narrow road lies in the bottom of a chasm, -on either side of which the rocks rise many hundred feet with a -terrific grandeur, the horrid gloom--the lurid and ghastly -lights--and the prolonged echoes with which the roar of the thunder -was borne from crag to crag--gave a tenfold awfulness to the storm, -and sublimely shadowed forth the power of Jehovah. - -Amid this war of elements the meek parson felt almost happy:--his -frightened beast had stopped beneath a rock that inclined somewhat -over the road, though not sufficiently to afford any shelter from the -rain. He was drenched to the skin himself, and as he could not urge -his animal forward he dismounted; but the wet and the delay were -forgotten, were disregarded. There are moments of communion with the -Deity, which, when they are accorded to his feeble children, cause -their spirits to be rapt in seraphic love. The adoration that is born -of a faith trembling yet holding fast is the sublimest human -worship:--"the firmest thing in this inferior world is a believing -soul." And he that can lift up his voice with the Psalmist, and, amid -the horrors of a tempest, can say, "Praise the Lord, O my soul; and -all that is within me praise his holy name," hath, as it were, a -sublime foretaste of that great and terrible day of the Lord, when the -Christian shall witness the final and everlasting triumph of his -Redeemer over sin and death,--and shall behold his salvation draw -nigh. - - - - -CHAP. XVIII. - - With that the mighty thunder dropt away - From God's unwary arm, now milder grown, - And melted into tears. - GILES FLETCHER. - - -In such a spirit Noble endured the pelting of the storm, and listened -to the rolling of the thunder, and gazed upon the dread illumination -which flashed at intervals on the desolate and dreary rocks around -him. The fury of this summer tempest was soon exhausted:--the -exceeding blackness of the clouds gave place to a lighter, though a -sunless, sky; the claps of thunder were few and distant, and the -lightning became a faint and harmless coruscation. The rain was thin -and transparent; and Noble continued his way on foot, followed by his -old mare, whose docility was that of an aged dog. They had not -proceeded above two hundred yards when the mare gave a sudden start, -and ran up a heap of loose stones on the right of the road. On the -left of it, at the foot of a tremendous precipice, Noble descried the -object which had alarmed her, and which, but for her fright, he should -have passed without notice. A man lay upon the ground bleeding. Noble -immediately crossed to the spot, and stooping down, he recognised the -person of the stern fanatic, whose conduct at Wells has been related -in the foregoing chapter. He was insensible, but did not, upon -examination, appear to have sustained any injury more serious than a -severe and stunning bruise; as well as a cut on the forehead from a -sharp flint. From the prints of his horse's feet, it seemed evident, -at first, that he had been thrown where he then lay, and had fainted; -but on looking again, Noble observed that his pockets were turned -inside out, and that his sword and cartridge belt were gone; for he -remembered in the morning to have remarked his arms very particularly, -and to have been struck by the circumstance of a man of his rigid -ungraceful figure sitting so admirably on horseback, and managing the -young animal which he rode with such a light and easy hand. Moreover, -he now saw that the impressions of the horse's hoofs had been made -before the rain had fallen. His first care was to endeavour to restore -the sufferer from his swoon. This he soon effected by chafing the body -to restore circulation, and by applying to the nostrils a pungent -preparation, which he always carried about with him, as a preservative -from infection, when his duties called him to visit the sick beds of -those who were afflicted with any disease considered pestilential. -When Noble had satisfied himself that the unfortunate man was a little -recovered by the returning consciousness in his eyes, and the -regularity of his breathing, he went after his mare. She had not -strayed far, and he soon brought her back, and after a while he had -the satisfaction to observe that the wounded traveller was able to -move and sit up. He now persuaded and assisted him to get upon the -patient beast, and supporting him in the saddle with his hand, moved -off slowly towards Cheddar. Half a mile on they met plain Peter, who -had come out to look for his master, and was wondering and -uncomfortable at the unusual lateness of his return. - -The sight explained itself; and the honest domestic expressing some -sorrow for the sufferer, but more for his master, took his place on -the other side of the mare, and aided Noble in the task of supporting -the stranger, who was so weak and exhausted that he could hardly be -held upon the saddle by their joint exertions for the rest of the -road. - -Although not a syllable had been uttered by the object of their care, -that was intelligible to either, and although Noble had not mentioned -a word about having seen him at Wells, still Peter had an instinctive -dislike to the man's features and his dress--from both of which he -pronounced him a Puritan. He went so far as to provoke an angry rebuke -from his master for opposing the benevolent resolution of the latter -to take him to his own house. - -"Surely," said Peter, "a pallet at the Jolly Woodman will serve his -turn:--he'll be well enough taken care of by Dame Crowther: why bring -him home to trouble and frighten my good mistress, and to make a fuss, -and a dirt, and a sick house of the parsonage?" - -"Peter," said Noble, "how would you like to be dealt by if you had -fallen among thieves, and lay bruised and bleeding, and without a -friend or a penny?" - -"Why, I should think an inn good enough for me; and so it is writ in -the Bible." - -"Peter you are hard--and know not what spirit you are of--and speak -foolishly." - -"Ah! well I mind what you said once about that parable, and how you -told us that had the good Samaritan's house been over against the inn -he would have taken him in at his own gate;--but somehow I don't like -this fancy of yours--it will be a bad job:--when his saintship is -warmed by your fire, mayhap he will turn out a serpent." - -"Never use that word lightly, Peter. I have often forbade you to -trifle with it--duties are ours, events are God's. I shall certainly -take this man in." Having thus decided, they went forward to the -parsonage in silence. Mistress Noble came out eagerly as soon as they -appeared. Her mind was soon quieted on the surprise which the sight of -the wounded stranger caused her, and her kind and hospitable heart -acquiesced instantly to the proposal of her good husband. - -The sufferer was at once carefully put to bed; and Noble, as by his -own bright fire he put on the warm dry vestments which he found ready -for him in his study, revolved the singular incidents of the eventful -day with wonder, gratitude, and a calm confiding faith. - -He could not but reflect thankfully on his own escape from the -misfortune which had befallen the temporary inmate of his dwelling. -For want of a better booty, doubtless he would have been assaulted -himself by the robbers who had fallen upon the Puritan; and, had he -not been preceded by this traveller on the road, or had he left Wells -at an earlier hour, he might have suffered in his room, or shared his -fate. - -Again, how strange that a daring enthusiast, who had that very morning -violated the sanctity of the cathedral, and had insulted the -ministers of the church in their decent performance of public and -solemn worship, should, before the setting of the sun which had -witnessed his impiety, be laid in the dust, and left dependent upon -one who had been revolted by his fierce conduct for the mercies of -help and protection. - -"To-morrow," said Noble to his wife, as he related to her all the -circumstances which had taken place at Wells, "when our guest is in a -reasonable and repenting mood, I may, perhaps, speak a word in season -that shall serve to deliver him from the chains of that cruel and -bigoted spirit of persecution by which he is held. God preserve our -Cuthbert from the hateful errors of men like these! It has been well -observed, that though the fanatic cannot be seduced by the love of any -sinful pleasures, yet that he can be readily persuaded to walk in -blood by the lust of a power which he deceives himself in thinking he -should assuredly use to the glory of the King of heaven, and the -benefit of the faithful people of God. When will Christians learn -that the kingdom of the Messiah is not of this world?" - -They had not retired for the night, when their worthy neighbour -Blount, the franklin, who had but just returned from Glastonbury, came -in to learn the particulars of what had occurred at Wells, and to tell -the bad news which he had heard at Glastonbury that morning. - -"The devil is busy enough, Master Noble," said the old man as he -entered: "there is a little party of vinegar-faced rogues coming to -the Bald Raven at Axbridge to-morrow, who call themselves 'a -Corresponding Committee for informing and aiding the Grand Committee -of Religion and that for scandalous Ministers;' and they tell me that -that sour hypocrite Daws is as busy as a bee among them already. But -what is this I hear about one of these godly rogues having been half -murdered under the cliff and lying in your house?" - -Noble told him all the circumstances; and Peter, who had lingered a -little at the parlour door, said, "Ay, I can see by Master Blount's -eyebrows he don't think it were a wise job to take this round-headed -madman in here. Why he's talking a pack of wild stuff enough to -frighten the maidens out of their wits." - -On hearing this, Noble, accompanied by Blount, went up stairs to the -chamber of their inmate, and found him sitting upright in his bed, and -parleying with some visionary appearance, after a wild but most -earnest manner. - -As soon as they entered the room, he turned towards them and sniffed -repeatedly, then gravely said, "Two good spirits and one bad--verily I -am not forsaken--two to one against thee, Beelzebub--look gentle -spirits--look upon the wall--there goes a coach drawn by lions and -tigers--there goes Everard the conjurer in boots and spurs--here is -the great fiery dragon--who hath taken away my trusty sword?--where is -my horse?--a horse is a vain thing to save a man--see how it -grows--the dragon--the great red dragon--taller--taller--it fills the -room--save Lord, or I perish." - -To these wild, incoherent expressions, produced by the strange images -which flitted before his troubled fancy, succeeded a profuse -perspiration, and they persuaded him to lie down under the blankets, -that he might obtain the full benefit of such a relief. - -He did so, and they could now only hear whispered murmurs, and humble -tones, as of a person praying with tears. Noble himself was not -unaffected by this scene; and even Blount admitted, that, if it were -not for the mischief they did, some of these enthusiasts were rather -to be pitied than punished. "Now here," said he, "is a case, where -they should shave the head and lock up the poor creature in an -hospital; but the worst matter is, they go about like mad dogs, biting -all the folk they meet--and so they must e'en be dealt with in like -manner." - -"You are not far wrong, neighbour, in judging many of them crazy; but -there are cunning men behind to urge them on: and there certainly are -many excellent and pious persons, who, as they stand on the same side -in this sad quarrel, give a credit to the cause of these levellers in -church and state which they otherwise would want; and, notwithstanding -the actions and utterances of the unknown individual before us, I -cannot look upon him without interest and pity." - -An umph from old Peter, with a request that his master would go to bed -himself, and leave him to take care of the stranger, ended the -conversation: Blount went away,--and Noble to his own chamber. - -At an early hour on the following morning two odd-looking servants, in -sad-coloured suits, mounted and armed, presented themselves at the -gate of the vicarage, and inquired "if their master was not there, as -from what they had heard at the blacksmith's shed they thought that -the gentleman, who had been robbed and wounded beneath the rocks, and -was now lying sick in that house, could be no other." - -"I don't think you are far wrong," said Peter, as he cocked his eye -askew at their long lean faces and their plain liveries of a colour -like the cinders in the ash heap. "Like master like man, they say; -though it's little I thought that the poor crazy body up stairs had a -serving-man to truss up his points for him.--What do ye call your -master?" - -"The right worshipful and godly Sir Roger Zouch, an approved voice, a -faithful witness, a preacher of the truth, a trier of spirits, a man -of war--bold as a lion for his God." - -"Why, then, by my troth," said Peter, "thy master is here for a -certainty, and lieth with a cracked skull in our blue room; and is now -telling my good master how he fought last night with beasts from -Ephesus, who is listening to him, poor simple kind soul as he is, with -as much patience as if it was all sense and gospel." - -"Out upon thee, thou vile churl! talkest thou so of one of Zion's -champions? None of thy gibes and jeers, or it may be thine own crown -will feel the weight of my cudgel." So saying, the elder of the two -domestics alighted, and not waiting to be conducted, strode past Peter -with a rude thrust, and entered the house. - -"A plague o' thee!" grumbled Peter: "two can play at quarter staff, as -I'll show thee;" and following him into the passage, he slammed the -door behind him, and left the other servant alone with the two horses -before the wicket. This last, however, tarrying for no invitation, -proceeded deliberately to the stable, and finding it open, introduced -his tired beasts to the astonished old mare; took off bridles and -saddles; and, plentifully supplying the rack and manger with hay and -oats, entered the parson's kitchen, and taking a seat by the dresser -demanded of the frightened maids the creature comforts of breakfast. - -Old Peter, who had just been witnessing the meeting of master and man -above stairs, and whose cross temper had given way to a humour that -had been tickled by the quaint scene and the ludicrous speeches, came -shaking with laughter into the kitchen; but the tired and hungry groom -was in no laughing mood, and soon upset this grinning philosophy by a -smart stroke of his whip across his shoulders. - -In a moment the old man caught up a broomstick to return the blow; -and, though very unequal, either in strength or youth, was standing up -manfully against the assault, when the cook, whose spirit was roused -by Peter's danger, dipped her mop in a pail of foul water, and -thrusting it into the groom's face, drove him into the yard with dirty -cheeks and blinded eyes. The cry of "murder" having been in the mean -time screamed forth at the top of her voice by the other maiden, the -kitchen was instantly filled with every person in the house; for even -Sir Roger Zouch himself, albeit in no seemly garb for appearing in -public, descended close after Noble, and stood up in the midst of them -rather like a ghost newly risen from the grave than true flesh and -blood,--though the stain of the last was indeed sufficiently visible -beneath the folds of the bandage about his head. - -"How now!" said Sir Roger, in a voice rather more stentorian than -might have been expected from the plight in which he had been put to -bed the night before, and in a tone of authority as if he had been in -his own mansion and with only his own household--"How now! brawlings -and fightings: who is the striker, Gabriel Goldworthy?" but before -this slow elder had screwed his mouth up to reply, Peter answered in -his own blunt fashion, and the cook, in a shrill voice, chanted an -echo to his complaint. Meantime the culprit groom, with a foul face, -stood at the yard door as white as a stone with passion, while Sir -Roger thus rejoined:-- - -"Verily, thou art a trouble to me, Abel, and makest me a reproach -among the people wheresoever I go: it was only last week, at the -hostel of the Pied Bull in Tewksbury, thou didst raise a brawl about -thy victuals at the buttery hatch: thou makest a god of thy belly. -Remember that man liveth not by bread alone:--a good soldier must -endure hardness, and never strike but in battle, and then home. I fear -that thou art sensual, and it were not for thy godly grand-mother, and -this, thy God-fearing uncle Gabriel, the man of my right hand, I would -send thee back to thy ditching and delving." - -Abel muttered out that the children of Belial were making a mock of -his master, and that he struck Peter in pure zeal for Sir Roger's -honour; this Gabriel affirmed of his own knowledge to be true, and Sir -Roger was pacified: but an opportunity of preaching, so favourable as -it seemed to his weak judgment, was not to be neglected; he therefore -proceeded to deliver a long rambling discourse on prophecy; and -directed his looks and words with all the persuasive expression that -he could possibly command towards the distressed parson and his good -wife. He flattered himself that he had brought salvation to that -house, and that all which had befallen him was in the order of -Providence to that end. He had taken for his text, "Come out of her, -my people;" and these words were repeated at the close of every -passage, with all the varieties of intonation that his voice admitted. -All efforts to induce him to stop or return up stairs till he had -finished this wearisome preachment were vain. He stood half an hour -with naked feet upon the kitchen stones, and was listened to even by -Peter with a wonder so great, and with so painful a sense of his -craziness, as forbade even a smile. He closed by so earnestly invoking -peace on that house, and enjoining the exhibition of a quiet and an -orderly spirit so forcibly upon the offending Abel, that during the -rest of the day nothing disturbed the household. - -The hardy old Puritan nothing the worse for this exercise of his -lungs, and very little so for the bruise and cut in his encounter with -the robbers the evening before, took his seat at Noble's dinner table -at noon, and seemed very sensible of the truly Christian hospitality -of his host. - -As arguments or any appeals to reason would so evidently be thrown -away upon a man under the prejudices and delusions of Sir Roger Zouch, -Noble dexterously avoided inflaming the mind of his guest with a -discussion on grave matters, and led him to speak on other topics. He -found that he had travelled a great deal, and had in his youth served -in the Low Countries. Upon these subjects he conversed rationally and -pleasantly enough; and, as they walked after their meal into the -garden, he showed an acquaintance with plants and flowers, and a -knowledge of the various methods of laying out a garden, which in so -stern a fanatic would seem strange; but what is there so variable, so -inconstant, as man?--he is "some twenty several men in every hour;" -not that either the dinner or the walk in the garden passed over -without sundry efforts to spiritualise and improve the subjects which -those occasions offered. In the garden especially, after talking a -while like any other rational and well informed gentleman, he suddenly -broke out in a rhapsody about the approaching millennium, and the -personal reign of the Messiah upon this earth. His politics were -violent; but in this they differed not from many able and patriotic -men of the time. Against the church, however, his wrath evidently -burned, and he affected to disbelieve the possibility of so pious a -minister, as Noble plainly was, being sincerely resolved to remain in -her communion. Upon this point, however, Noble was too bold and too -honest to conceal his resolutions. - -It so happened that the next morning, before Sir Roger Zouch left the -parsonage of Cheddar, there came to Noble a summons to attend the -Committee of Inquiry into Church Matters, of which old Blount had -warned the worthy parson on the evening of his return from Wells. Of -this Noble informed his guest, and asked him if, as he saw the name of -Zouch among the commissioners, it was any relation of his? The knight -replied in the affirmative, and told Noble not to trouble himself to -attend; for that as he was himself going to Axbridge he would make -known to the committee his wish that no molestation might be given -him. To this Noble would by no means consent, till he had received a -solemn promise from Sir Roger that he would not represent him as less -opposed to their proceedings against the church than he truly was, or -less attached to that sacred institution which they sought to destroy. - -Thus was the trial of Noble for another brief season deferred, and the -malicious designs and interested hopes of the meddling and -hypocritical Daws were for the present disappointed. However, the gold -was yet to be put into the fire at the appointed time. - -All these circumstances were related by Noble in a letter to his son -Cuthbert, exactly as they occurred, with very little comment, and -thus, as he rightly judged, they would make a forcible impression on -his mind. They did so: a due consideration of them delivered him from -some of his own delusions, and opened his eyes to those of a few of -his companions; and though he was not at all more separated from the -Non-conformists, yet he attached himself to the most sober among -them. - - - - -CHAP. XIX. - - In thee, faire mansion, let it rest, - Yet know, with what thou art possest; - Thou entertaining in thy brest - But such a mind, mak'st God thy guest. - BEN JONSON. - - -What time the primroses were beginning to spread palely over the green -and sunny banks in the neighbourhood of Milverton House, in the spring -of 1642, the grimed armourers of England were busy in their smoky -workshops; and there was no hall in the land, whether private or -civic, in which the arms were not taken down from the walls and put in -order. Every where notes of preparation were heard, and eyes of -settled resolve might be seen. - -The House of Commons had petitioned the King for the militia, and they -were already active in raising men. Sir Oliver Heywood, refusing to -act in this matter, resigned his office of magistrate and justice of -the peace, and took a decided part for the King. But although he had -good will to the royal cause, and spoke his sentiments loudly and -bitterly, although he was ready to make some personal exertions and -some pecuniary sacrifices for his party, he was, as has been observed -before, an indolent, self-indulgent old gentleman, a lover of ease and -of his own way; methodical in all his habits, and obstinate in all his -prejudices. The frequent visits of those hard and active men of -business, who were employed to forward the royal cause by negotiating -with all the Cavalier gentry for supplies of men and money, before the -commission of array was actually issued, disturbed him sadly, and his -temper became very irritable. Sir Charles Lambert had been long -re-established in his good graces, and to the deep sorrow of Katharine -had become once more a constant guest at Milverton. It is true that a -great improvement had apparently taken place in his outward conduct, -but Katharine disliked, mistrusted, feared him. She saw that he again -entertained hopes of accomplishing his purposes upon her weak father, -and of thus obtaining possession of her hand in marriage. It was an -inconceivable mystery to her that any human being should desire to be -united to another, when aware that his very touch was evaded with a -shudder, and that from his gaze the face was averted with loathing. - -Some changes had taken place at the Hall within the last year, which -had glided away with the swiftness of a shadow. In the January -immediately preceding the season of which we are now writing, Mistress -Alice had been summoned by that call, which, sooner or later, all must -obey, and laid in a peaceful grave:--the snows that fell upon it were -not more pure and spotless than had been her kind and innocent life, -and her dissolution had been as gentle and as soft as their quick and -silent melting. - -The family and household were still in their mourning for her; and had -any stranger gazed upon Katharine Heywood, as in her sad robes of -black she paced the terrace alone with slow and thoughtful steps, he -would have wept for sympathy, and deemed her one of those silent -mourners for the dead who refuse to be comforted, and cherish the -sweet memory of a vanished image; but it was far otherwise,--her -griefs were those of doubt and apprehension about the living. If ever -a glance of the mind looked after the departed Alice, it did so with -affection and complacency; with a calm joy that she was taken from the -evil to come, and with an envy of her quiet tomb. But such movements -of impatience at the difficulties of her path and the dreariness of -that waste which lay before her in her appointed pilgrimage were never -of any long continuance. She knew them to be wicked, and she knew them -to be vain: she wore divine and secret armour, and she neither fled -nor fainted in her hours of trial. The occasional, though less -frequent, visits of George Juxon were a great relief to her,--and Jane -Lambert continued to be her constant friend and beloved companion. -Over the character of Jane there had come a change, which, though at -times it was viewed with serious anxiety by Katharine, did upon the -whole suit far better with those habits of her own soul which care -had begotten. - -Jane Lambert's eyes, which were used to be lighted up with bright and -joyous expression, and a certain lively and winning archness, did now -often fill with unbidden tears, or were fixed gravely upon vacancy. - -One day, as the friends were walking together in a silent mood, the -hand of Katharine resting gently upon the shoulder of Jane, and their -steps slow as those of vestals in their groves, Juxon came suddenly -upon them in their path; and so deep was the abstraction of both, that -he was not seen of either till they met closely. - -"I am sorry," he observed, "to break the spell by which you are both -bound, but I could not turn back, for I have business with Sir Oliver; -however, it was to all seeming a spell so black and melancholy that -perhaps it is better broken." - -"It is a good omen for us that it is broken by you, Master Juxon, for -you are always a prophet of good, and misfortune never makes choice of -such a messenger," said Katharine, with an effort at cheerfulness. -Jane, too, suddenly recollecting herself, endeavoured to put on a -careless smile, of welcome, but the effort failed her, and she burst -into a flood of tears. - -Juxon, distressed and affected by the sight, made no reply to -Katharine, but stood rivetted to the spot, hesitating whether he -should proceed towards the house, and leave Jane to recover herself -under the care of her friend, or whether he should remain to render -what service he could, by diverting and calming a sorrow, the secret -cause of which he fancied that he knew. - -Meanwhile, Katharine pressed Jane to her heart, and, covering her from -observation, as though she were a child, said, "This is the natural -effect of a night without sleep, and a nervous headache: it will do -her good; you need not stay with us; we shall do very well, and Jane -will be all the brighter for it at supper. You will find my father in -the vineyard." - -Jane, however, in part relieved by these tears, quickly raised her -head, and, with one of her most natural smiles dimpling her wet -cheeks, said, "Pray do not let me drive you away: this is just -nothing at all but what my old nurse used to call the mopes and the -megrims: there, it is all over; that's one advantage we women have -over you lords of the creation; that is, such of us as are not -heroines, which I shall never be for one: we may now and then have a -good cry; and, take my word for it, it is a fine cure for all -nonsenses,--another favourite noun plural of my dear old nurse when I -was little and naughty." This flash of affected gaiety did only light -up her features, however, for a passing moment, and ere her few words -were uttered an air of extreme depression returned upon her. - -"Nay, Mistress Jane," said Juxon, "these are no child's tears, neither -are they fantastical like the melancholy of your fine lady: the -fountain of them is deeper than any of these; you are unhappy. Here, -before your noble friend, I must say that I have seen this for a long -time: for more than a year I have witnessed with deep pain your -altered manners and your failing health. Tell her the sad cause of -your trouble; pour out your heart to her; she will safely advise and -surely comfort you." - -"Really, Master Juxon," replied Jane, "you are a very strange person; -and when you take a fancy into your head you are like good Sir Oliver, -and truth would not drive it out again, though spoken by an angel, -therefore a poor silly girl like me may not make the attempt." - -"For that matter, lady, you can look and speak persuasively as ever -angel did: where do you hide your wings?" - -"Wings!--well, really now, if I were a court lady instead of a rustic, -and had that magic mirror that hides all freckles, and gives every -body that looks into it the face of a beauty, that fine compliment -would win my heart; but as it is, I must e'en be content to walk the -earth on two serviceable feet; on which I shall very soon run from -your words and looks, if you do not speak about a more entertaining -subject than me and my megrims." - -The gravity of her eyes contradicted the gaiety of her lips, as she -thus spoke; and the unuttered wish in the deep recesses of her heart -was, "Oh that I had the wings of a dove, that I might flee away, and -be at rest!" - -Juxon looked upon her, for a moment, with a tender manly expression of -countenance, in which were blended respectful pity and warm -admiration; then turning to Katharine, he changed the subject, and -diverted all further attention from Jane by telling the former upon -what matter he was seeking Sir Oliver. - -"I have just received a letter," said he, "from Oxford, from that fine -youth Arthur: it is both conceived and expressed in a spirit worthy -the days of chivalry and of a man of mature age. He desires me to urge -upon Sir Oliver his brave request, which is, that he may be permitted -to come down instantly and take the field with whatever men Sir Oliver -can raise for the King's service. He says that it is useless to compel -him to remain at the University and pursue his studies in the present -distracted state of public affairs, and that his age is not younger -than that at which many a person renowned in history has appeared in -arms for his country. The reason, it seems, of his preferring this -request through me is, that he has been sharply reprimanded by Sir -Oliver for even thinking of it; for he has already decided to place -all the horsemen which he can raise under Sir Charles Lambert. Arthur -truly observes, that as the infirmities of Sir Oliver now forbid his -going to camp himself, it is right that a representative of his name -should ride at the head of his tenants and yeomen; and that, although -too young for a responsible charge, he can at least share their -danger, and set a good example of devotion to the King's service. That -he is quite willing to be under the command of Sir Charles Lambert; -but that, if his present wish is refused, he will, at the risk of the -worthy knight's displeasure, join the banner of the lords Falkland or -Carnarvon as a simple volunteer." - -To this statement Katharine listened with a generous admiration of the -gallant boy, and a hearty approval of his conduct; moreover, she felt -that, by this arrangement, she should have a young protector, not only -for the family, but whom she could depend upon as a shield from the -dreaded importunities of Sir Charles, and whose presence would take -away one of her father's excuses for urging upon her an abhorred -connection. Of Arthur's conduct and character she felt sure: he looked -up to her with the reverence of a son and the affection of a brother; -and though her heart beat with a regretted fondness for another -Heywood, a cousin separated from her by fate and fortune, towards this -youth Arthur she entertained the composed and quiet affection of a -young mother or an elder sister; therefore she rejoiced at the -prospect of his return to Milverton, and promised to say every thing -to her father which could move him to consent to this proposal. - -Juxon now left the ladies, and walked on at a faster pace towards the -house. - -As soon as he was out of hearing, Katharine took Jane by the hand, and -looking steadfastly into her face, said,-- - -"My dear, dear friend, it is the privilege of friendship, and it is -the enjoined duty of Christians, to weep with those that weep:--Juxon -is right--you are unhappy--some secret sorrow is devouring your -inward peace--reveal it to me." - -"Nay, Katharine, urge me not:--every heart knoweth its own -bitterness--to every one is appointed some inward cross, which is -better borne in silence." - -"Yet the sympathy of a friend is as a balm to the wounded spirit--a -balm, Jane, which you have often poured gently and sweetly into mine, -to the refreshment of my soul and the comfort of my aching -heart;--besides, Jane, we must not let our private and inward griefs -prey upon and consume our vital strength at a period like the -present:--great trials are coming upon us, and severe duties will soon -demand all our energies." - -"I know it, beloved Katharine,--and by your side I can meet them all. -You are to me, all things: I have nothing on earth but you to whom I -can cling: the stream of my heart would run to waste if it might not -flow forth on you." - -"Hush! beloved,--hush!--these words are vain,"--and pointing to the -blue sky and the fleecy clouds above them, Katharine silently -conveyed to Jane her soft reproof and gentle admonition. - -"I know all that you would say to me," answered the mournful girl; -"but, when all is said, how much of our present being must ever remain -a mystery--sunbeams shine upon our heads, and violets spring beneath -our feet--and yet, Kate, the world which this God of love hath created -is a scene of misery--you know it is. What have you ever done that -your brow should be clouded with sorrow, and your cheek blanched by -care----" - -"Stop, Jane; for your life, not another word like this:--'they build -too low who build below the sky:'--a curse is on this earth--a -recorded curse--we may not, must not, cannot make a heaven of it:--it -is our school, our place of discipline--the infancy of our -existence:--what have any of us done, or what can any of us do, that -so many countless blessings should be poured upon us? that we should -be invited and taught to acquaint ourselves with that Holy One, by -whom came truth, pardon, and peace--through whom we may win an -entrance to that heavenly city, where 'all tears shall be wiped from -all faces?'" - -A light of hope beamed in her serious eyes as thus she spoke, and Jane -beheld it with reverence. The friends walked slowly back towards the -house--there was a long pause in their discourse. It was broken by -Jane asking, "You surely admit, dear cousin, that there is a vast -difference in the fortunes and the trials of mankind?" - -"The seeming difference is vast, but not perhaps the real:--we see -only the outward aspect of suffering and of prosperity--but the cup of -life is mixed." - -"Surely to many, who are prosperous and happy, few trials are -appointed:--they are pleasant in their lives, and honoured in their -deaths; they appear even upon earth to be the favourites of Heaven." - -"If truly such, my love, their portion in this life will be little -thought of; for they will know that in the bosom of Abraham the -Lazarus of this world has his high place of honour as of comfort, and -that the fashion of this world passeth away; nay, before the great -change comes, one turn of the wheel may bring the loftiest fortunes to -the dust, and crush them beneath it; even now, do we not see and hear -the preparations of war?" - -"There, again, Katharine,--how can we reconcile with the power of a -God of love the existence of so dark and terrible a curse as war?" - -"It is but one of many forms of death." - -"But the miseries in its violent and bloody path----" - -"Are not so great as those of pestilence, or famine, or the -hurricane." - -"Well, Katharine, why pestilence, or famine, or hurricane?--_why -death?_--and _whence sin?_" - -"Jane, we know not now--we shall know hereafter; let us not perplex -ourselves with doubts and inquiries which none can solve; the origin -of evil lies hidden from our eyes; it is a deep thing--enough for us -that the Divine champion hath triumphed over sin--hath plucked the -sting from death--and victory from the grave:--in and through him we -may all be conquerors." - -"And can they so conquer if they be not followers of the Lamb?--and -may the followers of the Lamb fight and shed each other's blood in -battle?" - -"It is sad, very sad," rejoined Katharine, with a shudder of her whole -frame: "it seems a stern necessity in the condition of all the -kingdoms of this world that they should be defended by the sword. Good -men, great men, the holiest servants of Heaven have wielded earthly -arms, and the weapons of death:--with his sword and with his bow the -father of the faithful led his own household to the combat,--and the -virtues of the warrior are the chosen illustrations of those required -in the secret conflicts of the Christian." - -"I know it, Katharine--and that to the spirit of Christian children -there must be joined the courage of sacred warriors. Alas! for me--my -heart faints within me--my mind is confused:--I wish I were a man, for -then, in the excitement of these struggles, I could escape those of -the closet." - -"To suffer, Jane, requires a more enduring courage than to act; and in -patient suffering the high constancy of woman's mind hath ever shone -most purely:--for the wives of England bitter trials are coming--ours -will be light to theirs; and yours, dear girl, as you well know, less -heavy than even mine." - -"Katharine, you do not know my trial, or you would not speak -thus:--not a faithful and suffering wife in all England but I shall -envy her the sweetness of her sufferings: it is in storms that we -cling most closely to what we love." - -"True, fond girl, but remember that they may also divide us from what -we love. Still there is a sweet truth in your melancholy words: I -think you would be happy united to such a man as Juxon. He is -evidently much attached to you; and I think you are not indifferent to -him." - -"Cousin, he is worthy of a better fortune. He never can be mine." - -"What is the meaning of that strong emphasis? Is, then, the secret of -your sorrow a concealed attachment to another?" - -"Katharine, you see not clearly in this matter; I am pitied by Juxon, -not loved." - -"I know not, dear Jane, for what he should pity you; but pity is akin -to love." - -"And also to contempt:--Juxon despises me: yes, the pity of one so -generous and noble hearted is heavy to bear." - -"Impossible! he knows your sterling worth; he knows that you could not -do what was wrong: you utter many things that are idle; but I have -heard him warmly express his regard for your frank character; his -faith in your high principles, and his fear that you judged others by -yourself, and might in the trials of life prove too confiding towards -others." - -"Have you, indeed, Kate? what, lately?" - -"Yes; not many days ago." - -"Well, this is comfort; for I love him passing well:--keep my secret, -Katharine; you know not how faithfully I have kept yours." As Jane -Lambert thus spoke, she took the hand of her fair cousin and pressed -it against her beating heart. Katharine drew it away with a sudden -agitation, and placing it on her pale forehead seemed to muse awhile: -her eyes wore the expression of one that was wildly busy over the -mysterious tablets of her memory; at last, fixing them on Jane with a -troubled gaze, "I have it," she said: "a light flashes on me; the -interview with Francis: it was observed by some one; it was known to -Juxon, and you have borne----" - -"Nothing that I would not bear again for the love of Katharine, and -for her peace of mind." - -"Noblest of beings, alas! how am I punished for having thus employed -you! why did you not tell me all? May God forgive me! I never can -forgive myself." - -"Talk not thus," said Jane, rushing into her arms. "This moment richly -repays whatever I have suffered: that which I may now safely relate to -you you could not have borne at the time, nor should I tell it even -now, if it were not that I know you will be seeking some explanations -from Juxon." - -The generous girl now gave a minute narration of all that had passed -between herself and Francis at their interview. She told how very -deeply she had been affected by the devotion with which he spoke of -Katharine, and by those looks and gestures which revealed the -constancy and the ardour of his love: the action so passionate towards -her, upon whom his mind's eye was inwardly resting, with which Francis -had parted from herself, was not forgotten. The circumstance of her -immediately after meeting with Juxon, and the scene which passed -between them, were described with the like fidelity. - -A paleness as of marble overspread the face of Katharine; her eyes -assumed a vacant regard; her hand became cold, and from her moving -lips no sound was audible. She stood a while like one suddenly turned -to stone; and Jane, expecting her every instant to swoon away, -supported her in trembling terror. It seemed an age of agony to Jane, -though the trance did not last more than three awful minutes. The -eyelids of Katharine closed; tears glittered on the long dark lashes; -warmth and consciousness returned. She slowly opened her eyes; and, -fixing them on Jane with an affection no words could convey, suffered -herself to be led back in unbroken silence to the mansion. - - - - -CHAP. XX. - - 'Tis _jest_ to tell a people that they're free: - _Who_ or _how many_ shall their _masters_ be - Is the sole doubt. - COWLEY. - - -Before the walls of Hull, in Yorkshire, King Charles was first made -sensible that the powers and the prerogatives of the crown were -already usurped by the Parliament. Sir John Hotham shut the gates of -the city, and refused to admit the small force by which the King was -attended. - -The governor stood upon the wall, and the King, who had appointed him -to that office of trust, sat upon his horse beneath, and heard a -sickening protestation of loyalty to his person, while the guards, to -whom he intrusted its defence, were treated as the enemies of his -throne and kingdom. Here began that artful distinction, whereby the -Parliamentarians professed to keep garrisons and raise soldiers in -the name of the King, while they opposed his wishes and resisted his -authority. - -They had already taken from the King the power of the militia; and -having compelled him to throw himself on the support of the private -gentry, the flame of civil war was soon kindled. - -At the time when his Majesty was thus repulsed by Sir John Hotham, he -was surrounded by a small company of gallant gentlemen, who had formed -themselves into a body guard; and he found himself, in a province -remote from his capital, without a regiment, without money to raise -one, and without a single garrison or company of soldiers in all -England receiving his pay or acknowledging the royal orders: the navy, -the ordnance, stores, magazines, and the revenue, were in the keeping -of the Parliament. His sole dependence was on the loyalty, the -courage, and the resources of the country gentlemen of England. - -The midland counties were for the most part subjected to the influence -of the Parliament, and lay too near the city of London to resist or -even dispute the commands of that powerful assembly. - -This body was no sooner apprised of the conduct of Hotham, and -informed that he had been proclaimed a traitor by the King, than they -openly justified the conduct of that governor, and soon after publicly -voted "that the King intended to levy war against the Parliament." -This declaration was followed by active preparations for war on both -sides; but the advantages for commencing it were greatly on the side -of the Parliament; and the gentry in the west, and more especially in -the northern counties, were, at first, disheartened by the evident -distraction of the King's counsel, and the gloomy aspect of his -affairs. - -Therefore, in Yorkshire, though many promises were given, few troops -were raised; and if Shropshire and Wales had not been animated by a -more lively hope, and a warmer zeal, no royal army could ever have -appeared in the field. - -Meanwhile the levies for the Parliament were very successful, and men -came in as fast as they could be received and armed. In addition to -these volunteers, the rustics drawn for the militia were compelled to -join their corps, and were put under the training of such officers as -could be found. - -In July, the Parliament voted the Earl of Essex their general of foot, -and appointed the Earl of Bedford the commander of their horse; and -early in August declared themselves necessitated to take arms and to -commence hostilities. - -These vigorous measures inspired their partisans throughout the -kingdom with a resolute spirit, and in London not a voice was openly -lifted up for the King. - -As early as the month of May, Francis Heywood had procured his -services to be accepted as captain of a troop of horse under Sir John -Balfour, and was by him immediately appointed an instructor or -sergeant-major[A] of cavalry. - - [A] The titles of Sergeant-Major, and Sergeant-Major-General, at - that period, correspond with Adjutant-Major and Adjutant-General - of our times. - -At such a moment, the zeal of Cuthbert Noble would not suffer him to -remain behind, while so many were taking arms for the great, and, as -he thought, holy cause, of liberty. He did not find it difficult, -through the favour of a friend, to obtain the grade of lieutenant in a -company of foot; and he set forth on a fine morning in June to join a -regiment then assembled in quarters at the town of St. Albans, in -Hertfordshire, for training. - -His finances did not admit of more than a very humble -equipment,--accordingly he was mounted on a low shambling pony, across -which he had also placed the saddle bags containing his better gear, -his Bible, and two or three violent pamphlets of the day against -prelacy and the divine right of kings. - -Notwithstanding the heat of his opinions, and his hearty concurrence -in the measures of the Parliament, Cuthbert, in his lonely hours, was -of that serious and solemn temper of mind, that he could not but -reflect on the step he was now taking with more than his wonted -gravity. - -That his present course would be distressing to his father he well -knew; but he silenced this whisper of his better angel with the -consideration that his father was old, timid, and averse to change, -rather from early prejudices and associations than from the light of -conscience and the use of right reason. - -Again, with that obliquity of mind with which men who are in fact -taking their own way wish to think it that appointed by Providence, he -ran over all the texts of Scripture then in the mouths of the -Roundheads, as justifying their appeal to arms, and silenced all the -lingering remonstrances that yet struggled in his bosom with those -inapplicable words of Holy Writ, "He that loveth father or mother more -than me is not worthy of me." - -Having thus, by forcibly wresting a quotation from Scripture, served -his immediate purpose, and given freedom and tranquillity to his -spirit, he suffered his imagination to dress out the duties of -military life in all their most sacred glory. The language of the Old -Testament, and that of the profane authors with which he was familiar, -were called up in a strange confusion to gild the prospect before -him,--and now a song of triumph from his Bible, now a quotation from -Homer, was sounding on his lips, and ere he was aware was kindling a -vain and unholy ambition:--a secret and impious persuasion of the -favour and approval of Heaven filled him with a swelling anticipation -of coming victories and high rewards. He resolved that the virtues of -the Spartan or the Roman soldier should in his person be combined with -the ardour and the holiness of the most chosen warriors of Israel. - -He saw not the lean and sorry nag beneath him; he thought not of those -weary marches which he should have to make afoot, when the miserable -jade on which he was now sitting astride his saddle bags should be -stumbling along stony or miry ways in a train of baggage horses; but -he pictured out a future in which he should ride among the princes of -the people, and in marches of triumph. - -From this dream of his fancy he was suddenly and very effectually -awakened by feeling the animal, which he was riding, sink under him -with an uneasy motion; and, before he could possibly prevent it, he -found the water of a considerable stream, which he was then fording, -above his knees, and his saddle bags thoroughly soaked through. The -beast had his own notions of enjoyment as well as his dreamy rider; -and, as the day was hot, the road was dusty, and his burden -sufficiently oppressive, had taken this very seasonable refreshment. - -Nature suddenly asserted her power over the precise young Puritan; -and, to the scandal of all his late professions, he gave vent to his -wrath in certain violent and unseemly phrases which would not have -disgraced the most accomplished swearer among the wild Cavaliers of -that time. These oaths were but the accompaniments of sundry hard -blows with a cudgel, kickings with the heel, and jerks of the rein, by -dint of which the nag, unable to rebuke him for his injustice, was -compelled to rise and go forward. The accident was in itself -sufficiently provoking; and the irritation of Cuthbert was increased -by encountering on the bank an old beggar with a wooden leg, who, -tossing his staff pike fashion, loudly asked his alms for an old -crippled soldier done up in the wars; and, thrusting his tongue in -his cheek, eyed his foolish plight with a merry satisfaction, which he -could not conceal. - -"Out upon thee!" said Cuthbert, "for an old drunken impostor:--such -fellows as you tippling bawlers of ballads are the curse of the -land;--go scrape your cracked fiddle for sots on the ale bench, and -don't trouble honest men on their road." - -"The lie in thy throat, thou prick-eared canting Roundhead!" replied -the old soldier:--"thou foul-mouthed hypocrite! is it for thou to rate -sinners after rattling out oaths like a shameless brawler in a bear -garden? I am a cleaner spoken man than thou, blessings on him who -taught me, and more honest than to play traitor to my king:--God bless -his gracious Majesty! I wish him no better luck than that all the -Roundheads, militia, and train-bands, horse and foot, were just such a -set of raw awkward spoonies as yourself." - -While he was yet speaking, Cuthbert's jade, as if moved by the very -spirit of mischief, shook her ears and was down in the middle of the -loose dusty road, without better warning than before; for the -attention of Cuthbert being quite taken up by his anger with the old -soldier, he was again too late to prevent it. The dust plentifully -adhered to his legs, thighs, and saddle bags. He instantly dismounted -in a rage, kicked the beast up again, drove it forward, and, turning -short round upon the old man, in a fury, said,-- - -"If it were not for your age and grey hairs, you insolent old -vagabond, I would rap your pate smartly with my cudgel." - -"That were easier spoken than done," rejoined the old man, holding his -quarter staff lightly in a defensive posture. - -A little dog, which accompanied the old man, perceiving by these -actions, and by the loudness of their speech, that the stranger was -quarrelling with his master, flew at Cuthbert with a sharp and angry -bark, than which perhaps nothing does more inflame the rising choler; -he, therefore, struck at the little animal furiously, and the end of -his cudgel inflicted on it a sharp stroke, which sent it howling and -yelping behind its master. - -The old soldier, without a moment's loss of time, resented this injury -by so heavy and well placed a blow on the head of Cuthbert, that his -steeple-crowned hat was knocked off; and had it not been defended -within by the strong bars of iron with which it had been recently -fitted for the wars, he would have gotten a severe bruise. - -"He that touches my dog touches me," said the old man: "I am sorry -that I did not make thee feel it." The quarter staff of the beggar -had, by his stumbling and over-reaching himself, flown out of his -hand, and his old rabbit-skin cap had fallen upon the ground:--a fine -polished head thinly strewn with grey hairs lay bare and -exposed.--"There, you may crack it if you will now," he added, raising -the ineffectual defence of his arm. - -"I am a man," said Cuthbert, "and not a brute: I would not strike thee -for all my hot words; but I have been beside myself with passion. May -God forgive me for my great offence against him--and do you forgive -me for the hard things I said to you, and the stroke I gave your dog." - -So speaking, he picked up the old man's quarter staff and his cap, and -gave them into his hands; at the same time taking a piece of silver -out of his pocket, he tendered it with a look of good will--but the -soldier would not take it. - -"It would do me no good," said he: "I should have no luck with it, and -could never relish the bread or beer it bought me." - -"Then lay it out in dog's meat, friend: thy poor cur will have -forgotten my rude blow before thou hast forgiven my uncomfortable -words:--you wo'n't go to sleep in ill will with me, I hope." - -"No, I shan't do that," rejoined the aged beggar,--"the good old -parson of Cheddar taught me better than that,--and I minds what he -said as if it were yesterday--God bless him!--church and king for -ever, say I.--I wo'n't have your money." - -Surprized and startled by this strange and unexpected mention of his -father, Cuthbert drew from the old man the whole story of his -adventure at Cheddar, and his interview with Noble. - -He listened with deep emotion to the narrative, and recognised in all -the circumstances the internal evidence of its truth, from its exact -correspondence with the character of his father's mind and heart, and -those large and tolerant notions which he had always taught and -carried out into practice. - -"I know that good parson well," said Cuthbert, "and love him like a -father." - -"Do you indeed?--then I'll take your money, and give you hearty thanks -for it.