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diff --git a/5313-h/5313-h.htm b/5313-h/5313-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8e9e201 --- /dev/null +++ b/5313-h/5313-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6466 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Herd Boy and his Hermit, by Charlotte M. Yonge + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Herd Boy and His Hermit, by Charlotte M. Yonge + +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 Herd Boy and His Hermit + +Author: Charlotte M. Yonge + +Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5313] +Last Updated: October 12, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HERD BOY AND HIS HERMIT *** + + + + +Produced by Sandra Laythorpe and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE HERD BOY AND HIS HERMIT + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Charlotte M. Yonge + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Henry, thou of holy birth, + Thou, to whom thy Windsor gave + Nativity and name and grave + Heavily upon his head + Ancestral crimes were visited. + Meek in heart and undefiled, + Patiently his soul resigned, + Blessing, while he kissed the rod, + His Redeemer and his God. + SOUTHEY +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <big><b>THE HERD BOY AND HIS HERMIT</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. — IN THE MOSS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. — THE SNOW-STORM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. — OVER THE MOOR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. — A SPORTING PRIORESS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. — MOTHER AND SON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. — A CAUTIOUS STEPFATHER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. — ON DERWENT BANKS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. — THE HERMIT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. — HENRY OF WINDSOR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. — THE SCHOLAR OF THE MOUNTAINS + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. — THE RED ROSE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. — A PRUDENT RECEPTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. — FELLOW TRAVELLERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. — THE JOURNEY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. — BLETSO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. — THE HERMIT IN THE TOWER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. — A CAPTIVE KING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. — AT THE MINORESSES’ </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. — A STRANGE EASTER EVE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. — BARNET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. — TEWKESBURY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. — THE NUT-BROWN MAID </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. — BROUGHAM CASTLE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE HERD BOY AND HIS HERMIT + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — IN THE MOSS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I can conduct you, lady, to a low + But loyal cottage where you may be safe + Till further quest.—MILTON. +</pre> + <p> + On a moorland slope where sheep and goats were dispersed among the rocks, + there lay a young lad on his back, in a stout canvas cassock over his + leathern coat, and stout leathern leggings over wooden shoes. Twilight was + fast coming on; only a gleam of purple light rested on the top of the + eastern hills, but was gradually fading away, though the sky to the + westward still preserved a little pale golden light by the help of the + descending crescent moon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go away, horned moon,’ murmured the boy. ‘I want to see my stars come out + before Hob comes to call me home, and the goats are getting up already. + Moon, moon, thou mayst go quicker. Thou wilt have longer time to-morrow—and + be higher in the sky, as well as bigger, and thou mightst let me see my + star to-night! Ah! there is one high in the sunset, pale and fair, but not + mine! That’s the evening star—one of the wanderers. Is it the same + as comes in the morning betimes, when we do not have it at night? Like + that it shines with steady light and twinkles not. I would that I knew! + There! there’s mine, my own star, far up, only paling while the sun + glaring blazes in the sky; mine own, he that from afar drives the stars in + Charles’s Wain. There they come, the good old twinkling team of three, and + the four of the Wain! Old Billy Goat knows them too! Up he gets, and all + in his wake “Ha-ha-ha” he calls, and the Nannies answer. Ay, and the sheep + are rising up too! How white they look in the moonshine! Piers—deaf + as he is—waking at their music. Ba, they call the lambs! Nay, that’s + no call of sheep or goat! ‘Tis some child crying, all astray! Ha! Hilloa, + where beest thou? Tarry till I come! Move not, or thou mayst be in the + bogs and mosses! Come, Watch’—to a great unwieldy collie puppy—‘let + us find her.’ + </p> + <p> + A feeble piteous sound answered him, and following the direction of the + reply, he strode along, between the rocks and thorn-bushes that guarded + the slope of the hill, to a valley covered with thick moss, veiling + treacherously marshy ground in which it was easy to sink. + </p> + <p> + The cry came from the further side, where a mountain stream had force + enough to struggle through the swamp. There were stepping-stones across + the brook, which the boy knew, and he made his way from one to the other, + calling out cheerily to the little figure that he began to discern in the + fading light, and who answered him with tones evidently girlish, ‘O come, + come, shepherd! Here I am! I am lost and lorn! They will reward thee! Oh, + come fast!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All in good time, lassie! Haste is no good here! I must look to my + footing.’ + </p> + <p> + Presently he was by the side of the wanderer, and could see that it was a + maiden of ten or twelve years old, who somehow, even in the darkness, had + not the air of one of the few inhabitants of that wild mountain district. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lost art thou, maiden,’ he said, as he stood beside her; ‘where is thine + home?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am at Greystone Priory,’ replied the girl. ‘I went out hawking to-day + with the Mother Prioress and the rest. My pony fell with me when we were + riding after a heron. No one saw me or heard me, and my pony galloped + home. I saw none of them, and I have been wandering miles and miles! Oh + take me back, good lad; the Mother Prioress will give thee—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘’Tis too far to take thee back to-night,’ he said. ‘Thou must come with + me to Hob Hogward, where Doll will give thee supper and bed, and we will + have thee home in the morning.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I never lay in a hogward’s house,’ she said primly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Belike, but there be worse spots to be harboured in. Here, I must carry + thee over the burn, it gets wider below! Nay, ‘tis no use trying to leap + it in the dark, thou wouldst only sink in. There!’ + </p> + <p> + And as he raised her in his arms, the touch of her garment was delicate, + and she on her side felt that his speech, gestures and touch were not + those of a rustic shepherd boy; but nothing was said till he had waded + through the little narrow stream, and set her down on a fairly firm clump + of grass on the other side. Then she asked, ‘What art thou, lad?—Who + art thou?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They call me Hal,’ was the answer; ‘but this is no time for questions. + Look to thy feet, maid, or thou wilt be in a swamp-hole whence I may + hardly drag thee out.’ + </p> + <p> + He held her hand, for he could hardly carry her farther, since she was + almost as tall as himself, and more plump; and the rest of the + conversation for some little time consisted of, ‘There!’ ‘Where?’ ‘Oh, I + was almost down!’ ‘Take heed; give me thy other hand! Thou must leap + this!’ ‘Oh! what a place! Is there much more of it?’ ‘Not much! Come + bravely on! There’s a good maid.’ ‘Oh, I must get my breath.’ ‘Don’t stand + still. That means sinking. Leap! Leap! That’s right. No, not that way, + turn to the big stair.’ ‘Oh—h!’ ‘That’s my brave wench! Not far + now.’ ‘I’m down, I’m down!’ ‘Up! Here, this is safe! On that white stone! + Now, here’s sound ground! Hark!’ Wherewith he emitted a strange wild + whoop, and added, ‘That’s Hob come out to call me!’ He holloaed again. ‘We + shall soon be at home now. There’s Mother Doll’s light! Her light below, + the star above,’ he added to himself. + </p> + <p> + By this time it was too dark for the two young people to see more than dim + shapes of one another, but the boy knew that the hand he still held was a + soft and delicate one, and the girl that those which had grasped and + lifted her were rough with country labours. She began to assert her + dignity and say again, ‘Who art thou, lad? We will guerdon thee well for + aiding me. The Lord St. John is my father. And who art thou?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I? Oh, I am Hob Hogward’s lad,’ he answered in an odd off-hand tone, + before whooping again his answer to the shouts of Hob, which were coming + nearer. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am so hungry!’ said the little lady, in a weak, famished tone. ‘Hast + aught to eat?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have finished my wallet, more’s the pity!’ said the boy, ‘but never + fear! Hold out but a few steps more, and Mother Doll will give thee bite + and sup and bed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alack! Is it much further! My feet! they are so sore and weary—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor maiden, let me bear thee on!’ + </p> + <p> + Hal took her up again, but they went more slowly, and were glad to see a + tall figure before them, and hear the cry, ‘How now, Hal boy, where hast + been? What hast thou there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A sorely weary little lady, Daddy Hob, lost from the hawking folk from + the Priory,’ responded Hal, panting a little as he set his burthen down, + and Hob’s stronger arms received her. + </p> + <p> + Hal next asked whether the flock had come back under charge of Piers, and + was answered that all were safely at home, and after ‘telling the tale’ + Hob had set out to find him. ‘Thou shouldst not stray so far,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘I heard the maid cry, and went after her,’ said Hal, ‘all the way to the + Blackreed Moss, and the springs, and ‘twas hard getting over the swamp.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well indeed ye were not both swallowed in it,’ said Hob; ‘God be praised + for bringing you through! Poor wee bairn! Thou hast come far! From whence + didst say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From Greystone Priory,’ wearily said the girl, who had her head down on + Hob’s shoulder, and seemed ready to fall asleep there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Her horse fell with her, and they were too bent on their sport to heed + her,’ explained the boy, as he trudged along beside Hob and his charge, + ‘so she wandered on foot till by good hap I heard her moan.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, there will be a rare coil to-night for having missed her,’ said Hob; + ‘but I’ve heard tell, my Lady Prioress heeds her hawks more than her nuns! + But be she who she may, we’ll have her home, and Mother Doll shall see to + her, for she needs it sure, poor bairn. She is asleep already.’ + </p> + <p> + So she was, with her head nestled into the shepherd’s neck, nor did she + waken when after a tramp of more than a mile the bleatings of the folded + sheep announced that they were nearly arrived, and in the low doorway + there shone a light, and in the light stood a motherly form, in a white + woollen hood and dark serge dress. Tired as he was, Hal ran on to her, + exclaiming ‘All well, Mammy Doll?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah well!’ she answered, ‘thank the good God! I was in fear for thee, my + boy! What’s that Daddy hath? A strayed lamb?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, Mammy, but a strayed maiden! ‘Twas that kept me so long. I had to + bear her through the burn at Blackreed, and drag her on as best I might, + and she is worn out and weary.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay,’ said Hob, as he came up. ‘How now, my bit lassie?’ as he put her + into the outstretched arms of his wife, who sat down on the settle to + receive her, still not half awake. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is well-nigh clemmed,’ said Hal. ‘She has had no bite nor sup all + day, since her pony fell with her out a-hawking, and all were so hot on + the chase that none heeded her.’ + </p> + <p> + Mother Doll’s exclamations of pity were profuse. There was a kettle of + broth on the peat fire, and after placing the girl in a corner of the + settle, she filled three wooden bowls, two of which she placed before Hal + and the shepherd, making signs to the heavy-browed Piers to wait; and + getting no reply from her worn-out guest, she took her in her arms, and + fed her from a wooden spoon. Though without clear waking, mouthfuls were + swallowed down, till the bowl was filled again and set before Piers. + </p> + <p> + ‘There, that will be enough this day!’ said the good dame. ‘Poor bairn! + ‘Twas scurvy treatment. Now will we put her to bed, and in the morn we + will see how to deal with her.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal insisted that the little lady should have his own bed—a + chaff-stuffed mattress, covered with a woollen rug, in the recess behind + the projecting hearth—a strange luxury for a farm boy; and Doll + yielded very unwillingly when he spoke in a tone that savoured of command. + The shaggy Piers had already curled himself up in a corner and gone to + sleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — THE SNOW-STORM + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Yet stay, fair lady, rest awhile + Beneath the cottage wall; + See, through the hawthorns blows the cold wind, + And drizzling rain doth fall.—OLD BALLAD. +</pre> + <p> + Though Hal had gone to sleep very tired the night before, and only on a + pile of hay, curled up with Watch, having yielded his own bed to the + strange guest, he was awake before the sun, for it was the decline of the + year, and the dawn was not early. + </p> + <p> + He was not the first awake—Hob and Piers were already busy on the + outside, and Mother Doll had emerged from the box bed which made almost a + separate apartment, and was raking together the peat, so as to revive the + slumbering fire. The hovel, for it was hardly more, was built of rough + stone and thatched with reeds, with large stones to keep the roof down in + the high mountain blasts. There was only one room, earthen floored, and + with no furniture save a big chest, a rude table, a settle and a few + stools, besides the big kettle and a few crocks and wooden bowls. Yet + whereas all was clean, it had an air of comfort and civilisation beyond + any of the cabins in the neighbourhood, more especially as there was even + a rude chimney-piece projecting far into the room, and in the niche behind + this lay the little girl in her clothes, fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + Very young and childish she looked as she lay, her lips partly unclosed, + her dark hair straying beyond her hand, and her black lashes resting on + her delicate brunette cheeks, slightly flushed with sleep. Hal could not + help standing for a minute gazing at her in a sort of wondering curiosity, + till roused by the voice of Mother Doll. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go thy ways, my bairn, to wash in the burn. Here’s thy comb. I must have + the lassie up before the shepherd comes back, though ‘tis amost a pity to + wake her! There, she is stirring! Best be off with thee, my bonnie lad.’ + </p> + <p> + It was spoken more in the tone of nurse to nursling than of mother to son, + still less that of mistress to farm boy; but Hal obeyed, only observing, + ‘Take care of her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, my pretty, will not I,’ murmured the old woman, as the child turned + round on her pillow, put up a hand, rubbed her eyes, and disclosed a pair + of sleepy brown orbs, gazed about, and demanded, ‘What’s this? Who’s + this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘’Tis Hob Hogward’s hut, my bonnie lamb, where you are full welcome! Here, + take a sup of warm milk.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mind me now,’ said the girl, sitting up, and holding out her hands for + the bowl. ‘They all left me, and the lad brought me—a great lubber + lout—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, nay, mistress, you’ll scarce say so when you see him by day—a + well-grown youth as can bear himself with any.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is he?’ asked the girl, gazing round; ‘I want him to take me back. + This place is not one for me. The Sisters will be seeking me! Oh, what a + coil they must be in!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We will have you back, my bairn, so soon as my goodman can go with you, + but now I would have you up and dressed, ay, and washed, ere he and Hal + come in. Then after meat and prayer you will be ready to go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To Greystone Priory,’ returned the girl. ‘Yea, I would have thee to + know,’ she added, with a little dignity that sat drolly on her bare feet + and disordered hair and cap as she rose out of bed, ‘that the Sisters are + accountable for me. I am the Lady Anne St. John. My father is a lord in + Bedfordshire, but he is gone to the wars in Burgundy, and bestowed me in a + convent at York while he was abroad, but the Mother thought her house + would be safer if I were away at the cell at Greystone when Queen Margaret + and the Red Rose came north.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And is that the way they keep you safe?’ asked the hostess, who meanwhile + was attending to her in a way that, if the Lady Anne had known it, was + like the tendance of her own nurse at home, instead of that of a rough + peasant woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, we all like the chase, and the Mother had a new cast of hawks that + she wanted to fly. There came out a heron, and she threw off the new one, + and it went careering up—and up—and we all rode after, and + just as the bird was about to pounce down, into a dyke went my pony, Imp, + and not one of them saw! Not Bertram Selby, the Sisters, nor the groom, + nor the rabble rout that had come out of Greystone; and before I could get + free they were off; and the pony, Imp of Evil that he is, has not learnt + to know me or my voice, and would not let me catch him, but cantered off—either + after the other horses or to the Priory. I knew not where I was, and + halloaed myself hoarse, but no one heard, and I went on and on, and lost + my way!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I did hear tell that the Lady Prioress minded her hawks more than her + Hours,’ said Mother Doll. + </p> + <p> + ‘And that’s sooth,’ said the Lady Anne, beginning to prove herself a + chatterbox. ‘The merlins have better hoods than the Sisters; and as to the + Hours, no one ever gets up in the night to say Nocturns or even Matins but + old Sister Scholastica, and she is as strict and cross as may be.’ + </p> + <p> + Here the flow of confidence was interrupted by the return of Hal, who + gazed eagerly, though in a shamefaced way, at the guest as he set down a + bowl of ewe milk. She was a well-grown girl of ten, slender, and bearing + herself like one high bred and well trained in deportment; and her face + was delicately tinted on an olive skin, with fine marked eyebrows, and + dark bright eyes, and her little hunting dress of green, and the hood, set + on far back, became the dark locks that curled in rings beneath. + </p> + <p> + She saw a slender lad, dark-haired and dark-eyed, ruddy and embrowned by + mountain sun and air; and the bow with which he bent before her had + something of the rustic lout, and there was a certain shyness over him + that hindered him from addressing her. + </p> + <p> + ‘So, shepherd,’ she said, ‘when wilt thou take me back to Greystone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Father will fix that,’ interposed the housewife; ‘meanwhile, ye had best + eat your porridge. Here is Father, in good time with the cows’ milk.’ + </p> + <p> + The rugged broad-shouldered shepherd made his salutation duly to the young + lady, and uttered the information that there was a black cloud, like snow, + coming up over the fells to the south-west. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I must fare back to Greystone!’ said the damsel. ‘They will be in a + mighty coil what has become of me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They would be in a worse coil if they found your bones under a snow + wreath.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal went to the door and spied out, as if the tidings were rather pleasant + to him than otherwise. The goodwife shivered, and reached out to close the + shutter, and there being no glass to the windows, all the light that came + in was through the chinks. + </p> + <p> + ‘It would serve them right for not minding me better,’ said the maiden + composedly. ‘Nay, it is as merry here as at Greystone, with Sister + Margaret picking out one’s broidery, and Father Cuthbert making one pore + over his crabbed parchments.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, does this Father teach Latin?’ exclaimed Hal with eager interest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course he doth! The Mother at York promised I should learn whatever + became a damsel of high degree,’ said the girl, drawing herself up. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would he would teach me!’ sighed the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Better break thy fast and mind thy sheep,’ said the old woman, as if she + feared his getting on dangerous ground; and placing the bowl of porridge + on the rough table, she added, ‘Say the Benedicite, lad, and fall to.’ + Then, as he uttered the blessing, she asked the guest whether she + preferred ewes’ milk or cows’ milk, a luxury no one else was allowed, all + eating their porridge contentedly with a pinch of salt, Hob showing scant + courtesy, the less since his guest’s rank had been made known. + </p> + <p> + By the time they had finished, snowflakes—an early autumn storm—were + drifting against the shutter, and a black cloud was lowering over the + hills. Hob foretold a heavy fall of snow, and called on Hal to help him + and Piers fold the flock more securely, sleepy Watch and his old + long-haired collie mother rising at the same call. Lady Anne sprang up at + the same time, insisting that she must go and help to feed the poor sheep, + but she was withheld, much against her will, by Mother Dolly, though she + persisted that snow was nothing to her, and it was a fine jest to be out + of the reach of the Sisters, who mewed her up in a cell, like a messan + dog. However, she was much amused by watching, and thinking she assisted + in, Mother Dolly’s preparations for ewe milk cheese-making; and by-and-by + Hal came in, shaking the snow off the sheepskin he had worn over his + leathern coat. Hob had sent him in, as the weather was too bad for him, + and he and Anne crouched on opposite sides of the wide hearth as he dried + and warmed himself, and cosseted the cat which Anne had tried to caress, + but which showed a decided preference for the older friend. + </p> + <p> + ‘Our Baudrons at Greystone loves me better than that,’ said Anne. ‘She + will come to me sooner than even to Sister Scholastica!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My Tib came with us when we came here. Ay, Tib! purr thy best!’ as he + held his fingers over her, and she rubbed her smooth head against him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can she leap? Baudrons leaps like a horse in the tilt-yard.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Cannot she! There, my lady pussy, show what thou canst do to please the + demoiselle,’ and he held his arms forward with clasped hands, so that the + grey cat might spring over them, and Lady Anne cried out with delight. + </p> + <p> + Again and again the performance was repeated, and pussy was induced to + dance after a string dangled before her, to roll over and play in apparent + ecstasy with a flake of wool, as if it were a mouse, and Watch joined in + the game in full amity. Mother Dolly, busy with her distaff, looked on, + not displeased, except when she had to guard her spindle from the kitten’s + pranks, but she was less happy when the children began to talk. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have seen a tilt-yard?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yea, indeed,’ he answered dreamily. ‘The poor squire was hurt—I did + not like it! It is gruesome.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no! It is a noble sport! I loved our tilt-yard at Bletso. Two knights + could gallop at one another in the lists, as if they were out hunting. Oh! + to hear the lances ring against the shields made one’s heart leap up! + Where was yours?’ + </p> + <p> + Here Dolly interrupted hastily, ‘Hal, lad, gang out to the shed and bring + in some more sods of turf. The fire is getting low.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Here’s a store, mother—I need not go out,’ said Hal, passing to a + pile in the corner. ‘It is too dark for thee to see it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But where was your castle?’ continued the girl. ‘I am sure you have lived + in a castle.’ + </p> + <p> + Insensibly the two children had in addressing one another changed the + homely singular pronoun to the more polite, if less grammatical, second + person plural. The boy laughed, nodded his head, and said, ‘You are a + little witch.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No great witchcraft to hear that you speak as we do at home in + Bedfordshire, not like these northern boors, that might as well be Scots!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not from Bedfordshire,’ said the lad, looking much amused at her + perplexity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who art thou then?’ she cried peremptorily. + </p> + <p> + ‘I? I am Hal the shepherd boy, as I told thee before.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No shepherd boy are you! Come, tell me true.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly thought it time to interfere. She heard an imaginary bleat, and + ordered Hal out to see what was the matter, hindering the girl by force + from running after him, for the snow was coming down in larger flakes than + ever. Nevertheless, when her husband was heard outside she threw a cloak + over her head and hurried out to speak with him. ‘That maid will make our + lad betray himself ere another hour is over their heads!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Doth she do it wittingly?’ asked the shepherd gravely. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, ‘tis no guile, but each child sees that the other is of gentle + blood, and women’s wits be sharp and prying, and the maid will never rest + till she has wormed out who he is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He promised me never to say, nor doth he know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thee! Much do the hests of an old hogherd weigh against the wiles of a + young maid!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord Hal is a lad of his word. Peace with thy lords and ladies, woman, + thou’lt have the archers after him at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She makes no secret of being of gentle blood—a St. John of Bletso.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A pestilent White Rose lot! We shall have them on the scent ere many days + are over our head! An unlucky chance this same snow, or I should have had + the wench off to Greystone ere they could exchange a word.