--But I say, young master, if you knows the parson of Cheddar -so well, it's my belief your taking the wrong road:--a man can't serve -two masters--without you do call God and the king two; and he that -serves God first, and king the next after, must always be right, as I -have heard say from the time I was the height of this quarter staff." - -Cuthbert gave him two pieces, and walked on in a humbled and in no -satisfied frame of mind. - -His poor beast, like a patient packhorse, was quietly browsing by the -road-side at no great distance, and Cuthbert drove it before him, not -caring to mount again till the sun and air had dried his wet breeches -and hose. - -The pettiness of the mortification which had moved him to such -ungovernable anger was now lost in the most gloomy reflections on the -sin of having so greatly dishonoured the commandments of God by -cursing and swearing. Though naturally of a warm temper, he had never -been at all addicted to the odious use of vulgar oaths, and for awhile -he began to doubt the sincerity of his faith, and to imagine that the -whole work of religion must be entered upon as a new thing. - -Again, the very strange circumstance of his father's image being -brought before him in a manner so unexpected, by a way-side beggar, -and the lesson of charity, and the solemn monition to turn back from -the party which he had chosen, conveyed by so lowly an instrument, -perplexed his reason and staggered his resolution. - -But the die was cast, the step was taken, and it was impossible for -him, even if willing, to recede without disgrace. He ran over in his -mind all the wrongs and the oppressions which had been committed in -the name and with the sanction of the King. He recalled the sufferings -of Prynne and his companions. He remembered the tyrannical imposition -of ship money; the noble resistance to that measure by Hampden, now -himself in arms; the violence towards the Scots; the articles -exhibited against the five members; and, more than all, he considered -that, if the King should conquer in the impending struggle, the -despotic rule of the crown would be established more firmly than ever; -the hateful tribunal of the Star Chamber would be again erected; -prelacy, armed with new powers, would rear its mitre on the ruins of -religious liberty; and all those abuses in church and state, which had -called forth the famous Remonstrance of the Commons, and the Petition -of Rights founded on it, would most certainly be restored. - -As these considerations passed through the mind of Cuthbert, he felt -shame that he could for a moment have doubted the righteousness of the -cause in which he had embarked. What was the little incident, which -had so discomposed and ruffled him, when it was stripped naked? His -nag had lain down in the water, and he had got a wetting. He should -have laughed it off, and so he would have done but for wounded pride. -He was conscious of the poverty of his equipment, and yet more so of -his unmilitary appearance;--that the witness of his accident should -mock him, and be an old soldier to boot, was more than he could bear. -He finally resolved all that had passed into a hellish temptation of -the evil one to divert him from the path of Christian duty; and thus -comforting himself, and speaking peace to his heart, with a very -slight repentance for his plain transgression of God's law, he -recovered his serenity. He now mounted his nag, and cheerfully pursued -his way till the fine massive tower of St. Alban's Abbey reminded him -that he was near the place of his destination. He stopped under a -shady tree a little off the road; brushed off the marks of his foolish -misadventure; adjusted his dress; buckled the belt of his rapier more -tightly, and rode into the town with a wish that he might escape -present observation, and get soon housed. But it so chanced that in -the narrow entrance of the very first street in St. Alban's Cuthbert -met the whole garrison marching forth to exercise. The leading rank of -musketeers, forming the advanced guard, filled the width of the street -from house to house on either side of the way; therefore he was forced -to stop, and placing his pony close to the wall that he might prove as -small an obstacle as possible, saw the whole force pass him, and -attracted the attention of them all. At any other time, and under -other circumstances, he would have gazed upon the military show with a -natural pleasure, and as it was, he looked upon them with much -curiosity; but his position was very uncomfortable; and he felt small -as they filed by with a strong and measured tread, keeping time to a -few loud drums and piercing fifes. - -Several divisions of foot, composed of musketeers and pikemen in equal -proportions, and each led by a mounted officer, and with their -appointed number of captains, lieutenants, and sergeants, followed -each other in succession; but there was a great difference in their -equipment and bearing. - -The three leading divisions, amounting to nearly nine hundred -effective men, were a fine sample of the very best infantry which had -as yet been formed under the orders of the Parliament. Their clothing -was of a coarse red cloth: the belts and bandaliers of those who were -armed with muskets were of buff leather; and a girdle of double buff, -eight inches broad, was worn under the skirts of the doublet. The -musketeers also wore black steeple-crowned hats, with small but strong -bars of iron fastened under the felt. In addition to their muskets and -rests, they were all provided with a good stiff tuck, not very long, -so fixed in the belt as not to swing or incommode them. - -The pikemen were furnished with good pikes, eighteen feet in length, -with small steel heads, and good stiff tucks like those of the -musketeers. They had also for defensive armour iron head pieces, with -back and breast pieces of the same quality, pistol-proof, and each man -was provided with a good long buff glove for the left hand; they also -wore the broad buff girdle; the musketeers had bands about their hats -of a considerable width, finished in front with a rose of orange -cloth, but they had no feathers or plumes; and there was a steadiness -and severity in their whole aspect which commanded admiration. It was -one of the first regiments embodied, composed principally of a better -order of volunteers, and commanded by a very strict and experienced -officer. From these men Cuthbert had nothing to suffer: they were -silent in their ranks; and merely glanced at him as they passed with -looks of gloomy or proud indifference; but the regiment that followed -was a raw levy of militiamen just raised: they had arms, indeed, and -were divided already into musketeers and pikemen, like those who -preceded them; but their clothing and equipment was very incomplete, -and few of the pikemen had either back or breast pieces. Of these, -numbers had been drawn, reluctantly, from the neighbouring villages, -to supply the quota of men required by the militia act, and were -enrolled with the mockery of an oath, by which they were sworn in, to -fight "_for the King against the King_,"--a distinction which of -course the greater part of them could not understand. They only wanted -to be left alone, and suffered to follow their ploughs in peace. Most -of them had some excuse to offer in the Shire Hall, and some story to -tell why they should not go for soldiers. This man had aged parents to -support; another had a family of children; and that man had just -married a wife. Others, who were not provided with such good excuses, -feigned deafness, bad eyes, lame shoulders, weak ankle bones, fits, -rheumatic pains, or some other disqualification, to escape the irksome -duties of praying and fighting under Puritan commanders. Many kissed -their own thumbs instead of the Bible when they took their oaths of -service, meaning to desert the first opportunity that offered; still -there were numbers of idle rustics who came when they were called out, -and did as they were bid, without further question; and these, in -spite of their officers and sergeants, and Puritan comrades, contrived -their own amusements, and laughed at the grave preachments which -forbade them. - -As a file of these young swains passed Cuthbert, one struck the end of -a lighted match under his pony's tail; and to the astonishment of -Cuthbert, and the disturbance of the whole division following, the -poor animal, hitherto as lazy and patient as a laden donkey, began -kicking with such sudden activity and vigour, that the rider had some -difficulty in keeping his seat. However, though inwardly vexed, -Cuthbert stuck close to the saddle, and putting a good face on the -vexatious incident disarmed the laughter which was at first generally -excited by joining in it himself, till a humane sergeant plucked away -the burning cause of the animal's pain and terror,--and the frightened -beast stood still, trembling and in a bath of sweat. Until this -moment Cuthbert was at a loss to know what had so alarmed his pony; -but he now alighted and made a complaint about what had been done to -an officer that was passing. - -The grave personage whom he addressed said, with a sly -smile,--"Verily, friend, thy little garron was in the way, and I -counsel thee to patience in this matter:--there is no harm done, and -verily thou didst stick to thy saddle like a sergeant-major of -cavalry." - -Without waiting for any rejoinder, the officer marched on; and no -sooner had the infantry defiled, than the shrill tones of a few -trumpets announced the advance of four troops of horse. As these fine -men walked their powerful animals along the street, they cast down -looks of contempt upon poor Cuthbert and his little hack; and he could -not but feel that he had never as yet rightly conceived what were the -naked realities of soldiership. There were far more unpleasant and -painful experiences to come than the petty mortifications of this his -first contact with troops. However, he had a wise, generous, and noble -friend to instruct and arm his mind in the path on which he had -entered; and his spirit was now in its first moment of weakness and -need sustained and comforted by his appearance. - -Immediately in the rear of this body of horse rode an officer -admirably mounted and equipped, and beneath his polished helmet -Cuthbert instantly recognised Francis Heywood. By this old campaigner -his position was seen and understood at a glance. He stopped, shook -hands with him heartily, and desiring him to find out his quarter at -the house of a brewer in the next street, bade him give his baggage -pony in charge to his batman, and occupy his apartment till the -exercise should be over. - -This was so great a lift and recovery to the sinking spirits of -Cuthbert that he had no sooner put up his pony than he turned back and -followed the troops to the plain where they were drawn out. - -It was a fine sight to the unaccustomed eye to watch the evolutions of -the musketeers and the pikemen, as the former advanced to skirmish and -cover the movements of the more solid body, and again as they rapidly -retired, and, kneeling down in front of the close array of pikemen, -awaited under the protection of their long pikes to receive the charge -of cavalry, and repulse it with a close and steady fire. - -The sunbeams glittered on the steel heads of the tall pikes, and were -reflected in a blaze from the breast and back pieces and the iron head -pieces of the dragoons and the pikemen. The rolling of the drums, and -the blasts of trumpets, gave animation to the movements of the various -divisions; and as the dragoons and musketeers were furnished with a -few rounds of blank or practice cartridge in their bandaliers, the -mimic show of battle or the rehearsal of a scene of death was with the -more select divisions very complete. - -The words of command were given and repeated in loud firm tones; and -there was no lack with some of these stout Puritan commanders of -oaths, peculiar, indeed, to themselves, but as earnest and as -blasphemous as those of any profane swearer in the royal army. For -instance, to the dismay of Cuthbert, he heard a voice of thunder -directed against a dull but godly lieutenant of the very regiment -which he was come to join with such a mild rebuke as, "The Lord -deliver thee to Satan, Master Whitefoot, for a blockhead: dost thou -not know thy right hand from thy left?"--"Face to the left, man," was -the concluding roar, "and slope thy partisan." - -However, though our young Puritan lieutenant was a little astounded at -the chance of being soon subject to such rude addresses, he had good -sense enough to feel that men ought to know their right hands from -their left, and that it must be very provoking to a commanding -officer, and very perplexing and dangerous for others as well as -themselves, if they did not; but he was, nevertheless, a little -startled and shocked at so violent and sinful a misapplication of -Scripture. - -However, he considered that the repulsive infirmities of the few ought -not to outweigh the solid piety and the devoted patriotism of the -great leaders of the Parliamentarian levies; and wisely resolving -always to remember his right hand from his left, he joined Francis -after the exercise of the day was over, and passed an evening in his -society with a more deep and rational delight in it than he had ever -before experienced during their previous intercourse. - -Francis gave him so much sensible advice in trifles, as well as in -matters of moment, at his entrance on this new and strange course of -life, that when Cuthbert lay down to rest all his difficulties seemed -to have vanished. He had been introduced by Francis to the commander -of the regiment he was to join, and to several other officers of horse -as well as foot; and he soon discerned that there was as great a -variety of character and of manners in this host of the Lord as in -armies assuming a less presumptuous title. - - - END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. - - - LONDON: - Printed by A. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Broken Font, Vol. 1 (of 2) - A Story of the Civil War - -Author: Moyle Sherer - -Release Date: July 20, 2013 [EBook #43261] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 1 (OF 2) *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43261 ***</div> <div class="figcenter"> <img class="border" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="354" height="600" alt="" /> @@ -7604,383 +7565,6 @@ Printed by A. <span class="smcap">Spottiswoode</span>,<br /> New-Street-Square. </p> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Broken Font, Vol. 1 (of 2), by Moyle Sherer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 1 (OF 2) *** - -***** This file should be named 43261-h.htm or 43261-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/2/6/43261/ - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Broken Font, Vol. 1 (of 2) - A Story of the Civil War - -Author: Moyle Sherer - -Release Date: July 20, 2013 [EBook #43261] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 1 (OF 2) *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - THE BROKEN FONT. - - A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR. - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "TALES OF THE WARS OF OUR TIMES," - "RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PENINSULA," &c. &c. &c. - - - IN TWO VOLUMES. - - VOL. I. - - LONDON: - - PRINTED FOR - LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMAN, - PATERNOSTER-ROW. - - 1836. - - - LONDON: - Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE, - New-Street-Square. - - - - - -PREFACE. - - -It is impossible to read or meditate concerning that period of history -in which the scene and action of my tale are laid without partaking of -the feelings of both parties in that great quarrel, and "being (in an -innocent sense) on both sides." - - -In such a spirit has my story been conceived and written. Until the -sword was drawn, the more generous and constitutional Royalists were -separated by but a faint line from the best and most patriotic men of -the Parliament party. - - -I have, however, confined myself more particularly to the -contemplation of those miseries and violent acts of persecution which -the appeal to arms brought upon many private families, and especially -upon those of the clergy. - - -In the contrivance of such a fiction, it became necessary to introduce -pictures of fanaticism and hypocrisy, and to describe scenes of -cruelty and of low interested persecution; but such parts of the story -must not be considered separately from the rest. The general tenor of -my volumes will, I trust, be found in strict consistency with that -charity that "thinketh no evil," but "hopeth all things." - - - - -THE BROKEN FONT. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - Thus till man end, his vanities goe round, - In credit here, and there discredited; - Striving to binde, and never to be bound; - To governe God, and not bee governed: - Which is the cause his life is thus confused, - In his corruption, by these arts abused. - LORD BROOKE. - - -It was the early afternoon of a fine open day in the last week of -April, in the year 1640. The sun shone warm; not a breath of wind was -stirring the tender foliage of the tall trees, or the delicate flower -of the lowly harebell beneath the hedge-rows. All was still, save that -at intervals the voice of the cuckoo was heard--loud, but yet -mellow--from the bosom of a neighbouring wood. The swains in the -field lay stretched in the shade, as though summer were already come: -in gardens and court-yards not a sound of labour or a clatter of life -disturbed the silence of the hour. - -In a shady alcove, which looked out on the bowling alley of Milverton -House, sate the worthy old master of the mansion, with one leg crossed -over the other, a book upon his knee, and a kindly smile playing -across his manly features. Not far distant, upon the steps which led -up to the near end of a stately terrace, was seated a fair little -girl, about six years of age. A thick laurel protected her with its -shadow; and it might be seen by the paper in her hand, by the motion -of her lips, and by the sway of her little head and neck, that she was -committing some task to memory, with that pleasure that makes a -pastime even out of a lesson. Out on the smooth green an old -flap-mouthed hound, whose hunting days were long past, lay basking in -the sun, among the dispersed bowls, which the last players had idly -neglected to put away; and with them a boy's bow and arrow had been -left, or forgotten, on the ground. The child's murmur was lower than -the soft coo from the dove-cote, or the gentle music of the fountain; -and there was a hush of quiet about all these whispers of created life -that was in harmony with the general silence. - -The shadow of the dial had crept on nearly half an hour before this -repose was broken. It was so at last, by a hot boy of fourteen, with -vest unbuttoned, and without a hat, who came to seek his bow and -arrow. The glad cry of "I have found them!" dispelled the silence: the -little girl thrust her paper into her bosom, and jumped up at the -sound of the welcome voice; and the old man looked up, and, putting -his book down on the seat beside him, scolded the noble boy for having -left the bowls out to be scorched and injured by the sun. - -With no abatement of good humour, the cheerful boy, eagerly helped by -the little girl, gathered them up, and carried them into the -bowl-house. The old hound was too much accustomed to the thing even to -stir for it, though one of the bowls almost touched his nose. - -This duty done, the boy, upon whose mind one thing lay uppermost, with -that abruptness which belongs to nature and to boyhood, propounded to -his great-uncle, Sir Oliver Heywood, the following most startling -question:-- - -"Was it not, sir, a very wicked thing to cut off Mr. Prynne's ears?" - -Had it suddenly thundered the old knight could not have been more -surprised; and, if a wasp had stung him in a tender place, he could -not have been less pleased. - -"Master Prynne! what do you know about Master Prynne, you foolish -boy?" - -"O, I know--I know very well! they cut off his ears because he didn't -like plays; and that was very cruel! What a shame it would be to cut -off the ears of old Josh. Cross, that takes care of your hawks, -because he didn't like to hear Stephen play upon the fiddle!" - -"Why, Arthur, what has come to you, boy? who has been teaching you -this nonsense? If Master Prynne had lost his head, instead of his -ears, it would be no more than he deserved, and I hope he may live to -own it." - -At this rebuke the boy coloured, and hung his head; but added, as if -pleading for his fault,-- - -"It was Master Noble said so; and you know, sir, you have told us all -to mind what he says, for he is always in the right." - -Sir Oliver bade him hastily go play; and the boy, taking his little -niece by the hand, they ran out of the bowling-green at one angle, -while the good old knight, not a little discomposed by the incident, -ascended slowly to the terrace. Here he found old Philip, the keeper -of the buttery, seated at the far end, in the shade, in the calm -enjoyment of a pipe. Instead of the wonted word of pleasant greeting, -Sir Oliver told him, in a rough tone, to go and seek instantly for -Master Noble, and send him thither. - -While the kind old serving man went away with his message in no -comfortable mood--for the young tutor was as great a favourite in -kitchen as in hall--the old gentleman paced the terrace with a -leisurely and thoughtful step; and made frequent stops and soliloquies -on the strange and unexpected words and sentiments which he had just -heard from the lips of his open and artless boy. While thus engaged, -we will leave him for a few moments to place before our reader the -state of the family at the time of which we write. - -At the village of Milverton, in Warwickshire, upon a sweet spot above -the valley of the Avon, Sir Oliver Heywood, the descendant of a -successful and honoured merchant, occupied a fair and pleasant mansion -erected in the reign of Elizabeth by his wealthy father. - -The family at Milverton House consisted of the worthy knight, a maiden -sister, his daughter--an only child--and a boy who was the son of a -favourite nephew slain in the German wars, in which he had been led to -engage as a diversion of his grief on the loss of a beloved wife. - -In addition to these regular members of the family there was a little -orphan girl, whom his benevolent sister had adopted. This sister, -Mistress Alice, was two years the junior of Sir Oliver, and had -attained the age of sixty-one. She had taken up her abode with him at -the death of Lady Heywood, about four years before the period of -which we now speak. - -Katharine, his daughter, was in her twentieth year, and his nephew's -son was about fourteen years of age. - -Master Noble, of whom mention has been made, was tutor to the boy -Arthur, and resided with the family. - -This young scholar was the son of an old school-fellow and friend of -Sir Oliver's, who held the benefice of Cheddar, in Somersetshire. -Cuthbert Noble, like his father before him, had been educated at -William of Wykeham's school of Winchester; but not succeeding so far -as to obtain a fellowship at New College, Oxford, which is the usual -aim and reward of the scholars upon the Winchester foundation, he had -proceeded to Cambridge, and there graduated with good report. He had -been now six months at Milverton. - -Sir Oliver's birthday was ever a high festival at the manor-house. -This year it was the pleasure of his daughter to celebrate it by a -masque; and all the arrangements for this masque were referred by -Mistress Katharine to Cuthbert Noble. He cheerfully undertook them; -and having gained some experience in these matters at college, and -having some skill in painting, set himself to prepare scenes--then a -very recent invention. As, with a painting brush in his hand, he was -standing before a scene, nearly finished, and dashing in the white and -foamy water upon canvass, that was fast changing into a torrent, -falling from rocks, and rushing through a lonely glen,--and as he -stood back surveying the effect, and humming the fragment of a song, -Philip came slowly up the gallery, and said gravely,-- - -"Master Cuthbert, Sir Oliver wants to speak with you directly." - -"Where is he?" - -"In the garden, on the lower terrace; and I wish he was looking more -pleasant:--it's my thought, Master, there's something wrong; for it is -not a small matter that can vex him." - -Cuthbert put down his brush and palette, and proceeded slowly towards -the terrace. As he was descending the wide steps which led to it, he -could not but observe that the good knight was serious, if not angry. - -"Master Cuthbert," said Sir Oliver with an air of gravity and -displeasure, "I have sent for you to hear from your own lips some -little explanation or defence of a matter that hath come to my -knowledge by the accident of a child's artless utterance. It may be -that it was only a word lightly dropped by you--a passing levity--a -lapsus of the tongue, not of the judgment--such an indiscretion as I -may pass over in one of your unripe age and little experience, without -further correction than a faithful reproof, and a timely warning of -the danger of such vain observations, and of their unsuitableness and -impropriety in one who fills so important an office in my family, and -hath so far enjoyed my confidence as to have doubtless a great -influence for evil or for good." - -This long preface Sir Oliver delivered, pacing slowly on the terrace -with his eyes bent upon the ground. Cuthbert walked by his side, -anxious for the direct charge, now too plainly whispered from within -by his own swift thoughts. - -Sir Oliver paused, and, looking full and steadily upon the serious -countenance of the youthful tutor, demanded of him whether it were -true that he had said publicly before any of his family or household, -that it was a barbarous and cruel thing to cut off Master Prynne's -ears? - -"I certainly so expressed myself," was the calm answer of Cuthbert. - -"Where and to whom did you thus speak?" - -"It was in the library--the lady Alice was present, and Master Arthur -was there at his lesson." - -"And are these the lessons that you teach in my house and to my -children?--know you, sir, that Master Prynne is a traitor--that he -speaketh evil of dignities, and soweth disloyalty--that he is a -hypocrite and a fanatic?" - -"Sir Oliver," said Cuthbert, "there was no discourse upon this matter, -save only the one remark of which you question me:--this fell from my -heart when your good sister read out some news of him--and thereupon -the lady Alice went forth without a word; for I presume not to -intrude my poor thoughts of court affairs upon any one in this house. -I know my place better." - -"Life of me! Thou dost not confess thy fault--thou dost not say thy -paenitet for teaching this false lesson to my child!" - -"I would not be slow to speak out my sorrow and shame if I felt them, -but I am conscience-whole in this thing,--and my few words did give no -other lesson than one of plain humanity." - -"Master Cuthbert, I do believe thee a true and gentle youth, of best -intentions, and thou comest of a good stock. Thy father is my good -friend from the gladsome days when we were school-fellows together at -St. Mary, Winton; and where hath church or state a better parson or -better subject than he? therefore, I would for his sake, as for thine -own, entreat thee mildly. Youth is warm and tender, and wanting a far -sight to the great end of punishment--the axe might rust and the -scourge gather cobwebs before hearts like thine would give rogues -their due." - -"I am of sterner stuff, Sir Oliver, than to wish a rogue safe from -the beadle, or a traitor from the headsman; but I am not so taught as -to think the mistakes of a severe piety treasons deserving of -torture." - -"Odd's life! I see how it is--thou art bitten by these gloomy -fanatics--the venom is in thy veins:--well for me that I have seen its -first workings. By my fathers! these new papists, these worse -Carthusians, would drive sunshine from the earth, and kill the -flowers, and stop the singing of birds, and give us a world of rock -and clouds--hard as their stony hearts, and gloomy as their cold -minds! Master Cuthbert, we must part. I'll not have the path of my boy -shadowed over before it be God's will. The earth is green and goodly, -and pleasant to the eyes; and long may his heart rejoice in it, as -mine has before him. Look you, we must part." - -"At your pleasure I came, Sir Oliver, and I am ready, at your -pleasure, to return to my father's. My stay with you has been short, -and I would fain hope that I have not failed in my duty to you. May -you be more fortunate in your choice of a tutor for Master Arthur -than you have been in me!" - -Cuthbert spoke these words with so much self-command that not one -syllable trembled in the utterance; yet the tone was at once mournful -and resolved. - -The better feelings of Sir Oliver were touched: the expression of his -eye showed plainly that he was repenting of his hastiness, relenting -in his decision. What his reply might have been, may, in its spirit, -be easily imagined; but a sudden interruption checked the words that -were rising to his lips; and a sounder and more prudential reason for -desiring the departure of Cuthbert was presented to his judgment than -any objection which could have been urged at that time, with any -semblance of fairness, against his errors as a churchman, or his sins -as a subject. - -"Master Noble," called a rich clear voice from above them,--"Master -Noble, we poor players do wait your pleasure, and are ready with our -parts; but we cannot go on with our rehearsal till the manager doth -come to us." Looking up, Sir Oliver saw his daughter leaning over the -balustrade, with a paper in one hand, and a tall wand wreathed with -flowers in the other; and, as he turned his eyes upon Cuthbert Noble, -the strong emotions with which Cuthbert was evidently struggling did -not escape his observation. - -"I have business with him just now, Kate," said her father: "go thy -way. He shall come to thee in the hall anon." But as he spoke, the boy -Arthur came down the steps, leading in his hand the little girl; and, -running up to Cuthbert with joyous eagerness, cried out, "Kitten can -do her part--she can say every word quite perfect--you must hear her." -With that, the little girl letting go his hand, and putting back her -sunny curls, which had fallen over her blue eyes, repeated, with an -air of sweet intelligence and pretty innocence, these lines:-- - - "I do childhood represent, - Listen to my argument: - Mine the magic power to bring - Pleasure out of every thing; - Sunbeams, flowers, and summer air, - Music, wonders, visions fair, - All my happy steps attend; - Mine is peace without an end;-- - All things are at peace with me, - Beast in field, and bird on tree; - The sheep that lie upon the grass - Never stir as I do pass; - If by the singing bird I stray, - He never quits his chosen spray; - If to the squirrel's haunt I go, - He comes with curious eye below; - Earth and I are full of love, - I fear no harm from Heav'n above, - For there, as here, all things do tell - A Father God doth surely dwell:-- - O! could I be a child alway, - How happy were life's holyday!" - -The countenance of Sir Oliver recovered all its wonted expression of -good humour, as the child prettily recited these lines; and patting -her on the head, as she concluded, he turned to Cuthbert and said, in -his usual kind tone, "We will talk our matter over another time: I see -that you are no joy-killer, and would never mar an innocent -pleasure-making--I was ever fond of a good play--a pox on these -prick-eared knaves that would forbid them! - - "'Why kings and emperors have taen delight - To make experience of their wits in plays,' - -as Master Kyd hath it, in his Spanish tragedy." - -Cuthbert said nothing; but having a recollection of the passage from -which Sir Oliver had quoted, thought he might have found a more -comfortable sanction and a much better authority. - -"But, prithee," continued Sir Oliver, "whose rhymes be these that the -child has just spoken?" - -"They are my poor doggerel," answered Cuthbert; "for this dear child -would give me no rest till I made a part for her in the Birthday -Masque." - -"Marry," rejoined the knight, "the fancy of them pleaseth me, and for -the verse I care not." - -They all now turned to ascend the steps; and as they did so, apparent -at the same instant to both Sir Oliver and Cuthbert was Mistress -Katharine, leaning over the balustrade of the upper terrace, with an -air of grave and perplexed curiosity. - -As soon as they reached the top, which was level with the lawn in -front of the mansion, Katharine caught Kitten in her arms, kissed her -fair brow, and ran with her towards the house; the happy child calling -out the while, "Come along, Master Noble, pray, come," and at the same -time clapping together her two little hands at thought of the coming -pleasure. - - - - -CHAP. II. - - "White, I dare not say good, witches (for woe be to him - that calleth evil good!) heal those that are hurt, and help them - to lost goods. - - "Methinks she should bewitch to herself a golden mine, at - least good meat, and whole clothes." - FULLER'_s_ _Profane State_. - - -While a select few among the maidens and the serving men, who were, to -their great contentment, to figure beneath strange dresses and uncouth -vizards in the antimasque, and while some neighbouring gentles of -quality, who were to take part in the masque itself, were rehearsing -in the hall, old Philip, the butler, betook himself to the outer gate, -and there sitting down on the porter's stone, replenished his pipe, -and fell a-thinking about Sir Oliver and Master Noble. But the more he -thought, the more he was puzzled; and so he opened his vest to catch -the breeze from the valley, and smoked with half-closed eyes, too -much accustomed to the glorious scene before him to be always moved by -its beauties. Below him, in the rich bottom of the vale, flowed the -shining Avon. The white foam of the water at Guy's mill might be seen, -and the rush of it might be almost heard. - -The cliff of the renowned Guy presented a fine scarp of stone, the -summit of which was overhung with knotted and rude shrubs of a -fantastic growth; and far away to the left, at a distance of two -miles, might be seen the lordly towers, and the tall and ivied wall of -Warwick Castle. Such were the objects, which might, we say, have been -discerned from the spot where old Philip sate, together with broad and -pleasant meadows, well stocked with kine and sheep, and many goodly -trees of a stately size, and many a distant coppice of rich underwood. -Doubtless the old man had often felt the glad influence of that -scene,--but now, overcome with heat, tobacco, and the labour of -perplexed guesses about the grave mood of his master, he fell fast -asleep. Philip was one of those good faithful old creatures whose -world was his master's, and whose greatest sin was the love of -victual. This sin was duly punished by black dreams; and now, as he -lay snoring against the wall, his indulgence over a rich mutton pie at -dinner was visited with the terrors of one of those nightmare visions -with which he was deservedly familiar. He dreamed that it was the -statute fair, and that they were roasting an ox whole in the -market-place of Warwick. The frontlet of the poor beast was gaily -gilded, and the horns were painted blue, and gilt at the tips. The -mighty spit turned slowly round. On one side stood a fat cook basting -the brown loins that the beast might not burn, and on the other a -stout and expert carver occasionally stopped the rude spit, and with a -long broad knife detached savoury portions for the greedy by-standers, -who, on receiving the same, dropped their penny of thanks into the cap -of the carver, and, slipping out of the crowd, made way for others. -Dreams are to the dreamer realities. Philip's mouth watered: he -thought he had never before seen beef so delicious; fat and lean in -their exact proportions; the meat of the finest grain, juicy, and full -of gravy; but then his suit, his badge, his pride of place, forbade -his wishes: partake of the dainty he could not, but he might go near, -just out of curiosity, and for mere amusement. Lo and behold! with an -angry bellow forth leaped the furious beast, his eyes all fire, the -spit point issuing from his foaming mouth, his carcass smoking and -dripping, and half the sirloins cut away. He singled old Philip from -the crowd; he lowered his blue and gilded horns; he shook the spit -between his grinning teeth; and as he made his rush, old Philip died a -thousand deaths in one, and woke into another world,--that other he -had so shortly quitted. Nor was the object on which his waking eyes -first rested exactly calculated to compose his terrors. A crowd of -noisy clowns was standing round him; and in the midst of them, upon a -hurdle, they bore an old withered and bony woman, crooked and -blear-eyed, who was counted the witch of that neighbourhood, and well -known by the name of yellow Margery of the Sand Pit. - -They set down the hurdle close at Philip's feet, and called loudly for -justice and Sir Oliver. "Hag!"--"Crone!"--"Beldame!"--"To the -faggot!"--"To the river,"--"Justice in the King's name!"--were the -various cries by which the impatient rustics frighted all the -household of Milverton from their propriety and their pleasures, and -brought most of them forth to the gate, and the rest to the hall -steps, or the casements. Sir Oliver himself came forth, among the -first, loudly rating them. "Why, how now, ye rude varlets; is -Milverton a pot-house, and the seat of justice an ale bench? -Speak--what would you?--speak, you, Morton,--you should know better -than to head a rabble rout of this fashion." - -"Why then, troth, Sir Oliver, as thou art a worshipful knight, and a -king's justice, not man, woman, nor child in the whole parish can sup -their porridge in peace or sleep o' nights for this old witch Margery: -we've crown witness enough to hang, drown, and burn her twenty times -over." - -"Not so fast, not so fast, neighbour," said Sir Oliver, seating -himself on the stone from which old Philip had retired melting with -fear. "Where are the witnesses, and what have they to say? Let them -stand forth." - -"First, here's Master Crumble, the clerk; then, afore him, here's -Master Screw, the great witch-finder from Coventry; and here's Jock, -my carter; and old Blow, the blacksmith, and Pollard, your worship's -woodman." - -"Stop, stop, I can't hear all at once,--say thy say, Crumble." - -"Why, your worship, my sow--your worship, my sow is dead: all of a -sudden, this blessed morn, as I poured out her wash, down she lay all -in the shivers; and if the poor dumb creature had been her own flesh -and blood, my old woman could not ha' taken on more. Says I, directly, -'This is a bit of Margery's work; for I see her brush the old sow with -her black petticoat at the lane end, Sunday was a week.' It's quite a -plain case you see, Sir Oliver." - -"Stand back, you silly man." - -"Silly, forsooth. I am thirty-seven year clerk of the parish, come -next Lammas, and I say it's writ on the Bible, 'Thou shalt not suffer -a witch to live.'" - -"That is true enough--it is so; but how do you know a witch?" - -"Why, I know that a man's not a witch." - -"That is true, thou art a man and no witch. But how dost thou know -one?" - -"Why, it is an old woman, not to say any one, but a crook back, with a -hooked nose, and a peaked chin like Margery." - -"Master Crumble, I have done with thee, and in the matter of thy sow's -death do acquit Margery." - -"That's not crown law, nor Gospel charity," said the old clerk, as he -stepped back into the crowd, who muttered and whispered among each -other till the next witness spoke out. This was the witch-finder. - -"Please your worship, I am ready to make oath that she hath a -familiar, always about her in the shape of a brown mouse; for I have -seen it crawling about her neck, and playing and feeding in her hand." - -Here there was a mixed utterance of triumph and horror in the crowd, -and Sir Oliver himself looked grave. - -"What dost thou answer to this, Margery?" - -"They say true in that they say I have a tame mouse; and haven't court -ladies their monkeys, and their parrots, and their squirrels, and -their white mice,--and why mayn't an old lone woman have her pet as -well as they?" As thus she spoke, she held out her open hand, and a -lively brown mouse sat up quietly on the palm seemingly quite tame. -There was a slight shudder ran through the veins of all present; and -Cuthbert Noble, fearing lest this mode of defence might rather hinder -than help her, went up to advise her better. - -"A warm blessing on you, Master Noble,--the blessing of one whom you -have saved before, and are trying to save again." - -Here Cuthbert stopped her, and observed to Sir Oliver aloud, that this -mouse was but such a pet as a shepherd's boy might play with, and that -the old woman, whose ways were odd, had once told him that when she -was a child and her little brother died, she had taken to a field -mouse which he had petted, and that she had ever since as one died -procured another. - -The worthy knight was now for discharging Margery; but Farmer Morton -insisted that they should hear his carter's story. Accordingly Jock -stepped forward, and smoothing down his hair said,--"Please your -worship, I lost my best startups (high shoes) the day before last -cattle fair, and precious mad I was; and Sukey Sly told me if I went -to old Margery, and took her a wheaten loaf, and crossed her palm with -a silver penny, she'd tell me where to find 'em. Well, I went, and the -old woman said she didn't want to have aught to say to me. 'Look ye,' -says I, 'Margery, here I be, here's the bread and here's the money: I -ha' lost my startups, and you must tell me where to find them; and I -wo'n't budge till you do.' So with that she puts her mouse down -against the loaf, and finely he nibbled away, and she set of a brown -stud for a bit, and then told me to wait for the first full moon, and -then, exactly at midnight, to walk backwards from the yard gate to the -dung mixen, with my eyes fixed on the moon, and that I should find -them on the mixen; but if it were before or after twelve o'clock, and -if I looked behind me, or took my eyes off the moon, the charm would -be broke, and I should never see my startups again; and sure enough I -never have seen 'em." - -There was a little titter among the women; and Sukey Sly, whose legs -were set off in a pair of new red stockings, could not suppress a -laugh at Jock's story: but the clowns called out for justice, and Sir -Oliver had much ado to pacify them. He did so at last, by assuring the -old woman, that, on condition she told what was the great charm by -which she was said to cure diseases, she should be set free. - -"Cure diseases! God bless you, Master! why I'm a poor helpless old -body, that can't cure myself, and should starve but for pity," said -Margery. "However, may be, once or so in a quarter there comes some -wilful body like Jock, with a tied-up face, and makes a witch of me, -whether or no, and will have the charm. Then I take his loaf and his -money, and I say,-- - - "'My loaf in my lap, - My penny in my purse; - Thou art never the better; - I'm never the worse.'" - -This confession was followed by laughter, in which most joined; and, -except the clerk of the parish and the balked witch-finder, all -dispersed in such good humour, that the poor old crone was released -from her hurdle and her troublesome attendants, and, with a basket of -broken meat and a bottle of ale, was suffered to hobble back to her -hovel in the sand pit, without let or hinderance. It is true that -Margery was most justly liable to the charge of imposture in the -matter of Jock; and certain that, but for the easy and kind temper of -the knight, and the good humour which her own quaint and jocular -confession suddenly struck out of the wayward crowd, she might have -been committed by Sir Oliver, or half drowned by the brutal and -superstitious rustics on her road back to her miserable hovel. But as -she lived at a lone spot on the far side of the Avon, and was not -often seen in the parish of Milverton, and as the good knight (though -by no means free from the prevalent belief in witchcraft, and still -doubting whether under the form of a mouse she was not attended by an -imp, as the witch-finder had averred,) was a timid magistrate, hated -trouble, and sincerely feared doing what was either wrong in law or -severe in punishment, he rejoiced to be well quit of the troublesome -appeal. Nevertheless, he was not a little secretly disturbed, when, -late in the evening, old Philip--in a fear which had not even yielded -to the comforting warmth of a cup of spiced ale--related to him his -comical dream, with manifold exaggerations, and expressed his stout -belief that he had been possessed during his sleep by the evil -influence of old Margery. - -Truth to say, at the period of which we write such was the fear and -hatred of those forlorn and miserable old women, whose unsightly -features, infirm gait, and cross tempers, excited among their -neighbours any suspicion that they held intercourse with evil spirits, -and exercised the powers of witchcraft, as drove forth the unhappy -beings to lonely abodes in solitary places. Here again, in the -vicinity of some village, remote from the scene of their persecution, -their very loneliness, all compelled and oppressive as it was, did -most naturally subject them anew to the suspicions of fresh -oppressors. So bloody, too, were the laws which at that time disgraced -the statute book, having for their end the punishment of witchcraft, -so cruel were the modes of trial among the mean and malignant persons -who drove a lucrative trade as witch-finders, and so credulous was the -ignorant and easily abused multitude, that, upon evidence far less -colourable with guilt than that adduced against Margery, unfortunate -persons of both sexes were publicly executed without shame and without -pity. In numberless instances false confessions were extorted from the -hopeless sufferers by torture, and adduced upon the day of trial, or -proclaimed at the place of execution. Thus a rooted persuasion of the -existence of sorcery and the practices of witchcraft was fixed in the -minds of the vulgar, and even infected those of the better and the -educated classes. As a natural consequence of this terrible -superstition, some of the poor creatures suspected of witchcraft, who -found themselves thrust out of the pale of human sympathy--avoided and -shunned by some, beaten and set upon by others--did madden, and -mumble curses in their gloomy solitude, and at last began to suspect -themselves as the servants of unseen spirits, and the partakers of a -supernatural power. - -In the breast of Cuthbert Noble the vulgar and cruel prejudice -concerning witchcraft had no place. His humane and enlightened father -had very early instilled into his mind clear notions of the love and -care of the great Father of the human families; of the sacredness of -human life, indeed of all life, and of the holiness of creation;--and -he had, moreover, taught him to regard all particular cases of severe -and inexplicable suffering as parts only of one vast and mysterious -whole, and subserving, in the great end and issue, some wise, holy, -wonderful purpose of divine and universal love. He had taught him, -too, that ours was a marred and fallen nature; and how and by what -means, and in whose divine person, it actually was restored; and how -all the sons of Adam had become capable, through divine mercy, of -partaking all the benefits of that restoration of man's nature--in -some degree even in this troubled and probationary state--in full and -satisfying perfection in that state which is future and eternal. -Hence, to the eye of Cuthbert, every one of human form was an object, -though not perhaps of personal interest and affection, yet of wonder -and of reverence, as a creature of God, born for immortality--an -imperishable, an indestructible being; and, when the crimes and errors -of his fellow-creatures stirred up his angry passions to punish and -withstand them, the sense of his own weakness and his own sinfulness -was ever waiting for him in his heart's closet, to rebuke and humble -him in the calmness of solitude. But Cuthbert as yet had been little -tried; he knew not what spirit he was of. He thought that his placid -and firm father was the model which he surely followed; but the -settled and peaceful joy of that amiable and benevolent and subdued -father was as yet unknown to him. - -However, the character and the life of Parson Noble will be the better -understood and conceived of by transporting our reader to the village -in Somersetshire where he dwelt, and where, had it been her good -fortune to have been a parishioner of his, old Margery, in spite of -her wild and withered aspect, might have lived unmolested and in peace -with her neighbours, and would not have lacked such acquaintance with -the mercy of the great Redeemer, as it is in the power of a mere human -instrument to impart. - - - - -CHAP. III. - - A branch of May we have brought you, - And at your door it stands; - It is but a sprout, - But it's well budded out, - By the work of our Lord's hands. - - The hedges and trees they are so green, - As green as any leek; - Our heavenly Father he watereth them, - With his heavenly dew so sweet. - _From the Mayer's Song._ - - -The morning star glittered brightly above the fine old tower of -Cheddar church, and the low parsonage lay still and asleep amid the -flowers and the dewy grass plots of its pleasant garden, as advancing, -from beneath the ancient yew in the churchyard, to the wicket opposite -the good vicar's porch, a party of hale young rustics with coloured -ribands in their hats and on their loose white sleeves, planted, on -either side the entrance, a fine branch of white thorn in full -blossom, and struck up, with full and cheerful voices, the very -ancient medley from which the stanzas at the head of our present -chapter are taken. They had not sung two verses before the door of the -parsonage was opened by a merry looking old serving man--two lasses' -heads were thrust from a window over the kitchen--the mistress's good -humoured eyes were seen over a white chamber blind,--and the parson -himself, with a face as expressive of joy as a child's, though marked -with the furrows of seven-and-sixty years, came forth to the wicket in -a loose morning gown, with a black scull-cap on his silvery hairs, and -listened, with a motion of the lips, that showed his voice, though not -audible, and his kind heart were attuned to theirs, and to the coming -holyday. When their song was done, he dismissed them with his -blessing, with the customary gift of silver, and with a caution to -keep their festival with gladness and innocence, and with the love of -brothers; letting the poor and aged fare the better for it. - -"And let us have no brawls on the ale bench," said the old -parson,--"let our May-pole be the rod of peace; so that none may rail -at our sports and dances, but rather take note of us as merry folk and -honest neighbours." - -With loud thanks, and lively promises, and rude invocations of -Heaven's best gifts on him, and his lady, and his absent sons, the -party now faced about, and with the accompaniment of pipe and tabor, -and a couple of fiddles, moved off at a dancing pace to pay the like -honours at the door of the chief franklin, and to deck the village -street as they passed along. - -Parson Noble now passed round to his favourite terrace walk, that -overlooked a rich and extensive level, and taking up his lute, which -lay in a little alcove at one end of it, he breathed out his morning -hymn of thanksgiving, as was his wont, and thus composed, went into -his study, and secluded himself for an hour from all interruption. At -the close he again came into his garden, where he commonly laboured -both for pleasure and health, every day of his life, in company with -the attached old servant, who, for his quaint words and ways, had -been long known to the village by the name of plain Peter,--an -epithet, which, as it gave him credit for blunt honesty, as well as -for a cast in his eye, he readily pardoned,--nay, some said he was -proud of it;--for what manner of man is it that hath not a pride in -something? - -"Master," said Peter, putting down his rake as the parson came up the -walk, "I have won a silver groat on your words this day." - -"How so? what dost thou mean, Peter?" - -"Why, last market day, when I was in the kitchen at the old Pack Horse -at Axbridge, that vinegar-faced old hypocrite, Master Pynche, the -staymaker, comes in, and asks me to bring out Betsy Blount's new -stays. - -"Says I, 'That I'll do for Betsy's sake,--a lass that hasn't her -better for a good heart, or a pretty face, in all Somersetshire.' - -"'Verily, Master Peter, I think,' said he, 'thy speech might have more -respect to me, and more decency to the damsel, but thou savourest not -of the things that be from above:--thou art of the earth, earthy.' - -"'Why, for the matter of things above,' said I, 'Master Pynche, I -don't pretend to any skill in moonshine; and as to being of the earth, -that I don't deny, and thirsty earth too; with that I put to my lips -the cup of ale that I had in hand, and drank it down.' - -"'Is it not written,' he replied in a snuffling tone, 'that favour is -deceitful, and beauty is vain?--but thou art a servant of Beelzebub, -and thou speakest the words of thy master, and his works wilt thou -do.' - -"'In the name of plain Peter,' I added, 'herewith I proclaim you -Prince of Fools, and I will send you a coloured coat, and a hood and -bells, and thou shalt have a bauble, and a bladder of pease, and a -licence to preach next April.' - -"With that he lifted up his eyes and hands, and muttering something -about pearls and swine, glided off like a ghost at cock crow." - -"Peter," interrupted Noble, "thou shouldst not have said such things." - -"Marry, did he not call me a servant of Beelzebub? the peevish old -puritan!--Well, but to go on with my story. The folk in Dame Wattle's -kitchen fell a discoursing after Pynche was gone; and some spake up -after a fashion that made my hair stand up. Says a sturdy pedlar in -the corner,--'Ay, they'll soon be uppermost, and the sooner the -better; rot 'em, I don't like 'em, the godly rogues; but they are -better than parsons, any way.' - -"So with that I felt my blood come up, and I was going to speak, when -old Hardy, the cobbler, took up his words, and says he, 'That's true -of some, and it's true of our old Tosspot; but there's Peter's master, -of Cheddar,--you may search the country far and near before you will -find his like. I remember when my niece Sally lay dying, night and -day, fair weather and foul, he would trudge through mire or snow to -give her medicine for body as well as soul, and that's what I call a -good parson.'" - -"'A good puritan,' said Dame Wattle. 'I have heard of his sayings and -doings, and trust me, he'll go with your parliament men, your -down-church men: you'll never have any more May-games and Christmas -gambols at Cheddar.' - -"'There you're out, Dame,' said I, 'and don't know any more about -Master Noble than a child unborn.' - -"'A silver crown to a silver groat he'll give a long preachment -against the May-pole next May-morning.' - -"'Done with you, Dame,' said I. - -"'You may lay a golden angel to a penny there will be no May-poles at -all, if you make it May twelvemonth,' said the pedlar, 'without, -indeed, there be such as have pikes at the end of them;' and with that -he pulled out a printed paper, that he brought from London, and read -out a long matter about the king and the bishops, and about church -organs, and tithes, and play actors, and ship money, and Master -Hampden; and made out, as plain as a pike staff, that there would be -many a good buff coat and iron head piece taken down from the wall -before long. 'We shall have a civil war soon, and God defend the -right,' said he, as he folded up the paper and took up his pack. - -"Civil," thought I, "that's a queer word. I have heard talk of civil -people and civil speeches, but a civil blow from a battle-axe is a -new thing. I'll tell master all about it when I get home, and axe what -it means;--but as I was on the path in Nine Acres, whom should I meet -but Master Blount, the young one, and he made me promise not to say a -word to you before May-day was come, for fear the old sports might be -hindered; and he told me that civil war meant war at home; for which I -didn't think him much of a conjuror, as my guess had reached that far: -and now, Master, prithee tell me what civil means." - -"Peter, thou art an honest fellow, and as good a citizen as if thou -knewest what it was called in Latin, and that a civil war was a war of -citizens, but of a truth this is no matter for smiles; however, -'sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' This is no morning for -a cloudy face." - -"Well, then, here comes one, and the worst that darkens our doors. For -my part, I can't bide the sight of it, 't would turn all the milk in -the dairy." - -The vicar looked over his hedge, and saw the curate of a parish with -whom he was but slightly acquainted, walking across the last close, -which led by a footway into his orchard. The apple-trees concealed -Noble from his approaching visiter, who, just as he reached the gate -of the orchard, overtook a little boy, about nine years of age, -carrying in his hand a cluster of cowslips half as big as himself, and -having a thick crown of field flowers round his straw hat. - -With a severe scowl, he snatched the cowslips from the frightened -child, and threw them away, and then made a gripe at his little hat; -but, the boy drawing back with a blubbering cry, the zealous and tall -curate, who had a little over-reached himself, slipped and fell prone -upon the grass. This, however, was the lightest part of his -misfortune; for it so chanced that his face came in full contact with -a new-made rain-puddle, and he arose with his eyes half blinded, and -his face covered and besmeared with mud. With the tears yet rolling -down his red cheeks, the little fellow, as he saw himself avenged in -a measure so contenting, and a manner so ridiculous, ran out of his -reach, literally shrieking with laughter; and a hearty roar from old -Peter at once completed his mortification, and determined his retreat. -This soon became a maddened flight: for a sleeping dog roused by the -noise of the laughter pursued him with angry barkings, from which, as -he had no staff, and the grassy close could furnish no stone, there -was no escape till the wearied animal paused and turned. - -The whole of this scene was so very swiftly enacted, that Noble had no -opportunity to say or do any thing in the matter; and charity itself -could not suppress a smile at a punishment so well suited to the -morosity which had led to it. Neither was he at all sorry to be -relieved upon this festal day from the intrusive visit of a sour, -ill-instructed fanatic, whose opinions he could not value, and for -whose character he felt no respect. He looked, therefore, with unmixed -satisfaction at the laughing urchin, as he gathered up his scattered -wealth, and departed. - -Now merrily rang out the lively bells of Cheddar Tower; and already -was every street a green alley, freshened by thick boughs, and made -fragrant by small branches of white thorn neatly interwoven. - -The house of the chief franklin, Mr. Blount, was more especially -honoured. Before his door was planted the largest and fairest branch -of May that could be found in a circuit of five good miles, and his -hospitable porch was made a rich bower of shrubs and flowers. Beneath -the tall trees in front of it was a little crowd of youths and -maidens, in holyday trim, wearing garlands, with green rushes and -strewing herbs in their arms, or aprons: full they were of smiles and -glee; and, out on the road, all the village was assembled, save the -infirm old and the cradled young; though, of these last, not a few -were borne in their mothers' arms, or lifted up with honest pride in -those of their brown fathers, whose burning toils a field were, for -this joyous day, forgotten. - -From the words passing in these expectant groups, a stranger might -soon have gathered that something more than the common sport of -May-day was engaging the honest and buzzing mob of men, women, and -children, that blocked the street opposite this goodly mansion, and -what that something was. "Better day better luck."--"A bonny bride is -soon dressed."--"Honest men marry soon," said a black-eyed, nut-brown -wife, with a lively babe in her arms, and two curly-headed little ones -holding her apron,--and "Wise men not at all," added a gruff old -blacksmith, with a seamed visage.--"Ah, it's no good kicking in -fetters, Roger," rejoined the laughing wife, at the same time giving -her infant into the horny hands of a stout young woodman, with a green -doublet and a clean white collar, who held it up, kicking and -shrieking with delight, as though it would spring out of his arms, and -chimed in with "Ah, Master Roger, it's an ill house where the hen -crows loudest."--"Ah, thou'lt find that some day, Stephen;" for this -he got a heavy slap on his shoulder from the young wife, whose coming -words were checked by the sound of fiddles, as the bridal procession -came forth. "Dear heart," said she, "how pretty Bessy does look in -that lilac gown with brave red guardings and the golden cawl on her -fair hair, and what a beautiful lace rochet she has."--"Ah, fine -feathers make fine birds," said a spinster standing near.--"He's a -proper man is young Hargood, and should have known better than choose -a wife by the eye."--"She had rather kiss than spin, I'll -warrant."--"Better be half hanged than ill wed."--"You may know a fool -by her finery."--"A precious stone should be well set," said the young -wife, sharply, "and Bessy's blue eyes and her blushing cheeks are -small matters to her ways and words." But envy and ill will were -low-voiced, and confined to few, for old Blount and all his house were -well loved by the people; and with many a word of cheerful greeting -they made way for the party, and the most of them followed it to the -church. - -The procession was led by a few youths and maidens, with whom were all -the musicians of the village; while others, walking immediately before -the bride and her two bride maidens, strewed the ground, as they went, -with rushes and herbs. The bridegroom, in a suit of violet-coloured -cloth, guarded with velvet of the deepest crimson, and with a falling -collar of worked linen, followed, supported by his bridesmen, in fit -bravery of apparel; next came a group of relations, male and female, -led by the old franklin himself, with his grave and comely wife, and -the men and maids of his household brought up the rear of the -procession. It was met at the churchyard gate by Parson Noble and his -wife,--she joining old Mrs. Blount, and the good vicar, in his snowy -surplice, taking place at the head of it, immediately between the -herb-strewers and the bridal party; and now a gravity and silence -succeeded, and in decency and order all entered the church, and -proceeded with quiet steps to the altar. There, the sweet and solemn -service, which binds together for "better for worse, for richer for -poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do part," was reverently -and impressively performed by Noble, his own deep and mellow tones -being only interrupted by the manly voice of the bridegroom, and the -faltering accents of the shy and trembling bride, as they gave -utterance to their heart's true and hallowed responses. No sooner was -the ceremony ended than the bells, which had, for a while, been -silent, struck out with the wedding peal; and as the new married -couple came forth into the churchyard the air was rent with the joyous -acclamations of the crowd without; and the procession returned in -nearly the same order as it had left the house of the worthy franklin, -only, according to the good custom of the time, the parson made one of -the wedding party, and partook of the marriage feast. - -Such of the old as could not walk abroad, stood leaning on staves, or -sat dim-eyed on the stones before their doors, to see or hear the -bridal train pass down; for each of these Parson Noble and the -franklin had a kind word as they went by, returned by the benison and -good wishes for the bride, who had herself no voice for any one, and, -supported on her husband's arm, scarce saw her path through eyes that -were filling from a happy bosom's overflow. - -We shall not detain our reader by describing the dinner at Master -Blount's; right plentiful was the cheer. Parson Noble said a grace in -rhyme, out of old Tom Tusser's book of Husbandry, to the great -contentment of his hospitable host, that being the one book by which, -after his Bible, Blount squared his honest life. - - "God sendeth and giveth both mouth and the meat, - And blesseth us all with his benefits great; - Then serve we the God, who so richly doth give, - Show love to our neighbours, and lay for to live." - -This being the franklin's rule,--while his guests were feasted in the -old oak parlour, at the back of the house; in the pleasant orchard, -all his labourers were regaled with a hearty meal of meat and -plum-porridge; and huge jacks of ale were emptied and replenished, to -the health of bride and bridegroom and good master. - -After due carvings of veal and bacon, unlacing of fat capons, and -untrussing of great pies of fruit and other dainties, in the parlour, -and after some mantling cups of wine drank to the happy pair, the old -people yielded to the impatience of the young, and all adjourned to -Robin's Meadow, not, however, before they had sung, as the grace after -meat, a short psalm of praise. - -The meadow, in which from generations before the May-pole was raised, -had a fine level sward, which Blount kept smooth as a bowling-ground -for the dancers, while a part of it rose in swelling banks, shaded by -trees. These, though, as yet, but in early leaf, were gaily green, and -contrasted well with the many-coloured and blushing wreaths of -field-flowers that wound about the May-pole, at the top of which -glittered a small crown, newly gilded in honour of the wedding, and -further adorned with a few of the rarest plants which the gardens of -Cheddar could produce. - -A pleasure it was, as they passed into the meadow, to see the happy -children rolling and tumbling and racing down the steep bank, from -which they now scrambled away, to make room for the franklin's party, -and for the elders of the village, who, from this grassy knoll, were -wont to preside over the pastimes of this holyday. We give not this -scene in detail:--the dances of the young, as, with light and elastic -steps, they bounded to lively measures round the May-pole, and the -nodding heads of the musicians keeping time with the dancers, and the -races and gambols of the ruddy children, each reader may figure forth -to his own fancy. Neither tell we of the pretty ceremonies with which -the milk maids brought their cows, with horns all garlanded, into the -adjoining close, and prepared and offered the delicious syllabub: our -aim is only to give an outline of a village May-day of the times of -which we write, and to show the good parson of the best school of that -period mingling in mirth among his people. Leaving, therefore, the -happy villagers to continue their sports till set of sun, we shall -confine ourselves to the steps of the pastor, and complete the journal -of his day. - -As the chimes struck six o'clock, he quietly withdrew, and passed from -the scenes of pleasure and feasting to those of sickness and of -mourning. If he had regarded the former with complacent joy, he was -not the less willing, nor the less prepared, to cheer the latter with -those high contemplations and those tender sympathies to which, by -faith, as a Christian, he could point, and which, in charity, as a -man, he truly felt. Of the old, who were confined to their own -thresholds, he found two or three cross and short, but most of them -garrulous, and in good humour. They had got pleasant portions from the -franklin, and they could tell of old May-days, and heard, with -thankful nods and ready "ayes," and strong fetchings of the breath, -that were not sighs of grief, the grave good words with which he -taught them how only they could die in peace. - -Of his flock only one lay at the point of death, and her he visited -last. - -She was the miller's daughter, and had been the May-queen of the -bygone year. Sacred be such visit, in its most solemn communings! but -we may paint the scene of it, and the trifles which belong to those -sympathies of our humanity, that often survive the resigned hope of -life. - -In a tall chair, against the back of which she leaned her head, sate a -pale maiden, warmly wrapped in a robe of white woollen, close to the -small window of an upper chamber, on which the evening sun shone warm: -curling honey-suckles did make a frame to it; and one rose, with an -opening bud, peeped from the trained bush beneath. Upon a little table -near her stood a fragrant branch of May in a cup of water. There were -faint flushes in her transparent cheeks, and there was an unearthly -brightness in her eyes--not fitful--but a calm, steady, serene ray, -that, as the declining sun poured over the damsel its yellow glories, -presented her to the thoughtful gazer such as she might be when -treading the celestial courts above. - -"And have you any other wish, my child?" said Noble, as he rose to go. - -"Yes, if it be not too foolish." - -"Tell it, my dear." - -"I would like some flowers from the May-pole strewn on my -winding-sheet, and a bit of rosemary from your own garden put in my -hands." - -"And you shall have them," said Noble, pressing her wan hand in his, -and turning quick away. - - - - -CHAP. IV. - - And if physitians in their art did see - In each disease there was some sparke divine, - Much more let us the hand of God confesse - In all these sufferings of our guiltinesse. - _A Treatie of Warres._ - - -Night closed on Cheddar, without any other disturbance than a -quarrel--loud and short as a thunder-storm--between the blacksmith and -his old termagant wife, which, Roger being potent in liquor, -terminated in a complete victory on his part; and thus silence, if not -peace, was restored to the quarter in which he dwelt. - -Moreover, at the door of the Jolly Woodcutter, the most decent -ale-house in the townlet, an old soldier with one leg, who tramped the -country as a ballad-singer, with a fiddle and a dancing dog, became so -very uproarious that it was found absolutely necessary by the parish -constable to secure his one sturdy limb in the village stocks, where, -after venting a few loud and angry curses at this dignitary, and -abusing the village fiddlers for not playing the grand march of the -king's beef-eaters to the right tune, he addressed himself to making -as easy a sleeping posture as his wooden fetter would allow; and, -being apparently very familiar with such a resting-place, soon -grumbled off into snoring forgetfulness: his little four-footed -companion and guard did meanwhile drag up the cloak, which he had -dropped some yards from the place of his confinement, and, arranging -it in a soft heap, curled itself thereon with an evident sense of -comfort. - -But May-day festivals--though certainly in towns, and in those -parishes in the rural districts where not conducted by discreet -persons, they were often fruitful in scenes of riot and -licentiousness--were not, in the present instance, chargeable with -either of the noisy incidents which had for a half hour frighted the -village from its propriety; seeing that the disputes of Roger and his -rib were of every-day occurrence, and his potations also; and as for -the old soldier, his drinking bouts were regulated by the state of -that narrow poke in which he deposited his uncertain gains; and his -sobriety was never secure while one coin remained in it. - -Our parson came forth at the first glimpse of day on the morrow, to -inquire at the mill how the poor sufferer had passed the night. She -was in a profound and calm sleep, and he returned thankfully home, -taking the street which led by the market cross. Nobody was yet -abroad; but, under the great tree in the market place, he saw the old -soldier sitting up in the stocks, and looking about him very forlorn -and penitential. No sooner did he perceive the good vicar approaching, -than he began to plead for his freedom. - -"May it please your good reverence, make them loose me. I am not a -pig, that I should be thus pounded:--never said or did harm to man or -Christian, save only in the way of duty, your reverence. I am but a -poor old toss-pike, done up in the wars; and gain an honest livelihood -with this old kit and scraper, and this dumb creature, that shall -dance you jig or coranto with any city madam of them all." - -"Why, I'll see what I can do; but you would not have been put here for -nothing, friend." - -"Nothing in life, your reverence, but drinking the health of King -Charles in a brimmer, last evening, that was May-day, and a court -holyday all the world over; and then the wound in my old head always -aches, Parson, and I say more nor I mean, and, may be, louder than -your gentles talk." - -"Well, but this is a sorry way of life for an old soldier,--to go -about like a vagabond. Have you no home?" - -"Home, bless you! none but this old bit of a cloak." - -"What parish were you born in?" - -"Ah! there it is! I was born i' the camp, in the Low Countries. That -same day that the most noble Sir Philip Sidney was killed, my mother -had a fright from a shot striking the sutler's waggon, and I came into -the world a month before time." - -"And have you no friends living?" - -"None in the wide world that care a split straw whether I am above -ground or under, this blessed day, save, may be, this little dumb -thing that's used to me." - -"Where did you lose your leg?" - -"In the lines before St. Martin, your reverence: it will be thirteen -years agone, come next September; and the right-worshipful knight, Sir -Joseph Burroughs, was killed by the same shot. We used to say in -hospital (you know, your reverence, we were vexed, and it was some of -the officers, in their cups, spoke it out of a play-book,)-- - - "'Off with his head!--So much for Buckingham.' - -"Well, they had their wish, in a manner, a year after; and I always -minded after, that Master Felton was one of them.--Poor fellow! He -gave me four-pence in silver, when I hadn't a halfpenny to buy bread -in London; and that same morning I saw his Grace of Buckingham in a -sedan chair in Whitehall, and I would have tossed my staff before him, -in hope of a largess; but his running footmen, with their fine silver -badges, shouldered me into the gutter, crying, 'Room for his Grace! -room for my Lord's Grace!' Well, it was little room he took or wanted -that day was a month! I was very sorry for Master Felton,--and I went -to see him hanged." - -"You know he was _a murderer_." - -"O yes, I know that; but he gave me four-pence when I was starving; -and, though he was only a lieutenant, he was a better officer than -Buckingham, who was all lace and velvet, satin and feathers:--a likely -man to look upon, and did not want courage; but he knew no more about -commanding an army than the court fool." - -"Don't you know, friend, that you must one day die yourself; and that -it is a terrible thing to die and go before God without preparation?" - -The veteran gave his buff jerkin a twitch, and said, "Why, for the -matter of that, Parson, you see, I am no scholar, and cannot tell a B -from a bull's foot." - -"You believe in God?" - -"Why, Master, haven't I lain half my life abroad in the open fields, -with the stars shining over my head? Ah, you don't know what grand -things come into a poor fellow's mind when he wakes in the night and -sees them bright things above him." - -"Yes, but I do," said Noble with emotion; "and it is because I do, -that I ask you these things. Do you ever pray to God?" - -"Why, bless you, Master, I wouldn't trouble him about a poor chopstick -like myself." - -"You know the name of Christ, friend?" - -"Yes," said the homeless wanderer, and bowed his grey head. - -"And what are your thoughts of him?" - -"Why that he'll be so good as to speak a word to God Almighty for me," -was the man's strange yet pregnant answer. It is this mixture of -recklessness, ignorance, and the mysterious worship of that inner -spirit, which struggles upwards after something to which the heart may -reach, and where it may finally rest, that makes every human being a -subject of sad yet of sublime contemplation;--a fellow, a brother, an -immortal spirit, passing here below his brief time of sojourning, but -born for eternity. - -Our good vicar was a true messenger of peace:--we need not say more -than that this and all such opportunities were gladly improved by him. -He sowed beside all waters. In the present instance the old soldier -was speedily released, and taken up to the parsonage, and there, in -the shady porch, he had a hearty breakfast; and when the little -household assembled for prayer the wondering wayfarer was brought into -the hall, and heard the more excellent way very plainly set before -him,--and was then suffered to depart with bread in his wallet, and a -parting word of solemn warning and brotherly kindness, as he set -forward on his path, carrying with him the new thought and feeling, -that, though he was a ballad singer and a sot, accustomed only to -revilings, he had found a man of God, who had not passed him by, but -had served him, and soothed him, and cared for his soul. - -Such a man and such a minister was our parson of Cheddar: he had been -now resident in the parish for fifteen years. Hither he had then -brought a sensible wife,--of many rare accomplishments, and of a solid -piety. Three fine children then played in their garden: of these, -their girl had been taken from them in her twelfth year; and their two -boys, who had both attained the age of manhood, had quitted the -paternal roof, and taken their respective paths in life. Cuthbert, the -eldest, had been educated at Winchester College, had afterwards passed -through his university course at Cambridge, and was now domiciled, as -has been already seen, in the house of Sir Oliver Heywood, as a tutor. - -Martin, the youngest, had been five years at Westminster School as a -day scholar, under the care, during that period, of one Mr. Philips, a -worshipful and wealthy gentleman, of the most honourable company of -Goldsmiths, and brother to the late Sir John Philips, knight, a very -eminent merchant in the Levant trade, who, having made an unsuccessful -speculation, and losing his whole venture, had taken the failure of -his fortunes so much to heart, that he sickened and died soon after, -leaving behind him one portionless daughter. This girl, while under -the roof of her uncle, who was very considerably the junior of her -father in age, was seen and admired by Noble, and had soon become his -welcome prize. - -With this maternal uncle, Martin, at his own request, was placed, as -soon as he quitted school, that he might be brought up in the same -thriving business. He quickly became remarkable for his taste and -skill in the art of design, and as a fine judge of precious stones, so -that his uncle predicted for him great eminence and wealth in the line -which he had chosen; but Martin chancing one day to wait upon Vandyck -with an ornamental piece of plate which a nobleman presented to that -great genius, and being questioned about the design, confessed, with -some hesitation, that it was his own. Hereupon the painter broke out -into praise so warm, and took such notice of the youth, that, to -Martin, a painter did soon seem the highest style of man;--to be of -this bright company was now the highest object of his ambition. He -had a strong will; for this he rose early, and late took rest: and the -bent of his inclination became so decided, and his promise of -excellence so great, that his uncle, at the recommendation of Vandyck, -determined to afford him the opportunity and advantage of visiting -Italy, and pursuing his studies in the city of Rome. There, surrounded -by the great models of the divine art to which he was devoted, daily -extending his knowledge, and increasing his delight, Martin lived at -once to labour and to enjoy. - -But the absence of these dear boys, though necessary, was severely -felt by Noble and his wife; nor, in those days, were communications by -letter of regular or frequent occurrence, even at home,--and of -course, from abroad, very rare and most uncertain. - -The good vicar, though anxious about Martin's residence at Rome, was -not wanting in true sympathy for his pursuits; having himself a taste -for the arts, which he had improved by a leisure tour through Italy -(before his marriage) as tutor and guardian to a young gentleman of -large possessions in Oxfordshire. - -Nothing could be more retired than the life led by these childless -parents at Cheddar. - -It is a large village, or townlet, situate at the foot of the Mendip -Hills, in Somersetshire, and lying pleasantly sheltered on the -south-west side of that bleak and naked chain. The noble tower of its -fine old church is richly adorned with double buttresses, pinnacles, -and pierced parapets, and in the open space, which forms the centre of -its few irregular streets, is an ancient hexagonal market cross, where -the wayfarer may find a shelter from the hot suns of July, or from the -heavy rains of winter. The neighbourhood of Cheddar is romantic: it -commands a fine view, in one direction, over a rich and extensive -level; and it is immediately surrounded by rich, well-watered -pastures, always verdant. Within a mile of the market cross before -mentioned, on the road to Wells, there is a narrow, but a stupendous -pass, or chasm, by which the chain of the lofty hills of Mendip is -cleft, as it were, in sunder. The road winds through the bottom of -this strange defile; the cliffs rise on either side--ragged, scarped, -and terrific in their aspect--presenting, in many places, a sheer fall -of four hundred feet. Nothing can more sublimely impress the spirit of -a lonely traveller than the passage of this wild ravine, on a day of -cloud, and gloom, and rushing winds. In the sunny calm of summer, when -the wild pink, springing from the crevices of the rocks, adorns the -scene with something of gentleness, it is still of uncommon grandeur. -Black yews project from the larger fissures: here is a narrow ledge -covered with verdure; there a thick mantle of ivy clothes the summit: -here the mountain ash slants forward in its fantastic growth; while -yet, in many places, the craggy front is naked and dazzling as a wall -of stone. - -By this road, once a week, the quiet parson ambled on an old grey -horse to the fair city of Wells to refresh and recreate his spirit at -a private music meeting in the Close; nor did he ever omit on these -occasions to pass one hour of joy and praise in its magnificent -cathedral. Upon the breezy summits of the Mendip hills, which -bordered this road, he spent many serene and healthful hours. His life -was most even in its tenour; and the scenes around him, though daily -before his eyes, were as dear to him, or more so, than when, first -entering on residence, he had surveyed them with grateful rapture. - -Villages, however, like kingdoms, have their revolutions; and the -chronicles of them are preserved in chimney-corners with more or less -of fidelity, according to the interest of the events and the worth of -the characters who figured in them. - -These rustic historians have a mode of reckoning very different from -citizens. With prime ministers they have nought to do. Their -government is nearer to them, and they have never wanted wit enough to -know when that was good or evil. Over these rural communities the -ruler has, from time immemorial, been the lord of the manor, or the -chief franklin, or the parson of the parish. According as these -personages were disposed to promote religion and happiness, or to look -with indifference on vice and misery, the rustic population was -contented and cheerful, (because industrious in their callings, and -peaceable in their lives,) or they were sullen and profligate. Under -the joint reign of Franklin Blount and Parson Noble the inhabitants of -Cheddar had long dwelt together in comfort and harmony; but this is a -world of change,--and many things in the aspect of public affairs, of -which the villagers heard and heeded little, gave serious warning to -the prescient mind of Noble, that trouble was near. - -He was so beloved and respected by his people, and so regarded and -confided in by the worthy franklin, that he had hitherto been able to -evade, counteract, or over-rule, for the good of his flock, those -strange enactments which had been from time to time so inconsiderately -imposed. That which enjoined him to _publish_ the Book of Sports on -the Sabbath-day he totally disregarded. On this point he would have -consented to deprivation rather than obey. Hence he became suspected, -by some parsons of a very different stamp, for a puritan; and there -were not wanting uncharitable surmises among these concerning the -course which Master Noble would take in the hour of trial; not that -those who really knew him well ever doubted of that course at all. - -But while these surmises were, as regarded himself, utterly devoid of -foundation, it was asserted by some of his friends at Wells, the -correctness of whose judgments and the charity of whose sentiments -well accorded with his own, that his son Cuthbert had imbibed, from -his late associates at Cambridge, a spirit of a very dangerous nature. -Cuthbert had a large philanthropy, and a resolute courage to sustain -and act out those promptings of benevolence which his love of freedom -was continually urging upon his mind. Virtuous in his character, -sanguine in his hopes, present evils he saw, and for present remedies -he panted--but he looked not far on to consequences. A notion of his -state of mind may be found in the letter which follows:-- - - "Most dear Father, - - "You tell me in your last letter, which I have read over many - times with serious thought, that my mother wishes me to send - her a more particular account of this place and family, that - she may the better see my present courses with the eye of her - mind.--I will make a trial of my pen to set these matters in - some order before her--and, first, of this mansion: it is a - goodly fabric of stone, built by the father of the present - knight in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He, as you know, - exchanged some of his full money-bags for a fair estate in - land, and closed all his great and prosperous ventures in - commerce by a wise retirement to the noble pleasures of a - country life. A situation more pleasant than this of Milverton - you may not see in all the journey through these parts. The - house standeth on a fine swelling slope of verdant ground, and - is well sheltered by stately trees on three sides, but to the - front the prospect is open, and maketh the heart dance with - gladness, it is so full of delight. Looking to the south, you - see the towers of that famous castle of Guy of Warwick. This - castle is seated on a rock, very high, upon the river Avon, and - hath a look of strength and of great majesty; as seen against - the light of the distant sky--nothing can be more grand and - commanding;--also, from the middle of the good city of Warwick, - the fair pinnacles of the lofty tower of St. Mary's Church do - pierce the heaven, and she standeth like a crowned queen. I do - fear for her diadem, for they say that the embattled keep of - ancient Guy frowneth on our lady: but, turning the eyes from - these stately objects, which the intervening woods may not - conceal, directly below Milverton the river flows through a - fair valley of green pastures; and there cannot be, in all - England, a mill more pleasant to look upon and listen to than - Guy's mill: it standeth upon the farther bank of the Avon, over - which there is a foot-bridge of wood, very narrow, and long - enough to reach across a small meadow, which, when the waters - are out, is always flooded. Not far from this mill, to the - left, and upon the same bank, is an old decayed chapel, where I - have seen a rude statue of the renowned Guy, more than eight - feet in length; and near to this spot, close by the side of the - water, there is a cave in the rock, where, as a hermit, he - ended his days. But I will say no more of these places, of - which report may have reached you through the discourse of - others. - - "Milverton House lacks nothing of furniture that money and good - taste may command. There is a profusion of very fine carved oak - in the hall and in the winter-parlour. In the latter, over the - fire-place, is a curious representation of the meeting of Jacob - and Esau; and inscribed above are the words, 'With my staff I - passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands.' And in - the private chamber of Sir Oliver is another piece, in three - compartments, Jacob lying down alone in the Wilderness--the - Vision of the Ladder of Angels--and Jacob setting up his Pillar - of Remembrance. - - "I name these things rather than the rich hangings and the - handsome carpets which cover some of the tables, and the ebony - cabinets, and the massy plate, because I know that they would - give more contentment to my pious mother than all the - costliness and bravery in the king's palace. - - "In the small room appointed for me, there is a posy worked - upon a sampler, hung against the wall, that runneth thus:-- - - "What better bed than conscience good, to pass the night with sleep; - What better work than daily care, from sin thyself to keep." - - And there is an engraved portrait of Luther, with the words 'In - silentio et in spe erit fortitudo vestra.' I cannot look upon - these things without being deeply reminded of those feeling - lectures of piety which the lips of my dear mother have read to - me from my very childhood; but, truth to say, my dear parents, - I feel an angel plucking me by the sleeve, and whispering in my - ear that my stay in this sweet abode will not be long. Sir - Oliver and Mistress Alice and Mistress Katharine entreat me - with that kind civility and favourable respect, which make my - days happy, and I find Master Arthur so docile and of such - lively parts that my office is never irksome. - - "Nothing can be more orderly than the manner of life here; and - although the good knight is most hospitable, yet, as he doth - not use the exercise of hunting, and has no park, the visiters - are not many. He rides daily in the forenoon, and will - sometimes go to see the stag-hounds of Stoneleigh Abbey throw - off, with which pack he hunted for twenty years; but his chief - delight now is in the culture of his garden and orchards, and - of a vineyard, which he has laid out, at a great cost, on a - favourable site, one mile from the mansion. All the farms in - the village of Milverton are his, and his tenants are the sons - of those who held the land under his father; so that the hamlet - is but one large family, of which Sir Oliver is the head. - - "Mistress Katharine, his daughter, rides constantly with her - father, except when she takes the diversion of hawking, or goes - out after the beagles with her young cousin, Arthur, who is as - high-spirited and active a youth in the field, as he is earnest - and persevering in the study. To see Mistress Katharine fly a - hawk is gladsome; and although I have, from boyhood, accounted - that sport cruel and unfeminine, yet, when I look on that - inspiring sight, I deem it so no longer; certain I am that her - mind did never once connect the thought of cruelty with a usage - so common. She, too, seems as eager to learn what my poor - scholarship can teach her as my own pupil; and if a tutor can - be happy, I am, in the privilege of reading with this noble - maiden, and seeing her fine countenance lighted up with the - love of wisdom and of truth. - - "But this state of things is far too bright to last. When a man - dareth to think differently from those around him, he will soon - become an object of suspicion and prejudice. I feel that my - trial in this kind will assuredly come; for Sir Oliver, with - all his kindness, has so rooted a dislike to all change in the - established order of things, that a word against the undue - stretch of the king's authority, against the tyranny of the - starchamber, or those abuses in the state, which are manifest - to her best friends, would be enough to make his countenance - change towards me past recovery. - - "Upon these subjects, you, my dear father, have written to me - with more earnestness and fear than I should have looked for. - You tell me that I see not the inevitable consequences which - must follow from the acting out of those opinions and - sentiments with which I am so captivated. I confess that I am - an ardent friend to civil and religious liberty. I desire to - see the laws administered without fear or favour; to see - taxation imposed by the Commons alone, and to see purity and - charity preaching from our pulpits and ministering at our - altars. You must not blame me: these were the desires that you - implanted, when you taught me the immutable and eternal - principles of justice, and when, both by lip and in your life, - you showed me how sacred was the character, and how hallowed - were the duties, of an ambassador for Christ. I look for - reformation in the state, and purification of the church. You, - perhaps, despair of either; and therefore you dread an ill - result to the patriotic and pure efforts which so many great - and good men are now making. Some of the best and wisest of my - college friends think with them. Of that number are my late - tutor and my late chamber-fellow, with both of whom you - expressed yourself so much delighted, when, during my last year - of residence, you visited Cambridge. I confess, frankly, that I - hold their sentiments, and entertain hopes of ultimate good to - my country as sanguine as theirs. The cause of liberty must - triumph. - - "Your last letter gave but little hope of poor Fanny at the - mill: what a fair, cheerful, good girl she was. Martin will be - very sorry when he hears about her: if you remember, he was - always for dancing with Fanny on May-day. - - "I am glad to hear that Bessy Blount is going to be married. - She will make Tom Hargood's farm as happy a home as any in - England. However, I will not talk about weddings,--the very - word makes me melancholy. I am just now preparing a short - masque, which we are to perform next week, in honour of Sir - Oliver's birth-day. I suppose Martin, as well as myself, has - very different notions of female beauty now to any we gathered - at Cheddar; though, I doubt, if we shall either of us become - the happier for our knowledge. Rosy cheeks and laughing eyes - are joyous and pleasant to look upon, but they seldom beget - cureless heart-aches, or plant the long-lived sorrow:--all this - is very idle. The love of country is the next best love to that - of God, and, after that, the most rewarding. - - "I suppose that you will soon have a letter from Rome: no doubt - Martin is very happy among the galleries and studios of that - ancient city. I often wish that I could be transported there - for an hour, and see him, as he stands alone, before a - master-piece of Raphael, and sighs for the very fulness of his - admiration. Forget not to let me hear the earliest news of - Martin. I shall think of you all on May-day at old Blount's; - but, as the good old country customs are kept up here with - great spirit, shall have no leisure to grieve over my absence - from Cheddar, till night restores me to the solitude of my - chamber, and to that sacred companionship with you in prayer, - which I ever maintain. - - "Your dutiful and loving son, - "CUTHBERT NOBLE. - "_Milverton, April 20, 1640._" - - - - -CHAP. V. - - Now winde they a recheat, the roused deer's knell, - And through the forrest all the beasts are aw'd; - Alarm'd by Eccho, Nature's sentinel, - Which shows that murd'rous man is come abroad. - _Gondibert._ - - -Early in the morning of the day after that on which the rehearsal at -Milverton House was interrupted by the humiliating scene already -recorded, Cuthbert sallied forth, while the first rays of the level -sun were reflected back by glittering dewdrops; and brushing them with -swift steps from his path, crossed the foot-bridge near Guy's mill, -and was soon lost to view in the woods upon the far side of the Avon. -The mill was already at work, but he lingered not to gaze upon the -rushing waters. His eye glanced at the glad scene, and his ear drank -in the living sound; but the prosy old miller was at his door, and his -daughter stood on the stepping stones below, watching the white -breasted ducks that played in the back current, therefore, with a -short "good morrow," that waited for no reply, he passed onwards, for -he was bound on an errand of mercy. Although the old body, Margery, -had escaped the persecution of yesterday, there was good ground for -fearing that it would be soon and more cruelly repeated, if she -continued to dwell in her lonely and exposed hovel; and Cuthbert had -found a poor bricklayer from Coventry, who was then employed in -repairing the roof of an outhouse at Milverton, and who had witnessed -the scene of the day before with a true Christian feeling, quite -willing to give the old woman a lodging in the small house in the mean -alley in which he dwelt, for such consideration as Cuthbert was -willing to pay. With this proposal of shelter and security he sought -the wood, in the bosom of which, beneath a sand-stone rock, in a -forsaken pit, was poor Margery's desolate abode. From the rude clay -chimney, in the blackened thatch, curled a blue wreath of smoke: he -leaned against the rock above, and called to Margery, but there was -no reply. He went down and entered the hut. Upon a low stretcher on a -coarsely plaited mat of straw, dressed in the same rags in which she -walked abroad, she lay fast asleep, and her breathing sounded soft as -that of a child,--a raven with a clipped wing and club-foot hopped -upon the floor, and croaked at the intrusion; but the sound, though -loud, did not awaken her. "I will not fright away a sleep so -friendly," thought Cuthbert: he went forth again, and seated himself -beneath a stately oak at no great distance. In an open grassy glade -not far off, in front, a few deer were feeding,--the scene around was -peace and beauty,--trees, herbs, beasts of the field and fowls of the -air were declaring the glory and praising the goodness of a present -God. In silent rapture Cuthbert mused his praise; but adoration was -succeeded by a sense of pain,--another scene, another image, -interposed between the sunny objects before him and his mental vision. -The stony desolation of Mount Calvary, and the black sky above, and -the pale and holy forehead with its crown of thorns, came up startling -and apparent, and reminded him that he was the inhabitant of a fallen -world. This solemn turn being given to his thoughts, his mind -reverted, with serious consideration, to the views of that party in -the state which was already designated by the name of Puritans, and -which had been hitherto, and but for the questions of civil liberty -now widely agitated would still have been, a by-word and a reproach -among the people. "It is true," said he, "a Christian must be a -mourner--he cannot be other than a mourner; but yet, are we not -graciously commanded to serve the Lord with gladness? is the -countenance always to be sad? is there to be no rejoicing in the light -of the sun? Where is the middle ground between these two great parties -in church and state? Why is not a great and overwhelming majority of -moderate men found there to defend the best interests of all?" The -thoughts to which he thus gave utterance would have found a response -in the bosoms of thousands--indeed they were the very sentiments of -his own father; only that good man knew, what Cuthbert was as yet -ignorant of,--a knowledge which he was soon to purchase at the heavy -price of a most bitter and heart-breaking experience. He had yet to -learn that, in times of public commotion, there is no middle path, and -that a party does too often take the colour of the very worst persons -among those who compose it. The cant of the fanatic and the curses of -the cavaliers alike disgusted him. But yet he was of an age when men -will be sanguine about having the world mended according to their -desired pattern; and his heart glowed with the hope that the best men -of the parliament side would in the end triumph over the cold and -severe intolerance of the high church party, would control the power -of the crown, and would effect great and glorious things for the -liberty and the happiness of England. With these sentiments he had a -very difficult card to play at Milverton, for Sir Oliver was a decided -enemy to the party which he secretly approved; and some of the -neighbouring gentlemen, holding the same opinions with the knight, -gave a much coarser expression to them. He had to hold his mouth as -with a bridle in their presence. Among these persons by far the most -obnoxious was Sir Charles Lambert, a gentleman of about -five-and-thirty, related to Sir Oliver, and residing within a few -miles, at Bolton Grange, upon a fine property, with two younger -sisters left dependent on him. - -He had been a great deal about the court formerly, and in his youth -had been attached, for a few years, to the retinue of the late Duke of -Buckingham. Not proving of a capacity for public affairs, he had been -thrown back upon country life, without the true refinements of a -courtier, but with all those vices and fopperies, which, in the train -of Buckingham, it was not difficult to acquire. He covered with satin -and musk a heart as brutal and savage as one of his own -hounds,--resembling in nothing that generous and warm race of men the -country gentlemen of England but in a fine person and in a passion for -the chase. Nevertheless he did so conceal from Sir Oliver his true -character, that he was always made welcome at Milverton. In such -thoughts the mind of Cuthbert was tossed about as on a troubled sea; -and from mere weariness he fell into a contemplation of the sweetness -of nature, and the soft manner of her nursing, when we lie still and -passive in her lap, and look upon her face. So long a time had he -lingered in this green haunt, that the sun was three hours high; and -the great clock of Warwick, striking seven, warned him to return home. -Of the small herd in the open glade a few were still grazing,--others, -and a noble hart among them, lay in perfect repose: but, suddenly, -every neck was raised and turned--the ears stood erect--the nostrils -distended and closed--the eyes dilated--and then, as by accord, they -all stole slowly off to the rocky and difficult ground above them. He -looked around, and could see nothing to alarm them; but, in the same -instant, the blast of a distant hunting horn came up faint on the -wind: the sound was again heard nearer; and the loud voice of dogs in -concert, shrill yet deep, made the woods echo with notes that silenced -every bird, and drove away all the panting creatures from their lairs. -Yet was it a gallant sight--a sight to stir the blood--as within some -twenty yards of the tree under which Cuthbert stood, the chase in -full career swept by:--with antlers well thrown back, in its last -staggering speed, came a blown stag, with a stanch hound so close upon -its flank, you looked to see the fine creature torn down instantly; -not far behind, two leash of dogs were hanging on its track, their -mouths loud opening for prey:--with shouts of joy, and pace -precipitate, the huntsmen followed,--a small but eager band on gallant -steeds all foaming at the mouth, and stained with sweat. Swift as a -vision of the night they passed, and from beyond a swell of ground in -front a winding horn sent forth the well known mort. Cuthbert, -naturally excited, ran to a knoll before him, which might command the -country beyond. On the side of an open slope, at some considerable -distance, he saw the last act of the death. The lifted knife, all red -and reeking, was in the hand of a stranger of noble presence, by whose -side stood Sir Charles Lambert. The lordly game lay stretched upon the -ground, and near, with lolling tongues and panting sides, the hounds -lay gasping as for life. The riders were all dismounted, and their -horses, with drooping heads and their hind quarters sunk and -contracted, stood stiff and motionless beside them. By the loud and -exulting voices of the sportsmen you might know that the run had been -severe; two or three lagging horsemen were seen coming up in their -track; and by a cross path, just above the spot where the stag was -killed, two foresters on foot burst down at the top of their speed, -and joined the group that now more closely surrounded the noble game. -The sound had brought out all the household at Milverton, from whence -the slope was plainly to be seen. The boy Arthur, with some of the -serving-men, ran down the pathway towards Guy's mill, while Cuthbert -could discern Sir Oliver standing out on the terrace, and Mistress -Katharine by his side, with a loose white kerchief thrown over her -head, to keep off the rays of the sun, which were already powerful. - -The hunters now sounded the relief, and waved their caps towards -Milverton; intimating, by that note and action, that they would claim -the hospitality of the mansion; and then, leading their tired horses -by the bridle, they proceeded thither by the mill. Cuthbert, unseen -himself, watched all their motions; and when they had disappeared -within the gates of Milverton, and all below and around him was again -still, he turned, with a dead and jaded interest, towards the -sand-pit. Upon the edge of it, near the rock, he saw the bent figure -of Margery, as if in the act of listening; and as she raised her head, -and observed him walking to the spot, she hastily disappeared below. - -He stepped quickly after her; but the door was already barred; and -when he knocked and called to her, the hoarse croak of the raven was -the sole reply. He rapped more loudly,--still the same voice of ill -omen replied; but as he persisted, and said words to re-assure her, -the door was slowly opened, and the withered tenant of the pit -appeared. - -"Is it you, young master?" said Margery; "and are you alone, and is -there no hunter with you?" - -"There is no one with me," he replied: "the hunters have gone over the -river." - -"That's well, that's well, master: a hunting day, if the game takes -this way, is ever an ill day with me. They that be cowards alone, are -bold in merry company; and I have had a whip on my old shoulders, and -the dogs hounded on me before now, if any thing crossed their sport. -Three years ago, last fall, when his best hound, Bevis, was killed in -the hollow yonder, nothing would serve the turn of Sir Charles but to -float my poor old carcass across the river, and to weigh me against -the church Bible! But he hath had many a sleepless night for that; and -bold as he looks by day, the ticking of a death-watch will keep him -shivering in his bed." - -"What do you mean, Margery? The folk may well think you a witch for -words such as these." - -"Why, I mean," said the old woman wilfully and spitefully, "that I -never wished ill to any one, but ill came upon 'em." - -"Had I thought this of you yesterday, I should have been slow to ask -any one to give you house room; but you are God's creature, and have -been crossed with ill usage; and when you find yourself beneath the -roof of a Christian, safe from all enemies, your heart will melt, and -you will taste God's peace yourself, and wish it to others. I have -found a good man, that lives in Croft's Alley in Coventry, and he will -give you a chamber and a chimney corner, and kind words, and a stout -arm to protect you; and when we get you safe there your thoughts will -be quiet." - -"Hout-tout! what talk ye about Alley and a chimney corner? haven't I -my own ingle, and my own ways, and my own company? What voice more -pleasant to me than those I heard when I was young, and hear still? -What'll take better care of me than that old bird? Few there be that -don't shun to pass close by this hut; and they that come to it step -swiftly back again. I was told, with a curse, that I might not live -any where else, many years ago; and here I shall stop till my old -bones crumble." - -"Why, mother, why, you might starve here if you were taken ill, and -none to help you." - -"Well, death is but death, let it come how it will." - -"But hunger is a bad death; and besides, are you not in constant -danger of being taken up, and losing your life for a witch? Why, this -bird that you keep, and your words and ways, will surely bring you to -the stake one of these days." - -"Let the day come, if it is to come; and as to dying of hunger, where, -think you, do the foxes die? and where do the birds of the air die? -Why, they that escape the hounds die in their holes; and they that the -bird-bolt misses find a dying place in some nest or corner. Go your -way, young master! I am no tame rabbit, to be kept in a town hutch, -and tormented by children. I don't want to be led to church, and hear -the parson's jabber about my old soul." - -"Do not utter such wickedness, unhappy woman. It were charity to think -you crazed, and take you into safe keeping against your will." - -At this the old woman gave a shriek of passion, fitful as that of a -thwarted child, and then, suddenly overcome by fear, fell upon her -aged knees, and lifted and joined her withered hands, and implored -Cuthbert, with wild earnestness, never to have her moved. - -"Look you, young master, winter and summer, here I have watched and -waked these many years. It's a small matter of meal that makes my -porridge;--some give it for pity, and some give it for fear. There's -no lack of rotten sticks to keep me warm: yonder spring is never dry; -and it's free I am to go and to come, and nothing here to flout or to -fret me: the deer and the kine take no count of me--the pretty -creatures don't fear me; and it's not all the world calling me witch -that will make them. That place is best we think best. Oh, for the -love of God, master, let me alone--let me rot where I am." - -Cuthbert's mind was in an agony of prayer; but his tongue clave to the -roof of his mouth. He would have said much; but he could speak -nothing. He gave her alms; and telling her that he would do nothing -against her will--nothing to make her unhappy, but that he would come -and see her again--he raised her from her knees, and went upon his way -homewards. - -"My father would not thus have left her," was his first thought. "He -would have found some way to break into her heart. Strange -world--strange thing this human life! This old solitary miserable has -been wrapped in swaddling clothes, even as others--has been suckled at -a human breast--has grasped, with tiny hand, a father's finger--and -been kissed, and muched; and now, she has survived all kindred--lost -all defence of strength or money--hath none of wisdom, and because her -back is crooked, and nose and chin have come well nigh together, she -has been hunted from her kind, and dwells apart. As God is love,--and -that he is I cannot doubt and live,--this is a mystery! It's a skein -so much entangled that my poor wit can not unwind it." - -Muttering to himself these wayward fancies, he hurried back to -Milverton as to his heart's home. There he could see sunlight upon the -earth, and feel warm in the comfort of it. Nor in his then mood was he -sorry that the guest chambers would be full: he wished a day of -cheerful cups, and pleasant voices, and music. Thus absorbed, he -reached the mill, and passed it as swiftly as in the morning. - -"There he goes," said the old miller, speaking to his daughter, who -was spreading out some linen to bleach--"There he goes, as shy as a -hare, and as fast as if he were making for his form. I never gets a -bit of chat with him. He's not much for company." - -"Why, father," replied the girl, coming upon the pathway, "he's a -scholar, you know, and that's the fashion of them, you know." - -"Well, it's a bad fashion to go poking about the woods as lonesome as -a stray mule; no good comes of those crazy fashions. I like an open -face, and an open hand, and a free tongue." - -"Eh! he can talk fast enough, I'll warrant me, if he had a sweetheart -to talk to." - -"He talk to a sweetheart! She must be a poor silly body that would -listen. There are merry men and merry hearts enough in old England for -the lasses to choose from, without giving ear to such as he." - -"Well, they give him kind words at the Hall,--and they say he's always -more for good than harm; and I find him pleasant spoken enough when he -comes to angle in the mill-pool." - -"There it is! I can never make him say a dozen words, black or white; -now Parson Mullins will chat free for an hour on, and tosses you off a -pot of ale with good words and good will. Why, he and I have smoked -many a pipe together; and he's a clerk, and a rare scholar too. He -doesn't give you ignorant stuff o' Sundays; but Latin, and Greek, and -all the best that he has learned at college. That's the man for my -money." - -"Well, father, for the matter o' that, I like to know what folk are -saying; and it might be gipsy language for all you or I are the -wiser." - -"I know where you got that lesson, Miss Pert; that's what the old -Puritan pedlar said the other day,--rot him! he shall take seat on the -old wive's ducking-stool if he comes this way again." - -"I am sure he was a quiet civil man; and you have not had a better -piece of linen, or a cheaper, than he sold us, this many a year." - -"Hang his linen, and him too!" rejoined the sturdy old miller. "I -didn't like the cut of his black head;" and with that he passed into -the mill, and the girl went towards the dwelling. - -While this dialogue was passing, Cuthbert Noble was rapidly ascending -the path, which rose gently over a swelling field of luxuriant grass, -to Milverton. Certainly there was much about Cuthbert to excuse the -prejudice of the miller. He was of low stature, with a long visage and -grave aspect; and there was a peculiar expression of his eye, which -disturbed or repelled those who saw him for a first time, or who saw -him not at his ease; but to those whom, upon a nearer acquaintance, -he liked, his dark eye beamed with light; the expression about his -mouth was humane and gentle; his voice was low, and rather tremulous -before strangers; he never laughed, and seldom smiled, save