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou wouldst have been caught in the storm. Ill for the maid to have + fallen into a drift!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well for the lad if she never came out of it!’ muttered the gruff old + shepherd. ‘Then were her tongue stilled, and those of the clacking wenches + at York—Yorkists every one of them.’ + </p> + <p> + Mother Dolly’s eyes grew round. ‘Mind thee, Hob!’ she said; ‘I ken thy + bark is worse than thy bite, but I would have thee to know that if aught + befall the maid between this and Greystone, I shall hold thee—and so + will my Lady—guilty of a foul deed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No fouler than was done on the stripling’s father,’ muttered the + shepherd. ‘Get thee in, wife! Who knows what folly those two may be after + while thou art away? Mind thee, if the maid gets an inkling of who the boy + is, it will be the worse for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ murmured the goodwife, ‘I moaned once that our Piers there should be + deaf and well-nigh dumb, but I thank God for it now! No fear of perilous + word going out through him, or I durst not have kept my poor sister’s + son!’ + </p> + <p> + Mother Doll trusted that her husband would never have the heart to leave + the pretty dark-haired girl in the snow, but she was relieved to find Hal + marking down on the wide flat hearth-stone, with a bit of charcoal, all + the stars he had observed. ‘Hob calls that the Plough—those seven!’ + he said; ‘I call it Charles’s Wain!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Methinks I have seen that!’ she said, ‘winter and summer both.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, he is a meuseful husbandman, that Charles! And see here! This middle + mare of the team has a little foal running beside her’—he made a + small spot beside the mark that stood for the central star of what we call + the Bear’s Tail. + </p> + <p> + ‘I never saw that!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, ‘tis only to be seen on a clear bright night. I have seen it, but Hob + mocks at it. He thinks the only use of the Wain is to find the North Star, + up beyond there, pointing by the back of the Plough, and go by it when you + are lost.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What good would finding the North Star do? It would not have helped me + home if you had not found me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Look here, Lady Anne! Which way does Greystone lie?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How should I tell?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Which way did the sun lie when you crossed the moor?’ + </p> + <p> + Anne could not remember at first, but by-and-by recollected that it + dazzled her eyes just as she was looking for the runaway pony; and Hal + declared that it proved that the convent must have been to the south of + the spot of her fall; but his astronomy, though eagerly demonstrated, was + not likely to have brought her back to Greystone. Still Doll was thankful + for the safe subject, as he went on to mark out what he promised that she + should see in the winter—the swarm of glow-worms, as he called the + Pleiades; and ‘Our Lady’s Rock,’ namely, distaff, the northern name for + Orion; and then he talked of the stars that so perplexed him, namely, the + planets, that never stayed in their places. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by, when Mother Dolly’s work was over the kettle was on the fire, + and she was able to take out her own spinning, she essayed to fill up the + time by telling them lengthily the old stories and ballads handed down + from minstrel to minstrel, from nurse to nurse, and they sat entranced, + listening to the stories, more than even Hal knew she possessed, and + holding one another by the hand as they listened. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the snow had ceased—it was but a scud of early autumn on + the mountains—the sun came out with bright slanting beams before his + setting, there was a soft south wind; and Hob, when he came in, growled + out that the thaw had set in, and he should be able to take the maid back + in the morning. He sat scowling and silent during supper, and ordered Hal + about with sharp sternness, sending him out to attend to the litter of the + cattle, before all had finished, and manifestly treated him as the + shepherd’s boy, the drudge of the house, and threatening him with a staff + if he lingered, soon following himself. Mother Dolly insisted on putting + the little lady to bed before they should return, and convent-bred Anne + had sufficient respect for proprieties to see that it was becoming. She + heard no more that night. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — OVER THE MOOR + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In humblest, simplest habit clad, + But these were all to me.—GOLDSMITH. +</pre> + <p> + ‘Hal! What is your name?’ + </p> + <p> + She stood at the door of the hovel, the rising sun lighting up her bright + dark eyes, and smiling in the curly rings of her hair while Hal stood by, + and Watch bounded round them. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have heard,’ he said, half smiling, and half embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hal! That’s no name.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Harry, an it like you better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Harry what?’ with a little stamp of her foot. + </p> + <p> + ‘Harry Hogward, as you see, or Shepherd, so please you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are no Hogward, nor shepherd! These folk be no kin to you, I can see. + Come, an you love me, tell me true! I told you true who I am, Red Rose + though I see you be! Why not trust me the same?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lady, I verily ken no name save Harry. I would trust you, verily I would, + but I know not myself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I guess! I guess!’ she cried, clapping her hands, but at the moment Dolly + laid a hand on her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not guess, maiden,’ she said. ‘If thou wouldst not bring evil on the + lad that found thee, and the roof that sheltered thee, guess not, yea, and + utter not a word save that thou hast lain in a shepherd’s hut. Forget all, + as though thou hadst slept in the castle on the hill that fades away with + the day.’ + </p> + <p> + She ended hastily, for her husband was coming up with a rough pony’s + halter in his hand. He was in haste to be off, lest a search for the lost + child might extend to his abode, and his gloomy displeasure and ill-masked + uneasiness reduced every-one to silence in his presence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Up and away, lady wench!’ he said. ‘No time to lose if you are to be at + Greystone ere night! Thou Hal, thou lazy lubber, go with Piers and the + sheep—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall go with you,’ replied Hal, in a grave tone of resolution. ‘I will + only go within view of the convent, but go with you I will.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke with a decided tone of authority, and Hob Hogward muttered a + little to himself, but yielded. + </p> + <p> + Hal assisted the young lady to mount, and they set off along the track of + the moss, driving the cows, sheep, and goats before them—not a very + considerable number—till they came to another hut, much smaller and + more rude than that where they had left Mother Doll. + </p> + <p> + Piers was a wild, shaggy-haired lad, with a sheepskin over his shoulders, + and legs bare below the knee, and to him the charge of the flock was + committed, with signs which he evidently understood and replied to with a + gruff ‘Ay, ay!’ The three went on the way, over the slope of a hill, + partly clothed with heather, holly and birch trees, as it rose above the + moss. Hob led the pony, and there was something in his grim air and manner + that hindered any conversation between the two young people. Only Hal from + time to time gathered a flower for the young lady, scabious and globe + flowers, and once a very pink wild rose, mingled with white ones. Lady + Anne took them with a meaning smile, and a merry gesture, as though she + were going to brush Hal’s face with the petals. Hal laughed, and said, + ‘You will make them shed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well and good, so the disputes be shed,’ said Anne, with more meaning + than perhaps Hal understood. ‘And the white overcomes the red.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘May be the red will have its way with spring—’ + </p> + <p> + But there Hob looked round on them, and growled out, ‘Have done with that + folly! What has a herd boy like thee to do with roses and frippery? Come + away from the lady’s rein. Thou art over-held to thrust thyself upon her.’ + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, as Hal fell back, the dark eyes shot a meaning glance at + him, and the party went on in silence, except that now and then Hob + launched at Hal an order that he endeavoured to render savagely + contemptuous and harsh, so that Lady Anne interfered to say, ‘Nay, the + poor lad is doing no harm.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Scathe enough,’ answered Hob. ‘He always will be doing ill if he can. + Heed him not, lady, it only makes him the more malapert.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Malapert,’ repeated Anne, not able to resist a little teasing of the grim + escort; ‘that’s scarce a word of the dales. ‘Tis more like a man-at-arms.’ + </p> + <p> + This Hob would not hear, and if he did, it produced a rough imprecation on + the pony, and a sharp cut with his switch. + </p> + <p> + They had crossed another burn, travelled through the moss, and mounted to + the brow of another hill, when, far away against the sky, on the top of + yet another height, were to be seen moving figures, not cattle, but Anne + recognised them at once. ‘Men-at-arms! archers! lances! A search party for + me! The Prioress must have sent to the Warden’s tower.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Off with thee, lad!’ said Hob, at once turning round upon Hal. ‘I’ll not + have thee lingering to gape at the men-at-arms! Off I say, or—’ + </p> + <p> + He raised his stout staff as though to beat the boy, who looked up in his + face with a laugh, as if in very little alarm at his threat, smiled up in + the young lady’s face, and as she held out her hand with ‘Farewell, Hal; + I’ll keep your rose-leaves in my breviary,’ he bent over and kissed the + fingers. + </p> + <p> + ‘How now! This impudence passes! As if thou wert of the same blood as the + damsel!’ exclaimed Hob in considerable anger, bringing down his stick. + ‘Away with thee, ill-bred lubber! Back to thy sheep, thou lazy loiterer! + Get thee gone and thy whelp with thee!’ + </p> + <p> + Hal obeyed, though not without a parting grin at Anne, and had sped away + down the side of the hill, among the hollies and birches, which entirely + concealed him and the bounding puppy. + </p> + <p> + Hob went on in a gruff tone: ‘The insolence of these loutish lads! See + you, lady, he is a stripling that I took up off the roadside out of mere + charity, and for the love of Heaven—a mere foundling as you may say, + and this is the way he presumes!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A foundling, sayest thou?’ said Anne, unable to resist teasing him a + little, and trying to gratify her own curiosity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, you may say so! There’s a whole sort of these orphans, after all the + bad luck to the land, to be picked up on every wayside.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On Towton Moor, mayhap,’ said Anne demurely, as she saw her surly guide + start. But he was equal to the occasion, and answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay, Towton Moor; ‘twas shame to see such bloody work; and there were + motherless and fatherless children, stray lambs, to be met with, weeping + their little hearts out, and starving all around unless some good + Christian took pity on them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Was Hal one of these?’ asked Lady Anne. + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you, lady, I looked into a church that was full of weeping and + wailing folk, women and children in deadly fear of the cruel, + bloody-minded York folk, and the Lord of March that is himself King Edward + now, a murrain on him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t let those folk hear you say so!’ laughed Lady Anne. ‘They would + think nothing of hauling thee off for a black traitor, or hanging thee up + on the first tree stout enough to bear thee.’ + </p> + <p> + She said it half mischievously, but the only effect was a grunt, and a + stolid shrug of his shoulders, nor did he vouchsafe another word for the + rest of the way before they came through the valley, and through the low + brushwood on the bank, and were in sight of the search party, who set up a + joyful halloo of welcome on perceiving her. + </p> + <p> + A young man, the best mounted and armed, evidently an esquire, rode + forward, exclaiming, ‘Well met, fair Lady Anne! Great have been the Mother + Prioress’s fears for you, and she has called up half the country side, + lest you should be fallen into the hands of Robin of Redesdale, or some + other Lancastrian rogue.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Much she heeded me in comparison with hawk and heron!’ responded Anne. + ‘Thanks for your heed, Master Bertram.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must part from thee and thy sturdy pony. Thanks for the use of it,’ + added she, as the squire proceeded to take her from the pony. He would + have lifted her down, but she only touched his hand lightly and sprang to + the ground, then stood patting its neck. ‘Thanks again, good pony. I am + much beholden to thee, Gaffer Hob! Stay a moment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, lady, it would be well to mount you behind Archie. His beast is best + to carry a lady.’ + </p> + <p> + Archie was an elderly man, stout but active, attached to the service of + the convent. He had leapt down, and was putting on a belt, and arranging a + pad for the damsel, observing, ‘Ill hap we lost you, damsel! I saw you not + fall.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay,’ returned Anne, ‘your merlin charmed you far more. Master Bertram, + the loan of your purse. I would reward the honest man who housed me.’ + </p> + <p> + Bertram laughed and said, tossing up the little bag that hung to his + girdle, ‘Do you think, fair damsel, that a poor Border squire carries + about largesse in gold and silver? Let your clown come with us to + Greystone, and thence have what meed the Prioress may bestow on him, for a + find that your poor servant would have given worlds to make.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hearest thou, Hob?’ said Anne. ‘Come with us to the convent, and thou + shalt have thy guerdon.’ + </p> + <p> + Hob, however, scratched his head, with a more boorish air than he had + before manifested, and muttered something about a cow that needed his + attention, and that he could not spare the time from his herd for all that + the Prioress was like to give him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this, then,’ said Anne, disengaging a gold clasp from her neck, and + giving it to him. ‘Bear it to the goodwife and bid her recollect me in her + prayers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall come and redeem it from thee, sulky carle as thou art,’ said + Bertram. ‘Such jewels are not for greasy porridge-fed housewives. Hark + thee, have it ready for me! I shall be at thy hovel ere long’—as + Anne waved to Hob when she was lifted to her seat. + </p> + <p> + But Hob had already turned away, and Anne, as she held on by Archie’s + leathern belt, in her gay tone was beginning to defend him by declaring + that porridge and grease did not go together, so the nickname was not + rightly bestowed on the kindly goodwife. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay! Greasy from his lord’s red deer,’ said Bertram, ‘or his tainted + mutton. Trust one of these herds, and a sheep is tainted whenever he wants + a good supper. Beshrew me but that stout fellow looks lusty and hearty + enough, as if he lived well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They were good and kind, and treated me well,’ said Anne. ‘I should be + dead if they had not succoured me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The marvel is you are not dead with the stench of their hovel, and the + foulness of their food.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was very good food—milk, meat, and oaten porridge,’ replied + Anne. + </p> + <p> + ‘Marvellous, I say!’ cried Bertram with a sudden thought. ‘Was it not said + that there were some of those traitorous Lancastrian folk lurking about + the mountains and fells? That rogue had the bearing of a man-at-arms, far + more than of a mere herd. Deemedst thou not so, Archie?’ to the elderly + man who rode before the young damsel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Herdsmen here are good with the quarter-staff. They know how to stand + against the Scots, and do not get bowed like our Midland serfs,’ put in + Anne, before Archie could answer, which he did with something of a snarl, + as Bertram laughed somewhat jeeringly, and declared that the Lady Anne had + become soft-hearted. She looked down at her roses, but in the dismounting + and mounting again the petals of the red rose had floated away, and + nothing was left of it save a slender pink bud enclosed within a dark + calyx. + </p> + <p> + Archie, hard pressed, declared, ‘There are poor fellows lurking about here + and there, but bad blood is over among us. No need to ferret about for + them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh! Not when there may be a lad among them for whose head the king and + his brothers would give the weight of it in gold nobles?’ + </p> + <p> + Anne shivered a little at this, but she cried out, ‘Shame on you, Master + Bertram Selby, if you would take a price for the head of a brave foe! You, + to aspire to be a knight!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, lady, I was but pointing out to Archie and the other grooms here, + how they might fill their pouches if they would. I verily believe thou + knowst of some lurking-place, thou art so prompt to argue! Did I not see + another with thee, who made off when we came in view? Say! Was he a + blood-stained Clifford? I heard of the mother having married in these + parts.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was Hob Hogward’s herd boy,’ answered Anne, as composedly as she + could. ‘He hied him back to mind his sheep.’ + </p> + <p> + Nor would Anne allow another word to be extracted from her ere the grey + walls of the Priory of Greystone rose before her, and the lay Sister at + the gate shrieked for joy at seeing her riding behind Archie. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — A SPORTING PRIORESS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Yet nothing stern was she in cell, + And the nuns loved their abbess well.—SCOTT. +</pre> + <p> + The days of the Wars of the Roses were evil times for the discipline of + convents, which, together with the entire Western Church, suffered from + the feuds of the Popes with the Italian princes. + </p> + <p> + Small remote houses, used as daughters or auxiliaries to the large + convents, were especially apt to fall into a lax state, and in truth the + little priory of Greystone, with its half-dozen of Sisters, had been + placed under the care of the Lady Agnes Selby because she was too highly + connected to be dealt with sharply, and too turbulent and unmanageable for + the soberminded house at York. So there she was sent, with the deeply + devout and strict Sister Scholastica, to keep the establishment in order, + and deal with the younger nuns and lay Sisters. Being not entirely out of + reach of a raid from the Scottish border, it was hardly a place for the + timid, although the better sort of moss troopers generally spared monastic + houses. Anne St. John had been sent thither at the time when Queen + Margaret was making her attempt in the north, where the city of York was + Lancastrian, as the Mother Abbess feared that her presence might bring + vengeance upon the Sisterhood. + </p> + <p> + There was no great harm in the Mother Agnes, only she was a maiden whom + nothing but family difficulties could have forced into a monastic life—a + lively, high-spirited, out-of-door creature, whom the close + conventionalities of castle life and even whipping could not tame, and who + had been the despair of her mother and of the discreet dames to whom her + first childhood had been committed, to say nothing of a Lady Abbess or + two. Indeed, from the Mother of Sopwell, Dame Julian Berners, she had + imbibed nothing but a vehement taste for hawk, horse, and hound. The + recluses of St. Mary, York, after being heartily scandalised by her + habits, were far from sorry to have a good excuse for despatching her to + their outlying cell, where, as they observed, she would know how to show a + good face in case the Armstrongs came over the Border. + </p> + <p> + She came flying down on the first rumour of Lady Anne’s return, her veil + turned back, her pace not at all accordant with the solemn gait of a + Prioress, her arms outstretched, her face, not young nor handsome, but + sunburnt, weather-beaten and healthy, and full of delight. ‘My child, my + Nan, here thou art! I was just mounting to seek for thee to the west, + while Bertram sought again over the mosses where we sent yester morn. + Where hast thou been in the snow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A shepherd took me to his hut, Lady Mother,’ answered Anne rather coldly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Little didst thou think of our woe and grief when thy palfrey was found + standing riderless at the stable door, and Sister Scholastica told us that + there he had been since nones! And she had none to send in quest but + Cuddie, the neatherd.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My palfrey fell with me when you were in full chase of hawk and heron, + ‘and none ever turned a head towards me nor heard me call.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor maid! But it was such a chase as never you did watch. On and on went + the heron, the falcon ever mounting higher and higher, till she was but a + speck in the clouds, and Tam Falconer shouting and galloping, mad lest she + should go down the wind. Methought she would have been back to Norroway, + the foul jade!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you capture her, Mother?’ asked Anne. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, she pounced at last, and well-nigh staked herself on the heron’s + beak! But we had a long ride, and were well-nigh at the Tyne before we had + caught her. Full of pranks, but a noble hawk, as I shall write to my + brother by the next messenger that comes our way. I call it a hawk worth + her meat that leads one such a gallop.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What would you have done, reverend Mother, if she had crossed the + Border?’ asked Bertram. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ridden after her. No Scot would touch a Lady Prioress on the chase,’ + responded Mother Agnes, looking not at all like a reverend Mother. ‘Now, + poor Anne, thou must be hungered. Thou shalt eat with Master Bertram and + me in the refectory anon. Take her, Sister Joan, and make her ready to + break her fast with us.’ + </p> + <p> + Anne quickly went to her chamber. It was not quite a cell, the bare stone + walls being hung with faded woollen tapestry, the floor covered with a + deerskin, the small window filled with dark green glass, a chest serving + the double purpose of seat and wardrobe, and further, a bed hung with + thick curtains, in which she slept with the lay Sister, Joan, who further + fetched a wooden bowl of water from the fountain in the court that she + might wash her face and hands. She changed her soiled riding-dress for a + tight-fitting serge garment of dark green with long hanging sleeves, + assisted by Joan, who also arranged her dark hair in two plaits, and put + over it a white veil, fastened over a framework to keep it from hanging + too closely. + </p> + <p> + All the time Joan talked, telling of the fright the Mother had been in + when the loss of the Lady Anne had been discovered, and how it was feared + that she had been seized by Scottish reivers, or lost in the snow on the + hills, or captured by the Lancastrians. + </p> + <p> + ‘For there be many of the Red Rose rogues about on the mosses—comrades, + ‘tis said, of that noted thief Robin of Redesdale.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was with good folk, in a shepherd’s sheiling,’ replied Anne. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay. Out on the north hill, methinks.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay. Beyond Deadman’s Pool,’ said Anne. ‘By Blackreed Moss. That was + where the pony fell.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Blackreed Moss! That moor belongs to the De Vescis, the blackest + Lancaster fellow of all! His daughter is the widow of the red-handed + Clifford, who slew young Earl Edmund on Wakefield Bridge. They say her + young son is in hiding in some moss in his lands, for the King holds him + in deadly feud for his brother’s death.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was a babe, and had nought to do with it,’ said Anne. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is of his father’s blood,’ returned Sister Joan, who in her convent + was still a true north country woman. ‘Ay, Lady Anne, you from your shires + know nought of how deep goes the blood feud in us of the Borderland! Ay, + lady, was not mine own grandfather slain by the Musgrave of Leit Hill, and + did not my father have his revenge on his son by Solway Firth? Yea, and + now not a Graeme can meet a Musgrave but they come to blows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but that is not what the good Fathers teach,’ Anne interposed. + </p> + <p> + ‘The Fathers have neither chick nor child to take up their quarrel. They + know nought about blood crying for blood! If King Edward caught that brat + of Clifford he would make him know what ‘tis to be born of a bloody + house.’ + </p> + <p> + Anne tried to say something, but the lay Sister pushed her along. ‘There, + there, go you down—you know nothing about what honour requires of + you! You are but a south country maid, and have no notion of what is due + to them one came from.’ + </p> + <p> + Joan Graeme was only a lay Sister, her father a small farmer when not a + moss trooper; but all the Border, on both sides, had the strongest ideas + of persistent vendetta, such as happily had never been held in the midland + and southern counties, where there was less infusion of Celtic blood. Anne + was a good deal shocked at the doctrine propounded by the attendant + Sister, a mild, good-natured woman in daily life, but the conversation + confirmed her suspicions, and put her on her guard as she remembered Hob’s + warning. She had liked the shepherd lad far too much, and was far too + grateful to him, to utter a word that might give him up to the revengers + of blood. + </p> + <p> + At the foot of the stone stairs that led into the quadrangle she met the + black-robed, heavily hooded Sister Scholastica on her way to the chapel. + The old nun held out her arms. ‘Safely returned, my child! God be thanked! + Art thou come to join thy thanksgiving with ours at this hour of nones?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, I am bound to break my fast with the Mother and Master Bertram.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! thou must needs be hungered! It is well! But do but utter thy thanks + to Him Who kept thee safe from the storm and from foul doers.’ + </p> + <p> + Anne did not break away from the good Sister, but went as far as the + chapel porch, was touched with holy water, and bending her knee, uttered + in a low voice her ‘Gratias ago,’ then hastened across the court to the + refectory, where the Prioress received her with a laugh and, ‘So Sister + Scholastica laid hands on thee; I thought I should have to come and rescue + thee ere the grouse grew cold.’ + </p> + <p> + Bertram, as a courteous squire of dames, came forward bowing low, and the + party were soon seated at the board—literally a board, supported + upon trestles, only large enough to receive the Prioress, the squire and + the recovered girl, but daintily veiled in delicate white napery. + </p> + <p> + It was screened off from the rest of the refectory, where the few Sisters + had already had their morning’s meal after Holy Communion; and from it + there was a slight barrier, on the other side of which Bertram Selby ought + to have been, but rules sat very lightly on the Prioress Selby. Bertram + was of kin to her, and she had no demur as to admitting him to her private + table. He was, in fact, a squire of the household of the Marquess of + Montagu, brother of the Kingmaker and had been despatched with letters to + the south. He had made a halt at his cousin’s priory, had been persuaded + to join in flying the new hawks, and then had first been detained by the + snow-storm, and then joined in the quest for the lost Lady Anne St. John. + </p> + <p> + No doubt had then arisen that the Nevils were firm in their attachment to + Edward IV., and, as a consequence, in enmity to the House of Clifford, and + both these scions of Selby had been excited at a rumour that the widow of + the Baron who had slain young Edmund of York had married Sir Lancelot + Threlkeld of Threlkeld, and that her eldest son, the heir of the line, + might be hidden somewhere on the De Vesci estates. + </p> + <p> + Bertram had already told the Prioress that his men had spied a lad + accompanying the shepherd who escorted the lady, and who, he thought, had + a certain twang of south country speech; and no sooner had he carved for + the ladies, according to the courtly duty of an esquire, than the inquiry + began as to who had found the maiden and where she had been lodged. + Prioress Agnes, who had already broken her fast, sat meantime with the + favourite hawk on her wrist and a large dog beside her, feeding them + alternately with the bones of the grouse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, tell us all, sweet Nan! Where wast thou in that untimely + snow-storm? In a cave, starved with cold, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was safe in a cabin with a kind old gammer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh! And how cam’st thou there? Wandering thither?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, the shepherd heard me call.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The shepherd! What, the churl that came with thee?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He carried me to the hut.’ + </p> + <p> + Anne was on her guard, though Bertram probed her well. Was there only one + shepherd? Was there not a boy with her on the hill-side where Bertram met + her? The shepherd lad in sooth! What became of him? The shepherd sent him + back, he had been too long away from his flock. What was his name? What + was the shepherd’s name? Who was his master? Anne did not know—she + had heard no names save Hob and Hal, she had seen no arms, she had heard + nothing southland. The lad was a mere herd-boy, ordered out to milk ewes + and tend the sheep. She answered briefly, and with a certain sullenness, + and young Selby at last turned on her. ‘Look thee here, fair lady, there’s + a saying abroad that the heir of the red-handed House of Clifford is + lurking here, on the look-out to favour Queen Margaret and her son. + Couldst thou put us on the scent, King Edward would favour thee and make + thee a great dame, and have thee to his Court—nay, maybe give thee + what is left of the barony of Clifford.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know nothing of young lords,’ sulkily growled Anne, who had been + hitherto busy with her pets, striking her hand on the table. + </p> + <p> + ‘And I tell thee, Bertram Selby,’ exclaimed the Prioress, ‘that if thou + art ware of a poor fatherless lad lurking in hiding in these parts, it is + not the part of an honest man to seek him out for his destruction, and + still less to try to make the maid he rescued betray him. Well done, + little Anne, thou knowest how to hold thy tongue.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Reverend Mother,’ expostulated Bertram, ‘if you knew what some would give + to be on the scent of the wolf-cub!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know not, nor do I wish to know, for what price a Selby would sell his + honour and his bowels of mercy,’ said Mother Agnes. ‘Come away, Nan; thou + hast done well.’ + </p> + <p> + Bertram muttered something about having thought her a better Yorkist, + women not understanding, and mischief that might be brewing; but the + Prioress, taking Anne by the hand, went her way, leaving Bertram standing + confused. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, mother,’ sighed Anne, ‘do you think he will go after him? He will + think I was treacherous!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I doubt me whether he will dare,’ said the Prioress. ‘Moreover, it is too + late in the day for a search, and another snow-shower seems coming up + again. I cannot turn the youth, my kinsman, from my door, and he is safer + here than on his quest, but he shall see no more of thee or me to-night. I + may hold that Edward of March has the right, but that does not mean + hunting down an orphan child.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother, mother, you are good indeed!’ cried Anne, almost weeping for joy. + </p> + <p> + Bertram, though hurt and offended, was obliged by advance of evening to + remain all night in the hospitium, with only the chaplain to bear him + company, and it was reported that though he rode past Blackpool, no trace + of shepherd or hovel was found. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — MOTHER AND SON + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My own, my own, thy fellow-guest + I may not be, but rest thee, rest— + The lowly shepherd’s life is best. + —WORDSWORTH. +</pre> + <p> + The Lady Threlkeld stood in the lower storey of her castle, a sort of + rough-built hall or crypt, with a stone stair leading upward to the real + castle hall above, while this served as a place where she met her + husband’s retainers and the poor around, and administered to their wants + with her own hands, assisted by the maidens of her household. + </p> + <p> + Among the various hungry and diseased there limped in a sturdy beggar with + a wallet on his back, and a broad shady hat, as though on pilgrimage. He + was evidently a stranger among the rest, and had his leg and foot bound + up, leaning heavily on a stout staff. + </p> + <p> + ‘Italy pilgrim, what ails thee?’ demanded the lady, as he approached her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alack, noble dame! we poor pilgrims must ever be moving on, however much + it irks foot and limb, over these northern stones,’ he answered, and his + accent and tone were such that a thrill seemed to pass over the lady’s + whole person, but she controlled it, and only said, ‘Tarry till these have + received their alms, then will I see to thee and thy maimed foot. Give him + a stool, Alice, while he waits.’ + </p> + <p> + The various patients who claimed the lady’s assistance were attended to, + those who needed food were relieved, and in due time the hall was cleared, + excepting of the lady, an old female servant, and Hob, who had sat all the + time with his foot on a stool, and his back against the wall, more than + half asleep after the toils and long journey of the night. + </p> + <p> + Then the Lady Threlkeld came to him, and making him a sign not to rise, + said aloud, ‘Good Gaffer, let me see what ails thy leg.’ Then kneeling + down and busying herself with the bandages, she looked up piteously in his + face, with the partly breathed inquiry, ‘My son?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, my lady, and grown into a stalwart lad,’ was Hob’s answer, with an + eye on the door, and in a voice as low as his gruff tones would permit. + </p> + <p> + ‘And wherefore? What is it?’ she asked anxiously. ‘Be they on the track of + my poor boy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They may be,’ answered Hob, ‘wherefore I deemed it well to shift our + quarters. As hap would have it, the lad fell upon a little wench lost in + the mosses, and there was nothing for it but to bring her home for the + night. I would have had her away as soon as day dawned, and no questions + asked, but the witches, or the foul fiend himself, must needs bring up a + snow-storm, and there was nothing for it but to let her bide in the cot + all day, giving tongue as none but womenfolk can do; and behold she is the + child of the Lord St. John of Bletso.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, what should bring her north?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She wonnes at Greystone with the wild Prioress Selby, who lost her out + hawking. Her father is a black Yorkist. I saw him up to his stirrups in + blood at St. Albans!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But sure my boy did not make himself known to her?’ exclaimed the lady. + </p> + <p> + ‘I trow not. He has been well warned, and is a lad of his word; but the + two bairns, left to themselves, could scarce help finding out that each + was of gentle blood and breeding, and how much more my goodwife cannot + tell. I took the maid back so soon as it was safe yester morn, and sent + back my young lord, much against his will, half-way to Greystone. And well + was it I did so, for he was scarce over the ridge when a plump of spears + came in sight on the search for him, and led by the young squire of + Selby.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! and if the damsel does but talk, even if she knows nought, the foe + will draw their conclusions!’ said the lady, clasping her hands. ‘Oh, + would that I had sent him abroad with his little brothers!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, then might he have fallen into the hands of Bletso himself, and they + say Burgundy is all for the Yorkists now,’ said Hob. ‘This is what I have + done, gracious lady. I bade my good woman carry off all she could from the + homestead and burn the rest; and for him we wot on, I sent him and his + flock off westward, appointing each of them the same trysting-place—on + the slope beneath Derwent Hill, my lady—whence I thought, if it were + your will and the good knight Sir Lancelot’s, we might go nigher to the + sea and the firth, where the Selby clan have no call, being at deadly feud + with the Ridleys. So if the maiden’s tongue goes fast, and the Prioress + follows up the quest with young Selby, they will find nought for their + pains.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art a good guardian, Hob! Ah! where would my boy be save for thee? + And thou sayest he is even now at the very border of the forest ground! + Sure, there can be no cause that I should not go and see him. My heart + hungers for my children. Oh, let me go with thee!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir Lancelot—’ began Hob. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is away at the Warden’s summons. He will scarce be back for a week or + more. I will, I must go with thee, good Hob.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not in your own person, good madam,’ stipulated Hob. ‘As thou knowest, + there are those in Sir Lancelot’s following who might be too apt to report + of secret visits, and that were as ill as the Priory folk.’ + </p> + <p> + It was then decided that the lady should put on the disguise of a + countrywoman bringing eggs and meat to sell at the castle, and meet Hob + near the postern, whence a path led to Penrith. + </p> + <p> + Hob, having received a lump of oatcake and a draught of very small ale, + limped out of the court, and, so soon as he could find a convenient spot + behind the gorse bushes, divested himself of his bandages, and changed the + side of his shepherd’s plaid to one much older and more weather-beaten; + also his pilgrim’s hat for one in his pouch—a blue bonnet, more like + the national Scottish head-gear, hiding the hat in the gorse. + </p> + <p> + Then he lay down and waited, where he could see a window, whence a red + kerchief was to be fluttered to show when the lady would be ready for him + to attend her. He waited long, for she had first to disarm suspicion by + presiding at the general meal of the household, and showing no undue + haste. + </p> + <p> + At last, though not till after he had more than once fallen asleep and + feared that he had missed the signal, or that his wife and ‘Hal’ might be + tempted to some imprudence while waiting, he beheld the kerchief waving in + the sunset light of the afternoon, and presently, shrouded in such a black + and white shepherd’s maud as his own, and in a russet gown with a basket + on her arm, his lady came forth and joined him. + </p> + <p> + His first thought was how would she return again, when the darkness was + begun, but her only answer was, ‘Heed not that! My child, I must see.’ + </p> + <p> + Indeed, she was almost too breathless and eager with haste, as he guided + her over the rough and difficult path, or rather track, to answer his + inquiries as to what was to be done next. Her view, however, agreed with + his, that they must lurk in the borders of the woodland for a day or two + till Sir Lancelot’s return, when he would direct them to a place where he + could put them under the protection of one of the tenants of his manor. It + was a long walk, longer than Hob had perhaps felt when he had undertaken + to conduct the lady through it, for ladies, though inured to many dangers + in those days, were unaccustomed to travelling on their own feet; but the + mother’s heart seemed to heed no obstacle, though moments came when she + had to lean heavily on her companion, and he even had to lift her over + brooks or pools; but happily the sun had not set when they made their way + through the tangles of the wood, and at last saw before them the fitful + glow of a fire of dead leaves, branches and twigs, while the bark of a dog + greeted the rustling, they made. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sweetheart, my faithful!’ then shouted Hob, and in another moment there + was a cry, ‘Ha! Halloa! Master Hob—beest there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His voice!—my son’s!’ gasped the lady, and sank for a moment of + overwhelming joy against the faithful retainer, while the shaggy dog leapt + upon them both. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, lad, here—and some one else.’ + </p> + <p> + The boy crashed through the underwood, and stood on the path in a moment’s + hesitation. Mother and son were face to face! + </p> + <p> + The years that had passed had changed the lad from almost a babe into a + well-grown strong boy but the mother was little altered, and as she held + out her arms no word was wasted ere he sprang into them, and his face was + hidden on her neck as when he knew his way into her embrace of old! + </p> + <p> + When the intense rapturous hold was loosed they were aware of Goodwife + Dolly looking on with clasped hands and streaming eyes, giving thanks for + the meeting of her dear lady and the charge whom she and her husband had + so faithfully kept. + </p> + <p> + When the mother and son had leisure to look round, and there was a pleased + survey of the boy’s height and strength, Goodwife Dolly came forward to + beg the lady to come to her fire, and rest under the gipsy tent which she + and nephew Piers—her <i>real</i> herd-boy, a rough, shaggy, almost + dumb and imbecile lad—had raised with branches, skins and canvas, to + protect their few articles of property. There was a smouldering fire, over + which Doll had prepared a rabbit which the dog had caught, and which she + had intended for Hal’s supper and that of her husband if he came home in + time. While the lady lavished thanks upon her for all she had done for the + boy she was intent on improving the rude meal, so as to strengthen her + mistress after her long walk, and for the return. The lady, however, could + see and think of nothing but her son, while he returned her tearful gaze + with open eyes, gathering up his old recollections of her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother!’ he said—with a half-wondering tone, as the recollections + of six years old came back to him more fully, and then he nestled again in + her arms as if she were far more real to him than at first—‘Mother!’ + And then, as she sobbed over him, ‘The little one?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The babe is well, when last I heard of her, in a convent at York. Thou + rememberest her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay—my little sister! Ay,’ he said, with a considering interrogative + sound, ‘I mind her well, and old Bunce too, that taught me to ride.’ + </p> + <p> + But Hob interrupted the reminiscences by bringing up the pony on which + Anne had ridden, and insisting that the lady should not tarry longer. + ‘He,’ indicating Hal, might walk beside her through the wood, and thus + prolong their interview, but, as she well knew, it was entirely unsafe to + remain any longer away from the castle. + </p> + <p> + There were embraces and sobbing thanks exchanged between the lady and her + son’s old nurse, and then Hal, at a growling hint from Hob, came forward, + and awkwardly helped her to her saddle. He walked by her side through the + wood, holding her rein, while Hob, going before, did his best in the + twilight to clear away the tangled branches and brambles that fell across + the path, and were near of striking the lady across the face as she rode. + </p> + <p> + On the way she talked to her son about his remembrances, anxious to know + how far his dim recollections went of the old paternal castle in + Bedfordshire, of his infant sister and brother, and his father. Of him he + had little recollection, only of being lifted in his arms, kissed and + blessed, and seeing him ride away with his troop, clanking in their + armour. After that he remembered nothing, save the being put into a + homelier dress, and travelling on Nurse Dolly’s lap in a wain, up and + down, it seemed to him, for ever, till at last clearer recollections awoke + in him, and he knew himself as Hal the shepherd’s boy, with the sheep + around him, and the blue starry sky above him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dost thou remember what thou wast called in those times?’ asked his + mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was always Hal. The little one was Meg,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so, my boy, my dear boy! But knowst thou no more than this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Methinks, methinks there were serving-men that called me the young Lord. + Ay, so! But nurse said I must forget all that. Mother dear, when that + maiden came and talked of tilts and lances, meseemed that I recollected + somewhat. Was then my father a knight?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alack! alack! my child, that thou shouldst not know!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Memories came back with that maiden’s voice and thine,’ said Hal, in a + bewildered tone. ‘My father! Was he then slain when he rode farther?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! I may tell thee now thou art old enough to guard thyself,’ she said. + ‘Thy father, whom our blessed Lord assoilzie, was the Lord Clifford, slain + by savage hands on Towton field for his faith to King Harry! Thou, my poor + boy, art the Baron of Clifford, though while this cruel House of York be + in power thou must keep in hiding from them in this mean disguise. Woe + worth the day!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And am I then a baron—a lord?’ said the boy. ‘Great lords have + books. Were there not some big ones on the hall window seats? Did not + Brother Eldred begin to teach me my letters? I would that I could go on to + learn more!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I would that thou couldst have all knightly training, and learn to + use sword and lance like thy gallant father!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but I saw a poor man fall off his horse and lie hurt, I do not want + those hard, cruel ways. And my father was slain. Must a lord go to + battle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Boy, boy, thou wilt not belie thy Clifford blood,’ cried the lady in + consternation, which was increased when he said, ‘I have no mind to go out + and kill folks or be killed. I had rather mark the stars and tend my + sheep.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alack! alack! This comes of keeping company with the sheep. That my son, + and my lord’s son, should be infected with their sheepish nature!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear, madam,’ said Hob. ‘When occasion comes, and strength is + grown, his blood will show itself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I could only give him knightly breeding!’ sighed the lady. ‘Sir + Lancelot may find the way. I cannot see him grow up a mere shepherd boy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Content you, madam,’ said Hob. ‘Never did I see a shepherd boy with the + wisdom and the thought there is in that curly pate!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wisdom! thought!’ muttered the lady. ‘Those did not save our good King, + only made him a saint. I had rather hear the boy talk of sword and lance + than prate of books and stars! And that wench, whom to our misfortune thou + didst find! What didst tell her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I told her nought, mother, for I had nought to tell.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She scented mystery, though,’ said Hob. ‘She saw he was no herd boy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay? Though he holds himself like a lout untrained! Would that I could + have thee in hand, my son, to make thee meet to tread in thy brave + father’s steps! But now, comrade of sheep thou art, and I fear me thou + wilt ever be! But that maid, I trust that she perceived nothing in thy + bearing or speech?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She will not betray whatever she perceived,’ said Hal stoutly. + </p> + <p> + The wood was by this time nearly past, and the moment of parting had come. + The lady had decided on going on foot to the little grey stone church + whose low square tower could be seen rising like another rock. Thither she + could repair in her plaid, and by-and-by throw it off, and return in her + own character to the castle, as though she had gone forth to worship + there. When lifted off the shaggy pony she threw her arms round Hal, + kissed him passionately, and bade him never breathe a word of it, but + never to forget that a baron he was, and bound to be a good brave knight, + fit to avenge his father’s death! + </p> + <p> + Hal came to understand from Dolly’s explanations that his recent abode had + been on the estate of his grandfather, Baron de Vesci, at Londesborough, + but his mother had since married Sir Lancelot Threlkeld, and had intimated + that her boy should be removed thither as soon as might be expedient, and + therefore the house on the Yorkshire moor had been broken up. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — A CAUTIOUS STEPFATHER + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Thou tree of covert and of rest + For this young bird that was distrest. + —WORDSWORTH. +</pre> + <p> + A baron—bound to be a good knight, and to avenge my father’s death! + What does it all mean?’ murmured Hal to himself as he lay on his back in + the morning sunshine, on the hill-side, the wood behind him, and before + him a distance of undulating ground, ending in the straight mysterious + blue-grey line that Hob Hogward had told him was the sea. + </p> + <p> + ‘Baron! Lord Clifford, like my father! He was a man in steel armour; I + remember how it rang, and how his gorget—yes, that was the thing + round his throat—how it hurt me when he lifted me up to kiss me, and + how they blamed me for crying out. Ay, and he lived in a castle with dark, + dull, narrow chambers, all save the hall, where there was ever a tramping + and a clamouring, and smells of hot burning meat, and horses, and all + sorts of things, and they sat and sat over their meat and wine, and drank + health to King Harry and the Red Rose. I mind now how they shouted and + roared, and how I wanted to go and hide on the stairs, and my father would + have me shout with them, and drink confusion to York out of his cup, and + shook me and cuffed me when I cried. Oh! must one be like that to be a + knight? I had rather live on these free green hills with the clear blue + sky above me, and my good old ewe for my comrade’—and he fell to + caressing the face of an old sheep which had come up to him, a white, + mountain-bleached sheep with fine and delicate limbs. ‘Yes, I love thee, + good, gentle, little ewe, and thee, faithful Watch,’ as a young collie + pressed up to him, thrusting a long nose into his hand, ‘far better than + those great baying hounds, or the fierce-eyed hawks that only want to + kill. If I be a baron, must it be in that sort? Avenge! avenge! what does + that mean? Is it, as in Goodwife Dolly’s ballads, going forth to kill? Why + should I? I had rather let them be! Hark! Yea, Watch,’ as the dog pricked + his ears and raised his graceful head, then sprang up and uttered a + deep-mouthed bark. The sheep darted away to her companions, and Hal rose + to his feet, as the dog began to wave his tail, and Hob came forward + accompanied by a tall, grave-looking gentleman. ‘Here he be, sir. Hal, + come thou and ask the blessing of thy knightly stepfather.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal obeyed the summons, and coming forward put a knee to the ground, while + Sir Lancelot Threlkeld uttered the conventional blessing, adding, ‘Fair + son, I am glad to see thee. Would that we might be better acquainted, but + I fear it is not safe for thee to come and be trained for knighthood in my + poor house. Thou art a well grown lad, I rejoice to see, and strong and + hearty I have no doubt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, sir, he is strong enow, I wis; we have done our best for him,’ + responded Hob, while Hal stood shy and shamefaced; but there was something + about his bearing that made Sir Lancelot observe, ‘Ay, ay, he shows what + he comes of more than his mother made me fear. Only thou must not slouch, + my fair son. Raise thy head more. Put thy shoulders back. So! so! Nay.’ + </p> + <p> + Poor Hal tried to obey, the colour mounting in his face, but he only + became more and more stiff when he tried to be upright, and his expression + was such that Sir Lancelot cried out, ‘Put not on the visage of one of + thine own sheep! Ah! how shalt thou be trained to be a worthy knight? I + cannot take thee to mine house, for I have men there who might inform King + Edward that thy mother harboured thee. And unless I could first make + interest with Montagu or Salisbury, that would be thy death, if not mine.’ + </p> + <p> + The boy had nothing to say to this, and stood shy by, while his stepfather + explained his designs to Hal. It was needful to remove the young Baron as + far as possible from the suspicion of the greater part of Sir Lancelot + Threlkeld’s household, and the present resting-place, within a walk of his + castle, was therefore unsafe; besides that, freebooters might be another + danger, so near the outskirts of the wood, since the northern districts of + moor and wood were by no means clear of the remnants of the contending + armies, people who were generally of the party opposite to that which they + intended to rob. + </p> + <p> + But on the banks of the Derwent, not far from its fall into the sea, Sir + Lancelot had granted a tenure to an old retainer of the De Vescis, who had + followed his mistress in her misfortunes; and on his lands Hob Hogward + might be established as a guardian of the herds with his family, which + would excite no suspicion. Moreover, he could train the young Baron in + martial exercises, the only other way of fitting him for his station + unless he could be sent to France or Burgundy like his brother; but + besides that the journey was a difficulty, it was always uncertain whether + there would be revengeful exiles of one or other side in the service of + their King, who might wreak the wrongs of their party on Clifford’s eldest + son. There was reported to be a hermit on the coast, who, if he was a + scholar, might teach the young gentleman. To Sir Lancelot’s surprise, his + stepson’s face lighted up more at this suggestion than at that of being + trained in arms. + </p> + <p> + Hob had done nothing in that way, not even begun to teach him the + quarterstaff, though he avouched that when there was cause the young lord + was no craven, no more than any Clifford ever was—witness when he + drove off the great hound, which some said was a wolf, when it fell upon + the flock, or when none could hold him from climbing down the Giant’s + Cliff after the lamb that had fallen. No fear but he had heart enough to + make his hand keep his own or other folks’ heads. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is well,’ said Sir Lancelot, looking at the lad, who stood twisting + his hands in the speechless silence induced by being the subject of + discussion; ‘but it would be better, as my lady saith, if he could only + learn not to bear himself so like a clown.’ + </p> + <p> + However, there was no more time, for Simon Bunce, the old man-at-arms whom + Sir Lancelot had appointed to meet him there, came in sight through the + trees, riding an old grey war-horse, much resembling himself in the + battered and yet strong and effective air of both. Springing down, the old + man bent very low before the young Baron, raising his cap as he gave + thanks to Heaven for permitting him to see his master’s son. Then, after + obeisance to his present master, he and Hob eagerly shook hands as old + comrades and fellow-soldiers who had thought never to meet again. + </p> + <p> + Then turning again to the young noble, he poured out his love, devotion + and gratitude for being able to serve his beloved lord’s noble son; while + poor Hal stood under the discomfort of being surrounded with friends who + knew exactly what to say and do to him, their superior, while he himself + was entirely at a loss how to show himself gracious or grateful as he knew + he ought to do. It was a relief when Sir Lancelot said ‘Enough, good + Simon! Forget his nobility for the present while he goes with thee to + Derwentside as herd boy to Halbert Halstead here; only thou must forget + both their names, and know them only as Hal and Hob.’ + </p> + <p> + With a gesture of obedience, Simon listened to the further directions, and + how he was to explain that these south country folks had been sent up in + charge of an especial flock of my lady’s which she wished to have on the + comparatively sheltered valley of the Derwent. Perhaps further directions + as to the training of the young Baron were added later, but Hal did not + hear them. He was glad to be dismissed to find Piers and gather the sheep + together in preparation for the journey to their new quarters. Yet he did + not fail to hear the sigh with which his stepfather noted that his parting + salutation was far too much in the character of the herd boy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — ON DERWENT BANKS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When under cloud of fear he lay + A shepherd clad in homely grey. + —WORDSWORTH. +</pre> + <p> + Simon Bunce came himself to conduct his new tenants to their abode. It was + a pleasant spot, a ravine, down which the clear stream rushed on its + course to mingle its waters with those of the ocean. The rocks and + brushwood veiled the approach to an open glade where stood a rude stone + hovel, rough enough, but possessing two rooms, a hearth and a chimney, and + thus superior to the hut that had been left on the moor. There were sheds + for the cattle around, and the grass was fresh and green so that the + sheep, the goat and the cow began eagerly feeding, as did the pony which + Hal and Piers were unloading. + </p> + <p> + On one side stretched the open moor rising into the purple hills, just + touched with snow. On the other was the wooded valley of the Derwent, + growing wider ever before it debouched amid rocks into the sea. The + goodwife at once discovered that there had been recent habitation, and + asked what had become of the former dwellers there. + </p> + <p> + ‘The woman fretted for company,’ said Simon, ‘and vowed she was in fear of + the Scots, so I even let her have her way and go down to the town.’ + </p> + <p> + The town in north country parlance only meant a small village, and Hob + asked where it lay. + </p> + <p> + It was near the junction of the two streams, where Simon lived himself in + a slightly fortified farmhouse, just high up enough to be fairly safe from + flood tides. He did not advise his newly arrived tenants to be much seen + at this place, where there were people who might talk. They were almost + able to provide for their daily needs themselves, excepting for meal and + for ale, and he would himself see to this being supplied from a more + distant farm on the coast, which Hob and Piers might visit from time to + time with the pony. + </p> + <p> + Goodwife Dolly inquired whether they might safely go to church, from which + she had been debarred all the time they had been on the move. ‘So ill for + both us and the lad,’ she said. + </p> + <p> + Simon looked doubtful. ‘If thou canst not save thy soul without,’ he said, + ‘thou mightst go on some feast day, when there is such a concourse of folk + that thou mightst not be noticed, and come away at once without halting + for idle clavers, as they call them here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s what the women folk are keen for with their church-going,’ said + Hob with a grin. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, husband, thou knowst,’ said Dolly, injured, though she was more than + aware he spoke with intent to tease her. ‘Have I not lived all this while + with none to speak to save thee and the blessed lads, and never murmured.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Though thy tongue be sore for want of speech!’ laughed Hob, ‘thou beest a + good wife, Dolly, and maybe thy faithfulness will tell as much in the + saving of thy soul as going to church.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but,’ said Hal with eagerness, ‘is there not a priest?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The priest comes of a White Rose house—I trust not him. Ay, + goodwife, beware of showing thyself to him. I give him my dues, that he + may have no occasion against me or Sir Lancelot, but I would not have him + pry into knowledge that concerns him not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did not Sir Lancelot say somewhat of a scholarly hermit who might learn + me in what I ought to know?’ asked the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never you fear, sir! Here are Hob Halstead and I, able to train any young + noble in what behoves him most to know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yea, in arms and sports. They must be learnt I know, but a noble needs + booklore too,’ said the boy. ‘Cannot this same hermit help me? Sir + Lancelot—’ + </p> + <p> + Simon Bunce interrupted sharply. ‘Sir Lancelot knows nought of the hermit! + He is—he is—a holy man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A priest,’ broke in Dolly, ‘a priest!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No such thing, dame, no clerk at all, I tell thee. And ye lads had best + not molest him! He is for ever busy with his prayers, and wants none near + him.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal was disappointed, for his mind was far less set on the exercises of a + young knight than on the desire to acquire knowledge, that study which + seemed to be thrown away on the unwilling ears of Anne St. John. + </p> + <p> + Hob had been awakened by contact with his lady and her husband, as well as + with the old comrade, Simon Bunce, to perceive that if there were any + chance of the young Lord Clifford’s recovering his true position he must + not be allowed to lounge and slouch about like Piers, and he was + continually calling him to order, making him sit and stand upright, as he + had seen the young pages forced to do at the castle, learn how to handle a + sword, and use the long stick which was the substitute for a lance, and to + mount and sit on the old pony as a knight should do, till poor Hal had no + peace, and was glad to get away upon the moor with Piers and the sheep, + where there was no one to criticise him, or predict that nothing would + ever make him do honour to his name if he were proved ten times a baron. + </p> + <p> + It was still worse when Bunce came over, and brought a taller horse, and + such real weapons as he deemed that the young lord might be taught to use, + and there were doleful auguries and sharp reproofs, designed in comically + respectful phrases, till he was almost beside himself with being thus + tormented, and ready to wish never to hear of being a baron. + </p> + <p> + His relief was to wander away upon the moors, watch the lights and shadows + on the wondrous mountains, or dream on the banks of the river, by which he + could make his way to the seashore, a place of endless wonder and + contemplation, as he marvelled why the waters flowed in and retreated + again, watched the white crests, and the glassy rolls of the waves, felt + his mind and aspiration stretched as by something illimitable, even as + when he looked up to the sky, and saw star beyond star, differing from one + another in brightness. There were those white birds too, differing from + all the night-jars and plovers he had seen on the moor, floating now over + the waves, now up aloft and away, as if they were soaring into the very + skies. Oh, would that he could follow them, and rise with them to know + what were those great grey or white clouds, and what was above or below in + those blue vastnesses! And whence came all those strange things that the + water spread at his feet the long, brown, wet streamers, or the delicate + red tracery that could be seen in the clear pools, where were sometimes + those lumps like raw flesh when closed, but which opened into flowers? Or + the things like the snails on the heath, yet not snails, and all the + strange creatures that hopped and danced in the water? + </p> + <p> + Why would no one explain such things to him? Nay, what a pity everyone + treated it as mere childish folly in him to be thus interested! They did + not quite dare to beat him for it—that was one use of being a baron. + Indeed, one day when Simon Bunce struck him sharply and hard over the + shoulders for dragging home a great piece of sea-weed with numerous + curious creatures upon it, Goodwife Dolly rushed out and made such an + outcry that the esquire was fain to excuse himself by declaring that it + was time that my lord should know how to bide a buffet, and answer it. He + was ready and glad to meet the stroke in return! ‘Come on, sir!’ + </p> + <p> + And Hob put a stout headless lance in the boy’s hand, while Simon stood up + straight before him. Hob adjusted the weapon in his inert hand, and told + him how and where to strike. But ‘It is not in sooth. I don’t want to hurt + Master Simon,’ said the child, as they laughed, and yet with displeasure + as his blow fell weak and uncertain. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it a mouse’s tail?’ cried Simon in derision. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, sir, try again,’ said Hob. ‘Strike as you did when the black bull + came down. Why cannot you do the like now, when you are tingling from + Bunce’s stroke?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! then I thought the bull would fall on Piers,’ said Hal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come on, think so now, sir. One blow to do my heart good, and show you + have the arm of your forebears.’ + </p> + <p> + Thus incited, with Hob calling out to him to take heart of grace, while + Simon made a feint of trying to beat Mother Dolly, Hal started forward and + dealt a blow sufficient to make Simon cry out, ‘Ha, well struck, sir, if + you had had a better grip of your lance! I even feel it through my buff + coat.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke as though it had been a kiss; but oh! and alack! why were these + rough and dreary exercises all that these guardians—yea, and even + Sir Lancelot and his mother—thought worth his learning, when there + was so much more that awoke his delight and interest? Was it really + childish to heed these things? Yet even to his young, undeveloped brain it + seemed as if there must be mysteries in sky and sea, the unravelling of + which would make life more worth having than the giving and taking of + blows, which was all they heeded. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. — THE HERMIT + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + No hermit e’er so welcome crost + A child’s lone path in woodland lost. + —KEBLE. +</pre> + <p> + Hal had wandered farther than his wont, rather hoping to be out of call if + Simon arrived to give him a lesson in chivalrous sports. He found himself + on the slope of one of the gorges down which smaller streams rushed in wet + weather to join the Derwent. There was a sound of tinkling water, and + leaning forward, Hal saw that a tiny thread of water dropped between the + ferns and the stones. Therewith a low, soft chant in a manly voice, + mingling with the drip of the water. + </p> + <p> + The words were strange to him&& + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Lucis Creator optime, + Lucem dierum proferens&& +</pre> + <p> + but they were very sweet, and in leaning forward to look between the rowan + branches and hear and see more, his foot slipped, and with Watch barking + round him, he rolled helplessly down the rock, and found himself before a + tall light-haired man, in a dark dress, who gave a hand to raise him, + asking kindly, ‘Art hurt, my child?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no, sir! Off, off, Watch!’ as the dog was about to resent anyone’s + touching his master. ‘Holy sir, thanks, great thanks,’ as a long fair hand + helped him to his feet, and brushed his soiled garment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Unhurt, I see,’ said that sweet voice. ‘Hast thou lost thy way? Good dog, + thou lovest thy master! Art thou astray?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir, thank you, I know my way home.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art the boy who lives with the shepherd at Derwentside, on Bunce’s + ground?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, Hob Hogward’s herd boy,’ said Hal. ‘Oh, sir, are you the holy hermit + of the Derwent vale?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A hermit for the nonce I am,’ was the answer, with something of a smile + responsive to the eager face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, sir, if you be not too holy to look at me or speak to me! If you + would help me to some better knowledge—not only of sword and + single-stick!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Better knowledge, my child! Of thy God?’ said the hermit, a sweet look of + joy spreading over his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Goodwife Dolly has told me of Him, and taught me my Pater and Credo, but + we have lived far off, and she has not been able to go to church for weeks + and years. But what I long after is to tell me what means all this—yonder + sea, and all the stars up above. And they will call me a simpleton for + marking such as these, and only want me to heed how to shoot an arrow, or + give a stroke hard enough to hurt another. Do such rude doings alone, fit + for a bull or a ram as meseems, go to the making of a knight, fair sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They go to the knight’s keeping of his own, for others whom he ought to + defend,’ said the hermit sadly; ‘I would have thee learn and practise + them. But for the rest, thou knowest, sure, who made the stars?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes! Nurse Dolly told me. She saw it all in a mystery play long long + ago—when a Hand came out, and put in the stars and sun and moon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Knowest thou whose Hand was figured there, my child?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Hand of God,’ said Hal, removing his cap. ‘They be sparks to show His + glory! But why do some move about among the others—one big one moves + from the Bull’s face one winter to half-way beyond it. And is the morning + star the evening one?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! thou shouldst know Ptolemy and the Almagest,’ said the hermit + smiling, ‘to understand the circuits of those wandering stars—Coeli + enarrant gloriam Dei.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is Latin,’ said the boy, startled. ‘Are you a priest, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, not I—I am not worthy,’ was the answer, ‘but in some things I + may aid thee, and I shall be blessed in so doing. Canst say thy prayers?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes! nurse makes me say them when I lie down and when I get up—Credo + and Pater. She says the old parson used to teach them our own tongue for + them, but she has well-nigh forgot. Can you tell me, holy man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will I, with all my heart,’ responded the hermit, laying his long + delicate hand on Hal’s head. ‘Blessed be He who has sent thee to me!’ + </p> + <p> + The boy sat at the hermit’s feet, listening with the eagerness of one + whose soul and mind had alike been under starvation, and how time went + neither knew till there was a rustling and a step. Watch sprang up, but in + another moment Simon Bunce, cap in hand, stood before the hut, beginning + with ‘How now, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + The hermit raised his hand, as if to make a sign, saying, ‘Thou seest I + have a guest, good friend.’ + </p> + <p> + Bunce started back with ‘Oh! the young Lord! Sworn to silence, I trust! I + bade him not meddle with you, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was against his will, I trow,’ said the hermit. ‘He fell over the rock + by the waterfall, but since he is here, I will answer for him that he does + no hurt by word or deed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never, holy sir!’ eagerly exclaimed Hal. ‘Hob Hogward knows that I can + keep my mouth shut. And may I come again?’ + </p> + <p> + Simon was shaking his head, but the hermit took on him to say, ‘Gladly + will I welcome thee, my fair child, whensoever thou canst find thy way to + the weary old anchoret! Go thy way now! Or hast thou lost it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir; I ken the woodland and can soon be at home,’ replied Hal; then, + putting a knee to the ground, ‘May I have your blessing, holy man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alack, I told thee I am no priest,’ said the hermit; ‘but for such as I + am, I bless thee with all my soul, thou fatherless lad,’ and he laid his + hand on the young lad’s wondering brow, then bade him begone, since Simon + and himself had much to say to one another. + </p> + <p> + Hal summoned Watch, and turned to a path through the wood, leading towards + the coast, wondering as he walked how the hermit seemed to know him—him + whose presence had been so sedulously concealed. Could it be that so very + holy a man had something of the spirit of prophecy? + </p> + <p> + He kept his promise of silence, and indeed his guardians were so much + accustomed to his long wanderings that he encountered no questions, only + one of Hob’s growls that he should always steal away whenever there was a + chance of Master Bunce’s coming to try to make a man of him. + </p> + <p> + However, Bunce himself arrived shortly after, and informed Hob that since + young folks always pried where they were least wanted, and my lord had + stumbled incontinently on the anchoret’s den, it was the holy man’s will + that he might come there whenever he chose. A pity and shame it was, but + it would make him more than ever a mere priestling, ever hankering after + books and trash! + </p> + <p> + ‘Were it not better to ask my lady and Sir Lancelot if they would have it + so? I could walk over to Threlkeld!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, no, on your life not,’ exclaimed Simon, striking his staff on the + ground in his vehemence. ‘Never a word to the Threlkeld or any of his kin! + Let well alone! I only wish the lad had never gone a-roaming there! But + holy men must not be gainsaid, even if it does make a poor craven scholar + out of his father’s son.’ + </p> + <p> + And thus began a time of great contentment to the Lord Clifford. There + were few days on which he did not visit the hermitage. It was a small log + hut, but raised with some care, and made weatherproof with moss and clay + in the crevices, and there was an inner apartment, with a little oil lamp + burning before a rough wooden cross, where Hal, if the hermit were not + outside, was certain to find him saying his prayers. Food was supplied by + Simon himself, and, since Hal’s admission, was often carried by him, and + the hermit seemed to spend his time either in prayer or in a gentle dreamy + state of meditation, though he always lighted up into animation at the + arrival of the boy whom he had made his friend. Hal had thought him old at + first, on the presumption that all hermits must be aged, nor was it likely + that age should be estimated by one living such a life, but the light + hair, untouched with grey, the smooth cheeks and the graceful figure did + not belong to more than a year or two above forty. And he had no air of + ill health, yet this calm solitary residence in the wooded valley seemed + to be infinite rest to him. + </p> + <p> + Hal had no knowledge nor experience to make him wonder, and accepted the + great quiet and calm of the hermit as the token of his extreme holiness + and power of meditation. He himself was always made welcome with Watch by + his side, and encouraged to talk and ask questions, which the hermit + answered with what seemed to the boy the utmost wisdom, but older heads + would have seen not to be that of a clever man, but of one who had been + fairly educated for the time, had had experience of courts and camps, and + referred all the inquiries and wonderments which were far beyond him + direct to Almighty Power. + </p> + <p> + The mind of the boy advanced much in this intercourse with the first + cultivated person he had encountered, and who made a point of actually + teaching and explaining to him all those mysteries of religion which poor + old Dolly only blindly accepted and imparted as blindly to her nursling. + Of actual instruction, nothing was attempted. A little portuary, or + abbreviated manual of the service, was all that the hermit possessed, + treasured with his small crucifix in his bosom, and of course it was in + Latin. The Hours of the Church he knew by heart, and never failed to + observe them, training his young pupil in the repetition and English + meaning of such as occurred during his visits. He also told much of the + history of the world, as he knew it, and of the Church and the saints, to + the eager mind that absorbed everything and reflected on it, coming with + fresh questions that would have been too deep and perplexing for his + friend if he had not always determined everything with ‘Such is the will + of God.’ + </p> + <p> + Somewhat to the surprise of Simon Bunce and Hob Hogward, Hal improved + greatly, not only in speech but in bearing; he showed no such dislike or + backwardness in chivalrous exercises as previously; and when once Sir + Lancelot Threlkeld came over to see him, he was absolutely congratulated + on looking so much more like a young knight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay,’ said Bunce, taking all the merit to himself, ‘there’s nought like + having an old squire trained in the wars in France to show a stripling how + to hold a lance.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal had been too well tutored to utter a word of him to whom his + improvement was really due, not by actual training, but partly by + unconscious example in dignified grace and courtesy of demeanour, and + partly by the rather sad assurances that it was well that a man born to + his station, if he ever regained it, should be able to defend himself and + others, and not be a helpless burthen on their hands. Tales of the Seven + Champions of Christendom and of King Arthur and his Knights likewise had + their share in the moulding of the youthful Lord Clifford. + </p> + <p> + His great desire was to learn to read, but it was not encouraged by the + hermit, nor was there any book available save the portuary, crookedly and + contractedly written on vellum, so as to be illegible to anyone unfamiliar + with writing, with Latin, or the service. However, the anchoret yielded to + his importunity so far as to let him learn the alphabet, traced on the + door in charcoal, and identify the more sacred words in the book—which, + indeed, were all in gold, red and blue. + </p> + <p> + He did not advance more than this, for his teacher was apt to go off in a + musing dream of meditation, repeating over and over in low sweet tones the + holy phrases, and not always rousing himself when his pupil made a remark + or asked a question. Yet he was always concerned at his own inattention + when awakened, and would apologise in a tone of humility that always made + Hal feel grieved and ashamed of having been importunate. For there was a + dignity and gentleness about the hermit that always made the boy feel the + contrast with his own roughness and uncouthness, and reverence him as + something from a holier world. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nurse, I do think he is a saint,’ one day said Hal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, nay, my laddie, saints don’t come down from heaven in these days of + evil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would thou could see him when one comes upon him at his prayers. His + face is like the angel at the cross I saw so long ago in the castle + chapel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dost thou remember that chapel? Thou wert a babe when we quitted it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had well nigh forgotten it, but the good hermit’s face brought all back + again, and the voice of the father when he said the Service.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That thou shouldst mind so long! This hermit is no priest, thou sayst?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, he said he was not worthy; but sure all saints were not priests, + nurse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, it is easy to be more worthy than the Jack Priests I have known. + Though I would they would let me go to church. But look thee here, Hal, if + he be such a saint as thou sayst, maybe thou couldst get him to bestow a + blessing on poor Piers, and give him his hearing and voice.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal was sure that his own special saint was holy enough for anything, and + accordingly asked permission of him to bring his silent companion for + blessing and healing. + </p> + <p> + The mild blue eye lighted for a moment. ‘Is the poor child then afflicted + with the King’s Evil?’ the hermit asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, he is sound enough in skin and limb. It is that he can neither hear + nor speak, and if you, holy sir, would lay thine hand on him, and sign him + with the rood, and pray, mayhap your holiness—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Peace, peace,’ cried the hermit impetuously, lifting up his hand. ‘Dost + not know that I am a sinner like unto the rest—nay, a greater + sinner, in that a burthen was laid on me that I had not the soul to rise + to, so that the sin and wickedness of thousands have been caused by my + craven faint heart for well nigh two score years? O miserere Domine.’ + </p> + <p> + He threw himself on the ground with clasped hands, and Hal, standing by in + awestruck amazement, heard no more save sobs, mingled with the + supplications of the fifty-first Psalm. + </p> + <p> + He was obliged at last to go away without having been able to recall the + attention of his friend from his agony of prayer. With the reticence that + had grown upon him, he did not mention at home the full effect of his + request, but when he thought it over he was all the more convinced that + his friend was a great saint. Had he not always heard that saints believed + themselves great sinners, and went through many penances? And why did he + speak as if he could have cured the King’s Evil? He asked Dolly what it + was, and she replied that it was the sickness that only the King’s touch + could heal. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. — HENRY OF WINDSOR + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My crown is in my heart, not on my head; + Not deck’d with diamonds, and Indian stones, + Nor to be seen. My crown is call’d Content. + —SHAKESPEARE. +</pre> + <p> + Summer had faded, and an early frost had tinted the fern-leaves with gold + here and there, and made the hermit wrap himself close in a cloak lined + with thick brown fur. + </p> + <p> + Simon, who was accustomed very respectfully to take the command of him, + insisted that he should have a fire always burning on a rock close to his + door, and that Piers, if not Hal, should always take care that it never + went out, smothering it with peat, as every shepherd boy knew how to do, + so as to keep it alight, or, in case of need, to conceal it with turf. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon, as Hal lay on the grass, whiling away the time by + alternately playing with Watch and trying to unravel the mysteries of a + flower of golden-rod, until the hermit should have finished his prayers + and be ready to attend to him, Piers came through the wood, evidently sent + on a message, and made him understand that he was immediately wanted at + home. + </p> + <p> + Hal turned to take leave of his host, but the hermit’s eyes were raised in + such rapt contemplation as to see nought, and, indeed, it might be matter + of doubt whether he had ever perceived the presence of his visitor. + </p> + <p> + Hal directed Piers to arrange the fire, and hurried away, becoming + conscious as he came in sight of the cottage that there were horses + standing before it, and guessing at once that it must be a visit from Sir + Lancelot Threlkeld. + </p> + <p> + It was Simon Bunce, however, who, with demonstrations of looking for him, + came out to meet him as he emerged from the brushwood, and said in a gruff + whisper, clutching his shoulder hard, ‘Not a word to give a clue! Mum! + More than your life hangs on it.’ + </p> + <p> + No more could pass, to explain the clue intended, whether to the presence + of the young Lord Clifford himself, which was his first thought, or to the + inhabitant of the hermitage. For Sir Lancelot’s cheerful voice was + exclaiming, ‘Here he is, my lady! Here’s your son! How now, my young lord? + Thou hast learnt to hold up thy head! Ay, and to bow in better sort,’ as, + bending with due grace, Hal paused for a second ere hurrying forward to + kneel before his mother, who raised him in her arms and kissed him with + fervent affection. ‘My son! mine own dear boy, how art thou grown! Thou + hast well nigh a knightly bearing!’ she exclaimed. ‘Master Bunce hath done + well by thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good blood will out, my lady,’ quoth Simon, well pleased at her praise. + </p> + <p> + ‘He hath had no training but thine?’ said Sir Lancelot, looking full at + Simon. + </p> + <p> + ‘None, Sir Knight, unless it be honest Halstead’s here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Methought I heard somewhat of the hermit in the glen,’ put in the lady. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is a saint!’ declared two or three voices, as if this precluded his + being anything more. + </p> + <p> + ‘A saint,’ repeated the lady. ‘Anchorets are always saints. What doth he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Prayeth,’ answered Simon. ‘Never doth a man come in but he is at his + prayers. ‘Tis always one hour or another!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay?’ said Sir Lancelot, interrogatively. ‘Sayest thou so? Is he an old + man?’ + </p> + <p> + Simon put in his word before Hal could speak: ‘Men get so knocked about in + these wars that there’s no guessing their age. I myself should deem that + the poor rogue had had some clouts on the head that dazed him and made him + fit for nought save saying his prayers.’ + </p> + <p> + Here Sir Lancelot beckoned Simon aside, and walked him away, so as to + leave the mother and son alone together. + </p> + <p> + Lady Threlkeld questioned closely as to the colour of the eyes and hair, + and the general appearance of the hermit, and Hal replied, without + suspicion, that the eyes were blue, the hair, he thought, of a light + colour, the frame tall and slight, graceful though stooping; he had + thought at first that the hermit must be old, very old, but had since come + to a different conclusion. His dress was a plain brown gown like a + countryman’s. There was nobody like him, no one whom Hal so loved and + venerated, and he could not help, as he stood by his mother, pouring out + to her all his feeling for the hermit, and the wise patient words that now + and then dropped from him, such as ‘Patience is the armour and conquest of + the godly;’ or, ‘Shall a man complain for the punishment of his sins?’ + ‘Yet,’ said Hal, ‘what sins could the anchoret have? Never did I know that + a man could be so holy here on earth. I deemed that was only for the + saints in heaven.’ + </p> + <p> + The lady kissed the boy and said, ‘I trow thou hast enjoyed a great + honour, my child.’ + </p> + <p> + But she did not say what it was, and when her husband summoned her, she + joined him to repair to Penrith, where they were keeping an autumn + retirement at a monastery, and had contrived to leave their escort and + make this expedition on their way. + </p> + <p> + Simon examined Hal closely on what he had said to his mother, sighed + heavily, and chided him for prating when he had been warned against it, + but that was what came of dealing with children and womenfolk. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can be the hurt?’ asked Hal. ‘Sir Lancelot knows well who I am! No + lack of prudence in him would put men on my track.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hear him!’ cried Simon; ‘he thinks there is no nobler quarry in the woods + than his lordship!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The hermit! Oh, Simon, who is he?’ + </p> + <p> + But Simon began to shout for Hob Hogward, and would not hear any further + questions before he rode away, as far as Hal could see, in the opposite + direction to the hermitage. But when he repaired thither the next day he + was startled by hearing voices and the stamp of horses, and as he + reconnoitred through the trees he saw half a dozen rough-looking men, with + bows and arrows, buff coats, and steel-guarded caps—outlaws and + robbers as he believed. + </p> + <p> + His first thought was that they meant harm to the gentle hermit, and his + impulse was to start forward to his protection or assistance, but as he + sprang into sight one of the strangers cried out: ‘How now! Here’s a + shepherd thrusting himself in. Back, lad, or ‘twill be the worse for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The hermit! the hermit! Do not meddle with him! He’s a saint,’ shouted + Hal. + </p> + <p> + But even as he spoke he became aware of Simon, who called out: ‘Hold, sir; + back, Giles; this is one well nigh in as much need of hiding as him + yonder. Well come, since you be come, my lord, for we cannot get <i>him</i> + there away without a message to you, and ‘tis well he should be off ere + the sleuth-hounds can get on the scent.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What! Where! Who?’ demanded the bewildered boy, breaking off, as at that + moment his friend appeared at the door of the hovel, no longer in the + brown anchoret’s gown but in riding gear, partially defended by slight + armour, and with a cap on his head, which made him look much younger than + he had before done. + </p> + <p> + ‘Child, art thou there? It is well; I could scarce have gone without + bidding thee farewell,’ he said in his sweet voice; ‘thou, the dear + companion of my loneliness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘O sir, sir, and are you going away?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yea, so they will have it! These good fellows are come to guard me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! may I not go with thee?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, my fair son. Thou art beneath thy mother’s wing, while I am like one + who was hunted as a partridge on the mountains.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whither, oh whither?’ gasped Hal. + </p> + <p> + ‘That I know not! It is in the breasts of these good men, who are charged + by my brave wife to have me in their care.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! sir, sir, what shall I do without you? You that have helped me, and + taught me, and opened mine eyes to all I need to know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush, hush; it is a better master than I could ever be that thou needest. + But,’ as tokens of impatience manifested themselves among the rude escort, + ‘take thou this,’ giving him the little service-book, as he knelt to + receive it, scarce knowing why. ‘One day thou wilt be able to read it. + Poor child! whose lot it is to be fatherless and landless for me and mine, + I would I could do more for thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! you have done all,’ sobbed Hal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, now, but this be our covenant, my boy! If thou, and if mine own son + both come to your own, thou wilt be a true and loyal man to him, even as + thy father was to me, and may God Almighty make it go better with you + both.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will, I will! I swear by all that is holy!’ gasped Hal Clifford, with a + flash of perception, as he knelt. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, my liege, we have far to go ere night. No time for more parting + words and sighs.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal scarcely knew more except that the hands were laid on his head, and + the voice he had learnt to love so well said: ‘The blessing of God the + Father be upon thee, thou fatherless boy, and may He reward thee sevenfold + for what thy father was, who died for his faithfulness to me, a sinner! + Fare thee well, my boy.’ + </p> + <p> + As the hand that Hal was fervently kissing was withdrawn from him he sank + upon his face, weeping as one heartbroken. He scarce heard the sounds of + mounting and the trampling of feet, and when he raised his head he was + alone, the woods and rocks were forsaken. + </p> + <p> + He sprang up and ran along at his utmost speed on the trampled path, but + when he emerged from it he could only see a dark party, containing a + horseman or two, so far on the way that it was hopeless to overtake them. + </p> + <p> + He turned back slowly to the deserted hut, and again threw himself on the + ground, weeping bitterly. He knew now that his friend and master had been + none other than the fugitive King, Henry of Windsor. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. — THE SCHOLAR OF THE MOUNTAINS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Not in proud pomp nor courtly state; + Him his own thoughts did elevate, + Most happy in the shy recess. + —WORDSWORTH. +</pre> + <p> + The departure of King Henry was the closing of the whole intellectual and + religious world that had been opened to the young Lord Clifford. To the + men of his own court, practical men of the world, there were times when + poor Henry seemed almost imbecile, and no doubt his attack of melancholy + insanity, the saddest of his ancestral inheritances, had shattered his + powers of decision and action; but he was one who ‘saw far on holy + ground,’ and he was a well-read man in human learning, besides having the + ordinary experience of having lived in the outer world, so that in every + way his companionship was delightful to a thoughtful boy, wakening to the + instincts of his race. + </p> + <p> + To think of being left to the society of the sheep, of dumb Piers and his + peasant parents was dreariness in the extreme to one who had begun to know + something like conversation, and to have his countless questions answered, + or at any rate attended to. Add to this, he had a deep personal love and + reverence for his saint, long before the knowing him as his persecuted + King, and thus his sorrow might well be profound, as well as rendered more + acute by the terror lest his even unconscious description to his mother + might have been treason! + </p> + <p> + He wept till he could weep no longer, and lay on the ground in his despair + till darkness was coming on, and Piers came and pulled him up, indicating + by gestures and uncouth sounds that he must go home. Goodwife Dolly was + anxiously looking out for him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Laddie, there thou beest at last! I had begun to fear me whether the + robber gang had got a hold of thee. Only Hob said he saw Master Simon with + them. Have they mishandled thee, mine own lad nurse’s darling? Thou + lookest quite distraught.’ + </p> + <p> + All Hal’s answer was to hide his head in her lap and weep like a babe, + though she could, with all her caresses, elicit nothing from him but that + his hermit was gone. No, no, the outlaws had not hurt him, but they had + taken him away, and he would never come back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay, thou didst love him and he was a holy man, no doubt, but one of + these days thou shalt have a true knight, and that is better for a young + baron to look to than a saint fitter for Heaven than for earth! Come now, + stand up and eat thy supper. Don’t let Hob come in and find thee crying + like a swaddled babe.’ + </p> + <p> + With which worldly consolations and exhortations Goodwife Dolly brought + him to rise and accept his bowl of pottage, though he could not swallow + much, and soon put it aside and sought his bed. + </p> + <p> + It was not till late the next day that Simon Bunce was seen riding his + rough pony over the moor. Hal repaired to him at once, with the breathless + inquiry, ‘Where is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In safe hands! Never you fear, sir! But best know nought.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘O Simon, was I—? Did I do him any scathe?—I—I never + knew—I only told my lady mother it was a saint.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay, lad, more’s the pity that he is more saint than king! If my lady + guessed aught, she would be loyal as became your father’s wife, and + methinks she would not press you hard for fear she should be forced to be + aware of the truth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But Sir Lancelot?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As far as I can gather,’ explained Simon, ‘Sir Lancelot is one that hath + kept well with both sides, and so is able to be a protector. But down came + orders from York and his crew that King Harry is reported to be lurking in + some of these moors, and the Countess Clifford being his wife, he fell + under suspicion of harbouring him. Nay, there was some perilous talk in + his own household, so that, as I understand the matter, he saw the need of + being able to show that he knew nothing; or, if he found that the King was + living within these lands, of sending him a warning ere avowing that he + had been there. So I read what was said to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He knew nothing from me! Neither he nor my lady mother,’ eagerly said + Hal. ‘When I mind me I am sure my mother cut me short when I described the + hermit too closely, lest no doubt she should guess who he was.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Belike! It would be like my lady, who is a loyal Lancastrian at heart, + though much bent on not offending her husband lest his protection should + be withdrawn from you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Better—O, a thousand times better!—he gave me up than the + King!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush! What good would that do? A boy like you? Unless they took you in + hand to make you a traitor, and offered you your lands if you would swear + allegiance to King Edward, as he calls himself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never, though I were cut into quarters!’ averred Hal, with a fierce + gesture, clasping his staff. ‘But the King? Where and what have they done + with him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Best not to know, my lord,’ said Simon. ‘In sooth, I myself do not know + whither he is gone, only that he is with friends.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But who—what were they? They looked like outlaws!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So they were; many a good fellow is of Robin of Redesdale’s train. There + are scores of them haunting the fells and woods, all Red Rose men, keeping + a watch on the King,’ replied Simon. ‘We had made up our minds that he had + been long enough in one place, and that he must have taken shelter the + winter through, when I got notice of these notions of Sir Lancelot, and + forthwith sent word to them to have him away before worse came of it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! why did you not let me go with him? I would have saved him, waited on + him, fought for him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fine fighting—when there’s no getting you to handle a lance, except + as if you wanted to drive a puddock with a reed! Though you have been + better of late, little as your hermit seemed the man to teach you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He said it was right and became a man! Would I were with him! He, my true + King! Let me go to him when you know where, good Simon. I, that am his + true and loving liegeman, should be with him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay! when you are a man to keep his head and your own.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I could wait on him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would you have us bested to take care of two instead of one, and my lady, + moreover, in a pother about her son, and Sir Lancelot stirred to make a + hue and cry all the more? No, no, sir, bide in peace in the safe homestead + where you are sheltered, and learn to be a man, minding your exercises as + well as may be till the time shall come.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When I shall be a man and a knight, and do deeds of derring-do in his + cause,’ cried Hal. + </p> + <p> + And the stimulus drove him on to continual calls to Hob, in Simon’s + default, to jousts with sword or spear, represented generally by staves; + and when these could not be had, he was making arrows and practising with + them, so as to become a terror to the wild ducks and other neighbours on + the wolds, the great geese and strange birds that came in from the sea in + the cold weather. When it was not possible to go far afield in the frosts + and snows, he conned King Henry’s portuary, trying to identify the written + words with those he knew by heart, and sometimes trying to trace the + shapes of the letters on the snow with a stick; visiting, too, the + mountains and looking into the limpid grey waters of the lakes, striving + hard to guess why, when the sea rose in tides, they were still. More than + ever, too, did the starry skies fill him with contemplation and wonder, as + he dwelt on the scraps alike of astronomy, astrology, and devotion which + he had gathered from his oracle in the hermitage, and longed more and more + for the time to return when he should again meet his teacher, his saint, + and his King. + </p> + <p> + Alas! that time was never to come. The outlawed partisans of the Red Rose + had secret communications which spread intelligence rapidly throughout the + country, and long before Sir Lancelot and his lady knew, and thus it was + that Simon Bunce learnt, through the outlaws, that poor King Henry had + been betrayed by treachery, and seized by John Talbot at Waddington Hall + in Lancashire. Deep were the curses that the outlaws uttered, and fierce + were the threats against the Talbot if ever he should venture himself on + the Cumbrian moors; and still hotter was their wrath, more bitter the + tears of the shepherd lord, when the further tidings were received that + the Earl of Warwick had brought the gentle, harmless prince, to whom he + had repeatedly sworn fealty, into London with his feet tied to the + stirrups of a sorry jade, and men crying before him, ‘Behold the traitor!’ + </p> + <p> + The very certainty that the meek and patient King would bear all with + rejoicing in the shame and reproach that led him in the steps of his + Master, only added to the misery of Hal as he heard the tale; and he lay + on the ground before his hut, grinding his teeth with rage and longing to + take revenge on Warwick, Edward, Talbot—he knew not whom—and + grasping at the rocks as if they were the stones of the Tower which he + longed to tear down and liberate his beloved saint. + </p> + <p> + Nor, from that time, was there any slackness in acquiring or practising + all skill in chivalrous exercises. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. — THE RED ROSE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + That Edward is escaped from your brother + And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy. + —SHAKESPEARE. +</pre> + <p> + Years passed on, and still Henry Clifford continued to be the shepherd. + Matters were still too unsettled, and there were too many Yorkists in the + north, keeping up the deadly hatred of the family against that of + Clifford, for it to be safe for him to show himself openly. He was a tall, + well-made, strong youth, and his stepfather spoke of his going to learn + war in Burgundy; but not only was his mother afraid to venture him there, + but he could not bear to leave England while there was a hope of working + in the cause of the captive King, though the Red Rose hung withered on the + branches. + </p> + <p> + Reports of misunderstandings between King Edward and the Earl of Warwick + came from time to time, and that Queen Margaret and her son were busy + beyond seas, which kept up hope; and in the meantime Hal grew in the + knowledge of all country lore, of herd and wood, and added to it all his + own earnest love of the out-of-door world, of sun, moon, and stars, sea + and hills, beast and bird. The hermit King, who had been a well-educated, + well-read man in his earlier days, had given him the framework of such + natural science as had come down to the fifteenth century, backed by the + deepest faith in scriptural descriptions; and these inferences and this + philosophy were enough to lead a far acuter and more able intellect, with + greater opportunities of observation, much further into the fields of the + mystery of nature than ever the King had gone. + </p> + <p> + He said nothing, for never had he met one who understood a word he said + apart from fortune telling, excepting the royal teacher after whom he + longed; but he watched, he observed, and he dreamt, and came to + conclusions that his King’s namesake cousin, Enrique of Portugal, the + discoverer, in his observatory at St. Vincent, might have profited by. + Brother Brian, a friar, for whose fidelity Simon Bunce’s outlaw could + absolutely answer, and who was no Friar Tuck, in spite of his rough life, + gave Dolly much comfort religiously, carried on some of the education for + which Hal longed, and tried to teach him astrology. Some of the yearnings + of his young soul were thus gratified, but they were the more extended as + he grew nearer manhood, and many a day he stood with eyes stretched over + the sea to the dim line of the horizon, with arms spread for a moment as + if he would join the flight of the sea-gulls floating far, far away, then + clasped over his breast in a sort of despair at being bound to one spot, + then pressed the tighter in the strong purpose of fighting for his + imprisoned King when the time should come. + </p> + <p> + For this he diligently practised with bow and arrow when alone, or only + with Piers, and learnt all the feats of arms that Simon Runce or Giles + Spearman could teach him. Spearman was evidently an accomplished knight or + esquire; he had fought in France as well as in the home wars, and knew all + the refinements of warfare in an age when the extreme weight of the armour + rendered training and skill doubly necessary. Spearman was evidently not + his real name, and it was evident that he had some knowledge of Hal’s real + rank, though he never hazarded mention of other name or title. The great + drawback was the want of horses. The little mountain ponies did not + adequately represent the warhorses trained to charge under an enormous + load, and the buff jerkins and steel breast-plates of the outlaws were + equally far from showing how to move under ‘mail and plates of Milan + steel.’ Nor would Sir Lancelot Threlkeld lend or give what was needful. + Indeed, he was more cautious than ever, and seemed really alarmed as well + as surprised to see how tall and manly his step-son was growing, and how + like his father. He would not hear of a visit to Threlkeld under any + disguise, though Lady Clifford was in failing health, nor would he do + anything to forward the young lord’s knightly training. In effect, he only + wanted to keep as quiet and unobserved as possible, for everything was in + a most unsettled and dangerous condition, and there was no knowing what + course was the safest for one by no means prepared to lose life or lands + in any cause. + </p> + <p> + The great Earl of Warwick, on whom the fate of England had hitherto + hinged, was reported to have never forgiven King Edward for his marriage + with Dame Elizabeth Grey, and to be meditating insurrection. Encouraged by + this there was a great rising in Yorkshire of the peasants under Robin of + Redesdale, and a message was brought to Giles Spearman and his followers + to join them, but he and Brother Brian demurred, and news soon came that + the Marquess of Montagu had defeated the rising and beheaded Redesdale. + </p> + <p> + Sir Lancelot congratulated his step-son on having been too late to take up + arms, and maintained that the only safe policy was to do nothing, a plan + which suited age much better than youth. + </p> + <p> + He still lived with Hob and Piers, and slept at the hut, but he went + further and further afield among the hills and mosses, often with no + companion save Watch, so that he might without interruption watch the + clear streams and wonder what filled their fountains, and why the sea was + never full, or stand on the sea-shore studying the tides, and trying to + construct a theory about them. King Henry was satisfied with ‘Hitherto + shalt thou come and no farther,’ but He who gave that decree must have + placed some cause or rule in nature thus to affect them. Could it be the + moon? The waves assuredly obeyed the changes of the moon, and Hal was + striving to keep a record in strokes marked by a stick on soft earth or + rows of pebbles, so as to establish a rule. ‘Aye, aye,’ quoth Hob. ‘Poor + fellow, he is not much wiser than the hermit. See how he plays with + pebbles and stones. You’ll make nought of him, fine grown lad as he is. + Why, he’ll sit dazed and moonstruck half a day, and all the night, staring + up at the stars as if he would count them!’ + </p> + <p> + So spoke the stout shepherd to Simon Bunce, pointing to the young man, who + lay at his length upon the grass calculating the proportions of the stones + that marked the relations of hours of the flood tide and those of the + height of the moon. Above and beyond was a sundial cut out in the turf, + from his own observations after the hints that the hermit and the friar + had given him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha now, my lord, I have rare news for you.’ + </p> + <p> + The unwonted title did not strike Hal’s unaccustomed ears, and he + continued moving his lips, ‘High noon, spring tide.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There, d’ye see?’ said Hob, ‘he heeds nothing. ‘That I and my goodwife + should have bred up a mooncalf! Here, Hal, don’t you know Simon? Hear his + tidings!