with his -eyes, which gave quick and lively response to whatever pleased him. -Though, in his first manhood, he was not without a knowledge of life -and of the human heart, for his reading had been extensive; and he had -that felicity of apprehension, by which the lessons of books are most -happily caught, and most easily applied to the heart's daily wants. -Moreover, he had all those graces of persuasion by which a pupil is -best won upon and encouraged to climb the steep hill of fame. More -happily placed he could not have been than in the family of Sir Oliver -Heywood, but for one circumstance--he was too happy. A fear lay -beating in his bosom. He dared not confess to himself the strange, yet -deep, sentiments of admiration with which he regarded the daughter of -the worthy knight. He would fain persuade himself that it was nothing -but an emotion of gratitude to Mistress Katharine for that generous -courtesy which would not suffer a scholar of gentle birth to want such -attention and respect as she might delicately pay to him. Here, -however, his wisdom was at fault. In vain had books taught him the -misery of misplaced affections. He was launching out upon an unknown -sea that has no shore. - - - - -CHAP. VI. - - Some snakes must hiss, because they're born with stings. - - -The table in Milverton Hall was already surrounded by the hungry -guests; and a substantial old English breakfast, well suited to the -appetites and the digestion of active and manly hunters, was spread -before them. They were so busied over the cold joints and the venison -pasties, or with the amber ale that foamed in silver tankards, as -scarcely to notice the entrance of a latecomer, and therefore Cuthbert -slipped into a vacant place at the bottom of the table, without other -greeting than the good-humoured nod of a ruddy-looking young parson -seated opposite, as he raised a tankard to his lips. There was little -talk, save a few words about the sport, until having fairly finished -their meal, the chairs were backed a little from the huge oaken table; -the serving men lifted off the large dishes, still weighty with good -fare, removed the trenchers, and having carried round the basin and -ewer, large silver cups, filled with canary wine, prepared, after the -fashion of the time, with sugar and with certain herbs, so as to make -a delicious beverage in warm weather, were placed upon the table. The -short grace "Benedicto benedicatur" having been uttered by George -Juxon, the youthful rector alluded to, Sir Oliver took the massive cup -which stood before himself, and intimating to Juxon to follow his -example with the other, he rose, and giving for a toast, "His most -gracious Majesty King Charles," took a small draught of it, and passed -the cup to the noble looking gentleman who had been sitting on his -right hand, and was then standing by his side. The toast passed round -with an audible "God bless him!" from every guest, after the example -of the loyal host. - -"Ah, Sir Philip," observed the worthy knight to the noble stranger -near him, "we have fallen upon evil times; and it is grievous to think -that there should be one house in all England where the health of his -most sacred Majesty may no longer be duly drunk, as is becoming in -all good and true subjects." - -"Yet, I fear," replied Sir Philip Arundel, "there are many in which -the King's health is no longer a standing toast: unquestionably -republican feelings and principles have made great progress among the -burgher classes generally, and have infected not a few above them." - -"It is those sour-faced, canting rogues, the prick-eared, -psalm-singing Puritans, that are doing all the mischief," said Sir -Charles Lambert: "we want their ears, after the Turkish fashion, -cropped by sacksful." - -"But it is not calling them names, or cutting off their ears," said -George Juxon, "that will put them down; neither will all the water in -your horse-ponds quench the fire in any of their bosoms." - -"Very likely; but there is nothing like trying what will stop them; -and as sure as ever I catch any of the hypocritical rogues praying and -singing near our parish they shall have a bellyful of muddy water, and -a back-load of smart blows with whip or cudgel." - -There was an expression of most irrepressible disgust on the -countenance of Cuthbert Noble as Sir Charles uttered this brutal -speech; which Sir Charles observing, he turned quickly to Sir Oliver, -and added, "These are times in which we should look well to all our -housemates, for fear we should be fostering some of these godly -knaves, who cover their false hearts with closed lips and demure -faces, and may corrupt our children and our servants." - -"You mean me," said Cuthbert, starting on his feet with an energy -which startled every one at table, and took Sir Charles so totally by -surprise that he turned pale and livid, and seemed at a loss for -words. - -"Sir Oliver," pursued the youthful tutor in a glow of indignation that -overspread his cheeks, and made his eyes glance fire, "I have long and -often endured the contemptuous and studied insults of your haughty -kinsman on his visits here; and while they were only directed against -me as a poor scholar and a dependant, it was well:--happy in your -favour, and in the attachment and respect of the gentle young master, -who is my pupil, I could afford to look down upon the dwarfish stature -of so mean a mind; but when he would thus----" - -Before it was possible to arrest him, Sir Charles, who sat upon the -same side of the table, had run behind him, and, ere he could turn, -inflicted a deep wound in his back with a large hunting-knife. The -young student fell, bathed in his blood, upon the floor; and all the -household, already brought near to the door by the loudness of the -voices, rushed into the hall. Nothing was more affecting than to see -the terrified agony and loud sobs of the noble boy Arthur, who stood -over his fainting tutor with tears, and would neither be comforted nor -removed. - -George Juxon had instantly seized Sir Charles with an iron grasp. Sir -Oliver was troubled, and scarce knew how to act; while Sir Philip -Arundel, the most self-possessed of the party, desired the attendants -to send swiftly to Warwick for a surgeon, and suggested to Sir Oliver -that the aggressor should be committed to his charge, and that he -would take him to his own home, and be responsible for his appearance -to answer for the crime which he had just committed, when the charge -should be preferred against him in due order. But George Juxon -required that he should remain in custody at Milverton until it was -ascertained whether the stab inflicted on Cuthbert might not prove -fatal. - -The ladies of Milverton, who were absent, walking in the grounds, were -happily spared this painful scene. To the exclamations of wonder, -regret, and even condolence, with which Sir Charles was addressed by -some others of the party, he answered nothing, but stood with lips -closely compressed in sullen scorn and in a dogged silence. - -Juxon unhanded him, after Sir Philip promised that he should for the -present be kept close guarded, and gave all his attention to Cuthbert, -who was borne slowly and carefully up into his chamber, and his wound -there bound up with a temporary dressing by Juxon himself, till proper -assistance should arrive. This done, he left him for a while in the -care of the servants, while he went down to aid in composing Sir -Oliver and the ladies of the family. - -This young clergyman, who was a distant connection of the good bishop -of the same name, the treasurer at that time of the King, was a good -specimen of a particular class of richly beneficed clergy, not -uncommon in his day. He was a ripe scholar, a kind, orthodox -churchman, and a manly country gentleman. His habits were those of his -time: they grew out of the circumstances of that period and the state -of society in all country places; and he had seen his own pious and -dignified relative hunt his own pack of beagles, without a thought -that he was doing any thing more than taking a vigorous exercise, -beneficial alike to the health of his body and his mind. - -Juxon was among, but above, sportsmen. He had a wealthy rectory, and -lived hospitably with his equals, and charitably towards the poor. In -the discharge of his parochial duties, he was sensible and serious: he -valued books, and he had a due appreciation of genius. - -He had been of the hunting party this morning, and was thus a guest -at Milverton, where he had long occasionally visited, and where, upon -a former day, he had chanced to have rather a long and free -conversation with Cuthbert, and, albeit widely different in their -habits, had found common ground of interest in the subjects on which -they talked, and they had parted well pleased with each other. Had -they touched on politics, indeed, they would have differed; for Juxon -was a most stanch supporter of the court party: through evil report -and good report he stuck close to the crown; he wrote for it, spoke -for it, and was ready to lay down his life in the defence of it; but -he was of too large a mind to wonder at the opinions of those opposed -to the government of the King; nor was he blind either to those abuses -of the prerogative which had first awakened a spirit of resistance in -men of undoubted worth and patriotism, nor to the grievous folly of -those deplorable counsels, whereby the King had been induced or -encouraged to force upon the proud and resolute Scots the discipline -of a church to which they disclaimed allegiance. - -Again, he was of a generous spirit, detested persecution in any thing, -especially in religion and matters of conscience, and had felt, with -the Lord Falkland, in all the earlier stages of the present quarrel. -Nevertheless, a decided and sincere attachment to the monarchy, an -unshaken respect for the personal qualities of the King, and a -devotion to the forms and to the spirit of that church in which he was -baptized, suckled, and educated,--a devotion quite distinct from, and -independent of, any feeling of self-interest, as an incumbent,--caused -him to resolve upon his own course in the coming troubles with a -cheerful firmness. - -These sentiments, if the conversation in the hall had not been so -suddenly put an end to, would there have been elicited. He had not -approved the outbreak and burst of indignation with which the -sensitive and excited Cuthbert had so energetically appropriated the -indirect, but mischievous, speech with which Sir Charles Lambert had -sought to sow a suspicion of his tutor's integrity in the bosom of Sir -Oliver; but he with his whole soul detested and abhorred the cowardly -and bloody ferocity with which the haughty and maddened barbarian had -resented the contemptuous expression of Cuthbert. There sprung up in -his heart at that moment a warmth of interest for the youth, which -never afterwards, in fortunes the most dark and divided, entirely died -away. But to return to the actual present. He saw the ladies, who had -but just returned from a walk to the vineyard, in company with Sir -Oliver, in a remote corner of the garden, and immediately joined them. - -They were, as might be expected, very greatly troubled at the cruel -occurrence, and pale with natural anxiety. Indeed there was an -expression of concern upon the countenance of Mistress Katharine, so -very deep, so profoundly sad, that even amid the sorrowful -perplexities of the moment it glanced across the mind of Juxon, that, -in one or other of the parties in this business, her own heart was -most closely interested, and he thought that he had never before seen -human beauty with such a divine aspect. At the readily adopted -suggestion of Katharine, her aunt Alice would have proceeded -instantly to the chamber of the sufferer, to render him any service in -her power; but Juxon requested of her not to do so, and recommended -that the ladies should keep themselves quiet and apart until the -surgeon arrived, and the gentlemen now in the mansion should have -departed. Observing, too, the extreme perplexity of Sir Oliver, who -had been and still was exceedingly agitated by this strange event, he -entreated him to remain with them, and to keep himself calm and quiet -for the present; assuring him that every thing which he could suppose -him to wish in the present distress should be properly done, and that -he would certainly not leave Milverton himself while he could hope to -render the slightest service to Sir Oliver in this difficulty. There -was an earnestness of manner about Juxon, and at the same time such a -quiet tone of internal confidence in the resources of his own -judgment, that they all submitted to his guidance; and Sir Oliver was -greatly comforted and strengthened by the thought that so wise and -judicious a friend was near him in his necessity. - -The boy Arthur was watching and walking forwards on the Warwick road, -as if his doing so could hasten the coming of assistance, and was in -all that confusion of the troubled spirits which keeps the young heart -throbbing with fear. - -In the library Sir Charles Lambert sat with folded arms and a lowering -brow, while Sir Philip Arundel stood, looking from the window with a -countenance simply expressive of cold annoyance. - -Of the half dozen gentlemen, who were still grouped in the hall, one, -after observing, that "All's well that ends well,--and, perhaps, after -all, the young man's hurt might not prove dangerous, and that he -always hoped for the best,"--stole his hand across quietly to the wine -cup, and took a very copious draught; another remarked, that he must -say "the young man was very irritating;" a third wanted to know what -was the use of their remaining there, and said he wanted to go home; -while a fourth said, "One was a brute, and the other a fool: that he -cared nothing for one, and knew nothing of the other." - -But two gentlemen of a more thoughtful cast walked the hall in low and -serious discourse, apprehensive by their words that the injury would -prove fatal to Cuthbert; and resolving that so fierce an action as -that of Sir Charles should not pass unpunished. These were friends and -neighbours of George Juxon; and expressed themselves well pleased -that, for the sake of Sir Oliver and his family, so useful and kind a -person chanced to be at Milverton under the present circumstances. - -At last the long expected surgeon arrived with the messenger who had -been sent for him, both having used all diligent expedition. He was -introduced into the chamber of the patient by Juxon, and immediately -proceeded to examine the wound. At the first sight he shook his head, -and said to himself, in a very quick, low tone of voice, "The wonder -is, that he is yet alive;" but on questioning Cuthbert as to his -feelings, and finding some of the expected symptoms absent, and on -very carefully applying the probe, he cheerfully exclaimed, "There is -good hope of you, young master: there is no man living could pass a -sword where this blade has passed without injuring a vital part, if he -were to try; but a good angel hath had the guiding of this one. If it -please God to bless my skill, you shall do well; but it will be a slow -case, and a tedious time before you will be fairly on your legs -again." - -"God's will be done," said Cuthbert, "for life or for death." - -"If that is your mind," rejoined the surgeon, "my care will be well -helped, and your cure the easier." - -After cleaning and dressing the wound, and giving particular -directions as to diet broths, and writing a prescription for the -necessary medicines to produce composure and sleep, he took his -departure, promising an early visit on the morrow. - -The favourable opinion thus given of Cuthbert's wound was quickly made -known throughout the mansion, and received as welcome by all; -operating upon each according to their personal characters, and to the -interest which they had felt in the issue of the violent deed which -had stained the hospitable hall of Milverton. Sir Charles Lambert, -indeed, but for the inconvenience and danger to himself, would have -preferred the more tragical event. As it was, when Sir Philip Arundel -returned from the gallery to the library, to announce to him that -Cuthbert was considered in no present danger, he uttered no word -beyond his wish instantly to return home. - -"You are surely thankful," said Sir Philip, "that this unpleasant -affair has ended so much better than was feared. If you will not go -and say so to the bleeding youth, which perhaps might just now too -much disturb him, you will at least offer some words of atonement to -your elderly relative, Sir Oliver, for the outrage done under his -roof, and to a youth under his protection; a deed to be only excused -by pleading that your anger transported you into a paroxysm of -madness." - -"I shall go home," said Sir Charles: "are you ready?" - -"I will never, sir, again cross your threshold: you are no English -knight--you are not even a man. I shall send orders to my grooms to -follow me on my road home." - -These words were swallowed by the same man who would have taken a life -that same morning for a look of contempt; and with a white cheek, on -which passion literally trembled, Sir Charles hurried to the -court-yard, called for his horse, mounted, and dashing spurs into his -sides, rode violently away--hatred in his own heart, and contempt -pursuing him. In succession all the guests took their departure, -except George Juxon, whom Sir Oliver requested to continue with him -till the morrow; and who, more for the sake of the patient than of the -family, assented. He was not sorry that Sir Charles had departed in -the manner and in the temper described, nor did he care now to have -his person secured; for his offence, though grave as it yet stood, was -not of a nature that in those days subjected to imprisonment any one -who could find bail for his future appearance: and in the present case -it was clear that Cuthbert would never prosecute a relation (albeit -base and unworthy), yet a relation of Sir Oliver Heywood. - -The good knight, though a kind man, a fond father, and an easy master, -having walked through life upon a path of velvet as smooth as his own -lawn, was sadly discomposed by this visitation of care; and the very -trouble and irregularity that was caused by it was felt by the old -gentleman in many ways that he dared not confess to others, and was -ashamed to acknowledge to himself. A great weight, indeed, was taken -from his mind by the assurance of Cuthbert's safety; for he was -humane, and he liked the youth: but he had private reasons for a deep -regret at the conduct of Sir Charles Lambert, and the interruption to -their intercourse which would of necessity ensue, and almost wished -that he had parted with his young tutor immediately after that -discovery of his political leanings which he had himself not many -days ago so frankly made. - -However, what had now befallen Cuthbert beneath Sir Oliver's own roof, -and by the hand of his own relative, gave him new and increased claims -upon the knight's protection and kindness, and there could be no -further thought of their separating now till a distant period. The day -wore rapidly away, and by the hour of supper some appearance of order -was again restored to a mansion, in which every thing usually -proceeded with the regularity of clockwork. - -An intermitted dinner was an occurrence of which there was no previous -memory or record in the recollection of the oldest servant on the -establishment. Among the minor circumstances, and not the least -affecting to the manly mind of Juxon, was a little dialogue which he -overheard between the little girl Lily and the boy Arthur, the child -being unable to comprehend the fact of one man cutting another man -with a knife on purpose to hurt him. The true nature of the atrocious -action of course no one cared to explain to the little innocent: but -she had learned from the servants that Master Cuthbert was run through -with a knife by Sir Charles Lambert; and she had come to cousin -Arthur, in a grave and pretty wonder, to know what they could mean. - -The next day, being the birthday of Sir Oliver, was that on which the -masque in preparation was to have been represented before a party of -the neighbouring gentry, who had been specially invited to celebrate -that annual feast in the good old hall of Milverton. Of so pleasant a -holyday there could now be no further thought; and the May-day -festival which was to follow the day after, though of course the -villagers would have their dance according to the immemorial custom, -would lose half its gaiety and spirit by the absence of the family -from the manor house, and especially of the gentle and sweet Mistress -Katharine, whose words and ways had won for her all the hearts in -Milverton, and for miles round. - -It was an evening memorable in the life of Juxon, that in which he -first sat down at table with the small family circle of the -Heywoods;--in which he looked upon the majestic forehead of -Katharine,--marked the gentle fire of her dark eyes, and the -expression of all that is sweet and engaging in humanity about a mouth -where her noble qualities were most fairly written. - -After the grave and laudable custom of those good old times, the -evening service from the Book of Common Prayer was invariably read to -the assembled households of the country gentlemen. The office of -reading prayers was usually in the absence of a clergyman performed by -Sir Oliver himself as the priest of his own family, or at times he -deputed Cuthbert to supply his place. The duty this evening was -performed by Juxon in a solemn, feeling, impressive manner; and when -it was concluded, and the family retired, he hastened to the chamber -of Cuthbert, and finding that the composing draught had taken kind -effect, and that he was dropping off into a comforting sleep, withdrew -again with as soft a step as he had entered, and, exhausted with the -fatigues and the painful excitements of the day's adventures, he -repaired to his own room, and thankfully lay down to rest. As he was -extinguishing the lamp, his eye read the posy on the wall; and he -could not but feel a sweet pleasure to be reposing in such a mansion, -and with such a family:-- - - "Would'st have a friend, would'st know what friend is best? - Have God thy friend, who passeth all the rest." - - - - -CHAP. VII. - - Love is a kind of superstition, - Which fears the idol which itself hath framed. - SIR THOMAS OVERBURY. - - -Cuthbert was awakened at midnight by pain:--the glimmer of the night -lamp in the little room adjoining cast a dim light into the chamber -where he lay; and the breathing of the aged female servant, who sat -there in watch, told him that she had been overcome by sleep. He cared -not to disturb her, and made an effort to reach the cup of water on -the little table by his side, but he found that he was no longer equal -to the slightest exertion--he could not even change his posture. He -endured his thirst, and tried to collect his thoughts, and gather up -all that had passed in the hall, but he could not: he was dizzy with -the sense of having been pushed to the very brink of eternity, and -snatched back again. A gleam shone upon the portrait of Luther which -hung opposite. "Though he slay me yet will I trust him," was now his -own whispered act of confidence in God, and he lay passive, silent, -and hopeful. Not only was he heavily oppressed with bodily anguish, -but his mind, after undue excitement, and proportionate depression and -exhaustion, had sunk into a state of torpor. At the moment when Sir -Charles Lambert made the insidious speech to Sir Oliver, which -Cuthbert truly discerned to be aimed at his suspected principles, and -still more basely at a supposed line of conduct which he had far too -high a sense of integrity to pursue. - -At that moment it seemed to him as if it was but fair and honourable -to make open avowal of his true sentiments; but in the same quick -glance of the mind he saw the first bitter and inevitable consequence. -He must quit Milverton immediately, and for ever. Sir Oliver could no -longer have retained in his family a man openly admiring the cause -and the course of that party in the kingdom which opposed the crown. - -The collision in his mind of this fear of separation from so much that -he loved, and of the honest impulse to do what was right, begat a -momentary desperation; and thus it was, that he rose upon that -occasion with so unbecoming a want of calmness, and that he was about -to preface his statement by exhibiting his unmeasured scorn for the -base assailant of his character, but the too sure destroyer of his -present happiness. - -By the strange and bloody interruption of his purpose, the avowal of -his political opinions was checked: his expression of contempt for Sir -Charles had found utterance, and had been followed by a consequence, -carrying with it, indeed, a severe rod of rebuke to himself for his -rashness, but punishment in a tenfold degree more insupportable to his -proud and brutal enemy; and, as a crowning consolation to Cuthbert, -his sojourn beneath the blessed roof of Milverton was at least, for -very many weeks to come, perfectly secure. He had felt no sorrow when -he heard the surgeon pronounce his case as one that would be -tedious--and that it must be long before he could be safely moved. - -He would have had a stronger reason for joy and thankfulness, could he -have known that he had been the cause of producing such a developement -of the fierce and cruel temper of Sir Charles Lambert as saved -Katharine Heywood, if not from actually accepting him as a husband, to -which she would never have consented, at least from all the present -persecution of his attentions, as well as from all expression of the -blind but yet obstinate wishes of her otherwise indulgent father. - -As Katharine lay wakeful on her pillow, believing and hoping that the -life of Cuthbert would be spared, and no permanent injury would affect -his future health or usefulness, she could not regret the occurrence -of the morning. - -Certainly she would have died rather than have gone to the altar with -Sir Charles, but she would have remained continually exposed to his -selfish addresses; and this match having been the favourite plan of -her father from her earliest girlhood would have been perpetually -urged upon her by him in those many indirect and distressing ways in -which affectionate and obedient children are sometimes long and -ungenerously tormented by covetous or ambitious parents. - -One thing, when she first heard of the catastrophe, found a brief -admission into her mind, and till she was made fully acquainted both -by her father and by Juxon of all that had passed, and of the words -which had been uttered at the time, was not entirely dismissed. This -was no less than a fear, faint, indeed, and most reluctantly viewed as -possible, that the quarrel might have arisen out of some feelings on -both sides connected with herself. Nothing was farther removed from -the true dignity of her noble character than the desire of making an -impression upon any one; and it would have very seriously pained her, -if those kind attentions, by which she had sought to make Cuthbert at -home in the family, should have given birth in his breast to any -warmer sentiment than that of respectful friendship. - -Her humility and her modesty were so genuine that she was quite -unconscious of her own personal attractions, and, though alive to the -beauty of many of her female friends, she regarded it as a quality so -inferior, and secondary in its power of interesting the heart, or -winning the homage of the mind, as to give little advantage to its -possessor in the daily intercourse of society. This opinion being in -her sincere and rooted, her charms were worn with a grace and ease so -natural, that her influence over all who came within their sweet and -magic circle was irresistible. - -This being her character, it was a great relief to her to be persuaded -that there was not the slightest ground for the apprehensions, which -she had slowly admitted. She was now surprised at herself for having -entertained them even for a moment. She saw in the conduct of Cuthbert -nothing more than a burst of human pride irritated into violence by -the haughty insults of a worthless superior. Thus all her suspicions -of the truth were lulled to sleep; and to alleviate the sufferings of -Cuthbert during his confinement, and to cheer his convalescence when -the hour of it should arrive, was to her plain judgment a simple and a -pleasing duty. - -Sir Oliver himself passed a weary and feverish night,--all things -seemed out of joint: one of his most favourite schemes was -broken,--and his prospects of a peaceful and indolent old age, under -the shadow of his own trees, were somewhat shaken. The trumpet of war -had not, indeed, as yet sounded in the heart of England, though -English blood had been already spilled freely on the borders. The few -tall yeomen, with their goodly steeds, sent by himself to join the -King's forces in the north, had marched fast and far only to meet an -early end, and to swell the loss and the discredit of the ridiculous -expedition against the Scots. With Sir Charles Lambert for a -son-in-law, he would have felt better able to meet and take share in -the coming troubles; and he reflected on the difficulties before him -with dismay. Of battle or of death he had no fear,--though at his time -of life, and with his habits, it was small service beyond that of a -ready example of devotion which he could render in a camp; but when he -thought of Katharine, and of Arthur in his boyhood, and of his aged -sister, his household presented but a defenceless aspect. However, -after the scene of yesterday, he could not ever directly encourage any -future addresses of Sir Charles to his daughter; and it could not but -suggest itself plainly to his own mind, as a gentlemen of a true -English spirit, as far as personal bravery was concerned, that little -dependence could be placed upon the courage or firmness of a man -capable of the cruel and dastardly assault which he had yesterday -witnessed. He had yet to learn the moral energies and the latent -heroism of his noble daughter, and to discover the strength and the -wisdom of a woman's mind, when the love of father and of country guide -it in the path of duty and of honour. Some time was to elapse before -the days of trial; and, indulging that love of ease which was habitual -to him, he strove to stifle or put away from him the unwelcome -conviction that come they must, and could not be averted. Therefore -it was with no common sense of comfort, that, when he came forth into -the gallery the next morning, he found Katharine, and his sister, and -Arthur, already there, waiting to receive him with the kisses of fond -congratulation, and saw his own portrait and that of his departed -wife, who had been to him as an angel gently leading him for good, and -ever watchful to guard him from error, framed, as it were, with choice -and dewy flowers. He gazed at the portrait of his wife and then at -Katharine, alternately, and was melted into a gush of grateful -tenderness. All fears, difficulties, and troubles seemed to vanish in -a present feeling of thankfulness and delight. He went instantly on to -the chamber of Cuthbert: Juxon had been there from an early hour, and -the surgeon was engaged at the moment in dressing his wound. - -The sight of the amiable young man, lying pale and helpless, bandaged -and in pain, greatly moved Sir Oliver. He took Cuthbert by the hand, -and spoke to him in that warm and feeling language of condolence which -is balm to a sufferer's mind. The benevolent surgeon took a lively -interest in his patient, and spoke most confidently of effecting a -complete cure,--although he repeated, that the case would prove very -tedious, and many weeks must elapse before he could be permitted, or -indeed be able, to quit the recumbent posture. He gave directions that -he should be kept particularly quiet in his actual state, and not be -spoken with or disturbed throughout the day, except to give him -necessary refreshment or medicine. - -At the earnest invitation of Sir Oliver, Juxon consented to remain at -Milverton till the evening. The day passed pleasantly away. The worthy -knight recovered his usual spirits; Mistress Alice her composure; and -Katharine Heywood, having much secret content and thankfulness at -heart, looked like some gracious angel of peace and goodness. - -It was a day of bliss to Juxon:--one never forgotten, but marked white -for ever. He was one of those men who felt a reverence and tenderness -for woman; and, whenever he addressed them, his eyes, his voice, his -whole manner plainly manifested respect. He expected in the female -character gentleness, purity, and charity; and yet, by some strange -inconsistency, he shunned the society of women, was seldom to be seen -in those gay and glittering circles where they shone, and where he -might have been soon disenchanted of his cherished illusions. - -His residence in a sequestered parish in the country afforded him few -opportunities of visiting where ladies were to be met; and being fond -of all sports and manly exercises, and so ripe a scholar as to find -study and the chase a pleasant relief to each other, he had not as yet -been careful to seek opportunities of increasing his female -acquaintance. - -Whatever there was of silent and maidenly reserve in sweet Katharine -herself towards common strangers, and upon ordinary occasions, -vanished at a time like this, in the presence of so manly, so modest, -and so frank a man as George Juxon. As the family sat that day at -table, not a shade of embarrassment was visible in any of the -party:--Sir Oliver was in high good humour; the boy Arthur looked at -their guest with those honest eyes which, in boyhood, fear not to -show either like or dislike; and the little girl Lily, permitted that -day to dine in the hall, sat without shyness opposite to Juxon, and -shunned not his smile or his word of notice. - -The day wore on:--he walked with the ladies upon the verdant and -velvet paths in the flower garden,--he paced the terrace with Sir -Oliver,--and his presence was felt by them all as a strength and a -comfort. - -The shade upon the dial had stole silently, but swiftly, forwards, and -touched upon seven in the evening, when he ran up to the chamber of -Cuthbert to press his hand at parting; and having afterwards said his -farewell to the ladies on the lawn, he descended to the court-yard, -accompanied by Sir Oliver and the boy Arthur, mounted the gallant roan -gelding upon which he had hunted his way down on the morning of -yesterday, and again shaking the hand of his host, and accepting a -warm invitation to repeat his visit soon and often, George Juxon rode -out of the gates at Milverton with a very new and strange feeling. - -The free animal, on which he rode, was impatiently checked as often as -it broke from the measured walk at which it was now the pleasure of -his master to travel homewards; and, whatever might be the cause, he -was not allowed to perform in less than two hours a distance to be -very easily accomplished within one. The reverie of Juxon was unbroken -during the whole ride. The evening was mild, and the hedgerows were -green, and the air was perfumed here with the scent of violets, there -with the fragrance of cottage gardens or blushing orchards, and upon -the woody or open parts of the road with the rich incense of the -fresh-blown May. - -The news of Sir Charles Lambert's violence had reached his parsonage -before him; and in the stone porch his old housekeeper met him as soon -as he had dismounted, with as much anxiety as if he had narrowly -escaped murder himself. The good old body, with that genuine -philanthropy of feeling which is as natural as their breathing to -kindly natures, learned the safety of Cuthbert, whom she had never -seen or heard of before, with a lively expression of motherly joy; -and Juxon was roused to remember how very narrowly the youth had -missed an early and melancholy fate. Truth to say, so much of pleasure -had grown up within these two days from the very circumstances arising -out of the assault on Cuthbert, for her young master now to dwell on, -and there seemed to open before him so pleasant a prospect in future -intercourse with the family at Milverton, that, perhaps, he hardly -felt enough for the present sufferings of the unfortunate patient. - -His thoughts, however, were soon diverted from Milverton, and from -himself, by the entrance of his old gardener, to say the May-crown, -which was kept in the summer-house, had been taken away, and that he -had found a written paper on the shelf where it stood. This the old -man handed to his master, saying he could not read it, but guessed it -boded no good for the coming holyday, and that he had been gathering -flowers to dress out the old May-pole to little purpose. George Juxon -took the paper, upon which, in a stiff, quaint hand, were written -these lines:-- - - "This head in a crown, and that without ears, - Is the pleasure of prelates, of courtiers, and peers. - Dance, revel, and sing, ye butterflies gay; - The time is at hand you shall weep, fast, and pray. - One holdeth the war-dogs, all ready to slip; - Pleasure's cup shall be spilled, and dashed from the lip. - To me is committed this message of woe: - The tears of the proud ones unpitied shall flow." - -He no sooner read it, than, quitting his supper, he went out into the -village to ascertain if any copy of it had been left at any other -place; and found, to his vexation, that one had been fastened to the -May-pole, and had been taken down and read to half the people. -Determined, however, that the customary sports should be neither -hindered nor damped, he took home with him the village carpenter, set -fairly to work, and in two hours, by the aid of lath, and pasteboard, -and Dutch gilding, they finished off a crown far more splendid than -the one stolen; and he wrote underneath it, with prompt good humour,-- - - "The preacher hath said it--For all things a time-- - For fasting, for feasting, for dancing, for rhyme:-- - No rhymes without reason shall hinder our pleasure; - We'll crown the old May-pole, and tread the old measure." - -This done, he again thought of Cuthbert's bed of suffering, and -remembered him in his prayers. This little cross occurrence in his -parish neither drove away his own sleep for a second nor delayed on -the morrow the sports of his parishioners. Here, as in many other -places, the popular and wise course of the minister preserved a good -and happy understanding among the people. There is no social state -more truly desirable than that of a well-ordered village population, -where the miseries of the lane and the alley cannot reach; labour is -performed in the open air; festivals are days of thanksgiving, danced -through upon a green sward, to the nodding heads of merry musicians; -and they see no crowns but such as are woven with roses for their -May-queen, and know no sceptre but a white wand wreathed about with -fragrant flowers. - - - - -CHAP. VIII. - - Though their voices lower be, - Streams have, too, their melody; - Night and day they warbling run, - Never pause, but still sing on. - GEORGE HICKES. - - -For three summer months Cuthbert Noble was confined to a couch; and -though latterly he was led forth into the garden, and suffered to lie -down on a bench in the shade, yet his confinement had been lonely as -well as tedious. No kindness on the part of any of the family was -wanting: whatever could be thought of for his convenience and comfort -was provided. While he was obliged to keep his own chamber, he was -visited daily by Sir Oliver; Mistress Alice and Katharine looked in -upon him together, and inquired gently concerning his pain; the boy -Arthur would often forego his play in the garden, or his practice in -archery, to sit and read to him; and not a week passed without a -friendly and cheerful visit from George Juxon. Nevertheless, he was -evidently dejected; and while he was grateful for all these -attentions, nothing, it was observed, could effectually rouse his -spirits to cheerfulness, although he repaid, by anxious words and -quiet smiles, the least service which was done him. About the trouble -which he unavoidably gave the servants, who, for their parts, were -ever ready to oblige him, he was scrupulous even to anxiety. He seemed -to pine after liberty--and would sit, for hours together, lost in deep -thought, or in vacant sadness. It so happened that the clergyman of -Milverton, whose manners were coarse, and whose morals were low, did -not visit at the Hall. Although originally appointed by Sir Oliver, at -the request of a friend, who, acquainted with his family, had taken -little care to inquire more particularly into his character, he had -early quarrelled with his patron, and preferred the freedom of an ale -bench to the restraints of good society. This was unfortunate for -Cuthbert; as a learned and religious clergyman, residing in the -village, and intimate at the hall, might have kept him straight in -the plain path of the true churchman. Now, though Juxon, had he been -aware of all that was passing in the mind of Cuthbert, might have been -truly serviceable in disabusing him of some strong prejudices, yet, as -he presumed him to be a true son of the church, the subject was seldom -named. - -He came to cheer and amuse him if he could; and the very atmosphere of -Milverton Hall was that of purity and delight to George Juxon. His -summer months presented a strange contrast to those of Cuthbert. He -gave up his buck-hunting in the afternoons: he could not abide the -rude and noisy companions of that sport of which he had been always so -fond; and now he might be seen, day after day, in the guise of an -angler, on the grassy margin of a silver stream, or, not unfrequently, -stretched at his length beneath a shady tree near the bank, or sitting -under a high honeysuckle hedge; and if he were not chewing his own -sweet fancies, some book in his hand, of good old-fashioned poetry, to -aid his pleasant meditations. George Juxon was now a lover--without -melancholy, I do not say,--but only with so much of it as is ever -welcome to a lover's mood, and gives a dignity to his passion. -Nevertheless, his hope was unavowed; nor was he in haste: a long -courtship was the fashion of those days; and a mistress seemed raised -in the fancy of her admirer, by the thought that she must be slowly -approached, and would be slowly won. - -His family, his private fortune, his present provision in the church, -and his future prospects from the favour of the bishop, were such, -that Sir Oliver could not object to him as a suitor for his daughter, -though he might give the preference to another; and certainly, with -her father, the title of a baronet would have outweighed that of a -dean. However, these circumstances could only encourage him in his -more sanguine moments, for Juxon was a modest man; and when he called -up the image of Katharine in his walks, and thought upon a certain -majesty in her countenance, and how serene and unmoved she was, how -unsuspicious of the admiration which she excited, he could not but -fear that she might prove indifferent to the suit of one so plain and -unvarnished as himself, and that she would never entertain his -addresses. Therefore it was that he nursed his love in secret, and -patiently restrained all expression of particular regard for Mistress -Katharine in his present visits to Milverton. How pleasant, in the -mean time, were all those visits; how swiftly he rode through lane and -wood, across field or common, as he went from home on those permitted -errands of friendship; and at what a slow and lingering pace would he -return from the gracious presence of this lady of his love! - -He had often heard it rumoured that Sir Charles Lambert was thought to -be the accepted son-in-law of Sir Oliver; but this he had always -doubted from the very first moment of his introduction at Milverton; -and he felt that Katharine could never have endured his attentions. By -these, however, she could now be troubled no farther; for Sir Charles, -being deeply mortified and ashamed of the frantic violence which he -had committed at his last visit, had left his home suddenly for -London, and was solacing himself, for the contemptuous affront which -he had received from Sir Philip Arundel, in the congenial atmosphere -of bear gardens and cock pits. Nor had he forgotten how roughly he was -handled by George Juxon, whom he at once feared for his courage, and -hated for his virtues. - -However, he was no longer a visiter at Milverton; his sisters, indeed, -still rode over from the Grange occasionally to pass a day with -Katharine, and twice Juxon was of the party at table. - -To most eyes he would have appeared the admirer rather of these ladies -than of Mistress Katharine; for Old Beech rectory was only four miles -from Bolton Grange: and though he seldom accepted the invitations of -Sir Charles, yet he met them often in hunting or hawking parties, and -was apparently a very great favourite with them both. Sophy and Jane -Lambert were both pretty: the one, with the rosy cheeks of health and -laughing blue eyes; the other, brown and freckled, with an arch look -that seemed to detect those secrets which men, and women too, most -anxiously conceal, with a provoking and unerring sagacity. - -These good-tempered and warm-hearted girls had been at first sadly -afflicted about their brother's conduct; but this last care concerning -him was now six weeks old, and had been dismissed from their minds. He -was, to their great contentment, now absent, and their tongues were -again loosened to playfulness. - -As the party sat at dinner in Milverton Hall one day, about the middle -of June, and as Juxon was carving a capon, that he might help Mistress -Alice to a delicate wing,-- - -"Prithee, Master Juxon," said Jane Lambert with a very roguish -expression of the eye, "did you not hear our merry voices on Wednesday -evening as we killed a buck under Walton coppice? and did you not see -us lift our velvet caps to you? and did you shut your ears to the -pleasant horn? or were you charmed to sleep by the fairies under that -broad beech tree in the Bird Meadow? or were you saying your prayers? -or were you reading Master Ford's Lover's Melancholy? or were you -thinking of our Lady St. Katharine here at Milverton?" - -Juxon was so confused at this last question that he put the wing of -the capon into the sauce boat instead of on the trencher of Mistress -Alice, and said, with a stammer and a blush,-- - -"Really, Mistress Jane, you are too bad; but I know that you dearly -love a joke upon anglers: you are always jeering poor Moxon." - -"O do not mind her," said Katharine Heywood, coming to his relief: -"she is privileged to say what she pleases, without meaning what she -says; and my poor name always serves to point a fancy, if she wants -one: if she were not so young and so pretty, she might be taken up for -a false fortune-teller, and a dealer in witchcraft." - -"Cousin Kate, if I am a fortune-teller, I am a true one; and if a -witch, you know I am a white one, and work marvellous cures. Shall I -tell your fortune? and shall I name the name of a true knight in a far -country?" - -A glance from the noble eyes of Katharine, which no one perceived but -Jane Lambert, rebuked her into silence; and trying, though awkwardly, -to laugh off the liberty which she had evidently taken with the -feelings of Katharine, she sent her trencher for some venison, and -said no more. - -Sir Oliver, too, fastening upon the simple fact of Juxon having turned -a fisherman, began rallying him for having made so bad an exchange, as -to leave the merry and social sport of hunting for the dull and -solitary exercise of angling. - -"It is true," said the knight, "I have myself been forced to give up -the jolly buck hunt; but, life of me, I could never take up with a rod -and line in the place of it. I do wonder, when I see a man mope about -the meadows, and stand, it may be, for hours, under the same willow, -by the broken bank of a sluggish river, that it doth not end in his -hanging himself for very weariness of the flat world." - -"And yet," quoth Juxon, "fishing hath its pleasures, ay, and its sport -too; but if the angler catch nothing, still he hath a wholesome walk -in the pure air; and if he go abroad early, and listeneth to the -matins of the heaven-loving lark, he shall not want sweeter music -than the cry of hounds, and the blasts of hunting horns." - -"By my faith, Master Juxon, you are bewitched; but whether by old -Margery or by the sparkling eyes of Jane I say not; by Margery, -methinks; for the faint heart of an angler will never win such a -sprightly lady of the woods as our Jane." - -"Nay, nay, Sir Oliver, when a man is bewitched, and by love, too, as -Mistress Jane will have it, his thoughts must be too roving and -unquiet to sit still upon a mossy bank watching for the trembling of a -quill." - -"Ay, ay; but he may sit quiet enough, and not watch any thing but his -own fancies. I do verily think that thou must be touched with some -strange care, to let thy brave gelding race it round his pasture for -the madness of his desire to follow the chase, at sound of which he -neigheth for his rider, and thou sitting the while like some poor -scholar alone upon a tree stump." - -"At the least I find one blessing rests on anglers--where they walk, -the grace of humility doth grow, lowly as the daisy, and plentiful as -the meadow sweet." - -"I think," said Katharine, "that Master Juxon has good right to walk -the valley with his rod, without being thus rated for his pleasure; -and if he useth to find good thoughts in all he meeteth by the river -side in summer evenings it is more than hunters do in the forest." - -"Marry, Kate, it is to get rid of thought that men go a-hunting. I -tell thee that cares and sorrows, and wrongs and vexations, cannot -keep pace with a bold hunter; self is forgotten; all is life, and joy, -and wild delight. Troth I have lost mind and heart since the merry -days when I hunted." - -"I am of thy mind, Sir Oliver," said Juxon, "and the falling leaf of -October, and the chill gloom of November skies, can never cloud the -heart of a hunter; but when woods are green, and sunbeams warm, and -birds are singing, methinks the yelp of a hound is unseasonable -music." - -"Well," said Jane, "all I know is, that you seldom missed an -afternoon last summer; and if it was an early hunting day and a stag -turned out in the morning, in spite of the green trees and the -warbling larks, Master Juxon was never last in the field; but I will -rate you no more: for, may-be, you are afraid of the Puritans, and do -study _Master Stubbes's Anatomie of Abuses_, and will give up the -wicked ways of Esau, and turn shepherd--gentle shepherd, shall it be, -or good?" - -"Lady," said Juxon, gravely, "there are good men among the Puritans;" -and seeing her colour a little at his tone, he added, with a smile, -"and good anglers too; but, in truth, you have hit me hard: for there -are good men, who are no Puritans, who think that the sport of hunting -is not seemly in a parson, especially in times like these." - -"Puritans or no Puritans," said Sir Oliver, "I hope you don't mind the -muddy race that croak these black lessons of duty. I do not know -whether they be fools or knaves; but they would preach us into walking -tomb-stones, each showing its _memento mori_." - -"Beyond all question," replied Juxon, "they are wrong in many things; -and push their severity against things innocent and pernicious with -little or no distinction, with a strained application of Scripture -prohibitions, and with a profound ignorance of human nature; and they -seem only to discern God in clouds, and to hear him in the thunder. -But there are men of great and stern virtues among them; and, it may -be, of gentler hearts and gentler views than we give them credit for." - -"I don't believe a word of it. They are fanatics in religion, and -knavish traitors in their politics: you think of them with more -charity than I do, and it is a false charity, Master Juxon. There was -one of my own name and kin among them: he turned republican, forsooth; -old England, forsooth, had no liberty; our good church was a harlot, -and all the rest of it; and he would seek true freedom in the forests -and swamps of New England; and away he went with wife and daughters, -and a son, whom he had made as great a fool as himself. A youth, sir, -that bearded me with his treason at my own table. I sent him packing -at midnight, sir, and would not let him sleep the night under my roof; -and, in good truth, he was as ready to go as I to bid him; and now he -and his father are felling trees in America for aught I know, or care, -indeed." - -Katharine Heywood proposed to her aunt and the Lamberts that they -should go into the Lime Walk, and Juxon would have turned the -conversation; but Sir Oliver, with the images of his absent cousins -before him, went on venting his feelings, as if in soliloquy. "The son -of a clergyman, too, sir, a younger brother of mine, long dead, and he -himself having been the faithful servant of a king, well accounted of -for valour and discretion in the camp of the great Gustavus, where he -commanded a regiment of musketeers. He to turn against kings and good -order! He that punished a fault against discipline like a sin against -Heaven, and taught his son that obedience was the first duty of a -soldier, to come home, with his brave boy to his own country, and -teach him to flout at the majesty of the crown! Troth, sir, the king -was quit of bad subjects, and I of troublesome relations, when they -took ship for the Plantations. I wish all that are as fantastic in -their notions would follow them." At the close of this burst, the old -gentleman took a cup of wine with an eagerness that sought relief, and -a trembling hand, that betrayed how deeply he was agitated by angry -feelings. - -Juxon, very unwilling to hear him further on so painful a subject, -asked permission of the knight to go and visit Cuthbert Noble for half -an hour, and promised to join him afterwards in the bowling green for -their customary rubber. As he passed out of the hall, a serving man -was coming in with Sir Oliver's pipe and tobacco-box; and leaving the -strange weed to perform its calming office, Juxon, happy to escape, -ran up stairs to the chamber of Cuthbert. - -The surgeon was seated by his side; and from the conversation, which, -although they concealed not the subject or the tenour of it at the -entrance of Juxon, they soon dropped, it was evident to him that they -had a mutual understanding in matters of religion and politics, and -were both of them friendly to the cause of the parliament. It had so -chanced that, during the whole of his confinement, Cuthbert had, in -the person of the surgeon who attended him, been daily in contact with -a mind very deeply imbued with serious and severe principles. By this -man Cuthbert's heart had been probed to the quick; and, under his -influence, combining with a strong predisposition in itself, was made -sad and heavy. - - - - -CHAP. IX. - - Passions are likened best to floods and streames; - The shallow murmur, but the deepe are dumb. - RALEIGH. - - -When, at the proposal of Mistress Katharine, the ladies left the hall, -they proceeded to the Lime Walk: here they separated, Aunt Alice -taking Sophia Lambert aside to show her a late addition to her aviary, -and Katharine leading forward Jane towards the fish-pond, where, upon -a low bench, placed under the broad arm of a noble cedar, they sat -down quietly in the shade. - -Under all the disadvantages of a most neglected education, and a -rusticity of manner very near to rudeness, Jane Lambert had some rare -and valuable qualities, which greatly endeared her to those who took -the pains to discover them. This Katharine had done. As for the last -three years she had been thrown much into the society of the -Lamberts, owing to their residence at Bolton Grange, and the frequent, -but yet unavoidable, visits of Sir Charles, she had studied all their -characters thoroughly; and the result of her observation satisfied -her, that in Jane there was at the bottom a fund of sterling worth, -high courage, and genuine affection. Her attainments were few and very -imperfect; but she had a vigorous and a healthy intellect, which -digested well the best and most generous sentiments of the few books -which she was careful to read. Not a tenant or cotter upon the estate -of her brother but had a look of honest love for Mistress Jane; and -the falconers and foresters were proud of a bright lady who knew their -craft so well, and had so true an eye for the slot of a deer or for -the dim-seen quarry. If any poor man had a favour to ask of Sir -Charles, it was through her, as the ready advocate of all who needed -help or implored mercy, that the petition was preferred. Her -admiration and love for Katharine Heywood were unbounded: she looked -up to her as a model of exalted excellence, and with that affection -which partakes of reverence; not that this was of a nature to check -or chill the natural display of fondness in their ordinary -intercourse; but at times the power of the loftier sentiment over her -was so great, that her exuberant and unguarded levity would be in a -moment abashed and driven away by one look from Katharine. Thus it had -been to-day at table; and now, as they sat, she pressed her hand upon -the shoulder of Katharine, and leaned her cheek upon it, and said -feelingly,-- - -"Dearest cousin Kate, why did you look so very sad and so very grave -to-day? I was only joking; do not be angry with me, my sweet coz: I -shall fret if I think you have been really angry." Katherine bent her -face and kissed the presented cheek. - -"Was I ever angry with you, Jane?" she asked. "You know that I never -was; but it is true that you often make me very anxious for you, and -sometimes quite sad, by your ill-timed and thoughtless gaiety. -Consider a little more the consequences of idle words, and their -effect on strangers." - -"Well, my dear, I will: but there is no harm done, for I do not look -upon Juxon as a stranger; and he is so sensible, and so good-tempered, -that he will never take any speech by the wrong handle, and so honest -and straightforward, that he will never look under it for a hidden -meaning." - -"But yet, Jane, even Juxon will think it odd, that while the victim of -your brother's passionate frenzy still lies on a couch helpless with -his wound, and while your brother, who has narrowly escaped committing -the heaviest of crimes, has absented himself for very shame, his -sister should sport, as if nothing had happened, and be as playful in -her words as a girl without care." - -"Do you think so? I should be sorry for that: but you know that I do -not love my brother; and Cuthbert is safe from all danger, and out of -all pain; and you are well, cousin, and not the sadder for this -accident, if I know your heart as well as I love your happiness; and -why then should I not appear cheerful, when, in truth, I am so. I -should be vexed, indeed, if Juxon thought the worse of me; for he is -one whose good opinion is worth having; but as for that of the world, -I care not a jot about it." - -"There you are wrong, dear Jane: the opinion of the world may, and -must be, in some things, despised, but the rule of its established -proprieties and gentle observances can never be transgressed, without -bringing some heavy penalty on the offender." - -"I do not love the world so well, dear Katharine, as to care for -either its frowns or its favours; and I looked not for an advocate of -its cold maxims and its deceitful forms in you--let it see me as I -am." - -"There is your error, Jane: it cannot, it will not, it cares not to -take the trouble to see you as you are; it looks only at your -_seeming_; and though to be is better than to seem, and many seem fine -gold that are but base metal, yet no one can despise the judgment of -the world without rashness and without danger. They who place -themselves above the opinion of the world, and the best rules of -society, cast off a useful and an appointed restraint in the -discipline of life." - -"Sweet coz, I love to hear you lecture, but you will never make me -wise: I was born under a common star, and reared with foresters:--look -as I like, and speak as I think." - -"Ah, dear Jane, you will some day learn to govern your bright looks, -and to keep your sweetest thoughts locked closely in your heart. -Wisdom herself, and, perhaps, though God forbid, sorrow will be your -teacher." - -The serene eyes of the majestic Katharine were clouded, for a passing -moment, with such a sadness as a compassionate angel might have worn; -and she pressed Jane tenderly to her breast. - -"Promise me," she said, "dearest cousin, promise me faithfully that -you never again hint even to any human being, the idle fancy that hung -this morning on your lips, or the name you would have connected with -it." - -"The promise has been already made in my own mind: your look was -enough to make me wish the light word unspoken, and the tongue that -uttered it blistered for a month to come. You are the only one at -table who could have understood my allusion. I am certain that the -most distant thought of my meaning could not enter the mind of your -father or your aunt." - -"This, I believe, and it is well it should not: the bare suspicion, -harboured in his mind, would make him miserable for life, and embitter -his last moments with unworthy fears. I know his nature well: much as -he loves me, and confides in me, to pacify his anger, and quiet his -jealous apprehensions, would be, even for me, an impossible -achievement; and yet he knows, or should know, that I am an English -daughter." - -"How is it, Katharine, that you command all hearts? that not a man -approaches you but he is at once, as by some sweet force, compelled to -love you? and yet it is no wonder: there cannot be on earth another -Katharine." - -"Cousin, this is idle and wicked talk; you must not use such vain and -sinful words: would you could see me as I see myself, when, prostrate -in weakness, I implore and find strength where alone it is to be -obtained; but you cannot understand me yet." - -"Nay, Katharine, do not rebuke me so sharply for simple truths: why -Charles himself is so tamed and altered for the day whenever he -returns from Milverton, that I have sometimes been selfish enough to -wish to see you his, in the hope that I might find a brother changed -in nature; but no, dear Kate, I love you too well ever seriously to -dwell on such a desire." - -"Jane, do not, prithee, do not pursue this foolish fancy further." - -"It is not fancy: can I not see? have I not eyes, and the perceptions -and sympathies of woman? I tell you, the poor woe-begone scholar, that -lies lonely on his couch above there, did look upon you as good men -look up to the blue heavens." - -"Cousin, I will not stay another moment with you if your discourse is -not changed to some better tone than these weak and unwomanly -delusions of your idle brain do give it." - -"As you will, blessed coz, I say no more; but one need not be very -deeply read in love-craft to prophesy that one of these fine days the -worthy young rector of Old Beech will tell you that himself which I -may not tell you for him." - -"Jane," said Katharine, as she slowly rose, and they moved back -towards the Lime Walk, "you are not, my dear girl, serious, I hope, in -this last surmise: you are not in earnest: it would greatly perplex -and trouble me if I thought you were, and had good reason: about -Cuthbert I am sure that you are altogether mistaken." - -"No, Katharine; I am a poor unfashioned creature, with little -knowledge of the world, and little skill in books, or fair -accomplishments: but this one gift I have,--I can read the human -countenance, and see written thereon the thoughts of the heart, the -play of the secret passions, the inclinations of the inner will, in -characters plain to my faithful eye, and plainly I repeat my -conviction that both these men do love you. The one will give you no -trouble: his flame will burn within his melancholy heart, like a lamp -glimmering in a tomb; but the other will make open avowal of what he -is proud to feel, and will surely be courageous enough to confess: now -do not look so pale and grave, but thank me for the timely caution. -Kiss me, sweet coz; my sister is calling for me, and we must go." The -tall and queen-like Katharine folded her young cousin to her heart; -and Jane felt a tear fall heavy on her cheek as they embraced and -parted. - -Katharine had one of those fine and stately forms which the sculptor -of ancient times would have chosen to copy with his happiest skill, as -the incarnation of wisdom. Her features were Roman; her dark hazel -eyes were long and even, and there shone in them a soft, chaste fire; -her mouth was pensive; but though the expression of her countenance -was ever serious, yet was it human, gentle, and she would more fitly -have represented the melancholy vestal, than the calm, passionless -Minerva. She returned leisurely to her favourite cedar, and seated -herself in that sad repose of the mind into which even the strongest -and most virtuous will sometimes allow themselves to sink, as a short -relief from the internal conflict. It was clear to her that Jane had -penetrated that one secret, which she would hardly confess to herself, -and which she could have wished had been altogether confined to her -own bosom, and that one other, from which she felt resolutely and for -ever divided. It was strange that the open-hearted girl had never -mentioned it before; it was well that she had only now hinted it so -vaguely as to leave it impenetrably veiled to others; it was well, -too, that she had thus early arrested the danger of all further -discovery, and obtained from the fond and faithful Jane that promise -of secrecy, on which she could safely rely. Still it was disturbing to -her pure and noble spirit, that even this sweet girl should be privy -to her heart's great trial. However, Jane would understand her future -silence on the subject, and well knew that those confidences, which -the weaker order of women are ever ready to pour into the ear of the -female friend, would never pass her lips. She held them too sacred, -and she had that dignity of soul which in a sorrow of that peculiar -nature is all-sufficient to itself. Could Cuthbert from his couch of -patient suffering, or George Juxon from his solitary rides and walks, -have looked in upon the heart of Katharine, and seen the image, which -often rose before her mind's eye, and as often as it did so was felt -to be a cherished one, the former would have striven against his weak -idolatry yet more resolutely than he already did, and the manly Juxon -would have given to the wind his vain hopes, and would have forborne -to distress her with the language of a suitor. - -Katharine did not return to the mansion till long after all the guests -had departed. - -It was the hour of supper; but she pleaded headache, retired to her -chamber, and seated herself at the window to watch the dying day. -There was a universal calm in nature; every leaf was still: there was -a holy hush around; colours of a blessed hue streaked the far western -sky; they grew faint, they faded, and the grey gloom of a summer's -night rested upon all things. She was roused from a long reverie of -sweet though solemn fancies by the entrance of her maid with a lamp, -and in a few minutes afterwards she was joined by her aunt Alice. - -There was never in any nature more of the milk of human kindness than -in Mistress Alice:--her own disappointments had subdued her vivacity, -without souring her temper, or freezing her manners. Forgetful of -herself, she lived for and in the happiness of others, and her niece -Katharine was to her as a daughter;--not that she exercised any thing -like a mother's control; Katharine had so ripe an understanding, and -so mature a judgment, that Mistress Alice leaned upon her mind as -though it were that of a sister or a bosom friend, to whose opinion -she was pleased to defer her own. - -She loved Sir Oliver with a true affection, but she was not blind to -the faults of his character. She knew him to be impatient of -contradiction, full of strong prejudices, easy and indolent--the being -of habit and of custom--but violent when thwarted, and selfish when -opposed. Nevertheless a kind brother, a fond father, a liberal master, -and a most loyal subject. It always deeply grieved her when she heard -him speak harshly of her nephew Edward Heywood, and his son Francis, -for they were the offspring of an unfortunate brother, to whom she had -been very closely attached from her childhood. - -"This has been a trying day to me as well as to you, Katharine," she -said when they were left together. "I think my poor brother allows -himself to be more troubled about public matters than is good for him; -and I wish that he would avoid the mention of your unhappy cousins in -connection with those subjects--however wrong they may be, they have -cares and troubles enough for pity, rather than hard words and ill -wishes." - -Katharine looked steadily at her aunt when she began to speak, and was -rather startled at her opening words; but as she proceeded, discerning -clearly it was only a sympathy in common with her own that she -invited, replied, quietly, that "it was indeed very painful to see the -good temper of her dear father giving way so early in times like -these, which were only the beginning of troubles; but consider, -dearest aunt, he has passed all his life in pleasure and ease--my -blessed mother made his peace her study; and, though she could never -win him to her own happiest views of the only bliss, her whole life -was a transcript of those gentle and charitable sentiments which were -the secret springs of all her actions. He reposed upon her character, -and found a tranquillity, of which he shared the comfort, but which -lived not within his own breast." - -"Well, Katharine, I am sure you follow in your mother's path, and as -far as daughter may, you supply her vacant place in his esteem and -reverence. He loves you not as parent loves a child. You are his -daughter, but you are also, in all seemly matters, his cherished -adviser:--I have often noted it, my dear, with joy." - -"Do not humble me so sadly--my mother's path!--alas! I am far from -it--far out of the way, when I think of her exalted hopes, her -self-denying life, and her settled peace; and when I look within, I am -ashamed, and may well tremble at the comparison:--but yet I cherish -the memory of her bright example; and the words you have just spoken -shall rouse me to do all by my father, which if her sainted spirit -could look down upon us she would herself approve. I know the duty of -a daughter, and I know how much the happiness and the honour of a -father may be promoted by her due performance of it. You have well -shown me the better way. For my father, and to my father, I will -devote my life, and cast self and all softer wishes behind me. When -the first rough steps of difficulty are passed, the noble qualities of -my father will all be seen:--bless you, Aunt Alice, for your sweet -counsel." - -"My dear Katharine, you are not wont to be thus excited: your calmness -and your even dignity have ever been beyond your age: I meant simply -what I said, and designed not, by any hint, to stimulate you to any -course of conduct beyond that which I have always observed you to -pursue:--you are not well--you think too much of what may -happen--troubles are fast travellers, and need not be met half -way--you are not well." - -"I believe you are right--I cannot be well--the day has been -oppressively hot--and my temples throb with pain." - -Mistress Alice taking from the dressing table a curious shaped bottle -of eastern porcelain, which contained elder-flower water, sat down -tenderly by Katharine, and bathed her temples with gentle care. The -noble girl leaned back upon her chair, silent, passive, grateful:--no -sob escaped her; no nervous tears were allowed to fall; but to a -keener eye than that of her benevolent aunt a slight quiver on the -lip, and a heaving of the folds above her bosom, quicker than the -wont, might have told that very deep and painful emotions were -struggling in her full heart. - -Mistress Alice would not leave her till she saw her quietly put to -bed, when, giving her the kiss of peace and good night as her pale -cheek lay upon the pillow, she took her lamp, and went softly out of -the chamber. - -Restored to solitude and silence, Katharine sent her sweet thoughts -and prayerful wishes to that distant land, where, upon the narrow -clearing of some tall and ancient forest, in their canvass booth or -rude hut, after a day of new and unaccustomed toils, her self-exiled -but heroic cousins reposed: the picture of their labours was to her -mind primitive and sacred--and all the images presented to her fancy -were peaceful. - - - - -CHAP. X. - - Can warres, and jarres, and fierce contention, - Swoln hatred, and consuming envie, spring - From piety? - HENRY MORE. - - -The good parson of Cheddar was never informed of the severe misfortune -of his son till all danger was long past, and his convalescence was -advanced to such a point that he could assure his parents he should -soon be perfectly restored to health and to his wonted activity and -strength. - -Noble and his wife were both deeply affected at the thought of all -which Cuthbert must have suffered, and at the considerate care which -he had manifested for their feelings. His letter was brief, and his -relation of the conduct of Sir Charles Lambert was given in such a -calm and quiet tone that it was plain he had learned the hard lesson -to forgive an enemy. Yet it contained some expressions which troubled -his father with the too sure presage of that course which Cuthbert was -about to follow. - -He intended, it said, to leave Milverton at Michaelmas, and should -recommend that Arthur, who was sufficiently forward in his studies, -should be then entered at the University. "I shall not," it added, -"accompany the dear boy to Oxford; indeed, with my sentiments, it -would be alike unjust to Sir Oliver and to the youth himself to retain -my present office in this family. Where a tutor is called upon to -conceal his opinions and suppress his feelings (on the most important -and the most sublime subjects which affect the present interests of -society and the everlasting happiness of man), in his daily -intercourse with his pupil, both parties are very seriously injured." - -It was particularly remarked by his mother that, in this letter, while -Cuthbert acknowledged, in general terms of warmth, the kindness with -which he had been treated throughout his illness by the whole family -at Milverton, and while he mentioned the friendliness of Juxon, of -whom they had never previously heard, and dwelt still more on his deep -obligations to Master Randal, the surgeon, he never even named -Mistress Katharine, of whom he had spoken with such a romantic warmth -in his former correspondence. - -"My dear," said Noble, "Cuthbert has been on the brink of the grave, -and his mind is full of all that has been solemn and awakening in that -awful experience; but it is not a good sign that he has avoided all -detail of that experience to us. I doubt not that his piety has been -deepened, but I am not without a fear that his head is taken up with -new notions, both of doctrine and of duty, and that he was unwilling -to open them out to us. However, if by any path he has advanced to a -nearer and more affecting view of his Redeemer than that to which he -has hitherto attained, let us rejoice and thank God. He has all along -been deficient in that simplicity of view which begets humility, -peace, and joy:--he refines too much on every subject which is -presented to his mind; muses when he should act; speculates when he -should pray; and is lost in the cold and unsubstantial clouds which -veil the mountain, when he might stand upon the serene summit in the -warm light of the Sun of righteousness. - -"It was ever thus with him. In childhood we neglected to subdue his -will, and we shall suffer, and he himself will suffer for our fond but -mistaken indulgence." - -"I am sure, dear, that he was always affectionate and dutiful, and -always will be." - -"Nay, Constance, that does not follow. He will always love us, I am -well persuaded; but whether he will remain obedient to our wishes in -those trying scenes which may sooner or later be presented to our eyes -is very doubtful." - -"Well, Noble, it will be time enough to think of that when the trial -comes:--happen what may, I feel certain that all will be safe and -happy where you are. God ever takes good care of his own; and I always -feel that there is a blessing and a guard round about our dwelling, -for your dear sake." - -"Wife, how can you talk so weakly. What is there in two worms of the -earth, like you and me, that should procure for us an exemption from -calamity?--but this is unprofitable talking--sufficient unto the day -is the evil thereof--to enjoy is to obey--and the voice of -thanksgiving is melody. Let us bless God for past mercies, and bless -him by trust for all future goodness." - -Their conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of Peter, to -say that Master Daws, the sour precisian, who, it may be remembered, -would have before prevented the customary sports and pleasures on the -festival of the Mayday, was at the gate, and wanted to see Parson -Noble, for a few minutes, on very urgent business. - -To rise and go out and ask him into his study with all courtesy was, -of course, the duty of Noble, both as a brother minister and a -Christian gentleman; but it was with no doubt as to the nature and -object of his visit that he did so, and with a desire to bring their -interview to as early a close as might consist with common civility. - -The contrast of the two parsons as they entered the study, and as -Master Daws seated himself in the tall chair which Noble drew forward -for him with a quick and rather, indeed, an impatient motion, was -comic in the extreme, and would have greatly diverted any of Noble's -old college cronies, as it would, of a truth, the good vicar himself, -could he have looked on, and been spared the vexation of playing as a -principal in the dull performance. - -Master Daws was a tall, gaunt, bony personage, of a stature exceeding -six feet by nearly two inches: he presented a rigid outline of sharp -angles from his cheek bones to his pointed and protuberant ankles. His -features were coarse; his complexion muddy; his eyes round and dull; -his forehead low; and there was an expression of bad temper about the -corners of his mouth. His black hair was cut close, and he had thin -weak eye-brows. - -He seated himself with a slow solemnity of manner; placed his tall -greasy cane erect between his knees, and folded his clumsy hands upon -the top of it; turned up the whites of his eyes in a pretended -ejaculation; and in a drawling tone delivered himself of his -hypocritical errand as follows:-- - -"My dear brother in the Lord--thou art esteemed a master in -Israel--thou hast a name to live. I would fain hope that thou art not -a willing partaker of the sins of thy people; but verily they stink in -the nostrils of all true Christians, who are thy neighbours. We have -conferred together--we are sore grieved--we are ashamed for thy -sake--and I am come to reason with thee alone concerning the -abominations which are daily committed in thy parish, lest thou perish -and thy people with thee." - -The good parson listened to this strange address without anger, -without wonder, and without reply. The graceful ease of his composed -attitude of attention,--the clear light of his kind intelligent -eyes,--his high pale intellectual forehead,--his frame slender, and a -little bent with the weight of advancing years, and the thin white -hairs scattered on his temples,--would have made the sincere but -deluded fanatic hesitate to proceed, or would have melted his -remonstrance into all that was gentle and affectionate in expression. -On the conscious, the interested, and the incensed hypocrite, however, -his calmness had the opposite effect; and Master Daws, with a most -stern tyranny of tongue, in language clumsily misquoted from the -sacred books of the prophets, and grossly misapplied, went forward to -denounce the wrath of Heaven against the poor rustics of Cheddar and -their aged pastor. This speech we would rather leave to the -imagination of such readers as may be familiar with the incongruous -and disgusting jargon in which the sour zealots and the gloomy -sectarians, who were then daily extending their severe notions, -uttered their iron anathemas against the innocent gaieties of life. At -the close of his very offensive harangue, he drew forth from his -pocket a small volume in black letter, and presented it to the good -vicar with these words:-- - -"Brother, I have been perhaps too warm; but the fire burned within me, -and it is accounted the first duty of a servant to be faithful. It is -my zeal for the Lord;--and herewith, in love and compassion to thy -poor blinded people, and in pity to thy soul, I do present to thee for -thy private reading, and for the instruction of thy benighted mind, -this book, which is _The Anatomie of Abuses: containing a Discoverie -or briefe Summarie of such notable Vices and Corruptions as now raigne -in many Christian Countreyes of the Worlde: but especially in the -Countrey of Ailgna: together with most fearfull Examples of God's -Judgements executed upon the Wicked for the same, as well in Ailgna of -late, as in other Places elsewhere. Very godly, to be read of all true -Christians every where; but most chiefly to be regarded in England. -Made Dialogue-wise by Phillip Stubbes._ This wordy title-page, placing -his spectacles upon his nose, he read slowly with a nasal whine, which -the compression of the ill constructed spectacles he wore not a little -assisted." - -"Neighbour Daws," said Noble patiently, "I do not need thy service in -this matter, seeing I have on my own shelves the book of Master -Phillip Stubbes; and I deny not that it contains some godly maxims and -sound precepts, and it may have done some good by its ridicule of -many vanities, and its condemnation of many sins and abuses: but I -think he distinguishes not between things innocent and hurtful, and -tears up many pleasant flowers of God's giving, under the dark fancy -that they are poisonous weeds;--for the rest that thou hast spoken -thyself concerning the little flock and fold over which the providence -of God hath made me the humble and willing shepherd, I will not call -thee unmannerly and uncharitable. I have heard thee with pain, though -with patience; and, while I give thee full credit for sincerity in thy -opinions, desire not to hear them further, now or ever again." - -As thus he spoke, he rose, and indicated by that action his wish that -the interview should not be prolonged. Daws also, with a horrible -smile upon his hideous face, in which was to be discerned all the mad -irritation of a mean person, who felt himself despised, and for the -moment baffled in producing alarm, raised himself slowly from his -seat, and answered,--"Satan, the prince of hell, is lord over thy -village and thy people--and he has blinded thy aged eyes, and sealed -thy dumb mouth:--verily the Lord shall visit for these things, and -that speedily;"--so saying, he stalked out with uplifted eyes, and as -he passed the threshold stamped the dust from his feet with a -vindictive action, and departed. "I wish that Cuthbert could have -witnessed this scene," said Noble, as he saw the ruthless and envious -bigot pass forth out of the wicket, and stride angrily across the -church-yard; "but the wish is vain." - -Upon inquiring of Peter, he learned that, on the preceding evening, -this morose personage had found a dozen children playing round a small -bonfire, in a glen about half a mile from the village, and -celebrating, as a game of play, the festival of St. John's eve,--the -observance of which had in the present reign been discontinued. The -joyous urchins, alike innocent of pagan or popish idolatry, were -dancing about the flames, and tossing flowers into the rivulet, which -flowed past the spot where they had kindled them, when Daws, who had -his secret designs in many a walk which he took to the neighbourhood -of Cheddar, came suddenly upon them, and driving them off with -execrations and blows, kicked the half burned sticks into the -water:--the little fearless sinners, however, making a swift and -active retreat up a rock, where they felt secure from pursuit, -revenged themselves by shouts and laughter; and in this the little -fellow who had witnessed the ludicrous fall and flight of this same -Daws on May morning, and who had been again recognised by him this -evening, led the merry chorus of impudent little rebels with -conspicuous glee. - -Although Noble listened to this news with a smile, the severe and -mischievous spirit evinced during his interview with Daws, both in -language, tone, and manner, gave him more uneasiness than he chose to -impart to his wife, to whom he related much of what had passed between -them in a light and jocular vein. But, alone, he could not but be -impressed with the conviction, that a curate of this harsh and -malevolent character was a very uncomfortable and unsafe neighbour, -and might hereafter prove dangerous. - -However, he had now plainly paid his last visit in the quality of -brother clergyman; and, if he was ever to come in that of enemy and -accuser, he could only do so under the restraining guidance of that -mighty, merciful, and mysterious Providence, which ordereth all things -wisely and well. - -The good pastor was ill qualified to counteract the intrigues, or to -contend with the violence, of parties. He was a quietist, an optimist, -a dweller at home, enjoying to-day, and taking little anxious thought -for the morrow. His hours were divided between his parish, his study, -and his garden. - -Old Blount, the most honest and hospitable of English franklins, was -the only neighbour with whom he could associate upon a footing of -mutual intercourse: but there was not a threshold in the village which -he did not often cross with some friendly inquiry or cheerful words -upon his lip; not a child, that would not rather run to than from him; -and the cottage curs were too familiar with his step and voice to do -more than raise and turn their heads as they lay watching at the -doors, when Noble passed by. - -His chief recreation was the weekly visit to Wells. As regularly as -the appointed day came round, the worthy parson mounted his old white -mare, with her well stuffed saddle, rejoicing, in a seat covered with -cloth of a pale sky blue, much faded, and he was carried at a -meditative jogtrot to the fair and ancient city. - -Here, at the house of his friend, he would refresh his spirits by -listening to (and sometimes joining in the rich performance of) the -best madrigals of the never surpassed composers of that day, and -taking his part in most pleasant and tuneful exercises on the viol and -the lute. - -The troublous aspect of the times had of late somewhat altered the -character of these meetings; and the two holyday hours were now for -the most part, if not entirely, consumed in grave and anxious -consultations on public affairs. The severe spirit of the church -reformers of that period frowned upon every semblance of pleasure: to -them the song of harvest, the dance of the village green, and the -merry catch round the winter hearth, were things sinful and forbidden, -and the peal of the solemn organ in the house of prayer and praise -was hated as an abomination. - -Yet they might have read in Scripture, in the very words of holy men -of God, that "the ear of the Lord listeneth to the song of the reaper, -and the joy of harvest; and that he delights not to turn the dance of -the vintage into mourning, nor to make the young cease from their -music:" but because the good provisions of God are daily abused by the -many, who consider not the gracious Giver of them, therefore they -would have the bread of all steeped in tears, and eaten with the -bitter herbs of mourning. Of a truth, in some degree every Christian -man, and minister more especially, must be a mourner, and is: but the -spirit would fail and faint if it might not also taste the rich -consolations of a hallowed joy; and if, amid the labours, the toils, -and the mean cares of the daily pilgrimage, man might not stoop to -gather the flower at his feet, or pause to listen to the feathered -choristers of God's own temple, it would be to refuse and put away, -with a sullen unthankfulness, the comforts which the Father of mercies -has provided. - -Of such enjoyments Noble was most fearlessly fond. To him the world of -nature was a vast and richly illuminated volume; on the various -pictures of which he could pore for ever, with all the wonder, and -with all the rapture, of childhood:--"his Father made them all"--that -was his feeling. The arrows of trouble and disappointment fell blunted -from a bosom, the shield of which was a God seen, acknowledged, and -felt, in all things visible, as the very essence of love. - - - - -CHAP. XI. - - He makes the infirmity of his temper pass for revelations. - BUTLER. - - -The summer months at Milverton rolled swiftly on, Cuthbert slowly, but -perfectly, regained his strength; and, early in August, he was once -more able to walk abroad and to take exercise on horseback; but his -vivacity and animation did not return with his health: he was no -longer the cheerful and entertaining companion at table, or in the -intervals of leisure. Sir Oliver found him a dull restraint, and -wearied of his presence: even his pupil, who was truly attached to -him, and was still, in the hours of study, delighted with his -preceptor, felt the sad and depressing change; and if it had not been -for the frequent visits of George Juxon, would have been disappointed -of many of those joyous and manly exercises which Juxon delighted to -encourage, and in which he excelled. The only diversions by which -Cuthbert could now be attracted were fencing, and the use of the broad -sword: but he practised them without a smile; and there was an -earnestness of attention and a seriousness of effort about him, -whenever he took a lesson from Juxon, which drove away smiles and -jokes. His stamp was angry; the glance of his eye rapid and piercing; -and after six weeks of occasional practice, when Juxon told him he -would soon be a strong and complete swordsman, the grave scholar, so -quiet and gentle in all his ways and words on common occasions, -hastily and vehemently exclaimed, "Thank God." - -"For what?" asked his good-tempered instructor, "for what do you thank -God so warmly?" - -"It matters not, it matters not," replied Cuthbert, hastily; "time -will show." - -Juxon put down his sword, and, looking him earnestly in the face, -asked him if he was well? - -"What a strange question! quite well." - -"No, Master Cuthbert, it is not always that a man is well who calls -himself so, or even who thinks himself to be so. We are alone; we are -friends; tell me what has thus moved you; tell me what it is that has -so changed and saddened you; what are the dark purposes which lie hid -in your bosom?" - -"Methinks this question is yet more strange. I have no purposes that -be not honest; none that will not bear the light of open day; but, -yet, I may not care to trouble others or myself by babbling of them." - -"Does the blow still rankle in your bosom, Cuthbert? Have you -retracted the pardon uttered on your bed? And do you mean to seek out -Sir Charles, and make him do battle for your revenge?" - -"Master Juxon, that is not well asked: such purpose would be dark, -indeed: was not my pardon spoken before God, and at the grave's mouth? -No; I forgave him as I hope to be forgiven; nay, in that it was a stab -which sought my life I forgave it more readily than I could have done -a blow; that, indeed, such slaves we are of pride, that might have -rankled still." - -"True--I had forgotten--and my words have wronged you; but, Cuthbert, -whatever are your purposes, they do not make you happy. I met you the -other day riding much faster than is your wont, and your countenance -was clouded, and your teeth were set, as if in hottest anger, and you -would not stop, but only muttered a good morrow as you passed swiftly -by. What do all these things mean?" - -"They mean that I am sick at heart for England; sick for the meek -man's wrongs. I had just then met an aged countryman, his furrowed -cheek newly branded, for a churchyard brawl: I questioned him closely, -and found him a sufferer for conscience' sake, falsely accused and -persecuted by a godless parson of his parish." - -"Cuthbert, did the countryman tell truth? Did he name the parish and -the parson?" - -"He did; I know them well: in Oxfordshire was this outrage done, and -the crime is not three months old." - -"Well, here is a case of wrong to be made known and to be redressed. -Scandals there must be, even in the most sacred offices, when they are -held by mere men. Some are cruel, and some are wanton by nature, and -to punish these we have our judges and our bishops." - -"Yes we have--and the same who ruled the decisions of the -Star-chamber. The wrong redressed! it would be smiled at; and if it -were punished, what then? There's nothing but the grave-worm can take -away the brand from the old man's cheek: his grandchildren will put -their little fingers on the mark and ask the story of it, and he will -tell them what he told me, and more. It is a hard world, Juxon." - -"And always was, and always will be. Legislation is a coarse thing: -some innocent will always suffer with the guilty." - -"The guilty! is liberty of conscience guilt? Look you, Master Juxon, -there are good men and true ready to stand up for that liberty." - -"And for a little more, perhaps: your secret is out; so, instead of -our sword-play being mere exercise for pastime, after college fashion, -I have been teaching the noble science of defence to a stout -Parliamentarian, to an enemy of mother church." - -"Nay; no enemy to any persons or any institutions, but to the -oppressor every where, and to oppression every where, by whatever -titles or names they may be disguised." - -"You confess, then, that you wish an appeal to the sword." - -"I say not so; but if it come, as it may, and as in my present -judgment it surely will, I shall be well pleased that my fingers have -been taught to fight; for I would not be wanting in the day of -battle." - -"I have heard you, Cuthbert, speak words of Christ's religion since -your late illness, which I have thought of so sweet and heavenly a -temper, as might well engage all men to follow the truth in love. -Surely the weapons of a Christian's warfare are not carnal." - -"I tell you, the fat heart of the oppressor is proof against all -other, and they that govern with the headsman's axe must look to be -wounded by the patriot's sword." - -"Stop, Cuthbert, we'll say no more on this subject--you are standing -upon a precipice--the gulf beneath is treason." - -"Not against Heaven, Juxon; and it is a poor thing to me to be judged -by my fellow man." - -"Yes, Cuthbert, against Heaven. Your father will say so." - -"Never; though it is true that my father is old and timid, and he -would bear the errors of the crown in charity and in hope, rather than -see them openly opposed by arms." - -"And you would punish them in the field of battle?" - -"And gain a victory over the crown for the greater honour and more -golden purity of the crown itself!" - -"Are you so weak, Cuthbert, as to think that a crown, beaten from a -king's head by the sword, and lying soiled by the dust of a fall, can -ever be replaced on the same brows with honour?--No! but among the -successful rebels, some stern spirit would be found to wipe it and put -it on; whose sceptre would have no peaceful globe surmounted by a -dove; but would rather be a naked sword crimsoned to the hilt with -blood." - -"Never, never:--you, like many good and generous persons, are the -creature of prejudice and of circumstance; you do not see, and you -will not believe, that the temple of true freedom needs only to be -opened, and all the virtuous and the holy will flock there to worship -in peace, and they will guard it alike from the rude tyrant and from -the slavish rabble." - -"Cuthbert, you dream, and will awake some day in bitterness of soul. -But if these be your sentiments--if thoughts like these fill your mind -and colour your gloomy fancies--no wonder that your looks are sad." - -"My fancies are not gloomy. They are solemn. I am not sad, but I am -serious. In visions of the night, I have seen this earth -regenerate--its people walking in peace--holiness on the bells of the -horses. I have heard the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. -I have listened for sighs, and looked for tears, but there were none. -I have asked about their happiness, and they have told me, 'In this -region there is no one to hurt or to destroy:--we do not teach every -man his neighbour, for from the least to the greatest we all know -God.' Such have been my revelations; and I have been called, and -chosen by name, to join that sacred band, which is to awaken a -slumbering and captive people, and lead them forward to prepare the -way for that monarchy of truth and universal love which is even now -about to descend and bless mankind. The spear shall be broken, the -sword turned into a ploughshare, and the sovereign Lord of all shall -stand a second time upon the earth, and proclaim his promised reign of -holiness and peace." - -Juxon listened to this rhapsody with awe and pain; and not without an -effort to shake the strong delusion, which was evidently taking a fast -hold upon the mind of Cuthbert. - -"My dear friend," he said, laying his hand gently upon his arm, "I -confess that you greatly alarm me. Consider that, for the first two -months after your wound, you were very weak in body; you were often -obliged to have recourse to opiates to procure rest; and you was not -in a state to examine the impressions made on your mind, and to -separate illusion from reality. There is nothing wonderful in these -phantasma having floated past your mind's eye: it is with sounds as -with sights; the music of a dream is often clear and ravishing to the -mind's ear; and our name may be thus, to our sleeping fancy, very -distinctly called and connected with some message or charge of solemn -import spoken as by a voice from Heaven. Or, it may be, Cuthbert, that -the enemy of your soul, knowing that you can only be led aside from -the path of duty and peace by the fair semblance of true religion and -freedom, hath assumed these angel shapes to lure you to your ruin. - -"I can understand the plain and manly language of a Hampden, but this -I cannot. It is unhealthy; it is the false fire of the fanatic. Rouse -your intellect, and turn away from these notions, or you will be -entangled and overcome: strangle the serpent while you have strength -to do so." - -Cuthbert replied only by the grave smile of one so firmly persuaded -of the truth of his own convictions as rather to pity than resent the -very unwelcome effort to disturb them. However, he now communicated to -Juxon that, in another month (it being then the end of September), he -should accompany his pupil to enter at Oxford, and should there leave -him, and proceed himself to join a friend in London. This arrangement, -he observed, would enable him to reach the capital about the time when -the new parliament was to assemble; for it had been just resolved by -the King, in his great council of peers held at York, that a -parliament should be called to sit on the third of November following. - -George Juxon was truly concerned to find that Cuthbert was so far gone -in his views, that to reclaim him seemed hopeless; but there were so -many amiable and engaging points in his character, that he could not -allow any one chance of recovering him from a course which he truly -thought would distress his father and destroy his own peace of mind, -altogether neglected. - -He was aware that Cuthbert maintained a scrupulous silence on the -subjects on which he had just spoken in his intercourse with the -family; but he had often observed that, whatever was the matter of -discourse at table, or elsewhere, the opinion of Mistress Katharine -had great weight with him. He determined, therefore, to make a full -disclosure to her of the state of Cuthbert's mind, and to engage her -good offices to dissipate, if possible, the cloud of illusions which -obscured or dazzled his present judgment. He was, however, obliged to -defer this step by the sudden arrival of Sophia and Jane Lambert; the -latter of whom instantly joined Sir Oliver and the ladies in the -gallery, to communicate the arrival of their brother at the Grange, -and his intention of again presenting himself at Milverton that -evening, to express his sorrow to Sir Oliver for what had passed in -the spring, and to acknowledge duly the frank and Christian -forgiveness of Cuthbert Noble. - -Juxon learned from Sophia Lambert that Sir Charles having met with Sir -Philip Arundel at some place of public amusement, had demanded -satisfaction of him for the insulting words which Sir Philip had -addressed to him on the evening when they last parted at Milverton; -that they had retired to an adjoining tavern with their friends; and -Sir Philip having been wounded, the quarrel was amicably adjusted, and -the parties shook hands. - -By this duel, Sir Charles at once succeeded in stopping the mouth of -one who would have reported the occurrence at Milverton more to his -disadvantage and shame than it was yet considered among his London -acquaintance, and knew that he should in some degree recover his lost -ground with Sir Oliver and his neighbours in Warwickshire. For the -credit of their family the sisters were naturally desirous of this; -and, therefore, they had preceded their brother with cheerfulness, and -with an earnest anxiety to secure him a good reception. Jane, indeed, -well knew the feelings of Katharine Heywood, and loved her happiness -far before that of Sir Charles; but still he was a brother, and the -head of their house; and though she secretly determined to divert his -attentions and his hopes from Katharine, she wished that the two -families should resume their old footing of neighbourhood and -frequent intercourse. - -The various projects devised by the kind heart of Jane Lambert were -always most readily aided by an acute and contriving mind. - -She had already rendered Katharine a most important service in the -matter of George Juxon's suit, which she had put an end to before any -declaration of it distressing to the fair and noble object of it had -been made. - -The modesty, the good sense, and the manliness of Juxon, enabled him, -with very little assistance from the delicate though playful -management of Jane Lambert, to discern the painful truth. He plainly -saw that Katharine Heywood was not at all disposed to favour, or even -entertain, his pretensions as a lover; and he made a worthy and -successful effort to stifle in his breast the sentiment, which she had -inspired, that he might still enjoy the privilege of visiting at -Milverton as an intimate, and might attain to the happy and soothing -distinction of being her true and faithful friend:--this consolation -was already granted to his manly heart. Katharine saw and valued his -sterling qualities; and to no one in the whole circle of her -acquaintance were her manners more open, cordial, and confiding than -to George Juxon. - -It was a curious thing, that evening, to see with what a shy, -embarrassed air the noble Cuthbert, noble even in his errors, received -the silken, though forced and momentary, submission of the man, whose -savage anger had well nigh deprived him of life. No looker on, -ignorant of their peculiar relation to each other, at the first -interview, could have remotely guessed it from the manner or bearing -of either. - -The cheek of Sir Charles was indeed coloured by a deep, though -transient, stain of crimson, as he made his obeisance to Mistress -Katharine, and took her slowly extended hand,--but with Sir Oliver he -was quite at his ease immediately; not so, however, with Juxon, whose -presence a little disconcerted him throughout the evening. - -As the weather was, for the season, very open and mild, and as there -was a fine moon, it was soon arranged by Sir Oliver, that the party -from the Grange should sup at Milverton, and ride home by moonlight. -To Sir Oliver the reconciliation was most satisfactory; and as he saw -Cuthbert sitting at the table, as strong and healthy as before the -misfortune, and as he considered the name of Sir Charles completely -white-washed in society, by his duel with Sir Philip Arundel, he -dismissed all further thought about the ferocious crime which he -committed. It was now passed without the sad consequences which might -have followed--it was forgiven--it was already dwindling into very -insignificant proportions--and was soon to be altogether forgotten. - -After the pleasant customs of that time, when supper was ended, the -music books were introduced--the viol and lute were brought;--and an -hour, or more, was delightfully spent to the health and refreshment of -mind and body, in that familiar concert, where each person was -expected to sing the appointed part at first sight. Among the -permitted pleasures of our existence, those derived from the gift of -sweet sounds, and from the divine art of musical composition, may be -classed among the purest and most refined. - -They sung a few of the best madrigals of Orlando Gibbons, and Bird's -rich harmony--"My Mind to me a Kingdom is;"--and they closed with a -flowing glee for five voices, from Gibbons, entitled "The Silver -Swan." The summer parlour in which they sung had been found so warm -that the casements were half open, and the moonlight streamed in, -scarcely overpowered by the lamp, which stood upon the table, and but -dimly illuminated the oaken wainscot and ceiling. Except a whispered -word, to the one sitting next, on the richness of Bird's harmonies, or -on the delicate and sweet style of Orlando Gibbons, a long and silent -pause followed the evening's performance, and they seemed to be -enjoying again in memory what they had just made vocal. Suddenly there -stole upon them from among the trees, at a short distance, a simple -and soft melody of a most tender expression. It was the music of a -pipe or reed, but such as none of the party had ever heard before. The -tones were various,--now full and clear; now faint and exquisite; now -died away into a charmed stillness; now, again, they were heard slow, -chaste, and solemn, as if the burden of the air were some sacred hymn. -At last, after ravishing the ears of the astonished party, who stood -at the window, or leaned upon their chairs with mute attention, by -breathing forth airs of strange harmony, which none could distinctly -recognise, the invisible minstrel closed the magical prelude, in -heavenly and melancholy notes of surpassing sweetness, with the -favourite air of "Now, O now," by the famous Dowland, the well known -friend of the immortal William Shakspeare. Not one of the party -observed the sudden paleness and deep agitation of Katharine, while -the sweet notes of this beautiful air were sounding in their ravished -ears. All were silent, and most of them absorbed in still attention; -and Katharine sat back in the shadow of the apartment, so that her -countenance was hid. - -"Methinks it is a spirit," said Jane Lambert, with a smile. - -"Nay, if it be," observed Mistress Alice, "it is a good one, and has -been gently bred.--I am sure I felt quite sorry when the last air -ceased; and as for poor Master Cuthbert, I never saw any man so -affected by music before.