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tidings enow! King Henry is freed, King Edward is fled. My Lord of + Warwick has turned against him for good and all. King Henry is proclaimed + in all the market-places! I heard it with my own ears at Penrith!’ And + throwing up his cap into the air, while the example was followed by Hob, + with ‘God save King Henry, and you my Lord of Clifford.’ + </p> + <p> + The sound was echoed by a burst of voices, and out of the brake suddenly + stood the whole band of outlaws, headed by Giles Spearman, but Hal still + stood like one dazed. ‘King Harry, the hermit, free and on his throne,’ he + murmured, as one in a dream. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, all things be upset and reversed,’ said Spearman, with a hand on his + shoulder. ‘No herd boy now, but my Lord of Clifford.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come to his kingdom,’ repeated Hal. ‘My own King Harry the hermit! I + would fain go and see him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So you shall, my brave youth, and carry him your homage and mine,’ said + Spearman. ‘He will know me for poor Giles Musgrave, who upheld his + standard in many a bloody field. We will off to Sir Lancelot at Threlkeld + now! Spite of his policy of holes and corners, he will not now refuse to + own you for what you are, aye, and fit you out as becomes a knight.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘God grant he may!’ muttered Bunce, ‘without his hum and ha, and swaying + this way and that, till he never moves at all! Betwixt his caution, and + this lad’s moonstruck ways, you have a fair course before you, Sir Giles! + See, what’s the lad doing now?’ + </p> + <p> + The lad was putting into his pouch the larger white pebbles that had + represented tens in his calculation, and murmuring the numbers they stood + for. ‘He will understand,’ he said almost to himself, but he showed + himself ready to go with the party to Threlkeld, merely pausing at Hob’s + cottage to pick up a few needful equipments. In the skin of a rabbit, + carefully prepared, and next wrapped in a silken kerchief, and kept under + his chaff pillow, was the hermit’s portuary, which was carefully and + silently transferred by Hal to his own bosom. Sir Giles Musgrave objected + to Watch, in city or camp, and Hal was obliged to leave him to Goodwife + Dolly and to Piers. + </p> + <p> + With each it was a piteous parting, for Dolly had been as a mother to him + for almost all his boyhood, and had supplied the tenderness that his + mother’s fears and Sir Lancelot’s precautions had prevented his receiving + at Threlkeld. He was truly as a son to her, and she sobbed over him, + declaring that she never would see him again, even if he came to his own, + which she did not believe was possible, and who would see to his clean + shirts? + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear, goodwife,’ said Giles Musgrave; ‘he shall be looked to as + mine own son.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what’s that to a gentle lad that has always been tended as becomes + him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heed not, mother! Be comforted! I must have gone to the wars, anyway. If + so be I thrive, I’ll send for thee to mine own castle, to reign there as I + remember of old. Here now! Comfort Piers as thou only canst do.’ + </p> + <p> + Piers, poor fellow, wept bitterly, only able to understand that something + had befallen his comrade of seven years, which would take him away from + field and moor. He clung to Hal, and both lads shed tears, till Hob + roughly snatched Piers away and threw him to his aunt, with threats that + drew indignant, though useless, interference from Hal, though Simon Bunce + was muttering, ‘As lief take one lad as the other!’ while Dolly’s angry + defence of her nursling’s wisdom broke the sadness of the parting. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. — A PRUDENT RECEPTION + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + So doth my heart misgive me in these conflicts, + What may befall him to his harm and ours. + —SHAKESPEARE. +</pre> + <p> + Through the woods the party went to the fortified house of Threlkeld, + where the gateway was evidently prepared to resist any passing attack, by + stout gates and a little watch-tower. + </p> + <p> + Sir Giles blew a long blast on his bugle-horn, and had to repeat it twice + before a porter looked cautiously out at a wicket opening in the heavy + door, and demanded ‘Who comes?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Open, porter, open in the name of King Harry, to the Lords of Clifford + and of Peelholm.’ + </p> + <p> + The porter fell back, observing, ‘Sir, pardon, while I have speech with my + master, Sir Lancelot Threlkeld.’ + </p> + <p> + Some delay and some sounds of conversation were heard, then, on a renewed + and impatient blast on Sir Giles’s horn, Sir Lancelot Threlkeld himself + came to the wicket, and his thin anxious voice might be heard demanding, + ‘What madness is this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The madness is past, soundness is come,’ responded Sir Giles. ‘King Harry + is on his throne, the traitors are fled, and your own fair son comes forth + in his proper person to uphold the lawful sovereign; but he would fain + first see his lady mother, and take her blessing with him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And by his impatience destroy himself, after all the burthen of care and + peril he hath been to me all these years,’ lamented Sir Lancelot. ‘But + come in, fair lad. Open the gates, porter. I give you welcome, Lord + Musgrave of Peelholm. But who are these?’ he added, looking at the troop + of buff-coated archers in the rear. + </p> + <p> + ‘They are bold champions of the Red Rose, returned Sir Giles, ‘who have + lived with me in the wolds, and now are on the way to maintain our King’s + quarrel.‘’ + </p> + <p> + Sir Lancelot, however, would not hear of admitting the outlaws. Young + Clifford and the Lord of Peelholm should be welcome, or more truly he + could not help receiving them, but the archers must stay outside, their + entertainment in beef and ale being committed to Bunce and the chief + warder, while the two noblemen were conducted to the castle hall. For the + first time in his life Clifford was received in his mother’s home, and + accepted openly, as he knelt before her to ask her blessing. A fine, + active, handsome youth was he, with bright, keen eyes, close-curled black + locks and hardy complexion, telling of his out-of-door life, and a free + use of his limbs, and upright carriage, though still with more of the + grace of the free mountain than of the training of pagedom and squiredom. + </p> + <p> + Nor could he speak openly and freely to her, not knowing how much he might + say of his past intercourse with King Henry, and of her endeavour to + discover it; and he sat beside her, neither of them greatly at ease, at + the long table, which, by the array of silver cups, of glasses and the + tall salt cellar separating the nobility and their followers, recalled to + him dim recollections of the scenes of his youth. + </p> + <p> + He asked for his sister—he knew his little brother had died in the + Netherlands—and he heard that she had been in the Priory of St. + Helen’s, and was now in the household of my Lady of Hungerford, who had + promised to find a good match for her. There was but one son of the union + with the knight of Threlkeld, and him Hal had never seen; nor was he at + home, being a page in the household of the Earl of Westmoreland, according + to the prevailing fashion of the castles of the great feudal nobles + becoming schools of arms, courtesy and learning for the young gentlemen + around. Indeed, Lady Clifford surveyed her eldest son with a sigh that + such breeding was denied him, as she observed one or two little + deficiencies in what would be called his table manners—not very + important, but revealing that he had grown up in the byre instead of the + castle, where there was a very strict and punctilious code, which figured + in catechisms for the young. + </p> + <p> + She longed to keep him, and train him for his station, but in the first + place, Sir Lancelot still held that it could not safely be permitted, + since he had little confidence in the adherence of the House of Nevil to + the Red Rose; and moreover Hal himself utterly refused to remain concealed + in Cumberland instead of carrying his service to the King he loved. + </p> + <p> + In fact, when he heard the proposal of leaving him in the north, he stood + up, and, with far more energy than had been expected from him, said, ‘Go I + must, to my lawful King’s banner, and my father’s cause. To King Harry I + carry my homage and whatever my hand can do!’ + </p> + <p> + Such an expression of energy lighted his hitherto dreamy eyes, that all + beholders turned their glances on his face with a look of wonder. Sir + Lancelot again objected that he would be rushing to his ruin. + </p> + <p> + ‘Be it so,’ replied Hal. ‘It is my duty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The time seems to me to be come,’ added Musgrave, ‘that my young lord + should put himself forward, though it may be only in a losing cause. Not + so much for the sake of success, as to make himself a man and a noble.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what can he do?’ persisted Threlkeld; ‘he has none of the training of + a knight. How can you tilt in plate armour, you who have never bestridden + a charger? These are not the days of Du Guesclin, when a lad came in from + the byre and bore down all foes before him.’ + </p> + <p> + The objection was of force, for the defensive armour of the fifteenth + century had reached a pitch of cumbrousness that required long practice + for a man to be capable of moving under it. + </p> + <p> + ‘So please you, sir,’ said Hal, ‘I am not wholly unskilled. The good Sir + Giles and Simon Bunce have taught me enough to strike a blow with a good + will for a good cause.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With horse and arms as befits him,’ began Musgrave. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know not that a horse is here that could be depended on,’ began + Threlkeld. ‘Armour too requires to be fitted and proved.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke in a hesitating voice that showed his unwillingness, and Hal + exclaimed, ‘My longbow is mine own, and so are my feet. Sir Giles, will + you own me as an archer in your troop, where I will strive not to disgrace + you or my name?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bravely spoken, young lord,’ said Sir Giles heartily; ‘right willingly + will I be your godfather in chivalry, since you find not one nigher home.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So may it best be,’ observed his mother, ‘since he is bent on going. Thus + his name and rank may be kept back till it be plain whether the enmity of + my Lords of Warwick and Montagu still remain against our poor house.’ + </p> + <p> + There was no desire on either side to object when the Lord Musgrave of + Peelholm decided on departing early on the morrow. Their host was + evidently not sorry to speed them on their way, and his reluctant + hospitality made them anxious to cumber him no longer than needful; and + his mind was relieved when it was decided that the heir of the De Vescis + and Cliffords should be known as Harry of Derwentdale. + </p> + <p> + Only, when all was preparation in the morning, and a hearty service had + been said in the chapel, the lady called her son aside, and looking up + into his dark eyes, said in a low voice, ‘Be not angered with my lord + husband’s prudence, my son. Remember it is only by caution that he has + saved thine head, or mine, or thy sister’s!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay, mother, I know,’ he said, more impatiently than perhaps he knew. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was by the same care that he preserved us all when Edgecotefield was + fought. Chafe not at him. Thou mayst be thankful even now, mayhap, to find + a shelter preserved, while that rogue and robber Nevil holds our lands.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am more like to have to protect thee, lady mother, and bring thee to + thy true home again!’ said Hal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Meantime, my child, take this purse and equip thyself at York or whenever + thou canst. Nay, thou needst not shrug and refuse! How like thy father the + gesture, though I would it were more gracious and seemly. But this is + mine, mine own, none of my husband’s, though he would be willing. It comes + from the De Vesci lands, and those will be thine after me, and thine if + thou winnest not back thy Clifford inheritance. And oh! my son, crave of + Sir Giles to teach thee how to demean thyself that they may not say thou + art but a churl.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I trust to be no churl in heart, if I be in manners,’ said Hal, looking + down on his small clinging mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘Only be cautious, my son. Remember that you are the last of the name, and + it is your part to bring it to honour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Which I shall scarce do by being cautious,’ he said, with something of a + smile. ‘That was not my father’s way.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah me! You have his spirit in you, and how did it end?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My Lord of Clifford,’ said a voice from the court, ‘you are waited for!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And remember,’ cried his mother, with a last embrace, ‘there will be + safety here whenever thou shalt need it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With God’s grace, I am more like to protect you and your husband,’ said + the lad, bending for another kiss and hurrying away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. — FELLOW TRAVELLERS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + And sickerlie she was of great disport, + And full pleasant and amiable of port; + Of small hounds had she that she fed + With roasted flesh and milk and wastel bread. + —CHAUCER. +</pre> + <p> + Sir Giles Musgrave of Peelholm was an old campaigner, and when Hal came + out beyond the gate of the Threlkeld fortalice, he found him reviewing his + troop; a very disorderly collection, as Sir Lancelot pronounced with a + sneer, looking out on them, and strongly advising his step-son not to cast + in his lot with them, but to wait and see what would befall, and whether + the Nevils were in earnest in their desertion of the House of York. + </p> + <p> + Hal restrained himself with difficulty enough to take a courteous leave of + his mother’s husband, to whose prudence and forbearance he was really much + beholden; though, with his spirit newly raised and burning for his King, + it was hard to have patience with neutrality. + </p> + <p> + He found Sir Giles employed in examining his followers, and rigidly + sending home all not properly equipped with bow, sheaf of arrows, strong + knife or pike, buff coat, head-piece and stout shoes; also a wallet of + provisions for three days, or a certain amount of coin. He would have no + marauding on the way, and refused to take any mere lawless camp follower, + thus disposing of a good many disreputable-looking fellows who had flocked + in his wake. Sir Lancelot’s steward seconded him heartily by hunting back + his master’s retainers; and there remained only about five-and-twenty—mostly, + in fact, yeomen or their sons—men who had been in arms for Queen + Margaret and had never made their submission, but lived on unmolested in + the hills, really outlawed, but not coming in collision with the + authorities enough to have their condition inquired into. They had + sometimes attacked Yorkist parties, sometimes resisted Scottish raids, or + even made a foray in return, and they were well used to arms. These all + had full equipments, and some more coin in their pouches than they cared + to avow. Three or four of them brought an ox, calf or sheep, or a rough + pony loaded with provisions, and driven by a herd boy or a son eager to + see life and ‘the wars.’ Simon Bunce, well armed, was of this party. Hob + Hogward, though he had come to see what became of his young lord, was + pronounced too stiff and aged to join the band, which might now really be + called a troop, not a mere lawless crowd of rough lads. There were three + trained men-at-arms, the regular retainers of Sir Giles, who held a little + peel tower on the borders where nobody durst molest him, and these + marshalled the little band in fair order. + </p> + <p> + It was no season for roses, but a feather was also the cognisance of Henry + VI., and every one’s barret-cap mounted a feather, generally borrowed from + the goodwife’s poultry yard at home, but sometimes picked up on the moors, + and showing the barred black and brown patterns of the hawk’s or the owl’s + plumage. It was a heron’s feather that Hal assumed, on the counsel of Sir + Giles, who told him it was an old badge of the Cliffords, and it became + well his bright dark hair and brown face. + </p> + <p> + On they went, a new and wonderful march to Hal, who had only looked with + infant eyes on anything beyond the fells, and had very rarely been into a + little moorland church, or seen enough people together for a market day in + Penrith. Sir Giles directed their course along the sides of the hills till + he should gain further intelligence, and know how they would be received. + For the most part the people were well inclined to King Henry, though + unwilling to stir on his behalf in fear of Edward’s cruelty. + </p> + <p> + However, it was as they had come down from the hills intending to obtain + fresh provisions at one of the villages, and Hal was beginning to + recognise the moors he had known in earlier childhood, that they perceived + a party on the old Roman road before them, which the outlaws’ keen eyes at + once discovered to be somewhat of their own imputed trade. There seemed to + be a waggon upset, persons bound, and a buzz of men, like wasps around a + honeycomb preying on it. Something like women’s veiled forms could be + seen. ‘Ha! Mere robbery. This must not be. Upon them! Form! Charge!’ were + the brief commands of the leader, and the compact body ran at a rapid but + a regulated pace down the little slope that gave them an advantage of + ground with some concealment by a brake of gorse. ‘Halt! Pikes forward!’ + was the next order. The little band were already close upon the robbers, + in whom they began to recognise some of those whom Sir Giles had dismissed + as mere ruffians unequipped a few days before. It was with a yell of + indignation that the troop fell on them, Sir Giles with a sharp blow + severing the bridle of a horse that a man was leading, but there was a cry + back, ‘We are for King Harry! These be Yorkists!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay! nay!’ came back the voices of the overthrown. ‘Help! help! for King + Harry and Queen Margaret! These be rank thieves who have set on us! Holy + women are here!’ + </p> + <p> + These exclamations came broken and in utter confusion, mingled with cries + for mercy and asseverations on the part of the thieves, and fierce shouts + from Sir Giles’s men. All was hubbub, barking dogs, shouting men, and Hal + scarcely knew anything till he was aware of two or three shrouded nuns, as + it seemed, standing by their ponies, of merchantmen or carters trying to + quiet and harness frightened mules, of waggons overturned, of a general + confusion over which arose Lord Musgrave’s powerful authoritative voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Kit of Clumber! Why should I not hang you for thieving on yonder tree, + with your fellow thieves?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yorkists, sir! It was all in the good cause,’ responded a sullen voice, + as a grim red and scarred face was seen on a ruffian held by two of the + archers. + </p> + <p> + ‘No Yorkists we, sir!’ began a stout figure, coming forward from the + waggon. ‘We be peaceable merchants and this is a holy dame, the—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Prioress Selby of Greystone,’ interrupted one of the nuns, coming + forward with a hawk on her wrist. ‘Sir Giles of Musgrave, I am beholden to + you! I was on my way to take the young damsel of Bletso to her father, the + Lord St. John, with Earl Warwick in London. He sent us an escort, but they + being arrant cravens, as it seems, we thought it well to join company with + these same merchants, and thus we became a bait for the outlaws of the + Border.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lady, lady,’ burst from one of the prisoners, ‘I swear that we kenned not + holy dames to be of the company! Sir, my lord, we thought to serve the + cause of King Harry, and how any man is to guess which side is Earl + Warwick’s is past an honest man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘An honest man whose cause is his own pouch!’ returned Sir Giles. + ‘Miscreants all! But I trow we are scarce yet out of the land of misrule! + So if the Lady Prioress will say a word for such a sort of sorners, I’ll + e’en let you go on your way.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They have had a warning, the poor rogues, and that will suffice for this + time! Nay, now, fellows, let my wimple alone! You’ll not find another lord + to let you off so easy, nor another Prioress to stand your friend. Get + off, I say.’ + </p> + <p> + An archer enforced her words with a blow, and by some means, rough or + otherwise, a certain amount of order was restored, the ruffians slinking + off among the gorse bushes, their flight hastened by the pointing of pikes + and levelling of arrows at them. While the merchants, diving into their + packages, produced horns of ale which a younger man offered to their + defenders, the chief of the party, a portly fellow, interrupted certain + civilities between the Prioress and Sir Giles by praying them to partake + of a cup of malmsey, and adding an entreaty that they might be allowed to + join company with so brave an escort, explaining that he was a poor + merchant of London and the Hans towns who had been beguiled into an + expedition to Scotland to the young King James, who was said to have a + fair taste. He waved his hands as if his sufferings had been beyond + description. + </p> + <p> + ‘Went for wool and came back shorn!’ said the Prioress, laughing. ‘Well, + my Lord Musgrave, what say you to letting us join company?—as I see + your band is afoot it will be no great delay, and the more the safer as + well as the merrier! Here, let me present to you my young maid, the Lady + Anne of Bletso, whom I in person am about to deliver to her father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And let me present privately to both ladies,’ said Sir Giles, ‘the young + squire Harry of Derwentdale, who hath been living as a shepherd in the + hills during the York rule.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! my lord, methinks this may not be the first meeting between Lady Anne + and you, though she would not know who the herd boy was who found her, a + stray lambkin on the moor.’ + </p> + <p> + The young people looked at each other with eyes of recognition, and as Hal + made his best bow, he said, ‘Forsooth, lady, I did not know myself till + afterwards.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your shepherd and his wife gave me to understand that I should do hurt by + inquiring too much,’ said the young lady smiling, and holding out her + hand, which Hal did not know whether to kiss or to shake. ‘I hope the kind + old goodwife is well, who cosseted me so lovingly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She fares well, indeed, lady, only grieved at parting with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There now,’ said the Prioress, ‘since we are quit of the robbers, + methinks we cannot do better than halt awhile for Master Lorimer’s folk to + mend the tackling of their gear, while we make our noonday meal and + provide for our further journey. Allow me to be your hostess for the + nonce, my lords.’ + </p> + <p> + And between the lady’s sumpter mules and the merchant’s stores a far more + sumptuous meal was produced than would have otherwise been the share of + the Lancastrian party. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. — THE JOURNEY + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Twas sweet to see these holy maids, + Like birds escaped to greenwood shades, + —SCOTT. +</pre> + <p> + The Prioress Agnes Selby of Greystone was a person who would have made a + much fitter lady of a castle than head of a nunnery. She would have worked + for and with her lord, defended his lands for him, governed his house and + managed her sons with untiring zest and energy. But a vow of her parents + had consigned her to a monastic life at York, where she could only work + off her vigour by teasing the more devout and grave sisters, and when + honourably banished to the more remote Greystone, in field sports, and in + fortifying her convent against Scots or Lancastrians who, somewhat to her + disappointment, never did attack her. No complaint or scandal had ever + attached itself to her name, and she let Mother Scholastica manage the + nuns, and regulate the devotions, while Greystone was known as a place + where a thirsty warrior might be refreshed, where tales and ballads of + Border raids were welcome, and where good hawk or hound was not despised. + </p> + <p> + It had occurred to the Lord St. John of Bletso that the little daughter + whom he had left at York might be come to a marriageable age, and he had + listened to the proposal of one of the cousins of the house of Nevil for a + contract between her and his son, sending an escort northwards to fetch + her, properly accompanied. + </p> + <p> + She had been all these years at Greystone, and the Prioress immediately + decided that this would be an excellent opportunity of seeing the southern + world, and going on a round of pilgrimages which would make the expedition + highly decorous. The ever restless spirit within her rose in delight, and + the Sisterhood of York were ready to acquiesce, having faith in Mother + Agnes’ good sense to guide her and her pupil to his castle in Bedfordshire + by the help of Father Martin through any tangles of the White and Red + Roses that might await her, as well to her real principle for avoiding + actual evil, though she might startle monastic proprieties. + </p> + <p> + There was no doubt but that conversation, when she could have it, was as + great a joy to her as ever was galloping after a deer; and there she sat + with her beautiful hound by her side, and her hawk on a pole, exchanging + sentiments of speculation as to Warwick’s change of front with Sir Giles + Musgrave, Father Martin, and Master Ralph Lorimer, while discussing a + pasty certainly very superior to anything that had come out of the Penrith + stores. + </p> + <p> + Young Clifford and Lady Anne sat on the grass near, too shy for the + present to renew their acquaintance, but looking up at one another under + their eyelashes, and the first time their eyes met, the girl breaking into + a laugh, but it was not till towards the end of the refection that they + were startled into intercourse by a general growling and leaping up of the + great hound, and of the two big ungainly dogs chained to the waggon, as + wet, lean, bristling but ecstatic, Watch dashed in among them, and fell on + his master. + </p> + <p> + For four days (unless he was tied up at first) the good dog must have been + tracking him. ‘Off! off!’ cried the Prioress, holding back her deer-hound + by main strength. ‘Off, Florimond! he sets thee a pattern of faithfulness! + Be quiet and learn thy devoir!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘O sir, I cannot send him back!’ entreated Hal, also embracing and + caressing the shaggy neck. + </p> + <p> + ‘Send him back! Nay, indeed. As saith the Reverend Mother, it were well if + some earls and lords minded his example,’ said Sir Giles. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here! Watch, I mind thee well,’ added Anne. ‘Here’s a slice of pasty to + reward thee. Oh! thou art very hungry,’ as the big mouth bolted it whole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nearly famished, poor rogue!’ said Hal, administering a bone. ‘How far + hast thou run, mine own lad! Art fain to come with thy master and see the + hermit?