--Do you not observe it, Katharine?" - -"I cannot wonder, because I know that Dowland is a great favourite -with him; and that air, played as it was, might affect a person less -easily moved than Master Cuthbert." - -"Well, Kate," said Sir Oliver, "after all, it is but some piping -stroller, perhaps, that is trudging it to Coventry fair; but, what -with moonshine and fancy, you are making an Orpheus of the -vagabond,--and I dare to say he would be well pleased to pipe a good -fat hen out of the fowl house." - -"Really, Sir Oliver," said Jane Lambert, "you old gentlemen are very -provoking:--you have a way of knocking down all castles in the air -with a crab-stick; and if we do now and then get lifted off plain -ground, you bring us down again with a vengeance. Now, even I, who am -not very romantic, was painting to myself some disconsolate bard of -noble presence, wandering about in sad banishment from the lady of -his love, and solacing his despair with the melody of this pipe, given -him, I am sure, by a magician." - -"Whoever he is," said Juxon, who with young Arthur had leaped from the -window and ran to the wood, coming to the open casement a few minutes -after, "he has certainly got the ring of Gyges; for there is not man -or animal in that open beechery; and if any one had run forth we must -have seen them in the close behind." - -"It may be, Juxon, he is perched in a tree, like your true -nightingale," said Sir Oliver. - -"Nay, we looked up into the branches carefully, but could discern -nothing: the birds at roost, though, had raised their heads from -beneath their wings, to listen to the strange chorister. In faith, he -is no common shepherd in clouted shoon, but a rare minstrel, such as -poets feign Apollo. Hush! listen again." - -Again, after a playful prelude, the invisible musician performed the -sweet air to which the song of Ariel in the Tempest was always sung. - -"Marry, Master Juxon," said Jane, "the precious songster mocks your -pains, and gives you fair challenge to renew your hunt; but I think -you might gather the night dew till cock-crow before you would find -him." - -Every one seemed spell-bound till the air was done, and Jane Lambert -spoke; but Juxon and Arthur now ran again to the beechery, and in a -few minutes returned without better success than before. - -"Well," said Jane Lambert, "we shall soon find out who it is that this -dainty spirit is come to honour; for if it be Sophy or me, we shall -have him flying with us on a bat's back all the way to the Grange; and -if it be you, dear Kate, you will have more music than sleep -to-night." - -Katharine was spared all reply by Sir Oliver gravely saying, "that he -remembered when he was a boy that beechery was said to be haunted, and -that whenever the white lady appeared it boded evil to the family at -Milverton." This old Philip had already mentioned to the servants, who -stood grouped at the gate of the court-yard on the right, but none of -whom had dared to venture down to the spot whence the music came, -though they had seen all which passed. - -Master Cuthbert ventured to observe, that the music was not like the -wailing of a ghost, which came as a forerunner of grief; nor was it of -such solemnity, that a spirit from heaven could take delight in it: -and he doubted not that the minstrel was plain flesh and blood; that -he had, probably, been arrested by the sounds of their little concert, -had amused himself by responding to them with his own pleasant -instrument, and had practised cleverly upon their curiosity by the -nimbleness with which he had evaded their search. But Sir Oliver shook -his head at this natural explanation of the mystery; and the Lamberts -and Juxon, after putting their lips to a stirrup cup of spiced wine, -took leave of their host, and the trampling of their horses soon died -away in the distance. - - - - -CHAP. XII. - - Why, alas! and are you he? - Be not yet those fancies changed? - SIDNEY. - - -To Katharine there had been no mystery: she could not doubt that the -invisible minstrel was her cousin Francis, and that he was again too -near for her peace or his own. - -Yet such is the sweet treachery of a loving heart, that she could not -be sad to know, that one so dearly, though so hopelessly, attached to -her, was perhaps within sight of the very window of her apartment, and -standing upon some spot where they had formerly walked together in -joy. Though resolved not to grant him more than one interview, and to -dissuade him from seeking any future opportunities of intercourse, she -could not but admit a natural feeling of delight, that she should -once more, though but for a few brief moments, look upon him, and -listen to his well remembered voice. In the solitude of her chamber -she found that relief and freedom of thought which her spirit needed: -her wakeful night was passed in reviewing former, and in shaping out -future scenes; but of this last exercise of the mind she soon grew -weary, for doubt hung over all her future prospects. It was about two -hours after midnight, and the house was quite still, when Katharine, -in a frame of mind that ill agreed with sleep and peace, arose, and -wrapped in her night robe leaned from the casement of her chamber, and -gazed out upon the fields and woods, and caught the sheen of the river -as it glided beneath the holy moon. The scene was calm, the air -serene, and her anxious spirit was soothed by contemplation. She -remained long at the window; and as she was retiring turned her eyes -to the left, where, beyond the Lime Walk, she could see the black -shade of her favourite cedar near the fish-pond. In the moonlight near -it she discerned the figure of a man walking slowly upon the grass. -Her heart beat quick in her bosom; she leaned her brow against the -wall: that surely was Francis. A projection of the building threw such -a shadow over her window, that her figure could not be seen, and -therefore she again looked forth and cast her eyes towards the cedar. -The figure near paced slowly backwards and forwards, occasionally -pausing for a minute or more, as if gazing at the house. Certainly it -was Francis. Forbidden all access to the mansion by the angry -prejudices of Sir Oliver, he had recourse to music to tell her of his -return. They had often watched the moonbeams together from the terrace -below; they had often been sheltered together beneath the broad arms -of that very cedar in the heats of noon, till, suddenly, as by -surprise, they loved and after shunned each other, from the sad -knowledge that the barriers to their union were many, were cold, and -were impassable. As all these after-thoughts crossed her noble mind, -she suffered herself to look upon her cousin where he kept his lonely -vigil, with that deep interest which must ever be inseparable from -that being in whose heart we know that our image is enshrined and -cherished. - -When the morning star shone brightly out the figure of Francis -suddenly disappeared. Katharine now withdrew from the casement; and, -exhausted by the various emotions, which had filled and troubled her -anxious bosom with apprehension and with delight, she threw herself on -her bed without taking off her robe, and slept so very long and -profoundly, that when she awoke she found Mistress Alice seated by her -side, with a look of affectionate alarm upon her kind face, and her -maid frightened and in tears. It was already high noon. Katharine, -however, knew nothing of the lapse of time; and imagining she might be -an hour later than usual, was raising herself up with some expression -about her strange fit of sleepiness, when her aunt put her hand gently -upon her, and bade her lie down again. "When Master Randal has seen -you, my dear," she said, "you shall be undressed, and have your bed -made, and be put to rest properly and with comfort. He is below, and -has been here this half hour, but he wished that your slumber should -not be broken." - -But the effort to rise had already shown Katharine the unwelcome -truth--she was in a high fever:--her head ached, her lips were -parched, her mouth was dry, her skin was burning. - -The good doctor was instantly summoned; and having examined her case -with very careful attention, directed that she should be confined to -her bed, and that her chamber should be kept dark and still. - -"It was a violent fever," he said, "which would probably, in another -stage, take an intermittent form;" but evidently, from the doctor's -manner, it was a case of danger, demanding great watchfulness and -skilful treatment. - -Promising Mistress Alice that his visits should be as frequent as -possible, he returned to Warwick at speed, accompanied by a servant, -who was to bring back the medicines prescribed. - -The trouble of Sir Oliver almost amounted to terror. His mind was by -no means superior to those fears which vulgar errors impose; and as, -in addition to the strange music of the evening before, he had that -very morning seen a hare cross the high road just before his horse's -feet, he augured no less a calamity than a fatal end to the sudden -illness of his beloved daughter. - -Cuthbert Noble, however, rose to the occasion; and though it is -certain that no individual in the family felt a more tender affection -and concern for Katharine Heywood than he did, yet he was enabled, by -a wise sympathy, to compose the fears and animate the hopes of Sir -Oliver, and indeed of an entire household; for a despondency fell upon -all, which the most comfortable arguments of plain reason and sound -religion did but imperfectly remove. - -For three days the life of Katharine Heywood was, in truth, in very -imminent danger, and the fever was of that malignant nature which -defied all ordinary treatment: but as the doctor was a man of great -decision and boldness in his practice, and, at the same time, one who -committed all events with humility and simplicity to the will of God, -he fought bravely with the disease; and after the third night of -patient watching and vigorous experiments, he subdued it so far that -he could announce to Sir Oliver the safety of his daughter. The crisis -was passed; but her weakness was great, and her recovery very gradual. -For the first three days of her attack she was almost without -consciousness; but though her head became light, and her mind was -confused, she uttered nothing in her wanderings which attracted the -particular notice of Mistress Alice, or any of her attendants, or in -the least betrayed the secret of her heart. - -Meanwhile Francis Heywood, in ignorance of the sad condition of his -cousin Katharine, endured all the agony of a suspicion that he was at -once neglected and scorned by her who had been the vision of his -lonely hours of labour in a remote plantation, and who, as the very -star of his destiny, had led him back again to the land in which she -dwelt, as a land of promise. Liberty was his watchword; and it is true -that when letters spoke so confidently of a civil war as inevitable, -he obtained his father's permission to return to England, that he -might join his patriotic countrymen in their contention for the rights -of civil and religious liberty. Nor was this a mere pretext for escape -from the tame drudgery of colonial life,--the cause of freedom was -sacred in his sight, and was precious to his heart. He came to draw -the sword, and bare his bosom in the battle. He had a life to offer on -the altar of duty, and he joyously brought the willing sacrifice; but -yet there lay at the bottom of his heart one bright, one good hope. He -might be lifted, by the fortunes of this war, to renown, to rank, to -fortune; he might survive all its chances; he might see peace and -happiness restored:--the present relations between himself and his -wealthy uncle might be greatly altered; the old prejudices against him -might at last give way, and the crowning reward of all his honours and -his fortunes might be the hand of Katharine. This was his dream by -day--this was his dream by night:--like some chaste and solemn star, -seen brightly shining in solitary and calm glory at the extremity of a -narrow and gloomy valley, darkened by the shadows of lofty mountains, -so the majestic loveliness of his cousin Katharine, irradiated by all -her virtues, shone out beyond the cloudy path of blood and peril, as -the blissful end and rest of all his labours. - -He had not passed a night of such rapture since he last parted from -his cousin as that on which he reached Milverton, and the whole of -which he mused away within sight of the mansion that contained the -noble object of his attachment. - -Although he was fully persuaded that he should be recognised by -Katharine as the wandering musician, yet he was in doubt whether she -would afford him an immediate opportunity of meeting her alone; -therefore he prepared an earnest appeal to her, in characters which, -though enigmatical to others, would, he well knew, be readily -understood by herself. The moon shone that night with so clear a -brightness, that he had no sort of difficulty in executing his design. -He made a slight fancy sketch, on a small piece of paper, of a setting -sun; he introduced the cedar in the fore-ground, and in one corner he -wrote, in a small hand, the Italian word "implora:" on the back of -this paper he faintly sketched a dial-plate, the shadow touching the -figure of seven in the evening. He placed this between the leaves of a -copy of Spenser's "Fairy Queen," which he found upon the seat, and -which he remembered to have been the garden companion of his fair -cousin in former days. When, on the following evening, the sun had -set, and the silver light of the moon touched all objects with the -hues of peace, Francis repaired to the appointed spot with eager -steps, and in confident hope that he should once more behold her for -whom he had all that tender reverence which angelic purity could alone -inspire. He seated himself beneath the well-known tree, and saw with -pleasure that the book had been taken away. Katharine, then, had -received his "implora," and she would not--she could not--disappoint -him, and deny his prayer. The long delay of her coming perplexed him; -and, after an hour of anxious waiting, every succeeding minute was -insupportably slow, and weighty with sadness. He left and resumed his -seat with restless discomposure; he paced the neighbouring bank; he -went into the Lime Walk, to watch for the first glimpse of her distant -form; at last, as he was approaching the cedar tree, with his eyes -bent on the ground, he for the first time observed a fragment of paper -lying near the trunk:--he took it up--it was a part of his note; it -had been torn in halves, and trodden in the dust; it was divided at -the very word "implora." The change of his feeling was, for the -moment, terrible. All that he had read or heard of the pride, the -caprice, and inconstancy of woman, rushed upon his memory to -strengthen his black suspicions, and inflame his sudden indignation. -But this rage was very soon exhausted, and was succeeded by a sorrow -weak as that of infants. He did not weep,--but a few hot tears slowly -gathered at long intervals, and fell heavily on the earth. And then he -railed upon himself, and defended her neglect of him. - -"It was that accursed music: she ever scorned such fanciful and -romantic folly:--how dared I to expect that she, whose words and ways -are open as the clear sunshine of noon, should come in the shadows of -evening, with silent footsteps, to a secret meeting with such an -outcast as me--one who may not ring the bell of his kinsman's gate -with better hope than that of rude dismissal? It is all well, -Katharine, and yet I loved you loyally, and still will love you: of -that privilege none can rob me. Like yon planet above me, you are a -common blessing, for which the comforted pilgrim in this thorny -wilderness glances his eye upward to the bounteous heavens, and thanks -his God." - -Another, but a gloomier, vigil in the grounds of Milverton was thus -passed by Francis; and again, when the dawn approached, he withdrew, -and retired to a small hostelry in the suburbs of Warwick, where for -his better concealment he had taken up his lodging. Here, however, -some relief, if such it could be called, was awaiting him; for as he -lay reposing on his bed, tired, yet unable to sleep, he overheard the -following dialogue between his hostess and a passer by:-- - -"Hast thou heard the bad news from Milverton, dame?" said the latter. - -"No; I have not seen my girl a week come to-morrow." - -"Eh, dear, don't you be frighted for your Ruth, but they've got the -fever there quite bad. Master Randal, the 'pothecary, was over there -three times yesterday, and all last night." - -"Lord, goody, what shall I do? I must go: my poor dear child is so -delicate for taking of fever, she will be sure to catch it. Who is it -that ha got it? is it the old gentleman, or Mistress Alice?" - -"No, God be merciful to her, 't is that dear, kind, blessed young -lady, Mistress Katharine; and they are all in a great take on about -her; for they say that the very night before she was took bad, her -poor dear mother's ghost was seen on the terrace by moonlight, and -sung beautiful, and for all every body was so frighted, yet they say -it was like as if an angel had come down out of heaven; and they say, -it is a sure sign that Mistress Katharine will die, and go happy." - -There is nothing more strange than the peculiar character of the -selfishness of love--but it is ever the same. Francis felt a deep, a -true, an anxious concern for the illness of Katharine: he was keenly -afflicted with self-reproach at the thought that she might perhaps -have been so disturbed by his sudden and strange announcement of his -return as to have been made nervous and unwell. But this sorrow, ay, -and the very apprehension of her death, (which feeling, however, he -did not share,) would have been more endurable than the thought that -he was forgotten, neglected, and scorned by one whom his soul held -dear. However, he was, in his own judgment, persuaded that her -illness, and all the circumstances attending it, were much exaggerated -by those superstitious fears of the household, for which he could -himself so very easily account. Descending, therefore, from his -chamber, while the old gossips were continuing their talk, he took -occasion, as soon as her neighbour had passed on, to urge his hostess -to lose no time in going to inquire after her daughter; observing that -he had often heard of the family at Milverton, and could not but feel -a hope that the lady of whom they spoke would soon recover. - -"Precious angel," said the old woman: "I don't know why we should wish -it, I am sure, except it be for the sake of others; for there was -never a body fitter for heaven than that dear young lady." - -It was with keen anguish that, upon the return of his poor hostess in -the afternoon, he learned that the life of Katharine was really in -danger. At sunset he took his cloak, and passed the night in a -position near the wood, from whence he could command the curtained -window of the sufferer, and watch the dim light within, and those -gloomy shadows which, as nurse or attendant slowly crossed the -chamber, occasionally obscured it. - -His was a mind in which hope was ever anticipating enjoyment, or fear -meeting and realising the dreaded misfortune. Now, therefore, with the -lamp of a sick room burning faint before him, and with scenery around -all silvery and spiritual, lying hushed and calm in a silence solemn -as the grave, and yet sweet and peaceful as that of heaven, he -resigned himself to the belief that Katharine was dying, or, rather, -was departing to the abode of blessed spirits. He grew reconciled to -the thought. No clouds of terror darkened it; and, as her pale image -arose distinctly before his mind's eye, he became elevated with the -sentiment of her sure and celestial happiness; and there was a feeling -of ecstasy in the idea that he might cherish his love for her, as a -sacred thing, for ever. - -Again, on the following night, he lay enfolded in his cloak, or leaned -against a distant tree, or paced like a sentinel his lonely round, -with his eyes fixed on the light in Katharine's chamber, and his -meditations were sweet. But how tenderly he had been rocked in the -cradle of sorrow, and how willingly he had allowed the true state of -his own heart to be hidden from himself by fancied consolations, was -evident, when, on returning from his watch upon the third morning, he -learned from his hostess that the doctor had come home very early, -and said, that the dear lady was out of danger. He had just command -enough over his feelings not to betray to her that he took a private -and deep interest in her intelligence; but, rushing up to his room, -his hopes, his fears, his grief, his joy, his gratitude, gushed forth -from his pent-up bosom in a flood of silent tears. He wept upon his -knees. - - - - -CHAP. XIII. - - What man was he talked with you? - _Much Ado about Nothing._ - - -It was not till the crisis of danger was already past that the illness -of Katharine became known at Bolton Grange, or at Old Beech. - -Jane Lambert was no sooner apprised of it than she hastened to her -friend, and insisted, with all the devotion and tenderness of a -sister, on being permitted to divide with Mistress Alice the duties of -her present charge. - -Katharine loved Jane, and was comforted to have her seated near her, -and was soothed by her affection: it was evident, however, to the -latter, that something weighed heavily upon the spirits of her friend, -and that the feelings of hope and the clear promise of recovery, did -not impart to her all the gratitude and cheerfulness which might be -naturally expected in the pleasant dawn of convalescence. - -She had not been many days at Milverton when an incident occurred -which discovered the cause of her anxiety. - -As Jane was looking from the window in the afternoon, and remarking to -Katharine on the beautiful effect of the low autumn lights, she -observed the figure of a man with folded arms leaning near a tree in -the beechery, and she playfully exclaimed, "That must certainly be the -musical ghost, which played so sweetly, and brought us all such bad -luck, and frightened every body in Milverton House but your dear self, -and the grave Master Cuthbert:--how I should like to have the -treacherous creature caught." - -"Dear lady," said Katharine's maid, "how can you talk so boldly?--why -nobody can catch a spirit. It is only air." - -"I have a notion, good lass," replied Jane, "that it is very proper -flesh and blood, and if I were a man, and not a maid, would try my -speed with it, and bring it to parley. I should like to hear the -voice of it, or see its face, and tell it of all the mischief it has -done." - -"Well-a-day! what a heart you have, lady! There is not one in the -kitchen but stout Richard would venture that; and though he could not -find any thing the other day when he followed it, he's obstinate as a -mule, and says it's no ghost, but a young gallant that's under hiding -at my mother's, in Warwick Liberties; but there is nobody thinks with -him at Milverton." - -"Well, then, I am of Richard's way of thinking, in part:--it is a tall -man; but whether young, and whether under hiding, I know not." - -"Why, there is a gentleman under hiding at my mother's, sure enough, -and one that knows my lady, as she says, and was quite glad when he -heard that she first began to mend." - -"Ruth," said Katharine, raising her head from the pillow, "if you will -go and make me some fresh barley water, I think I shall like it better -than this fever drink." The wish was no sooner expressed than her maid -vanished to do her bidding, and Katharine and her friend Jane were -left by themselves. - -"Jane," said the invalid, "come and sit by me: I have something to -tell you, and I have to ask of you a very strange favour. I desired to -relieve my heart of its burden, but have hitherto delayed it. You -know, Jane, that I love you, and that I have confidence in your -attachment to me; but if it were not for my present helplessness, -which compels me to engage your service as a true friend, whose good -sense and firm principles I can safely trust, the subject which I am -about to speak of would never have passed my lips even to you. The -gentleman of whom they speak is my cousin Francis. He it was who so -perplexed and alarmed the family with his mysterious music, and who -still, I fear, haunts the same spot in silence and anxiety." - -"Your cousin Francis!--why, dear Kate, I thought he was in America!" - -"And I myself thought so until the night when he made his return known -to me in tones which I could not mistake, and the meaning of which I -but too well understood." - -"I have been long aware, Katharine, that he loved you." - -"You have, I believe, already discerned it. Alas! it is true--fatally -for his own happiness and for mine;--but, Jane, have you courage for -the task which I would impose upon you?" - -"Yes, Kate: you can ask me nothing too hard for me, if I can only feel -that I do what may comfort you." - -"Well, Jane, you must contrive to see my cousin Francis; to deliver to -him a note from me with your own hands, and to urge his immediate -departure from this neighbourhood. Now, love, bring me those small -tablets and paper, and support me while I write the few words which I -would say." - -It was a sight for pity to see that noble damsel, her back propped by -pillows, and the arm of her young friend tenderly supporting her, -trace in silence and with a nervous hand the few lines which were to -banish from the neighbourhood of Milverton her worthy and devoted -lover. - -The task was soon done; and with the care as of a mother Jane Lambert -again arranged the pillows for the aching head of Katharine; and the -pale sufferer sunk back exhausted into the recumbent posture, and -heaved a sigh so sad, that the eyes of Jane filled with thick tears. -She averted her head to wipe them away, that they might not distress -her friend, and putting the unsealed billet in her bosom, left the -chamber with a thoughtful step, to do her very delicate and difficult -office. She went to her own room, and taking a dark mantle with a -hood, such as was the common church-going and street costume of women -of the respectable middle classes of that period, she threw it across -her arm, and walked through the Lime Walk, and by the fish ponds, to a -small gate at the farther end of the grounds, by which she could gain -a footpath that led across the fields to Warwick. She had no sooner -passed the gate than she put on her cloak, and passing the hood over -her head, that she might muffle and conceal her features, if she met -any one, she proceeded towards the city. It was about four o'clock in -the afternoon, and the sky was lowering and cloudy. She was anxious -about her strange mission, and settling in her mind what she should do -when she reached the hostelry, whither she was now bending her steps, -and how she should contrive the interview with Francis, when the sound -of steps very closely following suddenly startled her: the very object -of her search had overtaken her, and was already at her side. At -first, however, she was not aware of this, although the circumstance -of this passenger being muffled, as closely as herself, awakened her -suspicions of the truth, and forbade the alarm she would otherwise -have felt at finding herself in a very lonely part of the pathway in -such company. He did not stop when he overtook her, but went a few -steps onward, as if to re-assure her before he ventured to speak. He -crossed a stile and walked some paces without turning his head, till -she had also crossed it; when loitering a little, till she was close -to him, he stepped aside from the path, and gently put a question that -very directly introduced them to each other, and gave Jane the ready -opportunity of delivering her note, and fulfilling the further wishes -of her dear Katharine. - -"You are from Milverton House, as I think, damsel?" - -"Even so, master," replied Jane. - -"Is the noble young mistress better to-day?" - -"I thank God she is; but it will be long ere she be quite well again." - -"She is out of all pain, I hope?" - -"Yes, she hath no bodily pain, save that which arises from weakness; -and for such pain of mind as disquiets her it may be, in great part, -removed by yourself, Master Francis." - -Thus saying, she threw back her hood, and Francis, who had before -discovered his own features, recognised those of Jane Lambert. "I bear -you a note from your cousin Katharine," she added, as he started at -her utterance of his name. She drew it forth from her bosom, and -placed it in his hand. He turned from her that he might read it -without observation; but Jane could see by his action that he kissed -it, and pressed it to his heart. With a glance it was perused, and -then again and again; and with a bent head and staggering step he -moved a few paces from Jane, and spoke in tones of anguish to himself -words which she could not distinguish. At last, collecting himself, he -returned towards the fair messenger of his Katharine, with a manly -composure, and said, "Tell my beloved cousin that I will obey; that -her wish is as a law to me: how could she dream that I would suffer -the words of any one to outweigh her own?--but, she tells me that you -are her devoted and faithful friend, and that to you I may safely -intrust the object of my return, and the news of my father. There is, -indeed, one subject on which she forbids me to speak even to herself; -therefore my answer may be brief enough. My father is well:--all her -kinsfolk in the Plantations are well, and free, and happy. For the -object of my sudden return--it is the love of my country--a love that -will not accept a divided heart; and yet the other love that lay -enshrined beside it, was pure, was noble, was worthy such alliance, -has filled my thoughts by day, has blessed the visions of my lonely -nights. Tell Katharine she hath used me hardly--no, no, do not tell -her that--not hardly--say that she bids me do something I cannot do--I -am not of her order--forget her I never can--she is with me wherever I -go--in all things that I do I think of her--and still must, if I -would have fair and noble thoughts to bear me company." - -"Such things, Master Francis, I may not carry to her ear. There is -about her a reserve so maidenly and grave, she would chide her own -messenger for proving so unfaithful;--but I may tell her that your -father is well; that loyalty hath brought you home; and that you will -quit these parts instantly--for that it is, methinks, she most -earnestly requests of you." - -"Even so: on that she is most urgent--cruel Katharine." - -"Say, rather, wise, dutiful, loyal Katharine." - -"Loyal, loyal!--that is a word of many imports. I, too, am loyal, and -will learn to love the word:--mind you tell her that I am loyal." - -"Can I truly tell her so?" - -"Yes, truly:--but enough of this, fair girl,--go back to her who sent -thee--wait, you are her friend--you nurse her--come, let me look into -thine eyes--give me thy hand--on my knees I kiss it--her cheek is -pale--I know it is--it must be--go touch it with thy hand, and offer -there the chaste cold homage of my sorrow. You see that I am sad, -lady--go--bless you--you are weeping:--how is this, girl?--be not so -childish--a friend of Katharine's should not be weak--I, you see, am -calm and strong--my hand does not tremble--and these eyes are -dry--methinks my heart is frozen--tell her so." - -Jane Lambert stood fixed as a statue while he thus spoke; and as she -watched him walking fast away, she felt, for the first time in her -life, what it must be to have a lover, and to be the supreme object of -such a man's affection. Her cheek was stained with tears--her face -flushed with agitation--her whole air disordered and absent. She -followed with her eyes the tall figure of Francis, till a turn in the -pathway hid him from her view, and then walked slowly back to -Milverton. - -In the very first field she met George Juxon, and it was evident to -her, from his manner, as he stopped and spoke to her, that he must -have witnessed, at least, the close of her interview with Francis. -There was a surprise in his look, and something of embarrassment, as -he shook her by the hand, and asked if she was well; but he did not -seem to expect any particular reply, nor indeed did he offer to return -with her to the house, though she was but too conscious that her -faintness and discomposure might have naturally invited such an -attention. Observing, coldly, that he had some business at a builder's -yard in Warwick, but that he should return to sup and sleep at -Milverton, he leisurely pursued his path to the city. - -Jane's heart gave way to the multitude of troublous and perplexing -thoughts which now beset her; and leaning near a friendly tree, she -found a momentary relief in a passionate flood of warm tears. - -Her trial was strange. The feelings which had been excited were -altogether new to her; and the effect of the interview with -Katharine's devoted cousin, combined with the cross and perplexing -incident of her meeting with Juxon so immediately after, as to make it -certain that he had seen her part from Francis Heywood, had very -naturally overcome the ordinary courage and the cheerful composure of -her character. - -She had witnessed, in the agitated Francis, the emotions of love. The -sentiment, which thus shook him, she had never yet inspired--she had -never felt for any one. Such love had been to her the poet's fable; -but it would never again be so deemed of by her;--and something that -made her heart throb and ache within her told truly the want of that -heart, and unsealed a fountain of affection ready to overflow upon any -being in whom she might be fortunate enough to find the noble -qualities of a manly heart, and the gentle ways and genuine fervours -of an ardent lover. - -It was a cruel thought that she must now be subject to suspicions, if -not of lightness, yet of a secret attachment and stolen interviews -with the object of it. Nor was the oppression of this thought at all -weakened by the reflection that George Juxon, the very man whose good -opinion she most valued, had seen her in a situation, and under -circumstances, which he could not by any possibility interpret truly, -and which her duty to Katharine forbade her to explain, however -deeply her own character or happiness might suffer. In one short hour -she had gathered an experience that filled her with wonder, and had -incurred a suspicion that subjected her to censure and threatened her -with misery. The consciousness of innocence could not restore to her -the respect of Juxon, nor exempt her from the severe penalties with -which the levity and imprudence of the thoughtless of her own sex are -ever silently visited by the other, when some painful discovery of a -woman's guile chills and revolts them. - -However in her case, the judgment of Juxon had not been harsh; but, of -course, when he saw a man upon his knees before her--when he -considered the loneliness of their place of interview--the cloaks -evidently worn for disguise--and the agitated and discomposed -appearance of Jane Lambert--he, at once, decided that she was -betrothed to a lover, whom for fear or for shame she dared not openly -avow. - -He had truly liked Jane, for her spirit, her sense, and, above all, -for her devotion to Katharine Heywood; and his liking might soon have -grown to a manly love,--but the flow of his admiration was now -suddenly checked and frozen, and he whistled "Woman's a Riddle" all -the way to Warwick and back again. - - - - -CHAP. XIV. - - O how full of briars is this working-day world! - _As you Like it._ - - -As soon as the affectionate Jane had entirely recovered her -self-possession, she left her chamber, and repaired to Katharine. It -was the dark evening hour of autumn, and there was no light in the -room of the invalid but that emitted from the glowing embers on the -hearth. Jane seated herself by the bedside, and, taking the hand of -Katharine, gently pressed it, and said,-- - -"My dear Kate, I have done all that you wished; and I have sped well." - -"You have, then, seen Francis?" - -"Yes; I put your note into his own hands. He was much affected; but he -promised obedience to your wishes at once." - -Katharine gave a sigh, and turned her face to the wall. There was a -short pause of silence before Jane proceeded:-- - -"He bade me tell you that his father and your kinsfolk in America are -well; and that the immediate object of his return is the love of his -country." - -"Ah, Jane! I know what that means. I remember too well all the warm -and bitter words that passed between my father and his on that -subject. Would he had stayed in the peaceful Plantations! The ocean -between us was not a wider separation than the gulf that divides party -from party at home; besides, Jane, he is deluded: they will play upon -his generous nature,--they will make a traitor of him. Rebellion is as -the sin of witchcraft. Would he had stayed abroad!" - -"I must not forget, Katharine, to tell you that he strictly charged me -to say that he was loyal. 'It is a word,' said he, 'of many -imports:'--mind you tell her that I am loyal.'--No, dear Katharine, -his is no traitor's heart: he may be on the wrong side of the -quarrel, but he is the King's true subject at the bottom." - -"Hush! Jane; whisper not these dangerous words,--there is deceit in -them. The soul's enemy finds each of us treacherous enough in will, -and crooked enough in judgment, without the weak and indulgent folly -of our friends. Be true to me,--be English, Jane:--I love you passing -well." - -Jane kissed her pale cheek; and there was another pause. At last -Katharine said, in a very low voice,-- - -"How was Cousin Francis looking? Is he in health?" - -"His complexion is more brown, and he has less colour than formerly; -his countenance, too, is very grave--almost sad; yet there is a steady -fire in his eyes; and he is as graceful and as strong as ever. But for -his late care and watching, I should say he was better in health than -when he left Milverton for America." - -"He was not hurt at my note, I hope,--was he, Jane? Speak truly." - -"Not hurt; but disappointed, certainly. However, he is noble and -sensible, and saw that it was right." - -"You think so." - -"I am sure of it, by his manner." - -"Do you think he will go away directly?" - -"Yes; perhaps he is already gone. I could see in the firm and resolute -step with which he walked away from me that his decision was taken." - -"Then it was not at the hostelry that you saw him? Where did you meet -him?" - -Jane now detailed, in part, the circumstances of their interview, as -already related; suppressing all mention of the passionate words and -gestures of Francis, and any notice of her having been seen in his -company by Juxon. It had been the first intention of Jane to proceed -to the house of Ruth's mother, on whose protection she could depend, -and to wait there till Francis, who she doubted not was the lodger -spoken of, should return thither; for, before Jane left Milverton -House, Francis had already disappeared from the Beechery. It would be -easy to invent some plausible excuse to Ruth's mother for her visit -to Warwick; and, having contrived her interview with Francis as if by -accident, to return to Milverton, if belated till dusk, under the old -woman's escort. But this plan was rendered unnecessary by the -circumstance of Francis overtaking Jane upon her way to the city. - -"My dear affectionate girl," said Katharine to her sweet friend, "how -much, how very much, I thank you:--kiss me, dear, and leave me to -compose myself, if I can, to sleep." - -But sleep was impossible in her frame of mind at that moment:--it was -solitude she needed, that she might meditate and weep alone. However, -there was a high sound principle ever at work in her bosom; so that a -little solitary and prayerful reflection never failed to restore the -calmness of her mind, and the strength of her resolutions. - -The spirit of Jane Lambert was of another sort; and, restored to the -privacy of her own chamber, she gave a free vent to the sorrow and -anxiety which she had so courageously suppressed before Katharine. - -When she descended to the hall to supper, and all the party were -assembled, she remarked or fancied that George Juxon expressly avoided -seating himself near her; and, after asking her one or two questions -about the progress of Katharine's recovery, he addressed her no more. - -Her pride was a little wounded to observe that he was in high and -careless spirits, and became quite the life of the table. Cuthbert, -too, was, for him, unusually cheerful. Sir Oliver seemed in great good -humour; and the boy Arthur was radiant with delightful and joyous -anticipations of the new world, which an entrance at Oxford would open -before him. Literary and characteristic anecdotes of distinguished and -eccentric scholars of both universities, in times past as well as -present, enlivened the social meal; and though but a very thin -partition separated the subjects of university discipline from those -of church polity and state government, neither were introduced that -evening. - -Jane thought that she had never before discerned so clearly the fine -qualities of Juxon;--his sound but charitable judgment, his accurate -memory, the kindliness of his nature, and the playfulness of his -stories, at once charmed and depressed her. She wished to leave the -table; yet still she lingered on, listening and irresolute; and the -proposal to retire was first made by Mistress Alice. - -An avowed contempt for the opinion of the many is not inconsistent -with a very earnest and anxious regard for the judgment of the few -whom we chance to admire and esteem. The dear, high-spirited girl, who -thought herself above the censure of the world, and indifferent to its -voice, was now, though clear from the slightest reproach of -conscience, agonised with apprehensions lest she should have forfeited -the respect of George Juxon. When, at a later hour, the household was -assembled for the evening service, and the prayers were reverently -read by Juxon, her heart beat in her bosom so quick and loud as to be -audible to Cuthbert Noble, who kneeled near her. As soon as they rose, -he regarded her with a look of such compassionate inquiry, that Jane, -fearing he was about to question her concerning her health, and not -daring to trust herself with a reply, abruptly left the apartment. - -Juxon had himself observed her flushed cheek and her disturbed -manners, and began to entertain very serious alarm for her. How far -his duty as a friend, and, above all, as a Christian minister, -authorised him to seek acquaintance with the nature and extent of -those secret engagements of Jane Lambert, which he could not but fear, -from her evident agitation, were at variance with plain principle and -prudence, it was not easy for him to resolve. He truly liked her -frank, generous, and inartificial character. He knew full well that in -her brother she had neither a kind, a careful, or a wise guardian. It -was surely wrong to stand upon the brink of a whirlpool, and see any -one drawn down to ruin, whom it was in our power, if not to save, at -least to admonish of the danger. His mind instantly reverted to the -noble Katharine as the proper channel through which his manly and -benevolent warnings might be safely conveyed with delicacy and -effect. But many days might yet elapse ere the opportunity of a -conversation with Katharine might occur; for she was confined not only -to her chamber, but to her bed. Should he venture to hint his fears to -herself? Yes: if she was the character he yet hoped to find her, it -would be taken well; if not, it would matter very little in what light -she viewed his disinterested service. - -On the following morning, soon after breakfast, he saw Jane Lambert by -herself in the Lime Walk, and he joined her. - -She looked surprised and embarrassed; and he was not without a fear -that his presence at that moment was inconvenient and irksome, and -very possibly prevented her going forth to an interview with her lover -in the very same fields where he had met her the evening before. - -However, from the very fear he took courage; and, after the common -salutations and usual words about the garden and the weather had -passed, he broke the subject thus:-- - -"Mistress Jane, you are too little acquainted with the world for your -own happiness, or rather, for your security,--may a friend say this -without offending you?" - -"A friend may say any thing to me, Master Juxon, that a damsel may not -blush to hear." - -"I understand you--I must say no more--and yet I meant you well." - -"But good intentions do often tread upon the foot just where it is -most tender." - -"Well, lady, enough: I will spare your maiden blushes; only remember, -of our sex, that he doth always act most openly who is most loyal." - -"Loyal! Master Juxon, what mean you? Did you then so far forget -yourself as to follow and trace out the gentleman whom you last -evening stood watching as he parted from me?--I do not understand -you." - -"Mistress Jane, you should have known me better;--so far from watching -your interview with the strange gentleman with whom I saw you, it was -to avoid intrusion that I waited in the adjoining close till you -parted from him, and would have gone back again altogether, but for -the great circuit and the business which I had in Warwick." - -"You saw us part, then?" - -"Yes, to my wonder, and to my sorrow that my eyes had caught an action -meant only for your own. Lady, forgive the word; but at lovers' oaths -forget not that Cupid laughs:--may Jane Lambert never be won by any -suitor who does not openly woo her!" - -"Amen to your kind wish, Master Juxon--so be it:--I know what you -think, and am sorry, but I cannot help it;--however, you are not my -father confessor, nor do I ever wish to have one." - -"True, lady; but though not your confessor, I am your friend, your -true and bold friend, or I should never have dared to utter what I -have done. I can have no object in these hints but your best and -highest interest: that which I have noticed to yourself I shall never -mention to any other, except, perhaps, to Katharine Heywood, from -whose lips whatever falls is wise and noble." - -"O! not to her--name not this idle matter to her. Promise me, Juxon, -that you will not breathe a syllable about it to her. I shall be more -unhappy if you do than I am already." - -"Alas! you are then unhappy, and would shun the best help and -consolation which friendship would provide for you. No, this I cannot -promise; on the contrary, I am only confirmed in the propriety of my -intention." - -"Well, I implore you again, and earnestly, not to speak upon this -subject to Katharine. As you value my peace of mind, be silent upon it -to all: there is a mystery about it I may not unfold. I know that -appearances are against me: I am sorry for your hard thoughts, but I -must bear them. I could wish to explain these cross circumstances to -you, but am not free to do so without violating a sacred duty. Promise -me that you will meet my wish." Thus saying, she put her hand upon his -arm, and looked into his face with wet and beseeching eyes. "Juxon, -you have always been plain and true, and friendly to me; and though I -and my perplexities ill deserve your interest or care, promise me -that you will not name them to dear Katharine." - -For a moment Juxon was affected by the wild earnestness of her manner; -and he thought he had never seen more heart or feeling in the -expression of a human countenance than in the flushed face of Jane -Lambert. - -"Well, Mistress Jane, you are so urgent, that I must promise to obey -your will; but it grieves me to see you thus sadly troubled. May God -help you, and guide you, and guard you, and keep you from evil, that -it may not grieve you! Your secret is safe with me." - -"And shall I lose your friendship?" - -"No, lady, never: would only that it may have worth sufficient in your -eyes to be used aright!" - -"Believe me, I shall never forget it, and I will never do aught to -forfeit such a treasure;"--so saying, she hurried away, with tears in -her eyes, and left him absorbed in a state of feeling which cannot be -described. - -The more he thought of what he had witnessed the evening before, and -the more he considered the conversation which had just passed, the -more satisfied he was that Jane Lambert was secretly betrothed to some -one whom she dared not openly acknowledge as her lover. It was also -plain, that, for some powerful reason, she had not confided the secret -of this attachment even to Katharine, who was her bosom friend. He had -comfort in remembering that nothing could be more respectful than the -action of the stranger, when he kissed her hand at parting; and -combining this with her own honest looks and proud though mysterious -expressions, he was satisfied that, up to the present moment, she had -taken no irrevocable step. There was, moreover, a warm strength in her -last words, that assured him his friendly cautions were not thrown -away, and that his motives were not misinterpreted. Upon the whole, he -was justified, to his own mind, in what he had done; and his thoughts -rested upon the character of Jane with greater interest than it had -ever before excited in him. - -"How very generous and devoted would be the love of such a girl," -said he to himself: "what a proud spirit, what an affectionate heart, -she has; what a fire there is in her fine eyes--I never before saw her -look half so beautiful:--it is clear that they have been lighted up by -love:--well, God grant that the man of her choice may be worthy of -it!" - -He now sauntered slowly back to the house; and entering the library, -found Cuthbert Noble sitting alone, and making extracts from an old -folio volume. - -"You see," said the young tutor, "I am making preparations for my -departure from Milverton; but thus I may innocently suck honey from -the hives of Sir Oliver, without robbing him, or those who come after -him, of the smallest portion of such sweets as they contain." - -"And what may be your study?" said Juxon, as he came up to the table, -and looked over him. - -"A curious work," replied Cuthbert, "containing the most remarkable -pieces of John Huss, together with his life--imprinted in the last -century at Augsburg." - -"Friend Cuthbert, you are too constant in these serious and solemn -studies and speculations." - -"Master Juxon," answered the pale youth, "they are every thing or they -are nothing." - -"Verily, for my part I think divine truth is as clear and glorious as -the sun in the firmament; and to warm ourselves, and to walk in the -light of it, is better wisdom than to read so many commentaries and -discourses upon it." - -"May we not sometimes lie indolently warming ourselves by a fire of -our own, and fancy it as comfortable as basking in the sun? Walking in -the light is no such easy matter; and in my case I find that the -words, and, above all, the examples, of those who have earnestly -contended for the truth, as so many outstretched and helping hands to -assist me in climbing the hill." - -"What hill?" - -"The high hill, Master Juxon, where the reformers and martyrs of past -times have left the print of their blessed footsteps." - -"Cuthbert, I see that you are in earnest, that you are sincere; but -you are on a road beset by enemies, to the full as dangerous as those -on any other. Pride may be waiting to assail you,--spiritual pride, -the worst of all enemies: you want to do something; you would unlock -heaven's gates by some great performance:--remember its arches are so -low that none can enter them who crawl not on their knees:--the little -child's is the appointed stature for all believers." - -"That, indeed, is true--it is a solemn truth; but there are beasts to -be fought with, Juxon, and the stern combat is at hand. It is upon -this I think by day, on this I dream by night." - -"So much the worse: you are commanded, in many senses, to 'take no -thought for the morrow;' and in none is it more your duty to obey the -precept than in waiting the events of the coming day in quietness and -in confidence: you conjure up shadows that you may fight with them." - -"Nay, but you wrong my judgment:--to you they may so seem; but my eye -can see the black and dismal realities beyond, which reflect these -shadows." - -"Well, Cuthbert, it is vain to talk with you on these subjects:--on -all others you are so clear and reasonable, that I shall always -remember our intercourse with pleasure. I hear that there is a new -arrangement, and that you do not wait to accompany Arthur to Oxford; -but that you leave Milverton next week, therefore, very probably, I -shall not see you again till your departure. Farewell, friend: my best -and warmest wishes for your happiness will always accompany you. I -shall ever be happy to hear of or from you, and be delighted to meet -you again." - -With these words he put out his hand to Cuthbert, who grasped it -eagerly, and struggled for a reply in vain. - -The parting had taken him totally by surprise:--the thought of all -Juxon's friendly and kind services, of all his frank and endearing -qualities, came up, with a rush before his fancy, and choked his -utterance. The strong pressure of Cuthbert's hand, and the slowness -with which he released that of Juxon, told the latter all that he -would have said; and, as the door closed behind his departing friend, -Cuthbert sank back into his seat, and, resting his head with hidden -face upon the table, remained for several minutes silent and -motionless. - - - - -CHAP. XV. - - Religious contention is the devil's harvest. - - _Old Proverb._ - - -To every member of the family at Milverton House Cuthbert had said -farewell, when he retired to his chamber on the night before the -morning fixed for his departure. He had taken leave of Mistress -Katharine, in the presence of her aunt Alice and Jane Lambert, with a -grave self-command which had surprised himself; and, as he left her -room, he lifted his heart to Heaven in thanksgiving for the help of -that strength which he had so earnestly implored in the privacy of his -closet. - -But when he was alone for the last wakeful vigil in the apartment in -which he had passed so many a sleepless night the image of Katharine -looked in upon his solitude, and, for a time, re-asserted all its -power over his heart. - -He had just parted, and, probably for ever, with her who had been to -him, for many months, the angel of the scene. These months, though now -short as hours to look back upon, had gathered into their brief and -silvery revolutions much of that soft and essential happiness of his -affections which he knew could never return again. Nevertheless, it -was not in the power of separation or of hopelessness to destroy the -memory of that sweet season of his youth; and he was content to accept -that as all the bliss of its kind which the fortunes of his life and -the new aims of his being, would permit him to enjoy. - -"Here, and for ever," said Cuthbert, speaking to himself aloud, "I -forswear the weaknesses of love: life has rugged paths that are better -trod by single men;--such a path is now shaping for me and for many. -In the labour of establishing a people's rights I shall find a sense -of peace; and when the call of duty is obeyed, contentment is the -golden fruit with which conscience herself presents us." - -There is no process of the mind more common than that by which a man, -while sore at heart by the thought of some desirable but unattainable -good, turns away from the painful consideration of his own sorrows, -and erects himself into the zealous friend of suffering humanity, and -the ardent reformer of social evils. - -What curious springs in the world's clockwork are sorrow and -disappointment! How many wheels are set in motion by their secret -action, and what different results from those at which men aim are -produced by their conduct! Here they strike for freedom, and elevate a -despot--there they trample for the oppressor, and, lo! a seed of armed -patriots is sown beneath their horse's feet. - -The idea of seeking the society of those among his friends whose minds -were full of the stirring themes now daily suggested by political -events was hailed as a relief and a consolation. - -Absorbed in musings, Cuthbert watched away the night, and obtained -only a short and broken slumber towards the morning. - -It has been before observed, that to the language of love from the -lips of Cuthbert Mistress Katharine never would have listened, and -could not have responded. - -Katharine Heywood had only done what thousands have done before her, -and are continually doing in the intercourse of life. She had -manifested her own sweet nature in a ready and gentle appreciation of -those qualities in the shy and humble student, which, wherever they -are found, are worthy of regard. - -Indeed, during the residence of Cuthbert at Milverton, as the tutor to -her cousin, she had largely shared the benefit of his instructions. He -had imparted new pleasures to her mind, had purified her taste, -enlarged her conceptions, and elevated her thoughts. - -These services she had repaid, in the character of mistress of her -father's mansion, by studiously throwing the grace of her protection -over the retiring scholar; but the smile of a queenly woman is a -perilous shelter, and does oftentimes blight the happiness of those -whom it was most innocently designed to cheer and to defend. - -It had been arranged that Cuthbert should depart before eight in the -morning. By that hour his horse was already saddled in the stable, -and the boy Arthur was in the stable-yard watching minutely all the -preparations for the journey. The strapping on of the vallise, and of -the holsters especially moved him on the present occasion, although he -had seen the very same thing done a hundred times for others without -curiosity or disquiet. What from the liveliness of his fancy, and the -affectionateness of his disposition, the images of lonely ways and -evil robbers made him fetch his breath quicker than usual. The good -tempered groom, perceiving this by the youth's questions, began to -allay his fears by saying, that "nobody would ever let or hinder a -poor scholar like Master Cuthbert, and, besides that, God took care of -all good persons; so there was no ill chance for such an one, but that -he would go and come as safe as the King's own majesty;" which was the -simple groom's notion of the most perfect security on earth. - -Meanwhile Cuthbert himself was taking a last melancholy gaze at the -gallery, the hall, the summer and winter parlour, and the various -objects of interest which they contained. The pictures, the books, the -organ, the virginals, the lute, were all most intimately associated in -his mind with her, whom to have seen and known was of itself a -blessing. - -In vain the grey-haired butler, Philip, pressed him to partake of -breakfast, and cautioned him against a weary way and an empty stomach. -He pecked like a sick bird at the substantial venison pasty, and -sipped at the warm tankard with a word the while now to the old -domestic, and now to young Arthur, who had come in, and sat opposite -him, in that vacant and natural sorrow which belongs to the broken -moments of such a parting. - -At last Cuthbert descended the hall steps, which were full of the -warm-hearted servants; and, pressing the hand of his affectionate -pupil, mounted his horse and rode away. - -The day was cold and wet: nothing could be more gloomy or comfortless -than his long and lonely ride. He met only one train of pack-horses, -and a few single travellers on horseback, throughout the day. He -baited his animal at a wayside alehouse, where he found nobody but a -cross old woman and a deaf hostler; and it was not till the dusk of -evening that he reached the town of Aylesbury, where he proposed -sleeping. - -Within five miles of this place he was overtaken by a gentleman on -horseback, who fell into conversation with him; and who, being like -himself on a journey to town, offered to join company with him that -night at the inn. - -Although it would have been far more agreeable to Cuthbert to have -proceeded alone, yet the appearance of the stranger was so -prepossessing, and his manners were so frank and courteous, that it -was not possible to shake off his company without rudeness. Moreover, -his speech had already shown him to be a man of gentle breeding, and -that Cambridge had once reckoned him among her students,--so they rode -forward together. - -At the entrance of the town, hard by one of the first houses in the -street, sat a cobbler working and singing in his hutch. The companion -of Cuthbert here pulled his bridle; and, turning his beast's nose -almost into it, called out, in a loud jolly tone, "Ho, Crispin! canst -tell me the way to the church?" - -"No," said the cobbler, throwing up an indifferent glance, and then -stooping again over his last. - -"Art deaf, or hast lost thy wits, old surly?" said the traveller: "you -know what a church is, don't you?" - -"I know what it is not," replied the old cobbler bluntly, without -looking off his work. - -"What is it not, sirrah?" - -"It is not a great stone building standing alone in the middle of a -town," said the cobbler raising his head, and looking his interrogator -full in the face. - -"Thou hast more wit than good humour, knave," said our Cavalier. - -"And thou words than good breeding," retorted the sturdy artisan. - -"I see the stocks of this place are little used, or you should try how -they fitted. You have not much fear, methinks, of the wooden collar. -Didst ever see a pillory?" - -"I have, and a godly man in it; and I shall not soon forget the -sight. Are you answered, my court bird?" - -"You are a prick-eared knave; and, if I were not tired and hungry, you -should smart for your saucy answers." - -By this time a neighbour or two stood forth from the adjoining houses; -and the horseman, turning to the nearest, said, "Prithee, friend, -canst thou tell me the way to the Boar's Head, which is next to the -church, as I think?" - -"It is so, true enough," answered the man, "and well placed, to my -thought; for thou wilt be sure to find the parson on the bench of it, -or it may be in the skittle yard wrangling with cheating Bob, and -staggering at his own cast:--ride straight on--you can't miss it." - -"A pretty nest of godly rogues I have got into," said the traveller: -"there will be an iron gag for your foul mouths soon." With this he -struck spurs into his steed: the beast broke into a smart -canter,--that of Cuthbert started in like manner; and they were -instantly carried beyond the jeers and the loud laughter of the -humorous old cobbler and his neighbours. Of this little scene -Cuthbert had been the silent spectator; indeed the dialogue was so -short, and so rapidly spoken, that there was no room for any question -or remark of his;--and his companion having observed a silver crest -upon the holsters of Cuthbert, did not doubt that he was a church and -king man,--especially as there had not dropped from him a single -expression which savoured of the Puritan. - -Mine host of the Boar's Head, a big and portly personage with bloated -cheeks, received our weary guests with a cheerful welcome; and led the -way to a large travellers' parlour, where, in an ample fire-place, -huge logs were blazing on the hearth. The seats on either side were -already occupied by guests, before whom, on small three-legged tables, -their repasts were smoking. - -At one of these sat two persons, whose appearance was that of military -men:--the younger of the two was very handsome, and of a commanding -figure. No sooner did the gentleman in Cuthbert's company approach the -fire than this martial youth rose, and addressing him by the name of -Fleming, shook him cordially by the hand. The ear of Cuthbert did not -catch the name by which, promptly responding to the recognition, -Fleming replied, nor did he learn it throughout the evening. However, -another small table was immediately drawn near, and covered. Eggs, -sausages, and broiled bones were served up hastily; and, after -Cuthbert and his companion had satisfied the keen appetites which they -had gotten by a long journey in cold rain and on miry roads, a large -jug of burnt claret was placed before them; and the following -conversation between the two acquaintances was listened to by Cuthbert -in silent astonishment:-- - -"Well, Frank, you have not forgotten old times, I hope. I trust that -we shall teach the volunteer gentry how to handle a sword after the -fashion of the old Swedish troopers before long:--they made sorry work -of it in the north last year; and for my part I was half ashamed to -ride among such a rabble!" - -"What made you go at all then?" said the youthful soldier. - -"Why, to say truth, Frank, I found my life in the country very dull, -and my old father's hunting companions as heavy as lead; and I -heartily wished myself back in Germany, where I might hear a trumpet -once more:--so when I heard that the King was going against the Scots -away I posted to court, and waited upon his Majesty, and got a -commission." - -"I hope, Fleming, you made yourself master of the quarrel before you -offered your services." - -"Look you, Frank, I remember you was always as grave as a judge about -war, and examined sides, and would know the rights of all that was -done. That was never my way. I left Cambridge at nineteen, and went to -the camp of Gustavus, as eager and as blind as a young colt; and so -again now:--wherever the King's standard flies all must be right; -besides, I hate these pricked-eared Puritans, and yon Scotch psalm -singers that wo'n't use the Prayer Book." - -"It seems, however, that they can use the broad sword, and with good -effect, if accounts speak true." - -"There you have me," rejoined the cheerful and light-hearted -campaigner,--"there you have me. I never felt shame as a soldier till -this Scotch campaign. Our tall fellows always turned their backs -first, and retreated true runaway fashion:--you could never make them -fire their pistols, and wheel off orderly; and it was well for them -that they had raw Scots troopers at their tails instead of -Pappenheim's cuirassiers." - -"It is clear enough that you must have run too," said the young -soldier, laughing, "or you would not be here to tell the story." - -"To be sure I did,--but not without leaving the mark of my sword in -the cheek of a stout Scotsman that pressed me a little too close and -unmannerly. However, live and learn is a wise saying. When the King -fairly raises a proper army, instead of a set of footmen and servants, -commanded by courtiers and parsons, there will be warmer sport than we -had in the north." - -"It will be sorry and grave sport, methinks, comrade, when Englishmen -stand up against Englishmen, and little pleasure to see an old -fellow-soldier in the ranks opposite." - -"Odd's life, I shall never see you enact rebel." - -"Rebel is a rough word:--suppose we change the subject." - -The conversation was now continued on various indifferent matters till -the hour for rest. Cuthbert himself made but few observations, and was -strangely exercised in his mind by contemplating the characters before -him. In addition to those already named, there was one other traveller -at a table by himself, who had partaken of no better fare than a bowl -of oatmeal porridge, and who sat intent over a small closely printed -book, without once opening his lips, and seldom even raising his eyes. -The companion of Cuthbert often looked contemptuously askance at him, -and indulged in many a fling against the Puritans; but the silent -stranger either did not or would not hear these rude jests, and, as -they met with no encouragement from any one present, they fell flat -and powerless. At length the time of going to bed came; and the host -appeared to conduct his guests to their chambers. Our host, having a -quick eye to the quality of the parties, placed the Cavalier captain -in his best chamber; the two military-looking men in the next; and the -pale stranger in a small cold garret with Cuthbert. - -As soon as the door was closed behind them, and the foot of the -landlord was heard descending the stairs, the stranger approached -Cuthbert and invited him to join in prayer. - -"To me," said the stranger, with a face of the most earnest gravity, -"to me is committed that rare and precious gift, the discerning of -spirits: I see thou art a God-fearing youth:--as soon as thou didst -enter the parlour I smelled the perfume of the angelic nature; even as -also the sulphur and the brimstone of Tophet in the three sons of -Belial, who are gone to lie down under the power of Beelzebub, and to -sleep with evil spirits for company." - -"Friend," said Cuthbert, "I do not understand you: it is not my custom -to join in prayer with an unknown stranger; there is thy bed, and -here is mine:--let us lie down upon them in peace, and commune with -our own hearts and be still." - -"Verily," rejoined the stranger, "thou art afraid:--it is no -wonder:--thou art but a mere babe of grace, and thine eyes do see but -dimly the glories of my high calling;--but I tell thee thou art a -chosen vessel of the Lord,--and even now I feel my bowels moved -towards thee, and the spirit of prayer is upon me, and I must wrestle -with the powers of darkness to deliver thy poor soul from the snare of -the fowler. This is my command,--and even now I am appointed unto thee -for an angel of defence, and the fight is begun." - -The stranger now threw himself upon his knees, and poured forth a -long, rambling and blasphemous petition,--the words of which made -Cuthbert shudder. - -However, as he had been already told that there was no other chamber -or bed vacant, and as he was greatly fatigued, he lay down to sleep, -silently commending himself to the care of God, and endeavouring to -substitute a feeling of pity for the deep disgust with which this -crazy chamber-fellow inspired him. - -The last sounds of which he was conscious before his heavy eyes became -sealed in forgetfulness were groanings from the adjoining bed--nor did -he awake in the morning till it was broad daylight. He looked -around--the chamber was empty;--at this he felt thankful: and, -supposing that his last odd companion had travelled forward at an -earlier hour, he arose, and proceeded to dress himself; but he -instantly discovered that his purse was gone. He went forth on the -stairs, and called loudly for the landlord. It was some time before he -made his appearance; and when he did so, he listened to the tale with -hard indifference, and coarse incredulity. - -"Ah! that's an old story, my devil's scholar, but it wo'n't go down -with me:--you shan't budge from the Boar's Head till you pay your -shot, I can tell you; and your nag shall go to the market cross before -I let you ride off without paying for provender." - -Cuthbert's fury was roused to the uttermost; but his hot words were -only laughed at by the rosy Boniface, who soon left him. He slipped on -his clothes with all haste, and came down into the guest parlour, -where the Cavalier and the two military men were already seated at -breakfast by a cheerful fire. He stated his case before them all with -the warm earnestness of truth. The Cavalier picked his teeth and -whistled; but the younger of the other two seemed very much to -sympathise in the embarrassment of Cuthbert, which in fact was more -serious than he himself apprehended; for mine host came presently into -the parlour to say, that his horse and his vallise were taken away by -his chamber-fellow before dawn. - -"It was all a made up thing," said the landlord in a storm of passion. -"I saw they were a couple of hypocritical rogues, and packed 'em -together for safety's sake--'twould only be thief rob thief, I -knew:--but it's my belief they take the horse turn by turn, and steal -in company; for yon old one has left half a bottle of strong waters -and the leg of a cold goose at his bed-foot:--come, young knave," he -added, attempting to take Francis by the collar, "come with me afore -the justice. He'll find thee a lodging in our cage." - -With a force to which indignation gave strength, Cuthbert threw back -the fat bully against the wall, and turning to the Cavalier, who had -rode with him part of his yesterday's journey,-- - -"You may remember, sir," he said, "that when you joined me, I told you -that I came from the neighbourhood of Warwick, and was on my journey -to London. I told you, moreover, that I was a member of the University -of Cambridge:--the silver crest on my holsters was the crest of Sir -Oliver Heywood of Milverton, in whose house I have resided for this -year past, as tutor to his nephew's son. The animal, in fact, is Sir -Oliver's property, and was kindly lent me for the journey:--if you -will answer for me to this landlord, and give me a crown piece to -travel on with, I will faithfully repay you when I reach town. My -name, sir, is Cuthbert Noble, son of Mr. Noble, rector of Cheddar, in -Somerset." - -"A pack of stuff, good master," said the angry landlord to the -Cavalier,--"don't you be made a fool of; don't be bamboozled by a -smooth trumped up cock and a bull story like this: if the horse is Sir -Oliver Heywood's, they have stolen it, and change riders on the road -to Smithfield, where they will turn it into a purse of nobles before -night. Marry, I'll go for constables, and, as you are honest gentlemen -and true, hold the knave fast in your keeping till I come back again." -Before, however, he could leave the room, as much to his astonishment -and shame as to the surprise and relief of Cuthbert, the younger of -the two travellers, whom his companion the Cavalier had last night -claimed acquaintance with, came forward in a very open and cordial -manner, and assured Cuthbert of his readiness to assist him. - -"I am connected," said the noble looking youth, "with the family at -Milverton, nor is the name of Master Cuthbert Noble unknown to me. My -purse is at your service; and I shall be glad of your company on the -road. Though I have no horse to offer you, post-horses can be easily -procured at every stage." - -Thus was Cuthbert at once released from a perplexity, and introduced -to the friendship of Francis Heywood. - - - - -CHAP. XVI. - - The great vicissitude of things amongst men is the vicissitude - of sects and religions; for those orbs rule in men's minds most. - BACON. - - -On the third of November, 1640, the fatal Long Parliament began. On -the 12th, the Earl of Strafford was impeached of treason, and -committed to the Black Rod. The Lords denied him bail and council; and -he was, in a few days more, commanded into close imprisonment in the -Tower. One hundred thousand pounds were now voted to the Scots, and -borrowed of the city of London. Ship money was soon questioned by the -Parliament, and voted an illegal tax; and, in fine, all grievances and -abuses were loudly proclaimed, and resolutely brought forward, by -intrepid and patriotic men; of whom the best and noblest did certainly -never contemplate, at that time, the sad and humiliating close of the -labours and the authority of that memorable and august assembly. -August, of a truth, that assembly may be called, in which a Hampden -and a Falkland stood, at after moments, opposed in debate; and in -which, in the following year, the grand remonstrance of the Commons -was the subject of grave deliberation for thirty hours, and was only -carried, at last, by a majority of nine voices. - -But to return to our story. It may be supposed that Cuthbert Noble was -no indifferent or unmoved spectator of the great public events which -every day brought forth in the winter of 1640. With his serious and -peculiar notions, the questions that affected liberty of conscience -and church reform were those which most deeply interested him; and -when, upon the morning of the 23d of November, Prynne and Burton -entered triumphantly into Westminster, followed by many thousands of -the people, Cuthbert was foremost in the crowd; and not a zealot among -them was more wildly excited than himself. - -Laughter and tears succeeded to each other, as those around expressed -their rude sympathy;--now in remarks quaint and comical--now in pious -commiseration, or in the stern tones of indignant and just anger. - -"Which is old Prynne?" said one.--"That's he," said his neighbour, -"with his black head clipped close, looking, for all the world, like a -skull-cap."--"See how the old boy grins."--"He's no beauty."--"Hurrah! -hurrah!"--"Can you hear, old boy?"--"I wonder if a man can hear -without his ears."--"To be sure a' can, all the better."--"Well, he -can't have the ear-ache no more."--"Don't talk so unfeeling."--"Look, -poor dear good man, he is as white as a sheet."--"That is prison and -hunger."--"This is your bishops' work--od rot 'em--their turn shall -come." - -With such vulgarities were mixed the solemn tones and pious -expressions of many a sincere Christian, giving utterance to praise -and thanksgiving for the deliverance of these persecuted men; while, -here and there, a strong voice would be heard, above the crowd, -denouncing the tyranny of the church and the crown in coarse language, -in which the Establishment was likened to the whore of Babylon,--and -the Archbishop of Canterbury was pointed out to the vengeance of the -rabble. - -Such language would, in a moment of calm reflection, have been utterly -revolting to the feelings of Cuthbert. He would have shut his ears to -the base and bloody cry, and hurried away from the wretches who gave -it utterance, as from the company of sinners, whose feet were already -planted in the paths of wickedness, and were swift to shed blood. But -now, though such fierce cries gave a jar to his better dispositions -and nobler nature, they were regarded as the natural ebullitions of an -irritated mob; and he stood among them as a partaker of their guilt by -the sanction of his presence. - -Nothing is so blind--nothing is so deaf--nothing can stoop so low--as -party spirit;--and at no period of English history was this more fully -exemplified than at that of which we are now speaking. The Cavaliers, -on their side, were not without the support of a rabble of their own; -and by these, the slang of the tavern, the bear garden, and the -brothel, was exhausted to furnish epithets of scorn, contempt, and -ridicule, by which they might insult their fanatical opponents. - -To the mental eye of Cuthbert the two victims of a severe and -intolerant hierarchy stood out in large and disproportionate -grandeur,--filling all the foreground of the picture upon which he now -gazed to the exclusion of all other objects. - -He saw them bearing the evident marks of torture and degradation on -their mutilated forms. They had been thus treated, according to his -notion, for a mere error in judgment--they were sufferers for -conscience-sake:--his heart grew hot within him,--and he would have -called down fire from heaven on the heads of their oppressors. - -He accompanied the crowd all through Westminster; and, in the -eagerness of his excited mood, pressed in once close to the horse of -Prynne, that he might utter a "God save you, master!" to the stern -Puritan, face to face. - -There was a keen twinkle of triumph in the little eyes of the sour -precisian, which showed that he felt his day of revenge would soon -come, and that it would be his turn to play inquisitor towards his -late haughty oppressor. - -However, he would have been more than human had he been superior to -such an infirmity, after sustaining injuries so great. - -It happened on the day of this public entry of Prynne and Burton that -Cuthbert was alone in the quarter of Westminster; and having remained -a long time gazing on the show, he went into a tavern in a narrow -street behind the Abbey to refresh. - -After satisfying his hunger over a fine joint of roast beef in company -with a grave looking lawyer, who sat opposite him at the same table, -with a roll of parchments and papers by his side, the man of law -proposed a cup of canary to the health of Masters Prynne and Burton, -in which he was readily seconded by Cuthbert. - -"Ah," said the stranger bitterly, "this is a different kind of -procession to the fool's mummery which they made us play seven years -ago, before the wanton queen and her dancing French gentlemen." - -"What! you mean the mask of the inns of court, on Candlemas-day, seven -years ago?" asked Cuthbert. - -"Just so: that was got up to tickle the court party, and trample down -Prynne and his book; but tables are turning." - -"Well, though I think they were very tyrannical about Prynne, I did -not like his book; and never saw any harm in a mask or an interlude." - -"Why, to judge by your looks, you could only have been a boy when that -mask was given, and perhaps you did not see it." - -"That is true; but I read the account of it that was printed, and -surely it was a brave and glorious show; and, methinks, there were -some witty hints given his Majesty in the anti-masks, which he might -be the wiser for." - -"The man Charles Stuart," said the stranger, "will never be the better -for hints." - -It was the first time that Cuthbert had ever heard from any lips so -irreverent a mention of the King, and he coloured and was silent. - -"I say he will never be the better for hints,--though it is true that -some of them were broad enough, and too humorous for offence; but you -have forgotten that there was one anti-mask got up by the serviles to -insult the poor. If it may not have a sneer of ridicule for poverty -and misfortune, the pleasure of the proud wanteth its best relish." - -"I do not understand you," said Cuthbert; "of what speak you, master?" - -"Of that which has been played in joke, and shall come to pass in -earnest. Little they thought, with their gibes and their mockery, that -they were but foreshowing events, which the turn of the wheel is even -now bringing to pass. I do remember all their gilded chariots and rich -apparel, and gay liveries; and in the midst of that costly show, there -rode an anti-mask of cripples and beggars, clothed in rags, and -mounted on sorry lean jades, gotten out of dust carts, with dirty -urchins snapping tongs and shovels before them for music,--and thus -was the noble music, and thus were the gallant horses, and the velvets -and silks and spangled habits, made more pleasing to the painted court -Jezebels by the pitiful contrast. Shall not the Lord visit for these -things?" he added, raising his voice, and changing the tone of it to a -solemn sternness: "Yea, verily, he shall visit:--in his hand there is -a cup,--and the dregs thereof shall be drunk out by the -oppressors,--and the sword shall go through the land, and it shall be -drunk with blood." - -The severe inference thus forced by the speaker from a trifling -circumstance, of which the joyous projectors of the interlude thought -perhaps very differently, and which might have been so turned by a -playful mind, as a caricature against the foreign musicians, then so -much about court; or, again, by a thoughtful mind, as a memento of -those dark realities of human misery which invite and demand -compassion. This inference was at once received by Cuthbert as just. -It touched a chord in his heart that immediately responded, and he was -played upon as a lute by his companion; till, at last, the latter -opening a roll of parchment requested him to put down his name as a -subscriber to the necessities of a few godly and persecuted men now -suffering imprisonment for the great cause of liberty of conscience, -and whose families were quite destitute. - -From his slender purse Cuthbert instantly took the few crowns it -contained, and only reserving sufficient money to pay for his dinner, -shook his new acquaintance heartily by the hand, and set forth on his -way to the city, where he lodged, with a heart glowing with the love -of God, of his country, and of mankind. His evil angel had only to -appear clothed like an angel of light, and Cuthbert would follow, -nothing doubting, whithersoever he was led. The false fire, which -glimmered over the dangerous quagmire of gloomy fanaticism, was -mistaken by Cuthbert for light from Heaven; and by the frequent -perusal of controversies on religion, and a constant attendance on the -private ministries of those fierce zealots, who were urging forward -the overthrow of the Established Church, he became at length totally -bewildered. It was in vain that Francis Heywood exposed to him the -hypocrisy and inconsistency of some of those wolves in sheep's -clothing by whom he was now continually surrounded, to the neglect of -Heywood's own society and that of the higher and better order of the -Parliamentarian supporters. He listened with pity to remonstrances -which he considered as proceeding from a man of the world, and a -deceived soul wandering in darkness; nevertheless his affectionate -disposition survived the strength of his reason. He looked up to and -loved Francis Heywood as a model of what the natural man might attain -to; and as in their political views they were altogether agreed, they -very often met. The ardent Francis might indeed have well doubted of -the soundness of a political creed which numbered among its supporters -such diversified and crazy characters as those whom he saw daily -embrace it: but although he was not able to endure their sanctimonious -professions, and morose manners, he viewed them as instruments -necessary to the present warfare of principles; and, having returned -from America on purpose to stand up for the popular rights, he -remained steadfastly at his post, watching with intense interest the -proceedings of parliament, and eager for the moment when those -services, which he came to offer, might be required in the field. - -In one particular the lives of Francis Heywood and of Cuthbert Noble -during the two following years corresponded well. Never were those -hard duties which self-denial enjoins, practised with a more resolute -and cheerful virtue. The means of both were slender; and they -supported themselves by the exercise of their respective talents with -credit and success. - -Cuthbert attended daily in the families of two or three merchants of -the Puritan party as classical tutor to their boys; while Francis -Heywood, reserving with great care the sum necessary to purchase a -good charger, and military equipments, whenever he might need them, -maintained his current expenses by the drawing of maps, plans, and -views illustrative of the late campaigns of Gustavus Adolphus, and of -the actual warfare in Germany which was then carrying on. These -drawings found a sufficient sale, among the curious in such matters, -to remunerate the light labour of producing them; and though the -printseller, who purchased them from Francis, told him that gentlemen, -very capable of advancing his interests, had made inquiries after him, -yet he was forbidden by Francis to disclose his residence, or to -answer any questions about him. His leisure from this easy occupation -was employed in useful studies or in manly exercises. He daily -frequented a school of arms, not for instruction, indeed, for he was a -master of all weapons, but for health and diversion; and for the same -end he went often to the grand manege in the quarter of the court; -where he was so great a favourite with the chevalier, who taught the -graces of horsemanship, that he was asked as a kindness to exercise -the most spirited and beautiful animals of his stud in the open -country:--an offer which, from the delight he took in the amusement of -schooling a young and high bred horse, he very often accepted. - -Francis Heywood was not unknown to many families with whom his father -had been intimate; and by some of them, notwithstanding his fortunes -and his politics, and by others on account of them, he was invited to -several houses, where he might have enjoyed all the pleasures and the -refinements of social life; but he very rarely accepted their -invitations, not merely from mistaken pride, but from a disrelish of -scenes which would always so strongly and painfully suggest to him the -happy intercourse he had once enjoyed in that domestic circle, of -which his adored Katharine was at once the charm and the idol. - -Upon this sweet memory, in lonely hours of leisure, his mind would -feed, and he would discourse of it, not indeed in words, but in the -soft breathings of his lute; till, suddenly, by the strong effort of a -manly will, he would tear himself from the dangerous indulgence, and -sit closely down to his writing desk, that he might complete the -minute journal of public events which he kept for his father, and -despatched, as opportunities offered, to New England. - -To the review of these grave subjects he brought a generous spirit; -and it was not without an occasional pang that he related the progress -and triumph of the cause to which he was sincerely attached. - -He could not but exult to see the principles of government openly -examined, and the just rights and liberties of the people clearly -defined. - -He looked with veneration upon the labours of the Commons; and he -watched with jealousy the advisers of the crown, and the sycophants -about the court. He saw many abuses rectified, many grievances -redressed. He saw the iniquitous Star Chamber and the High Commission -Court abolished,--and a noble security against a return of -misgovernment and tyranny in the famous bill for a triennial -parliament. - -This last measure, the main pillar of the new constitution, was -received by the whole nation with rejoicings; and when it passed -solemn thanks were presented to his Majesty by both houses of -parliament. But the sincerity of the court party and the moderation of -the reformers were alike suspicious. The passions, the prejudices, -and the interests of conflicting parties had been too rudely aroused -by discussion to subside without an explosive collision; and it was -evident to Francis that the struggle between the prerogatives of the -crown and the privileges of parliament would never terminate without -an appeal to arms. - -He shuddered to see the scaffold stained with the blood of Strafford; -and though he was among those who clamoured against the minister, he -profoundly commiserated the man, as the abandoned victim of his -party,--and in his heart he despised Charles for signing the -death-warrant of his favourite. - - - - -CHAP. XVII. - - There let the pealing organ blow, - To the full-voiced quire below, - In service high and anthems clear, - As may with sweetness through mine ear - Dissolve me into ecstasies, - And bring all heaven before mine eyes. - MILTON. - - -The affliction of the good parson of Cheddar at the strange and -painful conduct of his son Cuthbert was heavy to bear. However, from a -sense of duty to his weaker partner, he made great efforts to preserve -his wonted serenity and composure in her presence; but when alone he -was bowed down in the dust. - -Nothing could possibly present a greater contrast to the tone of -religious profession which was, at this period, obtaining a wide -reception among men than that in which old Noble lay prostrate in his -closet before his God. - -He had ever been a meek and cheerful Christian; but there were depths -of humiliation which he had not as yet fathomed; and he would have -fainted at the waves of trouble, which his prescient eye saw rolling -onward, if he had not felt the hand, which led him down into the deep, -was that of a heavenly Father, if he had not heard a voice that -whispered in his ear, "_It is I, be not afraid_." - -In vain did he exhaust his heart in sound, pious, and affectionate -remonstrances, meditated and penned in the spirit of prayer, that he -might recall his dear and wandering child to the bosom of the church, -or, at all events, so far recover him from gross delusions as to see -him join that upright and devout portion of the community, which, -though differing from the discipline of the church, maintained a pure -and practical doctrine. - -In vain did he press the return of Cuthbert to Cheddar, by every -argument which parental love could suggest. - -The letters of Noble and his wife were replied to in the words of -love; but the fruit of his new persuasion was an obstinate self-will; -and while he implored them, at great length, to consider his views, -and urged the danger of despising them, he evinced to others, what was -not perhaps suspected by himself, a degree of spiritual pride only to -be exceeded by the strength of his delusion. - -He had adopted the notions of those fanatics who were styled -Fifth-monarchy Men, and who ranged themselves where, indeed, any sect, -however extravagant, might have found a place, under the banner of the -Independents. - -It was some consolation to these troubled parents to hear from the -Philips's, their relations, and also from other friends, that the life -and the conduct of Cuthbert were, as regarded all moral and social -duties, a credit to any theory, and such as became the pure precepts -of the Gospel. - -His intellect was clear upon every other subject, except on that -which, if it be rashly touched, seems to be guarded by invisible -angels, who put forth their hands and smite the daring intruder with -madness. "Oppression," saith the preacher, "will make a wise man -mad;"--a truth abundantly proved by the events, which, leading first -to a secret and salutary reform, ended at last in a bloody revolution -and an iron rule. - -It may be added, that he who seeketh to meddle with the hidden -mysteries of unfulfilled prophecy is often smitten with blindness and -confusion for his presumption. Thus it was with Cuthbert:--sensible, -amiable, and affectionate in all the relations of life, he was now the -subject of a monomania, and turned a deaf ear to the voice of truth -and wisdom, though it spoke with all the authority and all the -earnestness of a father. - -These were not times in which a minister could leave his parish for a -distant journey, nor, indeed, was it at all likely that the presence -of his parents would have effected that change in the sentiments or -the course of Cuthbert, which their admirable and Christian letters -had failed to produce. - -Time wore on gloomily enough, even in the peaceful parsonage at -Cheddar. Many a time as old Noble paced his garden amid sunbeams and -flowers, praising that "mercy which endureth for ever," his -thanksgivings ended in tears and lamentations, not for his domestic -troubles, but for the great evils which he feared and expected would -befall the church and the nation. - -Laud was already paying the penalty of his mistaken, but certainly -conscientious, severity, in a prison, from whence it might be plainly -foretold he would at length be conducted to the block. The bishops' -votes in parliament were taken away, and the deans and chapters were -already voted against in the Commons, although their spoliation had -not yet taken place, neither were the cathedral services as yet -discontinued. As regularly, therefore, as the Thursday came round, -Noble, if not prevented by a special call of duty at home, made his -weekly visit to the fair city of Wells; where he in the first instance -always bent his steps to the cathedral, and joined the congregation -assembled for morning service. - -It was on a saint's day, in the summer of 1641, that, as usual, he -proceeded to that venerable and glorious temple, and took his seat in -the vacant stall which it was his wont to occupy. Directly opposite he -observed a tall uncouth man of harsh features and a sour countenance, -sitting very upright, and glancing a severe and restless eye at the -organ, the first tones of which were pealing through the long aisles, -as the dean, the prebends, and other officers of the choir, preceded -by the vergers with their maces, slowly entered, and reverently took -their seats. - -The service began, and was conducted with that solemn decency, and -with those clear fine chants, which dispose most hearts to a subdued -feeling of intense devotion. - -There is a something in sacred music which does wonderfully compose -the mind, and cleanse it of all earthly-rooted cares. Upon the -stranger above mentioned, however, it produced no such effect. He sat -erect, cold, and contemptuous: he put aside the Book of Common Prayer -with a rude thrust; and taking a small volume from his pocket opened -it with ostentatious gravity, and, not joining in the worship that he -witnessed, either by response, gesture, or any conformity of posture -with those around him, sat, now casting his eyes on the page of his -book, now severely around, and now raising them to Heaven after a -manner that left nothing but the jaundiced whites visible. - -This strange conduct disturbed, irritated, or amused the observers, -according to the impression that was made upon them. Some of the -prebends and vicars choral looked red and angry. The dean was greatly -distressed, and knew not what to do. At first he called the verger, -with a design to remove the intruder; but, upon second thoughts, he -feared that a yet greater interruption and indecency might take place -if such a course was attempted, he therefore commanded his feelings -with as much dignity as he could. But his grave frowns were totally -without power upon the youthful choristers, whose laughter would have -been loud and audible, but for the thick folds of the surplice with -which they stuffed their rebellious and aching jaws. - -Noble himself was mournfully agitated, and prayed in the spirit with -that deep and melancholy fervour which hath no outward expression but -the abased eyes. - -By degrees, the congregation recovered their composure, and never was -an anthem performed with more earnest solemnity, or a sweetness more -touching to the inmost soul, than the "_Ne Irascaris_," the "Be not -Wroth," or "Bow thine Ear" of the famous composer Bird. At the words -"Sion, thy Sion is wasted and brought low," which are set to a tender -and solemn passage, and are sung very soft and slow, the effect was -sublime. Moved by the deep pathos of the expression, the cheeks of -Noble, as of a few others present, were bathed in tears. - -But the stranger remained in his seat without rising, and perused his -book with a kind of resolved and insulting inattention to it all. - -The service was not permitted to close without this mysterious -personage marking his contempt of it yet farther, by rising suddenly, -while all the congregation were on their knees, and stalking slowly -down the middle of the aisle with a loud and measured stamp of his -great thick boots. - -He wore by his side a long heavy-looking sword, and had certainly the -air of a man who could use it, if he chose, with little fear and no -favour. - -Noble joined the clergy in the chapter-room directly after the morning -prayers were ended, and there learned that there had been a riot the -night before in the streets, excited by some mischievous emissary from -London; and that some of the rabble had burned a bishop in effigy, in -the close just under the windows of the dean. It seemed, however, that -this outrage had been committed by a band of low persons, who had come -up from Bristol to attend a fair, and had brought with them sundry -printed papers and ribald songs to distribute in the lanes and alleys -of the city: the object of which was to bring the church and clergy -into public contempt. - -However, it so happens that, for the most part, the inhabitants of a -cathedral town take a great pride in the edifice itself, whatever may -be their indifference to religion. Those magnificent structures are -the first wonders upon which the eyes of the human beings, born and -suckled beneath their shadow, are taught to gaze. They are noble and -solemn features in the scene of early life; and are printed so -indelibly on the mind, that, let the native of a cathedral city wander -where he will, the recollection of the venerable temple goes with him, -associated, in his memory, with his birthplace, his holydays, his -truant hours, with the merry music of festival bells, with the pride -of having often seen strangers and travellers, both of high and low -degree, walk about its walls, and linger in its spacious aisles, with -pleasure and admiration. - -Therefore a party among the common people was easily roused to take up -sticks and stones against the insulting mischief-makers, who were thus -at last driven away from the city with great tumult. - -It was the very day following this riot that the offensive adventure -in the cathedral, which we have just related, occurred. As no doubt -existed in the minds of the clergy assembled in the chapter-room that -the extraordinary person, who had just committed so gross and indecent -an outrage in a place of public worship, was, in some measure, -connected with the disturbance of the preceding day, they resolved to -make an immediate complaint to the Mayor of Wells, that the obnoxious -individual might be taken up, and committed to prison, or otherwise -punished for his offence. - -Some little time had been lost in their consultations; and they came -forth from the cathedral in a body, with the intention of despatching -two of the prebends, already deputed for that purpose, to wait upon -the mayor, when, to their surprise and mortification, they saw the -object of their anger approaching them on horseback. As he drew near, -it was evident that the opportunity of arresting him was already lost. -He rode a very powerful young horse of generous breed and fine -action--and he sat upon him as on a throne. - -"Look ye," said he, as he drew up close to the astonished -group,--"Look ye, Scribes and Pharisees! hypocrites!--ye love -greetings in the market-place--take mine:--the time is come to set -your houses in order--even now the decree is gone forth--the sword is -now sharpening that shall pass through the land:--it glitters, look -ye." So saying, with a grim smile he drew the blade of his own half -out of the scabbard, and let it fall again with a forcible rattle. - -The dean, who was a bold and athletic man, disregarding this fierce -action, made an active effort to seize the bridle of the Puritan's -steed; but the wary rider with a jerk of the reins threw up the -animal's head, and at the same moment touching his flank with the spur -made him give a plunge forward that scattered the frightened priests a -few yards on either side. Nevertheless, the dean remonstrated in very -angry terms against his insulting abuse; as did others, who were, like -himself, courageous. They did not, however, succeed either in stopping -the fanatic or in driving him away:--a small mob was gathering in the -cathedral yard, and the fiery zealot continued his address. - -"What mean ye, ye priests of Baal, by your silks, and your satins, and -your hoods, and your scarfs, and your square caps, and your surplices, -and all your fooleries? what mean your boy choristers that bleat like -young kids, and your men choristers that bellow like oxen? what means -your grunting organ? Is it thus you worship God, as though he were an -idol and an abomination, and his temple like that of the heathen? It -should be a house of prayer, and ye have made it a den of thieves, and -all its services vain and lewd mummeries. I cry, Fie upon you!--Wo, -wo, wo!--Ye shall see me again when the blast of the trumpet soundeth, -and mine eye shall not pity. I will smite, I will not spare you. Have -ye not preached blasphemies? have ye not broken and polluted the holy -Sabbath with your sports and your harlotries? have ye not shed the -blood of God-fearing men? yea, verily. Now hear my warning:--come out -of her, come out of her, my people. There are among you, even among -your priests, some whom the Lord hath chosen:--yet again I call to -you, Come out of her, come out of Babylon, that ye perish not with -her. To me is appointed this cry:--every where I must lift up my voice -thus, till the day of vengeance come. Wo shall be the portion of those -who hear me not!" - -An insane delight gleamed in his dark eyes, a convulsive energy -distorted his features, and seemed to affect and agitate his whole -form. The crowd drew closer to him: the resolute dean beckoning them -forward, again advanced with the intention of seizing him, when he -suddenly gave his horse the head; and touching the high spirited beast -with both spurs, he was borne out of their sight at a few rapid -bounds, and was very soon beyond all danger of pursuit. - -Several of the mob ran round the corner after him jeering and -cheering; but the clergy went their ways, by twos and threes, and -talked over the uncomfortable though diseased words of the fanatic -with much gravity and discomposure. - -Many painful extravagancies of a fanatic character had been already -committed in various parts of the country; and in London many -scandalous scenes had been enacted, expressive of a contempt for the -Established Church and her ministers. - -The prelates and dignitaries were the especial marks of popular -hatred; but, hitherto, nothing approaching to the indecency and -outrage above recorded had occurred in the neighbourhood and under the -eye of Noble. - -Again he could have wished Cuthbert to have been present, as he had -formerly wished that he could have witnessed the unmannerly and -unchristian bearing of Master Daws, the morose and designing curate, -whose interview with Noble we have in a former part of this story -related. - -"Surely," thought the mild man of peace,--"Surely such things would -open his eyes to the spirit that is abroad, and to the aim and end of -these violent men, who would purify our venerable church as with fire, -and wash away her few stains with the blood and the tears of her -faithful children." - -After partaking of a dinner, with little appetite, in the house of his -friend, where the party assembled formed but a sad society, and where -the time passed in the discussion of more grave and anxious matters -than those upon which they were commonly engaged in these innocent -weekly meetings, the worthy parson mounted his old mare, and rode back -slowly to Cheddar. His thoughts were so profoundly and mournfully -absorbed by reflections on the very startling occurrences of the -morning, that he saw not the clouds which were gathering overhead, -until he was awakened to observe them by a sudden and loud clap of -thunder. The sunshine was suddenly obscured by a deep gloom. A few -heavy rain drops fell upon him, and were soon followed by a thick and -rushing deluge of such rain as falls in summer tempests. The sky was -covered with a mass of clouds black as a funeral pall. Every moment -flashes of angry lightning passed across it in vivid and arrowy forms; -while thunder followed, peal after peal rolling in quick and troubled -succession. Noble had just entered the defile or pass by which Cheddar -is approached; and as the narrow road lies in the bottom of a chasm, -on either side of which the rocks rise many hundred feet with a -terrific grandeur, the horrid gloom--the lurid and ghastly -lights--and the prolonged echoes with which the roar of the thunder -was borne from crag to crag--gave a tenfold awfulness to the storm, -and sublimely shadowed forth the power of Jehovah. - -Amid this war of elements the meek parson felt almost happy:--his -frightened beast had stopped beneath a rock that inclined somewhat -over the road, though not sufficiently to afford any shelter from the -rain. He was drenched to the skin himself, and as he could not urge -his animal forward he dismounted; but the wet and the delay were -forgotten, were disregarded. There are moments of communion with the -Deity, which, when they are accorded to his feeble children, cause -their spirits to be rapt in seraphic love. The adoration that is born -of a faith trembling yet holding fast is the sublimest human -worship:--"the firmest thing in this inferior world is a believing -soul." And he that can lift up his voice with the Psalmist, and, amid -the horrors of a tempest, can say, "Praise the Lord, O my soul; and -all that is within me praise his holy name," hath, as it were, a -sublime foretaste of that great and terrible day of the Lord, when the -Christian shall witness the final and everlasting triumph of his -Redeemer over sin and death,--and shall behold his salvation draw -nigh. - - - - -CHAP. XVIII. - - With that the mighty thunder dropt away - From God's unwary arm, now milder grown, - And melted into tears. - GILES FLETCHER. - - -In such a spirit Noble endured the pelting of the storm, and listened -to the rolling of the thunder, and gazed upon the dread illumination -which flashed at intervals on the desolate and dreary rocks around -him. The fury of this summer tempest was soon exhausted:--the -exceeding blackness of the clouds gave place to a lighter, though a -sunless, sky; the claps of thunder were few and distant, and the -lightning became a faint and harmless coruscation. The rain was thin -and transparent; and Noble continued his way on foot, followed by his -old mare, whose docility was that of an aged dog. They had not -proceeded above two hundred yards when the mare gave a sudden start, -and ran up a heap of loose stones on the right of the road. On the -left of it, at the foot of a tremendous precipice, Noble descried the -object which had alarmed her, and which, but for her fright, he should -have passed without notice. A man lay upon the ground bleeding. Noble -immediately crossed to the spot, and stooping down, he recognised the -person of the stern fanatic, whose conduct at Wells has been related -in the foregoing chapter. He was insensible, but did not, upon -examination, appear to have sustained any injury more serious than a -severe and stunning bruise; as well as a cut on the forehead from a -sharp flint. From the prints of his horse's feet, it seemed evident, -at first, that he had been thrown where he then lay, and had fainted; -but on looking again, Noble observed that his pockets were turned -inside out, and that his sword and cartridge belt were gone; for he -remembered in the morning to have remarked his arms very particularly, -and to have been struck by the circumstance of a man of his rigid -ungraceful figure sitting so admirably on horseback, and managing the -young animal which he rode with such a light and easy hand. Moreover, -he now saw that the impressions of the horse's hoofs had been made -before the rain had fallen. His first care was to endeavour to restore -the sufferer from his swoon. This he soon effected by chafing the body -to restore circulation, and by applying to the nostrils a pungent -preparation, which he always carried about with him, as a preservative -from infection, when his duties called him to visit the sick beds of -those who were afflicted with any disease considered pestilential. -When Noble had satisfied himself that the unfortunate man was a little -recovered by the returning consciousness in his eyes, and the -regularity of his breathing, he went after his mare. She had not -strayed far, and he soon brought her back, and after a while he had -the satisfaction to observe that the wounded traveller was able to -move and sit up. He now persuaded and assisted him to get upon the -patient beast, and supporting him in the saddle with his hand, moved -off slowly towards Cheddar. Half a mile on they met plain Peter, who -had come out to look for his master, and was wondering and -uncomfortable at the unusual lateness of his return. - -The sight explained itself; and the honest domestic expressing some -sorrow for the sufferer, but more for his master, took his place on -the other side of the mare, and aided Noble in the task of supporting -the stranger, who was so weak and exhausted that he could hardly be -held upon the saddle by their joint exertions for the rest of the -road. - -Although not a syllable had been uttered by the object of their care, -that was intelligible to either, and although Noble had not mentioned -a word about having seen him at Wells, still Peter had an instinctive -dislike to the man's features and his dress--from both of which he -pronounced him a Puritan. He went so far as to provoke an angry rebuke -from his master for opposing the benevolent resolution of the latter -to take him to his own house. - -"Surely," said Peter, "a pallet at the Jolly Woodman will serve his -turn:--he'll be well enough taken care of by Dame Crowther: why bring -him home to trouble and frighten my good mistress, and to make a fuss, -and a dirt, and a sick house of the parsonage?" - -"Peter," said Noble, "how would you like to be dealt by if you had -fallen among thieves, and lay bruised and bleeding, and without a -friend or a penny?" - -"Why, I should think an inn good enough for me; and so it is writ in -the Bible." - -"Peter you are hard--and know not what spirit you are of--and speak -foolishly." - -"Ah! well I mind what you said once about that parable, and how you -told us that had the good Samaritan's house been over against the inn -he would have taken him in at his own gate;--but somehow I don't like -this fancy of yours--it will be a bad job:--when his saintship is -warmed by your fire, mayhap he will turn out a serpent." - -"Never use that word lightly, Peter. I have often forbade you to -trifle with it--duties are ours, events are God's. I shall certainly -take this man in." Having thus decided, they went forward to the -parsonage in silence. Mistress Noble came out eagerly as soon as they -appeared. Her mind was soon quieted on the surprise which the sight of -the wounded stranger caused her, and her kind and hospitable heart -acquiesced instantly to the proposal of her good husband. - -The sufferer was at once carefully put to bed; and Noble, as by his -own bright fire he put on the warm dry vestments which he found ready -for him in his study, revolved the singular incidents of the eventful -day with wonder, gratitude, and a calm confiding faith. - -He could not but reflect thankfully on his own escape from the -misfortune which had befallen the temporary inmate of his dwelling. -For want of a better booty, doubtless he would have been assaulted -himself by the robbers who had fallen upon the Puritan; and, had he -not been preceded by this traveller on the road, or had he left Wells -at an earlier hour, he might have suffered in his room, or shared his -fate. - -Again, how strange that a daring enthusiast, who had that very morning -violated the sanctity of the cathedral, and had insulted the -ministers of the church in their decent performance of public and -solemn worship, should, before the setting of the sun which had -witnessed his impiety, be laid in the dust, and left dependent upon -one who had been revolted by his fierce conduct for the mercies of -help and protection. - -"To-morrow," said Noble to his wife, as he related to her all the -circumstances which had taken place at Wells, "when our guest is in a -reasonable and repenting mood, I may, perhaps, speak a word in season -that shall serve to deliver him from the chains of that cruel and -bigoted spirit of persecution by which he is held. God preserve our -Cuthbert from the hateful errors of men like these! It has been well -observed, that though the fanatic cannot be seduced by the love of any -sinful pleasures, yet that he can be readily persuaded to walk in -blood by the lust of a power which he deceives himself in thinking he -should assuredly use to the glory of the King of heaven, and the -benefit of the faithful people of God. When will Christians learn -that the kingdom of the Messiah is not of this world?" - -They had not retired for the night, when their worthy neighbour -Blount, the franklin, who had but just returned from Glastonbury, came -in to learn the particulars of what had occurred at Wells, and to tell -the bad news which he had heard at Glastonbury that morning. - -"The devil is busy enough, Master Noble," said the old man as he -entered: "there is a little party of vinegar-faced rogues coming to -the Bald Raven at Axbridge to-morrow, who call themselves 'a -Corresponding Committee for informing and aiding the Grand Committee -of Religion and that for scandalous Ministers;' and they tell me that -that sour hypocrite Daws is as busy as a bee among them already. But -what is this I hear about one of these godly rogues having been half -murdered under the cliff and lying in your house?" - -Noble told him all the circumstances; and Peter, who had lingered a -little at the parlour door, said, "Ay, I can see by Master Blount's -eyebrows he don't think it were a wise job to take this round-headed -madman in here. Why he's talking a pack of wild stuff enough to -frighten the maidens out of their wits." - -On hearing this, Noble, accompanied by Blount, went up stairs to the -chamber of their inmate, and found him sitting upright in his bed, and -parleying with some visionary appearance, after a wild but most -earnest manner. - -As soon as they entered the room, he turned towards them and sniffed -repeatedly, then gravely said, "Two good spirits and one bad--verily I -am not forsaken--two to one against thee, Beelzebub--look gentle -spirits--look upon the wall--there goes a coach drawn by lions and -tigers--there goes Everard the conjurer in boots and spurs--here is -the great fiery dragon--who hath taken away my trusty sword?--where is -my horse?--a horse is a vain thing to save a man--see how it -grows--the dragon--the great red dragon--taller--taller--it fills the -room--save Lord, or I perish." - -To these wild, incoherent expressions, produced by the strange images -which flitted before his troubled fancy, succeeded a profuse -perspiration, and they persuaded him to lie down under the blankets, -that he might obtain the full benefit of such a relief. - -He did so, and they could now only hear whispered murmurs, and humble -tones, as of a person praying with tears. Noble himself was not -unaffected by this scene; and even Blount admitted, that, if it were -not for the mischief they did, some of these enthusiasts were rather -to be pitied than punished. "Now here," said he, "is a case, where -they should shave the head and lock up the poor creature in an -hospital; but the worst matter is, they go about like mad dogs, biting -all the folk they meet--and so they must e'en be dealt with in like -manner." - -"You are not far wrong, neighbour, in judging many of them crazy; but -there are cunning men behind to urge them on: and there certainly are -many excellent and pious persons, who, as they stand on the same side -in this sad quarrel, give a credit to the cause of these levellers in -church and state which they otherwise would want; and, notwithstanding -the actions and utterances of the unknown individual before us, I -cannot look upon him without interest and pity." - -An umph from old Peter, with a request that his master would go to bed -himself, and leave him to take care of the stranger, ended the -conversation: Blount went away,--and Noble to his own chamber. - -At an early hour on the following morning two odd-looking servants, in -sad-coloured suits, mounted and armed, presented themselves at the -gate of the vicarage, and inquired "if their master was not there, as -from what they had heard at the blacksmith's shed they thought that -the gentleman, who had been robbed and wounded beneath the rocks, and -was now lying sick in that house, could be no other." - -"I don't think you are far wrong," said Peter, as he cocked his eye -askew at their long lean faces and their plain liveries of a colour -like the cinders in the ash heap. "Like master like man, they say; -though it's little I thought that the poor crazy body up stairs had a -serving-man to truss up his points for him.