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou must e’en go,’ growled Simon Bunce, ‘unless the lady’s dog make an + end of thee! ‘Tis ever the worthless that turn up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would Florimond would show himself as true,’ said the Prioress. ‘Don’t + show thy teeth, sir! I can honour Watch, yet love thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘’Tis jealousy as upsets faith,’ said the merchant. ‘The hound is a + knightly beast with his proud head, but he brooks not to see a Woodville + creep in.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, or a Beaufort!’ suggested Sir Giles. + </p> + <p> + ‘No treason, Lord Musgrave!’ said the Prioress, laughing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, madam,’ responded Sir Giles, ‘what is treason?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whatever is against him that has the best of it,’ observed Master + Lorimer. ‘Well that it is not the business of a poor dealer in horse-gear + and leather-work. He asks not which way his bridles are to turn! How now, + Tray and Blackchaps? Never growl and gird. You have no part in the fray!’ + </p> + <p> + For they were chained, and could only champ, bark and howl, while + Florimond and Watch turned one another over, and had to be pulled forcibly + back, by Hal on the one hand and on the other by the Mother Agnes, who + would let nobody touch Florimond except herself. After this, the two dogs + subsided into armed neutrality, and gradually became devoted friends. + </p> + <p> + The curiously composed cavalcade moved on their way southward. The + Prioress was mounted on the fine chestnut horse that Sir Giles had + rescued. She was attended by a nun, Sister Mabel, and a lay Sister, both + as hardy as herself, and riding sturdy mountain ponies; but her chaplain, + a thin delicate-looking man with a bad cough, only ventured upon a sturdy + ass; Anne St. John had a pretty little white palfrey and two men-at-arms. + There were two grooms, countrymen, who had run away on the onset of the + thieves, but came sneaking back again, to be soundly rated by the + Prioress, who threatened to send them home again or have them well + scourged, but finally laughed and forgave them. + </p> + <p> + The merchant, Master Lorimer—who dealt primarily in all sorts of + horse furniture, but added thereto leather-work for knights and + men-at-arms, and all that did not too closely touch the armourer’s trade—had + three sturdy attendants, having lost one in an attack by the Scottish + Borderers, and he had four huge Flemish horses, who sped along the better + for their loads having been lightened by sales in Edinburgh, where he had + hardly obtained skins enough to make up for the weight. His headquarters, + he said, were at Barnet, since tanning and leather-dressing, necessary to + his work, though a separate guild, literally stank in the nostrils of the + citizens of London. + </p> + <p> + To these were added Sir Giles Musgrave’s twenty archers, making a very + fair troop, wherewith to proceed, and the Prioress decided on not going to + York. She was not particularly anxious for an interview with the Abbess of + her Order, and it would have considerably lengthened the journey, which + both Musgrave and Lorimer were anxious to make as short as possible. They + preferred likewise to keep to the country, that was still chiefly open and + wild, with all its destiny in manufactories yet to come, though there were + occasionally such towns, villages and convents on the way where provisions + and lodging could be obtained. + </p> + <p> + Every fresh scene of civilisation was a new wonder to Hal Clifford, and + scarcely less so to Anne St. John, though her life in the moorland convent + had begun when she was not quite so young as he had been when taken to the + hills of Londesborough. He had only been two or three times in the church + at Threlkeld, which was simple and bare, and the full display of a + monastic church was an absolute amazement, making him kneel almost + breathless with awe, recollecting what the royal hermit had told him. He + was too illiterate to follow the service, but the music and the majestic + flow of the chants overwhelmed him, and he listened with hands clasped + over his face, not daring to raise his eyes to the dazzling gold of the + altar, lighted by innumerable wax tapers. + </p> + <p> + The Prioress was amused. ‘Art dazed, my friend? This is but a poor country + cell; we will show you something much finer when we get to Derby.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal drew a long breath. ‘Is that meant to be like the saints in Heaven?’ + he said. ‘Is that the way they sing there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should hope they pronounce their Latin better,’ responded the Prioress, + who, it may be feared, was rather a light-minded woman. At any rate there + was a chill upon Hal which prevented him from directing any of his remarks + or questions to her for the future. The chaplain told him something of + what he wanted to know, but he met with the most sympathy from the Lady + Anne. + </p> + <p> + ‘Which, think you, is the fittest temple and worship?’ he said; as they + rode out together, after hearing an early morning service, gone through in + haste, and partaking of a hurried meal. The sun was rising over the hills + of Derbyshire, dyeing them of a red purple, standing out sharply against a + flaming sky, flecked here and there with rosy clouds, and fading into blue + that deepened as it rose higher. The elms and beeches that bordered the + monastic fields had begun to put on their autumn livery, and yellow leaves + here and there were like sparks caught from the golden light. + </p> + <p> + Hal drew off his cap as in homage to the glorious sight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, it is fine!’ said Anne, ‘it is like the sunrise upon our own moors, + when one breathes freely, and the clouds grow white instead of grey.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Hal, ‘I used to go out to the high ground and say the prayer + the hermit taught me—“Jam Lucis,” it began. He said it was about the + morning light.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know that “Jam Lucis,”’ said Anne; ‘the Sisters sing it at prime, and + Sister Scholastica makes us think how it means about light coming and our + being kept from ill,’ and she hummed the chant of the first verse. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think this blue sky and royal sun, and the moon and stars at night, are + God’s great hall of praise,’ said Hal, still keeping his cap off, as he + had done through Anne’s chant of praise. + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily it is! It is the temple of God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and + earth, as the Credo says,’ replied Anne, ‘but, maybe, we come nearer still + to Him in God the Son when we are in church.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know. The dark vaulted roof and the dimness seem to crush me + down,’ said the mountain lad, ‘though the singing lifts me sometimes, + though at others it comes like a wailing gust, all mournful and sad! If I + could only understand! My royal hermit would tell me when I can come to + him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you think, now he is a king again, he will be able to take heed to + you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know he cares for me,’ said Hal with confidence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah yea, but will the folk about him care to let him talk to you? I have + heard say that he was but a puppet in their hands. Yea, you are a great + lord, that is true, but will that great masterful Earl Warwick let you to + him, or say all these thoughts of his and yours are but fancies for + babes?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Simon Bunce did mutter such things, and that one of us was as great an + innocent as the other,’ said Hal, ‘but I trust my hermit’s love.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, you know you are going to someone you love, and who loves you,’ + sighed Anne, ‘but how will it be with me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your father?’ suggested Hal. + </p> + <p> + ‘My father! What knows he of me or I of him? I tell thee, Harry Clifford, + he left me at York when I was not eight years old, and I have never seen + him since. He gave a charge on his lands to a goldsmith at York to pay for + my up-bringing, and I verily believe thought no more of me than if I had + been a messan dog. He wedded a lady in Flanders and had a son or twain, + but I have never seen them nor my stepdame; and now Gilbert there, who + brought the letter to the Mother Prioress, says she is dead, and the + little heir, whose birth makes me nobody, is at a monastery school at + Ghent. But my Lord of Redgrave must needs make overtures to my father for + me, whether for his son or himself Gilbert cannot say. So my father sends + to bring me back for a betrothal. The good Prioress goes with me. She + saith that if it be the old Lord, who is a fierce old rogue with as ill a + name as Tiptoft himself, the butcher, she will make my Lord St. John know + the reason why! But what will he care?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It would be hard not to hear my Lady Prioress!’ said Hal, looking back at + the determined black figure, gesticulating as she talked to Sir Giles. + </p> + <p> + Anne laughed, half sadly, ‘So you think! But you have never seen the grim + faces at Bletso! They will say she is but a woman and a nun, and what are + her words to alliance with a friend of the Lord of Warwick? Ah! it is a + heartless hope, when I come to that castle!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, Anne, if my King gives me my place then&& + </p> + <p> + ‘Lady Anne! Lady Anne!’ called Sir Giles Musgrave, ‘the Mother Prioress + thinks it not safe for you to keep so much in the front. There might be + ill-doers in the thickets.’ + </p> + <p> + Anne perforce reined in, but Hal fed on the idea that had suddenly flashed + on him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. — BLETSO + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me. + —SHAKESPEARE, +</pre> + <p> + The cavalcade journeyed on not very quickly, as the riders accommodated + themselves to those on foot. They avoided the towns when they came into + the more inhabited country, the Prioress preferring the smaller hostels + for pilgrims and travellers, and, it may be suspected, monasteries to the + nunneries, where she said the ladies had nothing to talk about but wonder + at her journey, and advice to stay in shelter till after the winter + weather. Meantime it was a fine autumn still, and with bright colours on + the woods, where deer, hare, rabbit, or partridge tempted the hounds, not + to say their mistress, but she kept them well in leash, and her falcon + with hood and jesses, she being too well nurtured not to be well aware of + the strict laws of the chase, except when some good-natured monk gave her + leave and accompanied her—generally Augustinians, who were more of + country squires than ecclesiastics. Watch needed no leash—he kept + close to his master, except when occasionally tempted to a little amateur + shepherding, from which Hal could easily call him off. The great + stag-hounds evidently despised him, and the curs of the waggon hated him, + and snarled whenever he came near them, but the Prioress respected him, + and could well believe that the hermit King had loved him. ‘He had just + the virtues to suit the good King Harry,’ she said, ‘dutifulness and + harmlessness.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prioress was the life of the party, with her droll descriptions of the + ways of the nuns who received her, while the males of the party had to be + content with the hostel outside. Sir Giles and Master Lorimer, riding on + each side of her, might often be heard laughing with her. The young people + were much graver, especially as there were fewer and fewer days’ journeys + to Bletso, and Anne’s unknown future would begin with separation from all + she had ever known, unless the Mother Prioress should be able to remain + with her. + </p> + <p> + And to Harry Clifford the loss of her presence grew more and more to be + dreaded as each day’s companionship drew them nearer together in sympathy, + and he began to build fanciful hopes of the King’s influence upon the + plans of Lord St. John, unless the contract of betrothal had been actually + made, and therewith came a certain zest in looking to his probable dignity + such as he had never felt before. + </p> + <p> + The last day’s journey had come. The escort who had acted as guides were + in familiar fields and lanes, and one, the leader, rode up to Lady Anne + and pointed to the grey outline among the trees of her home, while he sent + the other to hurry forward and announce her. + </p> + <p> + Anne shivered a little, and Hal kept close to her. He had made the journey + on foot, because he had chosen to be reckoned among Musgrave’s archers + till he had received full knightly training; and, besides, he had more + freedom to attach himself to Anne’s bridle rein, and be at hand to help + through difficult passages. Now he came up close to her, and she held out + her hand. He pressed it warmly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will not forget?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never, never! That red rose in the snow—I have the leaf in my + breviary. And Goodwife Dolly, tell her I’ll never forget how she cosseted + the wildered lamb.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor Mother Dolly, when shall I see her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! you will be able to have her to share your state, and Watch too! I + take none with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If we are all in King Harry’s cause, there will be hope of meeting, and + then if—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! I see a horseman coming! Is it my father?’ + </p> + <p> + It was a horseman who met them, taking off his cap of maintenance and + bowing low to the Prioress and the young lady, but it was the seneschal of + the castle, not the father whom Anne so dreaded, but an old gentleman, + Walter Wenlock, with whom there was a greeting as of an old friend. My + lord had gone with the Earl of Warwick to Queen Margaret in France, and + had sent a messenger with a letter to meet his daughter at York, and tell + her to go to the house of the Poor Clares in London instead of coming + home, ‘and there await him.’ + </p> + <p> + The route that had been taken by the party accounted for their not having + met the messenger and it was plain that they must go on to London. The + evening was beginning to draw in, and a night’s lodging was necessary. + Anne assumed a little dignity. + </p> + <p> + ‘My good friends who have guarded me, I hope you will do me the honour to + rest for the night in my father’s castle.’ + </p> + <p> + The seneschal bowed acquiescence, but the poor man was evidently sorely + perplexed by such an extensive invitation on the part of his young lady on + his peace establishment, though the Prioress did her best to assist Anne + to set him at ease. ‘Here is Sir Giles Musgrave, the Lord of Peelholm on + the Borders, a staunch friend of King Harry, with a band of stout archers, + and this gentleman from the north is with him.’ (It had been agreed that + the Clifford name should not be mentioned till the way had been felt with + Warwick, one of whose cousins had been granted the lands of the Black Lord + Clifford.) + </p> + <p> + The seneschal bent before Musgrave courteously, saying he was happy to + welcome so good and brave a knight, and he prayed his followers to excuse + if their fare was scant and homely, being that he was unprovided for the + honour. + </p> + <p> + ‘No matter, sir,’ returned Musgrave; ‘we are used to soldiers’ fare.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And,’ proceeded Anne, ‘Master Lorimer must lie here, and his wains.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Master Lorimer,’ said the Prioress, ‘with whom belike—Lorimer of + Barnet—Sir Seneschal has had dealings,’ and she put forward the + merchant, who had been falling back to his waggon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yea,’ said Walter Wenlock frankly, holding out his hand. ‘We have bought + your wares and made proof of them, good sir. I am glad to welcome you, + though I never saw you to the face before.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Great thanks, good seneschal. All that I would ask would be licence for + my wains to stand in your court to-night while my fellows and I sup and + lodge at the hostel.’ + </p> + <p> + The hospitality of Bletso could not suffer this, and both Anne and the + seneschal were urgent that all should remain, Wenlock reflecting that if + the store for winter consumption were devoured, even to the hog waiting to + be killed, he could obtain fresh supplies from the tenants, so he ushered + all into the court, and summoned steward, cooks, and scullions to do their + best. It was not a castle, only a castellated house, which would not have + been capable of long resistance in time of danger, but the court and + stables gave ample accommodation for the animals and the waggons, and the + men were bestowed in the great open hall, reaching to the top of the + house, where all would presently sup. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the seneschal conducted the ladies and their two + attendants to a tiny chamber, where an enormous bed was being made ready + by the steward’s wife and her son, and in which all four ladies would + sleep, the Prioress and Anne one way, the other two foot to foot with + them! They had done so before, so were not surprised, and the lack of + furniture was a matter of course. Their mails were brought up, a pitcher + of water and a bowl, and they made their preparations for supper. Anne was + in high spirits at the dreaded meeting, and still more dreaded parting, + having been deferred, and she skipped about the room, trying to gather up + her old recollections. ‘Yes, I remember that bit of tapestry, and the man + that stands there among the sheep. Is it King David, think you, Mother, + about to throw his stone at the lion and the bear?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lion and bear, child! ‘Tis the three goddesses and Paris choosing the + fairest to give the golden apple.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Methought that was the lion’s mane, but I see a face.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What would the Lady Venus say to have her golden locks taken for a lion’s + mane?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I like black hair,’ said Anne. + </p> + <p> + ‘Better not fix thy mind on any hue! We poor women have no choice save + what fathers make for us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘O good my mother, peace! They are all in France, and there’s no need to + spoil this breathing time with thinking of what is coming! Good old + Wenlock! I used to ride on his shoulder! I’m right glad to see him again! + I must tell him in his ear to put Hal well above the salt! May not I tell + him in his ear who he is?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Safer not, my maid, till we know what King Harry can do for him. Better + that his name should not get abroad till he can have his own.’ + </p> + <p> + A great bell brought all down, and Anne was pleased to see that her + seneschal made no question about placing Harry Clifford beside the + Prioress, who sat next to the Lord of Peelholm, who sat next to the young + daughter of the house in the seat of honour. + </p> + <p> + The nuns, Master Lorimer, and one of the archers, who was a Border squire, + besides Master Wenlock, occupied the high table on the dais, and the + archers, grooms, and the rest of the household were below. + </p> + <p> + The fare was not scanty nor unsubstantial, but evidently hastily prepared, + being chiefly broiled slices of beef, on which salting had begun; but + there was a lack of bread, even of barley, though there was no want of + drink. + </p> + <p> + However, the Prioress was good-humoured, and forestalled all excuses by + jests about travellers’ meals and surprises in the way of guests, and both + she and Sir Giles were anxious for Wenlock’s news of the state of things. + </p> + <p> + He knew much more of the course of affairs than they in their northern + homes and on their journey. + </p> + <p> + ‘The realm is divided,’ he said. ‘Those who hold to King Harry, as you + gentles do, are in high joy, but there be many, spoken with respect, who + cannot face about so fast, and hold still for York, though they mislike + the Queen’s kindred. Of such are the merchantmen of London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it so?’ asked Lorimer. ‘If King Edward be as deep in debt to them as + to me for housings and bridle reins methinks he should not be in good + odour in their nostrils.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yea,’ said Wenlock, ‘but if he be gone a beggar to Burgundy what becomes + of their debt?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would not give much for it were he restored a score of times,’ said the + Prioress. ‘What would he do but plunge deeper?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There would be hope, though, of getting an order on the royal demesne, or + the crown jewels, or the taxes,’ said Lorimer. ‘Nay, I hold one even now + that will be but waste if he come not back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And this poor King spendeth nothing save on priests and masses,’ said + Wenlock. + </p> + <p> + Hal started forward, eager to hear of his King, and Musgrave said, ‘A holy + man is he.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Too holy for a King,’ said the seneschal. ‘He looked like a woolsack + across a horse when my Lord of Warwick led him down Cheapside; and only + the rabble cried out “Long live King Harry!” but some scoffed and said + they saw a mere gross monk with a baby face where they had been wont to + see a comely prince full of manhood, with a sword instead of beads.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His son will please them,’ said Musgrave. ‘He was a goodly child, full of + spirit, when last I saw him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If so be he have not too much of the Frenchwoman, his mother, in him,’ + said Wenlock. ‘A losing lot, as poor as any rats, and as proud as very + peacocks.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She was gracious enough and won all hearts on the Border,’ replied + Musgrave. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, come!’ put in the Prioress, ‘you may have the chance yet to break a + lance on her behalf. No fear but she is royal enough to shine down King + Edward’s low-born love, the Widow Grey!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, there lay the cause of discontent,’ said Lorimer; ‘the upstart ways + of her kin were not to be borne. To hear Dick Woodville chaffer about the + blazoning of his horse-gear when he was wedding the fourscore-year-old + Duchess of Norfolk, one would have thought he was an emperor at the very + least.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Widow Grey has done something for her husband’s cause,’ said the + seneschal, ‘in bringing him at last a fair son, all in his exile, and she + in sanctuary at Westminster. The London citizens are ever touched through + all the fat about their hearts by whatever would sound well in the mouth + of a ballad-monger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My King, my King, what of him?’ sighed Hal in the Prioress’s ear, and she + made the inquiry for him: ‘What said you of King Henry, Sir Seneschal? How + did he fare in his captivity?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so ill, methinks,’ said the seneschal. ‘He had the range of the + Tower, and St. Peter’s in the Fetters to pray in, which was what he heeded + most; also he had a messan dog, and a tame bird. Indeed, men said he had + laid on much flesh since he had been mewed up there; and my lord, who went + with my Lord of Warwick to fetch him, said his garments were scarce so + cleanly as befitted. ‘Twas hard to make him understand. First he clasped + his hands, and bowed his head, crying out that he forgave those who came + to slay him, and when he found it was all the other way, he stood like one + dazed, let his hand be kissed, and they say is still in the hands of my + Lord Archbishop of York just as if he were the waxen image of St. John in + a procession.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Earl and the Queen will have to do the work,’ said the Prioress, ‘and + they will no more hold together than a couple of wild hawks will hunt in + company. How long do you give them to tear out one another’s eyes?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Son and daughter may keep them together,’ said Musgrave, + </p> + <p> + ‘Hatred of the Woodvilles is more like, a poor band though it be,’ said + the Prioress. ‘These are stirring times! I’ll not go back to my anchoress + lodge in the north till I see what works out of them! Meantime, to our + beds, sweet Anne, since ‘tis an early start tomorrow.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prioress, who had become warmly interested in Hal, and had divined the + feeling between him and Anne, thought that if she could obtain access to + the Archbishop of York, Warwick’s brother George, she could deal with him + to procure Clifford’s restitution in name and in blood, and at least his + De Vesci inheritance, if Dick Nevil, who had grasped the Clifford lands, + could not be induced to give them up. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have seen George Nevil,’ she said, ‘when I was instituted to Greystone. + He is of kindlier mood than his brothers, and more a valiant trencherman + and hunter than aught else. If I had him on the moors and could show him + some sport with a red deer, I could turn him round my finger.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. — THE HERMIT IN THE TOWER + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Thy pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, + Thy mildness hath allayed their swelling griefs, + Thy mercy dried their ever flowing tears. + —SHAKESPEARE. +</pre> + <p> + Early in the morning, while the wintry sun was struggling with mists, and + grass and leaves were dark with frost, the Prioress was in her saddle. + Perhaps the weather might have constrained a longer stay, but that it was + clear to her keen eyes that, however welcome Wenlock might make his young + lady, there was little provision and no welcome for thorough-going + Lancastrians like Sir Giles’s troop, who had besides a doubtful Robin + Hood-like reputation; and as neither she nor Anne wished to ride forward + without them, they decided to go on all together as before. + </p> + <p> + And a very wet and slightly snowy journey they had, ‘meeting in snow and + parting in snow,’ as Hal said, as he marched by Anne’s bridle-rein, + leading her pony, so as to leave her hands free to hold cloak and hood + close about her. + </p> + <p> + She sighed, and put one hand on his, but a gust of wind took that + opportunity of getting under her cloak and sending it fluttering over her + back, so that he had to catch it and return it to her grasp. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us take that as a prophecy that storms shall not hinder our further + meeting! It may be! It may be! Who knows what my King may do for us?