--What do ye call your -master?" - -"The right worshipful and godly Sir Roger Zouch, an approved voice, a -faithful witness, a preacher of the truth, a trier of spirits, a man -of war--bold as a lion for his God." - -"Why, then, by my troth," said Peter, "thy master is here for a -certainty, and lieth with a cracked skull in our blue room; and is now -telling my good master how he fought last night with beasts from -Ephesus, who is listening to him, poor simple kind soul as he is, with -as much patience as if it was all sense and gospel." - -"Out upon thee, thou vile churl! talkest thou so of one of Zion's -champions? None of thy gibes and jeers, or it may be thine own crown -will feel the weight of my cudgel." So saying, the elder of the two -domestics alighted, and not waiting to be conducted, strode past Peter -with a rude thrust, and entered the house. - -"A plague o' thee!" grumbled Peter: "two can play at quarter staff, as -I'll show thee;" and following him into the passage, he slammed the -door behind him, and left the other servant alone with the two horses -before the wicket. This last, however, tarrying for no invitation, -proceeded deliberately to the stable, and finding it open, introduced -his tired beasts to the astonished old mare; took off bridles and -saddles; and, plentifully supplying the rack and manger with hay and -oats, entered the parson's kitchen, and taking a seat by the dresser -demanded of the frightened maids the creature comforts of breakfast. - -Old Peter, who had just been witnessing the meeting of master and man -above stairs, and whose cross temper had given way to a humour that -had been tickled by the quaint scene and the ludicrous speeches, came -shaking with laughter into the kitchen; but the tired and hungry groom -was in no laughing mood, and soon upset this grinning philosophy by a -smart stroke of his whip across his shoulders. - -In a moment the old man caught up a broomstick to return the blow; -and, though very unequal, either in strength or youth, was standing up -manfully against the assault, when the cook, whose spirit was roused -by Peter's danger, dipped her mop in a pail of foul water, and -thrusting it into the groom's face, drove him into the yard with dirty -cheeks and blinded eyes. The cry of "murder" having been in the mean -time screamed forth at the top of her voice by the other maiden, the -kitchen was instantly filled with every person in the house; for even -Sir Roger Zouch himself, albeit in no seemly garb for appearing in -public, descended close after Noble, and stood up in the midst of them -rather like a ghost newly risen from the grave than true flesh and -blood,--though the stain of the last was indeed sufficiently visible -beneath the folds of the bandage about his head. - -"How now!" said Sir Roger, in a voice rather more stentorian than -might have been expected from the plight in which he had been put to -bed the night before, and in a tone of authority as if he had been in -his own mansion and with only his own household--"How now! brawlings -and fightings: who is the striker, Gabriel Goldworthy?" but before -this slow elder had screwed his mouth up to reply, Peter answered in -his own blunt fashion, and the cook, in a shrill voice, chanted an -echo to his complaint. Meantime the culprit groom, with a foul face, -stood at the yard door as white as a stone with passion, while Sir -Roger thus rejoined:-- - -"Verily, thou art a trouble to me, Abel, and makest me a reproach -among the people wheresoever I go: it was only last week, at the -hostel of the Pied Bull in Tewksbury, thou didst raise a brawl about -thy victuals at the buttery hatch: thou makest a god of thy belly. -Remember that man liveth not by bread alone:--a good soldier must -endure hardness, and never strike but in battle, and then home. I fear -that thou art sensual, and it were not for thy godly grand-mother, and -this, thy God-fearing uncle Gabriel, the man of my right hand, I would -send thee back to thy ditching and delving." - -Abel muttered out that the children of Belial were making a mock of -his master, and that he struck Peter in pure zeal for Sir Roger's -honour; this Gabriel affirmed of his own knowledge to be true, and Sir -Roger was pacified: but an opportunity of preaching, so favourable as -it seemed to his weak judgment, was not to be neglected; he therefore -proceeded to deliver a long rambling discourse on prophecy; and -directed his looks and words with all the persuasive expression that -he could possibly command towards the distressed parson and his good -wife. He flattered himself that he had brought salvation to that -house, and that all which had befallen him was in the order of -Providence to that end. He had taken for his text, "Come out of her, -my people;" and these words were repeated at the close of every -passage, with all the varieties of intonation that his voice admitted. -All efforts to induce him to stop or return up stairs till he had -finished this wearisome preachment were vain. He stood half an hour -with naked feet upon the kitchen stones, and was listened to even by -Peter with a wonder so great, and with so painful a sense of his -craziness, as forbade even a smile. He closed by so earnestly invoking -peace on that house, and enjoining the exhibition of a quiet and an -orderly spirit so forcibly upon the offending Abel, that during the -rest of the day nothing disturbed the household. - -The hardy old Puritan nothing the worse for this exercise of his -lungs, and very little so for the bruise and cut in his encounter with -the robbers the evening before, took his seat at Noble's dinner table -at noon, and seemed very sensible of the truly Christian hospitality -of his host. - -As arguments or any appeals to reason would so evidently be thrown -away upon a man under the prejudices and delusions of Sir Roger Zouch, -Noble dexterously avoided inflaming the mind of his guest with a -discussion on grave matters, and led him to speak on other topics. He -found that he had travelled a great deal, and had in his youth served -in the Low Countries. Upon these subjects he conversed rationally and -pleasantly enough; and, as they walked after their meal into the -garden, he showed an acquaintance with plants and flowers, and a -knowledge of the various methods of laying out a garden, which in so -stern a fanatic would seem strange; but what is there so variable, so -inconstant, as man?--he is "some twenty several men in every hour;" -not that either the dinner or the walk in the garden passed over -without sundry efforts to spiritualise and improve the subjects which -those occasions offered. In the garden especially, after talking a -while like any other rational and well informed gentleman, he suddenly -broke out in a rhapsody about the approaching millennium, and the -personal reign of the Messiah upon this earth. His politics were -violent; but in this they differed not from many able and patriotic -men of the time. Against the church, however, his wrath evidently -burned, and he affected to disbelieve the possibility of so pious a -minister, as Noble plainly was, being sincerely resolved to remain in -her communion. Upon this point, however, Noble was too bold and too -honest to conceal his resolutions. - -It so happened that the next morning, before Sir Roger Zouch left the -parsonage of Cheddar, there came to Noble a summons to attend the -Committee of Inquiry into Church Matters, of which old Blount had -warned the worthy parson on the evening of his return from Wells. Of -this Noble informed his guest, and asked him if, as he saw the name of -Zouch among the commissioners, it was any relation of his? The knight -replied in the affirmative, and told Noble not to trouble himself to -attend; for that as he was himself going to Axbridge he would make -known to the committee his wish that no molestation might be given -him. To this Noble would by no means consent, till he had received a -solemn promise from Sir Roger that he would not represent him as less -opposed to their proceedings against the church than he truly was, or -less attached to that sacred institution which they sought to destroy. - -Thus was the trial of Noble for another brief season deferred, and the -malicious designs and interested hopes of the meddling and -hypocritical Daws were for the present disappointed. However, the gold -was yet to be put into the fire at the appointed time. - -All these circumstances were related by Noble in a letter to his son -Cuthbert, exactly as they occurred, with very little comment, and -thus, as he rightly judged, they would make a forcible impression on -his mind. They did so: a due consideration of them delivered him from -some of his own delusions, and opened his eyes to those of a few of -his companions; and though he was not at all more separated from the -Non-conformists, yet he attached himself to the most sober among -them. - - - - -CHAP. XIX. - - In thee, faire mansion, let it rest, - Yet know, with what thou art possest; - Thou entertaining in thy brest - But such a mind, mak'st God thy guest. - BEN JONSON. - - -What time the primroses were beginning to spread palely over the green -and sunny banks in the neighbourhood of Milverton House, in the spring -of 1642, the grimed armourers of England were busy in their smoky -workshops; and there was no hall in the land, whether private or -civic, in which the arms were not taken down from the walls and put in -order. Every where notes of preparation were heard, and eyes of -settled resolve might be seen. - -The House of Commons had petitioned the King for the militia, and they -were already active in raising men. Sir Oliver Heywood, refusing to -act in this matter, resigned his office of magistrate and justice of -the peace, and took a decided part for the King. But although he had -good will to the royal cause, and spoke his sentiments loudly and -bitterly, although he was ready to make some personal exertions and -some pecuniary sacrifices for his party, he was, as has been observed -before, an indolent, self-indulgent old gentleman, a lover of ease and -of his own way; methodical in all his habits, and obstinate in all his -prejudices. The frequent visits of those hard and active men of -business, who were employed to forward the royal cause by negotiating -with all the Cavalier gentry for supplies of men and money, before the -commission of array was actually issued, disturbed him sadly, and his -temper became very irritable. Sir Charles Lambert had been long -re-established in his good graces, and to the deep sorrow of Katharine -had become once more a constant guest at Milverton. It is true that a -great improvement had apparently taken place in his outward conduct, -but Katharine disliked, mistrusted, feared him. She saw that he again -entertained hopes of accomplishing his purposes upon her weak father, -and of thus obtaining possession of her hand in marriage. It was an -inconceivable mystery to her that any human being should desire to be -united to another, when aware that his very touch was evaded with a -shudder, and that from his gaze the face was averted with loathing. - -Some changes had taken place at the Hall within the last year, which -had glided away with the swiftness of a shadow. In the January -immediately preceding the season of which we are now writing, Mistress -Alice had been summoned by that call, which, sooner or later, all must -obey, and laid in a peaceful grave:--the snows that fell upon it were -not more pure and spotless than had been her kind and innocent life, -and her dissolution had been as gentle and as soft as their quick and -silent melting. - -The family and household were still in their mourning for her; and had -any stranger gazed upon Katharine Heywood, as in her sad robes of -black she paced the terrace alone with slow and thoughtful steps, he -would have wept for sympathy, and deemed her one of those silent -mourners for the dead who refuse to be comforted, and cherish the -sweet memory of a vanished image; but it was far otherwise,--her -griefs were those of doubt and apprehension about the living. If ever -a glance of the mind looked after the departed Alice, it did so with -affection and complacency; with a calm joy that she was taken from the -evil to come, and with an envy of her quiet tomb. But such movements -of impatience at the difficulties of her path and the dreariness of -that waste which lay before her in her appointed pilgrimage were never -of any long continuance. She knew them to be wicked, and she knew them -to be vain: she wore divine and secret armour, and she neither fled -nor fainted in her hours of trial. The occasional, though less -frequent, visits of George Juxon were a great relief to her,--and Jane -Lambert continued to be her constant friend and beloved companion. -Over the character of Jane there had come a change, which, though at -times it was viewed with serious anxiety by Katharine, did upon the -whole suit far better with those habits of her own soul which care -had begotten. - -Jane Lambert's eyes, which were used to be lighted up with bright and -joyous expression, and a certain lively and winning archness, did now -often fill with unbidden tears, or were fixed gravely upon vacancy. - -One day, as the friends were walking together in a silent mood, the -hand of Katharine resting gently upon the shoulder of Jane, and their -steps slow as those of vestals in their groves, Juxon came suddenly -upon them in their path; and so deep was the abstraction of both, that -he was not seen of either till they met closely. - -"I am sorry," he observed, "to break the spell by which you are both -bound, but I could not turn back, for I have business with Sir Oliver; -however, it was to all seeming a spell so black and melancholy that -perhaps it is better broken." - -"It is a good omen for us that it is broken by you, Master Juxon, for -you are always a prophet of good, and misfortune never makes choice of -such a messenger," said Katharine, with an effort at cheerfulness. -Jane, too, suddenly recollecting herself, endeavoured to put on a -careless smile, of welcome, but the effort failed her, and she burst -into a flood of tears. - -Juxon, distressed and affected by the sight, made no reply to -Katharine, but stood rivetted to the spot, hesitating whether he -should proceed towards the house, and leave Jane to recover herself -under the care of her friend, or whether he should remain to render -what service he could, by diverting and calming a sorrow, the secret -cause of which he fancied that he knew. - -Meanwhile, Katharine pressed Jane to her heart, and, covering her from -observation, as though she were a child, said, "This is the natural -effect of a night without sleep, and a nervous headache: it will do -her good; you need not stay with us; we shall do very well, and Jane -will be all the brighter for it at supper. You will find my father in -the vineyard." - -Jane, however, in part relieved by these tears, quickly raised her -head, and, with one of her most natural smiles dimpling her wet -cheeks, said, "Pray do not let me drive you away: this is just -nothing at all but what my old nurse used to call the mopes and the -megrims: there, it is all over; that's one advantage we women have -over you lords of the creation; that is, such of us as are not -heroines, which I shall never be for one: we may now and then have a -good cry; and, take my word for it, it is a fine cure for all -nonsenses,--another favourite noun plural of my dear old nurse when I -was little and naughty." This flash of affected gaiety did only light -up her features, however, for a passing moment, and ere her few words -were uttered an air of extreme depression returned upon her. - -"Nay, Mistress Jane," said Juxon, "these are no child's tears, neither -are they fantastical like the melancholy of your fine lady: the -fountain of them is deeper than any of these; you are unhappy. Here, -before your noble friend, I must say that I have seen this for a long -time: for more than a year I have witnessed with deep pain your -altered manners and your failing health. Tell her the sad cause of -your trouble; pour out your heart to her; she will safely advise and -surely comfort you." - -"Really, Master Juxon," replied Jane, "you are a very strange person; -and when you take a fancy into your head you are like good Sir Oliver, -and truth would not drive it out again, though spoken by an angel, -therefore a poor silly girl like me may not make the attempt." - -"For that matter, lady, you can look and speak persuasively as ever -angel did: where do you hide your wings?" - -"Wings!--well, really now, if I were a court lady instead of a rustic, -and had that magic mirror that hides all freckles, and gives every -body that looks into it the face of a beauty, that fine compliment -would win my heart; but as it is, I must e'en be content to walk the -earth on two serviceable feet; on which I shall very soon run from -your words and looks, if you do not speak about a more entertaining -subject than me and my megrims." - -The gravity of her eyes contradicted the gaiety of her lips, as she -thus spoke; and the unuttered wish in the deep recesses of her heart -was, "Oh that I had the wings of a dove, that I might flee away, and -be at rest!" - -Juxon looked upon her, for a moment, with a tender manly expression of -countenance, in which were blended respectful pity and warm -admiration; then turning to Katharine, he changed the subject, and -diverted all further attention from Jane by telling the former upon -what matter he was seeking Sir Oliver. - -"I have just received a letter," said he, "from Oxford, from that fine -youth Arthur: it is both conceived and expressed in a spirit worthy -the days of chivalry and of a man of mature age. He desires me to urge -upon Sir Oliver his brave request, which is, that he may be permitted -to come down instantly and take the field with whatever men Sir Oliver -can raise for the King's service. He says that it is useless to compel -him to remain at the University and pursue his studies in the present -distracted state of public affairs, and that his age is not younger -than that at which many a person renowned in history has appeared in -arms for his country. The reason, it seems, of his preferring this -request through me is, that he has been sharply reprimanded by Sir -Oliver for even thinking of it; for he has already decided to place -all the horsemen which he can raise under Sir Charles Lambert. Arthur -truly observes, that as the infirmities of Sir Oliver now forbid his -going to camp himself, it is right that a representative of his name -should ride at the head of his tenants and yeomen; and that, although -too young for a responsible charge, he can at least share their -danger, and set a good example of devotion to the King's service. That -he is quite willing to be under the command of Sir Charles Lambert; -but that, if his present wish is refused, he will, at the risk of the -worthy knight's displeasure, join the banner of the lords Falkland or -Carnarvon as a simple volunteer." - -To this statement Katharine listened with a generous admiration of the -gallant boy, and a hearty approval of his conduct; moreover, she felt -that, by this arrangement, she should have a young protector, not only -for the family, but whom she could depend upon as a shield from the -dreaded importunities of Sir Charles, and whose presence would take -away one of her father's excuses for urging upon her an abhorred -connection. Of Arthur's conduct and character she felt sure: he looked -up to her with the reverence of a son and the affection of a brother; -and though her heart beat with a regretted fondness for another -Heywood, a cousin separated from her by fate and fortune, towards this -youth Arthur she entertained the composed and quiet affection of a -young mother or an elder sister; therefore she rejoiced at the -prospect of his return to Milverton, and promised to say every thing -to her father which could move him to consent to this proposal. - -Juxon now left the ladies, and walked on at a faster pace towards the -house. - -As soon as he was out of hearing, Katharine took Jane by the hand, and -looking steadfastly into her face, said,-- - -"My dear, dear friend, it is the privilege of friendship, and it is -the enjoined duty of Christians, to weep with those that weep:--Juxon -is right--you are unhappy--some secret sorrow is devouring your -inward peace--reveal it to me." - -"Nay, Katharine, urge me not:--every heart knoweth its own -bitterness--to every one is appointed some inward cross, which is -better borne in silence." - -"Yet the sympathy of a friend is as a balm to the wounded spirit--a -balm, Jane, which you have often poured gently and sweetly into mine, -to the refreshment of my soul and the comfort of my aching -heart;--besides, Jane, we must not let our private and inward griefs -prey upon and consume our vital strength at a period like the -present:--great trials are coming upon us, and severe duties will soon -demand all our energies." - -"I know it, beloved Katharine,--and by your side I can meet them all. -You are to me, all things: I have nothing on earth but you to whom I -can cling: the stream of my heart would run to waste if it might not -flow forth on you." - -"Hush! beloved,--hush!--these words are vain,"--and pointing to the -blue sky and the fleecy clouds above them, Katharine silently -conveyed to Jane her soft reproof and gentle admonition. - -"I know all that you would say to me," answered the mournful girl; -"but, when all is said, how much of our present being must ever remain -a mystery--sunbeams shine upon our heads, and violets spring beneath -our feet--and yet, Kate, the world which this God of love hath created -is a scene of misery--you know it is. What have you ever done that -your brow should be clouded with sorrow, and your cheek blanched by -care----" - -"Stop, Jane; for your life, not another word like this:--'they build -too low who build below the sky:'--a curse is on this earth--a -recorded curse--we may not, must not, cannot make a heaven of it:--it -is our school, our place of discipline--the infancy of our -existence:--what have any of us done, or what can any of us do, that -so many countless blessings should be poured upon us? that we should -be invited and taught to acquaint ourselves with that Holy One, by -whom came truth, pardon, and peace--through whom we may win an -entrance to that heavenly city, where 'all tears shall be wiped from -all faces?'" - -A light of hope beamed in her serious eyes as thus she spoke, and Jane -beheld it with reverence. The friends walked slowly back towards the -house--there was a long pause in their discourse. It was broken by -Jane asking, "You surely admit, dear cousin, that there is a vast -difference in the fortunes and the trials of mankind?" - -"The seeming difference is vast, but not perhaps the real:--we see -only the outward aspect of suffering and of prosperity--but the cup of -life is mixed." - -"Surely to many, who are prosperous and happy, few trials are -appointed:--they are pleasant in their lives, and honoured in their -deaths; they appear even upon earth to be the favourites of Heaven." - -"If truly such, my love, their portion in this life will be little -thought of; for they will know that in the bosom of Abraham the -Lazarus of this world has his high place of honour as of comfort, and -that the fashion of this world passeth away; nay, before the great -change comes, one turn of the wheel may bring the loftiest fortunes to -the dust, and crush them beneath it; even now, do we not see and hear -the preparations of war?" - -"There, again, Katharine,--how can we reconcile with the power of a -God of love the existence of so dark and terrible a curse as war?" - -"It is but one of many forms of death." - -"But the miseries in its violent and bloody path----" - -"Are not so great as those of pestilence, or famine, or the -hurricane." - -"Well, Katharine, why pestilence, or famine, or hurricane?--_why -death?_--and _whence sin?_" - -"Jane, we know not now--we shall know hereafter; let us not perplex -ourselves with doubts and inquiries which none can solve; the origin -of evil lies hidden from our eyes; it is a deep thing--enough for us -that the Divine champion hath triumphed over sin--hath plucked the -sting from death--and victory from the grave:--in and through him we -may all be conquerors." - -"And can they so conquer if they be not followers of the Lamb?--and -may the followers of the Lamb fight and shed each other's blood in -battle?" - -"It is sad, very sad," rejoined Katharine, with a shudder of her whole -frame: "it seems a stern necessity in the condition of all the -kingdoms of this world that they should be defended by the sword. Good -men, great men, the holiest servants of Heaven have wielded earthly -arms, and the weapons of death:--with his sword and with his bow the -father of the faithful led his own household to the combat,--and the -virtues of the warrior are the chosen illustrations of those required -in the secret conflicts of the Christian." - -"I know it, Katharine--and that to the spirit of Christian children -there must be joined the courage of sacred warriors. Alas! for me--my -heart faints within me--my mind is confused:--I wish I were a man, for -then, in the excitement of these struggles, I could escape those of -the closet." - -"To suffer, Jane, requires a more enduring courage than to act; and in -patient suffering the high constancy of woman's mind hath ever shone -most purely:--for the wives of England bitter trials are coming--ours -will be light to theirs; and yours, dear girl, as you well know, less -heavy than even mine." - -"Katharine, you do not know my trial, or you would not speak -thus:--not a faithful and suffering wife in all England but I shall -envy her the sweetness of her sufferings: it is in storms that we -cling most closely to what we love." - -"True, fond girl, but remember that they may also divide us from what -we love. Still there is a sweet truth in your melancholy words: I -think you would be happy united to such a man as Juxon. He is -evidently much attached to you; and I think you are not indifferent to -him." - -"Cousin, he is worthy of a better fortune. He never can be mine." - -"What is the meaning of that strong emphasis? Is, then, the secret of -your sorrow a concealed attachment to another?" - -"Katharine, you see not clearly in this matter; I am pitied by Juxon, -not loved." - -"I know not, dear Jane, for what he should pity you; but pity is akin -to love." - -"And also to contempt:--Juxon despises me: yes, the pity of one so -generous and noble hearted is heavy to bear." - -"Impossible! he knows your sterling worth; he knows that you could not -do what was wrong: you utter many things that are idle; but I have -heard him warmly express his regard for your frank character; his -faith in your high principles, and his fear that you judged others by -yourself, and might in the trials of life prove too confiding towards -others." - -"Have you, indeed, Kate? what, lately?" - -"Yes; not many days ago." - -"Well, this is comfort; for I love him passing well:--keep my secret, -Katharine; you know not how faithfully I have kept yours." As Jane -Lambert thus spoke, she took the hand of her fair cousin and pressed -it against her beating heart. Katharine drew it away with a sudden -agitation, and placing it on her pale forehead seemed to muse awhile: -her eyes wore the expression of one that was wildly busy over the -mysterious tablets of her memory; at last, fixing them on Jane with a -troubled gaze, "I have it," she said: "a light flashes on me; the -interview with Francis: it was observed by some one; it was known to -Juxon, and you have borne----" - -"Nothing that I would not bear again for the love of Katharine, and -for her peace of mind." - -"Noblest of beings, alas! how am I punished for having thus employed -you! why did you not tell me all? May God forgive me! I never can -forgive myself." - -"Talk not thus," said Jane, rushing into her arms. "This moment richly -repays whatever I have suffered: that which I may now safely relate to -you you could not have borne at the time, nor should I tell it even -now, if it were not that I know you will be seeking some explanations -from Juxon." - -The generous girl now gave a minute narration of all that had passed -between herself and Francis at their interview. She told how very -deeply she had been affected by the devotion with which he spoke of -Katharine, and by those looks and gestures which revealed the -constancy and the ardour of his love: the action so passionate towards -her, upon whom his mind's eye was inwardly resting, with which Francis -had parted from herself, was not forgotten. The circumstance of her -immediately after meeting with Juxon, and the scene which passed -between them, were described with the like fidelity. - -A paleness as of marble overspread the face of Katharine; her eyes -assumed a vacant regard; her hand became cold, and from her moving -lips no sound was audible. She stood a while like one suddenly turned -to stone; and Jane, expecting her every instant to swoon away, -supported her in trembling terror. It seemed an age of agony to Jane, -though the trance did not last more than three awful minutes. The -eyelids of Katharine closed; tears glittered on the long dark lashes; -warmth and consciousness returned. She slowly opened her eyes; and, -fixing them on Jane with an affection no words could convey, suffered -herself to be led back in unbroken silence to the mansion. - - - - -CHAP. XX. - - 'Tis _jest_ to tell a people that they're free: - _Who_ or _how many_ shall their _masters_ be - Is the sole doubt. - COWLEY. - - -Before the walls of Hull, in Yorkshire, King Charles was first made -sensible that the powers and the prerogatives of the crown were -already usurped by the Parliament. Sir John Hotham shut the gates of -the city, and refused to admit the small force by which the King was -attended. - -The governor stood upon the wall, and the King, who had appointed him -to that office of trust, sat upon his horse beneath, and heard a -sickening protestation of loyalty to his person, while the guards, to -whom he intrusted its defence, were treated as the enemies of his -throne and kingdom. Here began that artful distinction, whereby the -Parliamentarians professed to keep garrisons and raise soldiers in -the name of the King, while they opposed his wishes and resisted his -authority. - -They had already taken from the King the power of the militia; and -having compelled him to throw himself on the support of the private -gentry, the flame of civil war was soon kindled. - -At the time when his Majesty was thus repulsed by Sir John Hotham, he -was surrounded by a small company of gallant gentlemen, who had formed -themselves into a body guard; and he found himself, in a province -remote from his capital, without a regiment, without money to raise -one, and without a single garrison or company of soldiers in all -England receiving his pay or acknowledging the royal orders: the navy, -the ordnance, stores, magazines, and the revenue, were in the keeping -of the Parliament. His sole dependence was on the loyalty, the -courage, and the resources of the country gentlemen of England. - -The midland counties were for the most part subjected to the influence -of the Parliament, and lay too near the city of London to resist or -even dispute the commands of that powerful assembly. - -This body was no sooner apprised of the conduct of Hotham, and -informed that he had been proclaimed a traitor by the King, than they -openly justified the conduct of that governor, and soon after publicly -voted "that the King intended to levy war against the Parliament." -This declaration was followed by active preparations for war on both -sides; but the advantages for commencing it were greatly on the side -of the Parliament; and the gentry in the west, and more especially in -the northern counties, were, at first, disheartened by the evident -distraction of the King's counsel, and the gloomy aspect of his -affairs. - -Therefore, in Yorkshire, though many promises were given, few troops -were raised; and if Shropshire and Wales had not been animated by a -more lively hope, and a warmer zeal, no royal army could ever have -appeared in the field. - -Meanwhile the levies for the Parliament were very successful, and men -came in as fast as they could be received and armed. In addition to -these volunteers, the rustics drawn for the militia were compelled to -join their corps, and were put under the training of such officers as -could be found. - -In July, the Parliament voted the Earl of Essex their general of foot, -and appointed the Earl of Bedford the commander of their horse; and -early in August declared themselves necessitated to take arms and to -commence hostilities. - -These vigorous measures inspired their partisans throughout the -kingdom with a resolute spirit, and in London not a voice was openly -lifted up for the King. - -As early as the month of May, Francis Heywood had procured his -services to be accepted as captain of a troop of horse under Sir John -Balfour, and was by him immediately appointed an instructor or -sergeant-major[A] of cavalry. - - [A] The titles of Sergeant-Major, and Sergeant-Major-General, at - that period, correspond with Adjutant-Major and Adjutant-General - of our times. - -At such a moment, the zeal of Cuthbert Noble would not suffer him to -remain behind, while so many were taking arms for the great, and, as -he thought, holy cause, of liberty. He did not find it difficult, -through the favour of a friend, to obtain the grade of lieutenant in a -company of foot; and he set forth on a fine morning in June to join a -regiment then assembled in quarters at the town of St. Albans, in -Hertfordshire, for training. - -His finances did not admit of more than a very humble -equipment,--accordingly he was mounted on a low shambling pony, across -which he had also placed the saddle bags containing his better gear, -his Bible, and two or three violent pamphlets of the day against -prelacy and the divine right of kings. - -Notwithstanding the heat of his opinions, and his hearty concurrence -in the measures of the Parliament, Cuthbert, in his lonely hours, was -of that serious and solemn temper of mind, that he could not but -reflect on the step he was now taking with more than his wonted -gravity. - -That his present course would be distressing to his father he well -knew; but he silenced this whisper of his better angel with the -consideration that his father was old, timid, and averse to change, -rather from early prejudices and associations than from the light of -conscience and the use of right reason. - -Again, with that obliquity of mind with which men who are in fact -taking their own way wish to think it that appointed by Providence, he -ran over all the texts of Scripture then in the mouths of the -Roundheads, as justifying their appeal to arms, and silenced all the -lingering remonstrances that yet struggled in his bosom with those -inapplicable words of Holy Writ, "He that loveth father or mother more -than me is not worthy of me." - -Having thus, by forcibly wresting a quotation from Scripture, served -his immediate purpose, and given freedom and tranquillity to his -spirit, he suffered his imagination to dress out the duties of -military life in all their most sacred glory. The language of the Old -Testament, and that of the profane authors with which he was familiar, -were called up in a strange confusion to gild the prospect before -him,--and now a song of triumph from his Bible, now a quotation from -Homer, was sounding on his lips, and ere he was aware was kindling a -vain and unholy ambition:--a secret and impious persuasion of the -favour and approval of Heaven filled him with a swelling anticipation -of coming victories and high rewards. He resolved that the virtues of -the Spartan or the Roman soldier should in his person be combined with -the ardour and the holiness of the most chosen warriors of Israel. - -He saw not the lean and sorry nag beneath him; he thought not of those -weary marches which he should have to make afoot, when the miserable -jade on which he was now sitting astride his saddle bags should be -stumbling along stony or miry ways in a train of baggage horses; but -he pictured out a future in which he should ride among the princes of -the people, and in marches of triumph. - -From this dream of his fancy he was suddenly and very effectually -awakened by feeling the animal, which he was riding, sink under him -with an uneasy motion; and, before he could possibly prevent it, he -found the water of a considerable stream, which he was then fording, -above his knees, and his saddle bags thoroughly soaked through. The -beast had his own notions of enjoyment as well as his dreamy rider; -and, as the day was hot, the road was dusty, and his burden -sufficiently oppressive, had taken this very seasonable refreshment. - -Nature suddenly asserted her power over the precise young Puritan; -and, to the scandal of all his late professions, he gave vent to his -wrath in certain violent and unseemly phrases which would not have -disgraced the most accomplished swearer among the wild Cavaliers of -that time. These oaths were but the accompaniments of sundry hard -blows with a cudgel, kickings with the heel, and jerks of the rein, by -dint of which the nag, unable to rebuke him for his injustice, was -compelled to rise and go forward. The accident was in itself -sufficiently provoking; and the irritation of Cuthbert was increased -by encountering on the bank an old beggar with a wooden leg, who, -tossing his staff pike fashion, loudly asked his alms for an old -crippled soldier done up in the wars; and, thrusting his tongue in -his cheek, eyed his foolish plight with a merry satisfaction, which he -could not conceal. - -"Out upon thee!" said Cuthbert, "for an old drunken impostor:--such -fellows as you tippling bawlers of ballads are the curse of the -land;--go scrape your cracked fiddle for sots on the ale bench, and -don't trouble honest men on their road." - -"The lie in thy throat, thou prick-eared canting Roundhead!" replied -the old soldier:--"thou foul-mouthed hypocrite! is it for thou to rate -sinners after rattling out oaths like a shameless brawler in a bear -garden? I am a cleaner spoken man than thou, blessings on him who -taught me, and more honest than to play traitor to my king:--God bless -his gracious Majesty! I wish him no better luck than that all the -Roundheads, militia, and train-bands, horse and foot, were just such a -set of raw awkward spoonies as yourself." - -While he was yet speaking, Cuthbert's jade, as if moved by the very -spirit of mischief, shook her ears and was down in the middle of the -loose dusty road, without better warning than before; for the -attention of Cuthbert being quite taken up by his anger with the old -soldier, he was again too late to prevent it. The dust plentifully -adhered to his legs, thighs, and saddle bags. He instantly dismounted -in a rage, kicked the beast up again, drove it forward, and, turning -short round upon the old man, in a fury, said,-- - -"If it were not for your age and grey hairs, you insolent old -vagabond, I would rap your pate smartly with my cudgel." - -"That were easier spoken than done," rejoined the old man, holding his -quarter staff lightly in a defensive posture. - -A little dog, which accompanied the old man, perceiving by these -actions, and by the loudness of their speech, that the stranger was -quarrelling with his master, flew at Cuthbert with a sharp and angry -bark, than which perhaps nothing does more inflame the rising choler; -he, therefore, struck at the little animal furiously, and the end of -his cudgel inflicted on it a sharp stroke, which sent it howling and -yelping behind its master. - -The old soldier, without a moment's loss of time, resented this injury -by so heavy and well placed a blow on the head of Cuthbert, that his -steeple-crowned hat was knocked off; and had it not been defended -within by the strong bars of iron with which it had been recently -fitted for the wars, he would have gotten a severe bruise. - -"He that touches my dog touches me," said the old man: "I am sorry -that I did not make thee feel it." The quarter staff of the beggar -had, by his stumbling and over-reaching himself, flown out of his -hand, and his old rabbit-skin cap had fallen upon the ground:--a fine -polished head thinly strewn with grey hairs lay bare and -exposed.--"There, you may crack it if you will now," he added, raising -the ineffectual defence of his arm. - -"I am a man," said Cuthbert, "and not a brute: I would not strike thee -for all my hot words; but I have been beside myself with passion. May -God forgive me for my great offence against him--and do you forgive -me for the hard things I said to you, and the stroke I gave your dog." - -So speaking, he picked up the old man's quarter staff and his cap, and -gave them into his hands; at the same time taking a piece of silver -out of his pocket, he tendered it with a look of good will--but the -soldier would not take it. - -"It would do me no good," said he: "I should have no luck with it, and -could never relish the bread or beer it bought me." - -"Then lay it out in dog's meat, friend: thy poor cur will have -forgotten my rude blow before thou hast forgiven my uncomfortable -words:--you wo'n't go to sleep in ill will with me, I hope." - -"No, I shan't do that," rejoined the aged beggar,--"the good old -parson of Cheddar taught me better than that,--and I minds what he -said as if it were yesterday--God bless him!--church and king for -ever, say I.--I wo'n't have your money." - -Surprized and startled by this strange and unexpected mention of his -father, Cuthbert drew from the old man the whole story of his -adventure at Cheddar, and his interview with Noble. - -He listened with deep emotion to the narrative, and recognised in all -the circumstances the internal evidence of its truth, from its exact -correspondence with the character of his father's mind and heart, and -those large and tolerant notions which he had always taught and -carried out into practice. - -"I know that good parson well," said Cuthbert, "and love him like a -father." - -"Do you indeed?--then I'll take your money, and give you hearty thanks -for it.--But I say, young master, if you knows the parson of Cheddar -so well, it's my belief your taking the wrong road:--a man can't serve -two masters--without you do call God and the king two; and he that -serves God first, and king the next after, must always be right, as I -have heard say from the time I was the height of this quarter staff." - -Cuthbert gave him two pieces, and walked on in a humbled and in no -satisfied frame of mind. - -His poor beast, like a patient packhorse, was quietly browsing by the -road-side at no great distance, and Cuthbert drove it before him, not -caring to mount again till the sun and air had dried his wet breeches -and hose. - -The pettiness of the mortification which had moved him to such -ungovernable anger was now lost in the most gloomy reflections on the -sin of having so greatly dishonoured the commandments of God by -cursing and swearing. Though naturally of a warm temper, he had never -been at all addicted to the odious use of vulgar oaths, and for awhile -he began to doubt the sincerity of his faith, and to imagine that the -whole work of religion must be entered upon as a new thing. - -Again, the very strange circumstance of his father's image being -brought before him in a manner so unexpected, by a way-side beggar, -and the lesson of charity, and the solemn monition to turn back from -the party which he had chosen, conveyed by so lowly an instrument, -perplexed his reason and staggered his resolution. - -But the die was cast, the step was taken, and it was impossible for -him, even if willing, to recede without disgrace. He ran over in his -mind all the wrongs and the oppressions which had been committed in -the name and with the sanction of the King. He recalled the sufferings -of Prynne and his companions. He remembered the tyrannical imposition -of ship money; the noble resistance to that measure by Hampden, now -himself in arms; the violence towards the Scots; the articles -exhibited against the five members; and, more than all, he considered -that, if the King should conquer in the impending struggle, the -despotic rule of the crown would be established more firmly than ever; -the hateful tribunal of the Star Chamber would be again erected; -prelacy, armed with new powers, would rear its mitre on the ruins of -religious liberty; and all those abuses in church and state, which had -called forth the famous Remonstrance of the Commons, and the Petition -of Rights founded on it, would most certainly be restored. - -As these considerations passed through the mind of Cuthbert, he felt -shame that he could for a moment have doubted the righteousness of the -cause in which he had embarked. What was the little incident, which -had so discomposed and ruffled him, when it was stripped naked? His -nag had lain down in the water, and he had got a wetting. He should -have laughed it off, and so he would have done but for wounded pride. -He was conscious of the poverty of his equipment, and yet more so of -his unmilitary appearance;--that the witness of his accident should -mock him, and be an old soldier to boot, was more than he could bear. -He finally resolved all that had passed into a hellish temptation of -the evil one to divert him from the path of Christian duty; and thus -comforting himself, and speaking peace to his heart, with a very -slight repentance for his plain transgression of God's law, he -recovered his serenity. He now mounted his nag, and cheerfully pursued -his way till the fine massive tower of St. Alban's Abbey reminded him -that he was near the place of his destination. He stopped under a -shady tree a little off the road; brushed off the marks of his foolish -misadventure; adjusted his dress; buckled the belt of his rapier more -tightly, and rode into the town with a wish that he might escape -present observation, and get soon housed. But it so chanced that in -the narrow entrance of the very first street in St. Alban's Cuthbert -met the whole garrison marching forth to exercise. The leading rank of -musketeers, forming the advanced guard, filled the width of the street -from house to house on either side of the way; therefore he was forced -to stop, and placing his pony close to the wall that he might prove as -small an obstacle as possible, saw the whole force pass him, and -attracted the attention of them all. At any other time, and under -other circumstances, he would have gazed upon the military show with a -natural pleasure, and as it was, he looked upon them with much -curiosity; but his position was very uncomfortable; and he felt small -as they filed by with a strong and measured tread, keeping time to a -few loud drums and piercing fifes. - -Several divisions of foot, composed of musketeers and pikemen in equal -proportions, and each led by a mounted officer, and with their -appointed number of captains, lieutenants, and sergeants, followed -each other in succession; but there was a great difference in their -equipment and bearing. - -The three leading divisions, amounting to nearly nine hundred -effective men, were a fine sample of the very best infantry which had -as yet been formed under the orders of the Parliament. Their clothing -was of a coarse red cloth: the belts and bandaliers of those who were -armed with muskets were of buff leather; and a girdle of double buff, -eight inches broad, was worn under the skirts of the doublet. The -musketeers also wore black steeple-crowned hats, with small but strong -bars of iron fastened under the felt. In addition to their muskets and -rests, they were all provided with a good stiff tuck, not very long, -so fixed in the belt as not to swing or incommode them. - -The pikemen were furnished with good pikes, eighteen feet in length, -with small steel heads, and good stiff tucks like those of the -musketeers. They had also for defensive armour iron head pieces, with -back and breast pieces of the same quality, pistol-proof, and each man -was provided with a good long buff glove for the left hand; they also -wore the broad buff girdle; the musketeers had bands about their hats -of a considerable width, finished in front with a rose of orange -cloth, but they had no feathers or plumes; and there was a steadiness -and severity in their whole aspect which commanded admiration. It was -one of the first regiments embodied, composed principally of a better -order of volunteers, and commanded by a very strict and experienced -officer. From these men Cuthbert had nothing to suffer: they were -silent in their ranks; and merely glanced at him as they passed with -looks of gloomy or proud indifference; but the regiment that followed -was a raw levy of militiamen just raised: they had arms, indeed, and -were divided already into musketeers and pikemen, like those who -preceded them; but their clothing and equipment was very incomplete, -and few of the pikemen had either back or breast pieces. Of these, -numbers had been drawn, reluctantly, from the neighbouring villages, -to supply the quota of men required by the militia act, and were -enrolled with the mockery of an oath, by which they were sworn in, to -fight "_for the King against the King_,"--a distinction which of -course the greater part of them could not understand. They only wanted -to be left alone, and suffered to follow their ploughs in peace. Most -of them had some excuse to offer in the Shire Hall, and some story to -tell why they should not go for soldiers. This man had aged parents to -support; another had a family of children; and that man had just -married a wife. Others, who were not provided with such good excuses, -feigned deafness, bad eyes, lame shoulders, weak ankle bones, fits, -rheumatic pains, or some other disqualification, to escape the irksome -duties of praying and fighting under Puritan commanders. Many kissed -their own thumbs instead of the Bible when they took their oaths of -service, meaning to desert the first opportunity that offered; still -there were numbers of idle rustics who came when they were called out, -and did as they were bid, without further question; and these, in -spite of their officers and sergeants, and Puritan comrades, contrived -their own amusements, and laughed at the grave preachments which -forbade them. - -As a file of these young swains passed Cuthbert, one struck the end of -a lighted match under his pony's tail; and to the astonishment of -Cuthbert, and the disturbance of the whole division following, the -poor animal, hitherto as lazy and patient as a laden donkey, began -kicking with such sudden activity and vigour, that the rider had some -difficulty in keeping his seat. However, though inwardly vexed, -Cuthbert stuck close to the saddle, and putting a good face on the -vexatious incident disarmed the laughter which was at first generally -excited by joining in it himself, till a humane sergeant plucked away -the burning cause of the animal's pain and terror,--and the frightened -beast stood still, trembling and in a bath of sweat. Until this -moment Cuthbert was at a loss to know what had so alarmed his pony; -but he now alighted and made a complaint about what had been done to -an officer that was passing. - -The grave personage whom he addressed said, with a sly -smile,--"Verily, friend, thy little garron was in the way, and I -counsel thee to patience in this matter:--there is no harm done, and -verily thou didst stick to thy saddle like a sergeant-major of -cavalry." - -Without waiting for any rejoinder, the officer marched on; and no -sooner had the infantry defiled, than the shrill tones of a few -trumpets announced the advance of four troops of horse. As these fine -men walked their powerful animals along the street, they cast down -looks of contempt upon poor Cuthbert and his little hack; and he could -not but feel that he had never as yet rightly conceived what were the -naked realities of soldiership. There were far more unpleasant and -painful experiences to come than the petty mortifications of this his -first contact with troops. However, he had a wise, generous, and noble -friend to instruct and arm his mind in the path on which he had -entered; and his spirit was now in its first moment of weakness and -need sustained and comforted by his appearance. - -Immediately in the rear of this body of horse rode an officer -admirably mounted and equipped, and beneath his polished helmet -Cuthbert instantly recognised Francis Heywood. By this old campaigner -his position was seen and understood at a glance. He stopped, shook -hands with him heartily, and desiring him to find out his quarter at -the house of a brewer in the next street, bade him give his baggage -pony in charge to his batman, and occupy his apartment till the -exercise should be over. - -This was so great a lift and recovery to the sinking spirits of -Cuthbert that he had no sooner put up his pony than he turned back and -followed the troops to the plain where they were drawn out. - -It was a fine sight to the unaccustomed eye to watch the evolutions of -the musketeers and the pikemen, as the former advanced to skirmish and -cover the movements of the more solid body, and again as they rapidly -retired, and, kneeling down in front of the close array of pikemen, -awaited under the protection of their long pikes to receive the charge -of cavalry, and repulse it with a close and steady fire. - -The sunbeams glittered on the steel heads of the tall pikes, and were -reflected in a blaze from the breast and back pieces and the iron head -pieces of the dragoons and the pikemen. The rolling of the drums, and -the blasts of trumpets, gave animation to the movements of the various -divisions; and as the dragoons and musketeers were furnished with a -few rounds of blank or practice cartridge in their bandaliers, the -mimic show of battle or the rehearsal of a scene of death was with the -more select divisions very complete. - -The words of command were given and repeated in loud firm tones; and -there was no lack with some of these stout Puritan commanders of -oaths, peculiar, indeed, to themselves, but as earnest and as -blasphemous as those of any profane swearer in the royal army. For -instance, to the dismay of Cuthbert, he heard a voice of thunder -directed against a dull but godly lieutenant of the very regiment -which he was come to join with such a mild rebuke as, "The Lord -deliver thee to Satan, Master Whitefoot, for a blockhead: dost thou -not know thy right hand from thy left?"--"Face to the left, man," was -the concluding roar, "and slope thy partisan." - -However, though our young Puritan lieutenant was a little astounded at -the chance of being soon subject to such rude addresses, he had good -sense enough to feel that men ought to know their right hands from -their left, and that it must be very provoking to a commanding -officer, and very perplexing and dangerous for others as well as -themselves, if they did not; but he was, nevertheless, a little -startled and shocked at so violent and sinful a misapplication of -Scripture. - -However, he considered that the repulsive infirmities of the few ought -not to outweigh the solid piety and the devoted patriotism of the -great leaders of the Parliamentarian levies; and wisely resolving -always to remember his right hand from his left, he joined Francis -after the exercise of the day was over, and passed an evening in his -society with a more deep and rational delight in it than he had ever -before experienced during their previous intercourse. - -Francis gave him so much sensible advice in trifles, as well as in -matters of moment, at his entrance on this new and strange course of -life, that when Cuthbert lay down to rest all his difficulties seemed -to have vanished. He had been introduced by Francis to the commander -of the regiment he was to join, and to several other officers of horse -as well as foot; and he soon discerned that there was as great a -variety of character and of manners in this host of the Lord as in -armies assuming a less presumptuous title. - - - END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. - - - LONDON: - Printed by A. 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