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only a storm can bring us together! But that may—’ + </p> + <p> + Her breath was blown away again before the sentence was finished, if it + was meant to be finished, and Master Lorimer came to insist on the ladies + taking shelter in his covered waggon, where the Prioress was already + installed. + </p> + <p> + Through rain and sleet they reached Chipping Barnet in due time on the + third day’s journey, and here they were to part from the merchant’s wains. + He had sent forward, and ample cheer was provided at the handsome timbered + and gabled house at the porch of which stood his portly wife, with son, + daughter, and son-in-law, ready to welcome the party, bringing them in to + be warmed and dried before sitting down to the excellent meal which it had + been Mistress Lorimer’s pride and pleasure to provide. There was a small + nunnery at Barnet, but not very near, and the Prioress Agnes did not think + herself bound to make her way thither in the dark and snow, so she + remained, most devoutly waited on by her hostess, and discussed the very + last tidings, which had been brought that morning by the foreman whom + Mistress Lorimer had sent to bring the news to her husband. + </p> + <p> + It was probable that the Lord of Bletso was with Warwick and the Queen, as + he had not been heard of at his home. The King was in the royal apartments + of the Tower, under the charge of the Chancellor. The Earl of Oxford, a + steady partisan of the Red Rose, was Constable of the Kingdom, and was + guarding the Tower. + </p> + <p> + On hearing this, Musgrave decided to repair at once to the Earl, one of + the few men in whom there was confidence, since he had never changed his + allegiance, and to take his counsel as to the recognition of young + Clifford. On the way to the Tower they would leave the Prioress and her + suite at the Sister Minoresses’, till news could be heard of the Baron St. + John. + </p> + <p> + So for the last time the travellers rode forth in slightly improved + weather. Harry’s heart beat high with the longing soon to be in the + presence of him who had opened so many doors of life to his young mind, + whom he so heartily loved, and who, it might be, could give him that which + he began to feel would be the joy of his life. + </p> + <p> + The archers, who had been lodged in the warehouses, were drawn up in a + compact body, and Master Lorimer, who had a shop in Cheapside, decided on + accompanying them, partly to be at the scene of action and partly to + facilitate their entrance. + </p> + <p> + So Hal walked by the side of Anne St. John’s bridle-rein, with a very full + heart, swelling with sensations he did not understand, and which kept him + absolutely silent, untrained as he was in the conventionalities which + would have made speech easier to him. Nor had Anne much more command of + tongue, and all she did was to keep her hand upon the shoulder of her + squire; but there was much involuntary meaning in the yearning grasp of + those fingers, and both fed on the hopes the Prioress had given them. + </p> + <p> + Christmas was close at hand, and fatted cattle on their way to market + impeded the way, so that Hal’s time was a good deal taken up in steering + the pony along, and in preventing Watch from getting into a battle with + the savage dogs that guarded them. Penrith market, where once he had been, + had never shown him anything like such a concourse, and he could hear + muttered exclamations from the archers, who walked by Sir Giles’s orders + in a double line on each side the horses, their pikes keeping off the + blundering approach of bullocks or sheep. ‘By the halidome, if the Scots + were among them, they might victual their whole kingdom till Domesday!’ + </p> + <p> + The tall spire of old St. Paul’s and the four turrets of the Tower began + to rise on them, and were pointed out by Master Lorimer, for even Sir + Giles had only once in his life visited the City, and no one else of the + whole band from the north had ever been there. The road was bordered by + the high walls of monasteries, overshadowed by trees, and at the deep + gateway of one of these Lorimer called a halt. It was the house of the + Minoresses or Poor Clares, where the ladies were to remain. The six weeks’ + companionship would come to an end, and the Prioress was heartily sorry + for it. ‘I shall scarce meet such good company at the Clares’,’ she said, + laughing, as she took leave of Lord Musgrave, ‘Mayhap when I go back to my + hills I shall remember your goodwife’s offer of hospitality, Master + Lorimer.’ + </p> + <p> + Master Lorimer bowed low, expressed his delight in the prospect, and + kissed the Prioress’s hand, but the heavy door was already being opened, + and with an expressive look of drollery and resignation, the good lady + withdrew her hand, hastily brought her Benedictine hood and veil closely + over her face, and rode into the court, followed by her suite. Anne had + time to let her hand be kissed by Sir Giles and Hal, who felt as if a + world had closed on him as the heavy doors clanged together behind the + Sisters. But the previous affection of his young life lay before him as + Sir Giles rode on to the fortified Aldgate, and after a challenge from the + guard, answered by a watchword from Lorimer, and an inquiry for whom the + knight held, they were admitted, and went on through an increasing crowd + trailing boughs of holly and mistletoe, to the north gateway of the Tower. + Here they parted with Lorimer, with friendly greetings and promises to + come and see his stall at Cheapside. + </p> + <p> + There was a man-at-arms with the star of the De Veres emblazoned on his + breast, and a red rosette on his steel cap, but he would not admit the + new-comers till Sir Giles had given his name, and it had been sent in by + another of the garrison to the Earl of Oxford. + </p> + <p> + Presently, after some waiting in the rain, and looking up with awe at the + massive defences, two knights appeared with outstretched hands of welcome. + Down went the drawbridge, up went the portcullis, the horses clattered + over the moat, and the reception was hearty indeed. ‘Well met, my Lord of + Musgrave! I knew you would soon be where Red Roses grew.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Welcome, Sir Giles! Methought you had escaped after the fight at Hexham.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Glad indeed to meet you, brave Sir John, and you, good Lord of Holmdale! + Is all well with the King?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As well as ever it will be. The Constable is nigh at hand! You have + brought us a stout band of archers, I see! We will find a use for them if + March chooses to show his presumptuous nose here again!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And hither comes my Lord Constable! It rejoices his heart to hear of such + staunch following.’ + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Oxford, a stern, grave man of early middle age, was coming + across the court-yard, and received Sir Giles with the heartiness that + became the welcome of a proved and trustworthy ally. After a few words, + Musgrave turned and beckoned to Hal, who advanced, shy and colouring. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! young Lord Clifford! I am glad to see you! I knew your father well, + rest his soul! The King spoke to me of the son of a loyal house living + among the moors.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The King was very good to me,’ faltered Hal, crimson with eagerness. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay! I sent not after you, having enough to do here; and besides, till + we have the strong hand, and can do without that heady kinsman of Warwick, + it will be ill for you to disturb the rogue—what’s his name—to + whom your lands have been granted, and who might turn against the cause + and maybe make a speedy end of you if he knew you present. Be known for + the present as Sir Giles counsels. Better not put his name forward,’ he + added to Musgrave. + </p> + <p> + ‘I care not for lands,’ said Hal, ‘only to see the King.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See him you shall, my young lord, and if he be not in one of his trances, + he will be right glad to see you and remember you. But he is scarce half a + man,’ added Oxford, turning to Musgrave. ‘Cares for nought but his + prayers! Keeps his Hours like a monk! We can hardly bring him to sit in + the Council, and when he is there he sits scarce knowing what we say. ‘Tis + my belief, when the Queen and Prince come, that we shall have to make the + Prince rule in his name, and let him alone to his prayers! He will be in + the church. ‘Tis nones, or some hour as they call it, and he makes one + stretch out to another.’ + </p> + <p> + They entered the low archway of St. Peter ad Vincula, and there Hal + perceived a figure in a dark mantle just touched with gold, kneeling near + the chancel step, almost crouching. Did he not know the attitude, though + the back was broader than of old? He paused, as did his companions; but + there was one who did not pause, and would not be left outside. Watch + unseen had pattered up, and was rearing up, jumping and fawning. There was + a call of ‘Watch! here sirrah!’ but ‘Watch! Watch! Good dog! Is it thou + indeed?’ was exclaimed at the same moment, and with Watch springing up, + King Henry stood on his feet looking round with his dazed glance. + </p> + <p> + ‘My King! my hermit father! Forgive! Down, Watch!’ cried Hal, falling down + at his feet, with one arm holding down Watch, who tried to lick his face + and the King’s hand by turns. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it thou, my child, my shepherd?’ said Henry, his hands on the lad’s + head. ‘Bless thee! Oh, bless thee, much loved child of my wanderings! I + have longed after thee, and prayed for thee, and now God hath given thee + to me at this shrine! Kneel and give the Lord thy best thanks, my lad! Ah! + how tall thou art! I should not have known thee, Hal, but for Watch.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is well,’ muttered Oxford to Musgrave. ‘I have not seen him so well + nor so cheery all this day. The lad will waken him up and do him good.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. — A CAPTIVE KING + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + And we see far on holy ground, + If duly purged our mental view.—KEBLE. +</pre> + <p> + The King held Harry Clifford by the hand as he left St. Peter’s Church. + ‘My child, my shepherd boy,’ he said, and he called Watch after him, and + interested himself in establishing a kind of suspicious peace between the + shaggy collie and his own ‘Minion,’ a small white curly-haired dog, which + belonged to a family that had been brought by Queen Margaret from + Provence. + </p> + <p> + His attendant knight, Sir Nicolas Romford, told Sir Giles Musgrave that he + had really never seemed so happy since his deliverance, and Sir Nicolas + had waited on him ever since his capture, six years previously. He led the + youth along to the royal rooms, asking on the way after his sheep and the + goodwife who had sent him presents of eggs, then showing him the + bullfinch, that greeted his return with loving chirps, and when released + from its cage came and sat upon his shoulder and played with his hair, ‘A + better pet than a fierce hawk, eh, Hal?’ he said. + </p> + <p> + He laughed when he found that Harry thought he had spent all this time in + a dark underground dungeon with fetters on his feet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no!’ he said; ‘they were kindly jailors. They dealt better with me + than with my Master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir, sir, that terrible ride through Cheapside!’ said Harry. ‘We heard of + it at Derwent-side, and we longed to have our pikes at the throats of the + villain traitors.’ + </p> + <p> + The King looked as if he hardly remembered that cruel procession, when he + was set upon a sorry jade with his feet tied to the stirrups, and shouts + of ‘Behold the traitor!’ around him. Then with a sweet smile of sudden + recollection, he said, ‘Ah! I recall it, and how I rejoiced to be led in + the steps of my Lord, and how the cries sounded, “We will not have this + man to reign over us!” Gratias ago, unworthy me, who by my own fault could + not reign.’ + </p> + <p> + Harry was silenced, awe-struck, and by-and-by the King took him to see his + old chamber in the White Tower, up a winding stone stair. It was not much + inferior to the royal lodgings, except in the matter of dais, canopy, and + tapestry, and the window looked out into the country, so that the King + said he had loved it, and it had many a happy thought connected with it. + </p> + <p> + Hal followed him in a sort of silent wonder, if not awe, not daring to + answer him in monosyllables. This was not quite the hermit of Derwentdale. + It was a broader man—not with the breadth of full strength, but of + inactivity and advance of years, though the fiftieth year was only lately + completed—and the royal robe of crimson, touched with gold, suited + him far less than the brown serge of the anchoret. The face was no longer + thin, sunburnt, and worn, but pale, and his checks slightly puffed, and + the eyes and smile, with more of the strange look of innocent happiness + than of old, and of that which seemed to bring back to his young visitor + the sense of peace and well-being that the saintly hermit had always given + him. + </p> + <p> + There was consultation that evening between Lord Oxford and Sir Giles + Musgrave. It was better, they agreed, to let young Clifford remain with + the King as much as possible, but without divulging his name. The King + knew it, and indeed had known it, when he received the boy at his + hermitage, but he seemed to have forgotten it, as he had much besides. + Oxford said that though he could be roused into actual fulfilment of such + forms as were required of him, and understood what was set before him, his + memory and other powers seemed to have been much impaired, and it was held + wiser not to call on him more than could be helped, till the Queen and her + son should come to supply the energy that was wanting. They would make the + gay and brilliant appearance that the Londoners had admired in Edward of + York, and which could not be obtained from poor Henry. + </p> + <p> + His memory for actual matters was much impaired. Never for two days + together could he recollect that his son and Warwick’s daughter were + married, and it was always by an effort that he remembered that the Prince + of Wales was not the eight-years-old child whom he had last seen. As to + young Clifford, he sometimes seemed to think the tall nineteen-years-old + stripling was just where he had left the child of twelve or thirteen, and + if he perceived the age, was so far confused that it was not quite certain + that he might not mix him up with his own son, though the knight in + constant attendance was sure that he was clear on that point, and only + looked on ‘Hal’ as the child of his teaching and prayers. + </p> + <p> + But Harry Clifford could not persuade him to enter into that which more + and more lay near the youthful heart, the rescuing Anne St. John from the + suitor of whom little that was hopeful was heard; and the obtaining her + from his father. Of course this could not be unless Harry could win his + father’s property, and no longer be under the attaint in blood, so as to + be able to lay claim to the lands of the De Vescis through his mother; but + though the King listened with kindly interest to the story of the + children’s adventure on the Londesborough moor, and the subsequent meeting + in Westmorland, the rescue from the outlaws, and the journey together, it + was all like a romance to him—he would nod his head and promise to + do what he could, if he could, but he never remembered it for two days + together, and if Hal ventured on anything like pressure, the only answer + was, ‘Patience, my son, patience must have her work! It is the will of + God, it will be right.’ + </p> + <p> + And when Hal began to despair and work himself up and seek to do more with + one so impracticable, Lord Oxford and Sir Giles warned him not to force + his real name and claims too much, for he did not need too many enemies + nor to have Lord St. John and the Nevil who held his lands both anxious to + sweep him from their path. + </p> + <p> + Nor was anything heard from or of the Prioress of Greystone, and whenever + the name of George Nevil, the Chancellor and Archbishop of York, was + heard, Hal’s heart burnt with anxiety, and fear that the lady had + forgotten him, though as Dick Nevil, who held the lands of Clifford, was + known to be in his suite, it was probable that she was acting out of + prudence. + </p> + <p> + The turmoil of anxious impatience seemed to be quelled when Hal sat on a + stool before the King, with Watch leaning against his knee. The + instruction or meditation seemed to be taken up much where it had been + left six years before, with the same unanswerable questions, only the + youth had thought out a great deal more, and the hermit had advanced in a + wisdom which was not that of the rough, practical world. + </p> + <p> + Part of Clifford’s day was spent in the tilt-yard, where his two friends, + as well as himself, were anxious that he should acquire proficiency and + ease such as would become his station, when he recovered it; and a + martinet old squire of Oxford proved himself nearly as hard a master as + ever Simon Bunce had been. + </p> + <p> + One very joyous day came to Henry in his regal capacity. Christmas Day had + been quietly spent. There was much noisy revelling in the city, and the + guards in the castle had their feastings, but Warwick was daily expected + to return from France, and neither his brother nor the Archbishop thought + that there was much policy in making a public spectacle of a puppet King. + </p> + <p> + But there was one ceremony from which Henry would not be debarred. He + would make the public offering on the Epiphany in Westminster Abbey. He + had done so ever since he was old enough to totter up to the altar and + hold the offerings; and his heart was set on doing so once more. So a + large and quiet cream-coloured Flemish horse was brought for him, he was + robed in purple and ermine, with a coronal around the cap that covered his + hair, fast becoming white. His train in full array followed him, and the + streets were thronged, but there was an ominous lack of applause, and even + a few audible jeers at the monk dressed up like the jackdaw in peacock’s + plumes, and comparisons with Edward, in sooth a king worth looking at. + </p> + <p> + Henry seemed not to heed or hear. His blue eyes looked upward, his face + was set in peaceful contemplation, his lips were moving, and those who + were near enough caught murmurs of ‘Vidimus enim stellam Ejus in Oriente + et venimus adorare Eum.’ Truly the one might be a king to suit the + kingdoms of this world, the other had a soul near the Kingdom of Heaven. + </p> + <p> + The Dean and choir received him at the west door, and with the same rapt + countenance he paced up to the sanctuary, and knelt before the chair + appropriated to him, while the grand Epiphany Celebration was gone + through, in all its glory and beauty of sound and sight, and with the King + kneeling with clasped hands, and a radiant look of happiness almost + transfiguring that worn face. + </p> + <p> + When the offertory anthem was sung, he rose up, and advanced to the altar. + A salver of gold coins was presented to him, which he took and solemnly + laid on the altar, but paused for a moment, and removed his crown with + both hands, placing it likewise on the altar, and kneeling for a moment + ere he turned to take the vase whence breathed the fragrant odour of + frankincense; and presenting this, and afterwards kneeling and bowing low + with clasped hands, he again took the salver in which the myrrh was laid. + This again he placed on the altar, and remained kneeling in intense + devotion through the remainder of the service, only looking up at the + ‘Sursum Corda,’ when those near enough to see his countenance said that + they never knew before the full import of those words, nor how the heart + could be uplifted. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time that Hal Clifford had ever joined in the full + ceremonial of the Church, or in such splendid accompaniment, for though + there had been the rightful ritual at St. Peter’s in the Tower, the space + had been confined, and the clergy few, and the whole, even on Christmas + Day, had been more or less a training to him to enter into what he now saw + and heard. He had in these last weeks gathered much of the meaning of all + this from the King, who perhaps never fully disentangled the full-grown + youth from the boy he had taught at Derwentdale, but who, perhaps for that + very cause, really suited better the strange mixture of ignorance, + simplicity, observation and aspiration of the shepherd lord. + </p> + <p> + The King did not help more but less than he had done before in Hal’s + researches and wonderings about natural objects; he had forgotten the + philosophies he had once read, and the supposed circuits of moon, planets + and stars only perplexed and worried his brain. It was much more + satisfactory to refer all to ‘He hath made them fast for ever and ever, He + hath given them a law which shall not be broken,’ and he could not + understand Hal’s desire to find out what that law was, and far less his + calculations about the tides. He had scarcely ever seen the sea, and as to + its motions, ‘Hitherto shalt thou come and no farther’ was sufficient + explanation, and when Hal tried to show him the correspondence between + spring tides and full moons he either waved him away or fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + But on the spiritual side of his mind there was no torpor. He loved to + explain the sense of the prayers to his willing pupil, and to tell him the + Gospel story, dwelling on whatever could waken or carry on the Christian + life; and between the tiltyard and the oratory Hal spent a strange life. + </p> + <p> + That question which had occurred to him on the journey Hal ventured to lay + before his King—‘Was it really and truly better and more acceptable + worship that came to breathe through him when alone with God under the + open vault of Heaven, with endless stars above and beyond, or was the best + that which was beautified and guided by priests, with all that man’s + devices could lavish upon its embellishment?’ Such, though in more broken + and hesitating words, was the herd boy’s difficulty, and Henry put his + head back, and after having once said, ‘Adam had the one, God directed the + other,’ he shut his eyes, and Hal feared he would put it aside as he had + with the moon and the tides, but after some delay, he leant forward and + said, ‘My son, if man had always been innocent, that worship as Adam and + Eve had it might—nay, would—have sufficed them. The more + innocent man is, the better his heart rises. But sin came into the world, + and expiation was needed, not only here on earth, but before the just God + in Heaven above. Therefore doth He, who hath once offered Himself in + sacrifice for us, eternally present His offering in Heaven before the + Mercy-Seat, and we endeavour as much as our poor feeble efforts can, to + take part in what He does above, and bring it home to our senses by all + that can represent to us the glories of Heaven.’ + </p> + <p> + There was much in this that went beyond Hal, who knitted his brow, and + would have asked further, but the King fell into a state of contemplation, + and noticed nothing, until presently he broke out into a thanksgiving: + ‘Blessed be my Lord, who hath granted me once more to follow in the steps + of the kings of the East, though but as in a dream, and lay my crown and + my prayer before Him. Once more I thank Thee, O my true King of kings, and + Lord of lords.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, do not say once more!’ exclaimed Hal. ‘Again and again, I trust, sir. + It is no dream. It is real.’ + </p> + <p> + The King smiled and shook his head. ‘It is all a dream to me,’ he said, + ‘the pageants and the whole. They will not last! Oh, no! It is all but an + empty show.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal looked up anxiously, and the King went on: ‘Well do I remember the day + when, scarce able to walk, and weighed down by my robes, I tottered up to + the altar and was well pleased to make my offering, and how my Lord of + Warwick, who was then, took me in his arms, and showed me my great + father’s figure on his grave, and told me I was bound to be such a king as + he! Alas! was it mine own error that I so failed?&& + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Henry born at Monmouth shall short live and gain all, + Henry born at Windsor shall long live and lose all.’ +</pre> + <p> + ‘Oh, sir, sir, do not speak of that old saw!’ + </p> + <p> + Still the King smiled. ‘It has come true, my child. All is lost, and it + may be well for my soul that thus it should be, and that I should go into + the presence of my God freed from the load of what was gained unjustly. I + know not whether, if my hand had been stronger, I should have striven to + have borne up the burthen of these two realms, but they never ought to + have been mine, and if the sins of the forefathers be visited on the + children to the third and fourth generation, no marvel that my brain and + mine arm could but sink under the weight. Would that I had yielded at + once, and spared the bloodshed and sacrilege! Miserere mei! My son was a + temptation. Oh, my poor boy! is he to be the heir to all that has come on + me? Have pity on him, good Lord!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, sir, your brave son will come home to comfort you, and help you and + make all well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know not! I know not! I cannot believe that I shall see him again, or + that the visitation of these crimes is not still to come! My son, my sweet + son, I can only pray that he might give up his soul sackless and freer of + guilt than his father can be, when I remember all that I ought to have + hindered when I could think and use my will! Now, now all is but + confusion! God has taken away my judgment, even as He did with my French + grandsire, and I can only let others act as they will, and pray for them + and for myself.’ + </p> + <p> + He had never spoken at such length, nor so clearly, and whenever he was + required to come forward, he merely walked, rode, sat or signed rolls as + he was told to do, and continually made mistakes as to the persons brought + to him, generally calling them by their fathers’ names, if he recognised + them at all, but still to his nearest attendants, and especially to his + beloved herd boy, he was the same gentle, affectionate being, never so + happy as at his prayers, and sometimes speaking of holy things as one + almost inspired. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. — AT THE MINORESSES’ + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The bird that hath been limed in a bush, + With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush. + —SHAKESPEARE. +</pre> + <p> + One day, soon after that Twelfth Day, Hal accompanied Sir Giles Musgrave + to the shop or stall of Master Lorimer in Cheapside, a wide space, open by + day but closed by shutters at night, where all sorts of gilded and + emblazoned leather-works for man or horse were displayed, and young + ‘prentices called, ‘What d’ye lack?’ ‘Saddle of the newest make?’ ‘Buff + coat fit to keep out the spear of Black Douglas himself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘’Tis Master Lorimer himself I lack,’ said Musgrave with a good-humoured + smile, and the merchant appeared from a room in the rear, something + between a counting-house and a bedroom, where he welcomed his former + companions, and insisted on their tasting the good sherris sack that had + been sent with his last cargo of Spanish leather. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would I could send a flask to our good Prioress,’ he said, ‘to cheer + her heart. I went to the Minoresses’ as she bade me, to settle some + matters of account with her, and after some ado, Sister Mabel came down to + the parlour and told me the Prioress is very sick with a tertian fever, + and they misdoubt her recovering.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the young Lady of St. John.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is well enough, but sadly woeful as to the Mother Prioress, and + likewise as to what they hear of the Lord Redgrave. It is the old man, not + his son, a hard and stark old man, as I remember. He would have bargained + with me for the coats of the poor rogues slain at St. Albans, and right + evil was his face as he spoke thereof, he being then for Queen Margaret; + but then he went over to King Edward, and glutted himself with slaughter + at Towton, and here he calls himself Red Rose again. Ill-luck to the poor + young maid if she falls to him!’ + </p> + <p> + It was terrible news for Hal, and Musgrave could not but gratify him by + riding by the Minories to endeavour to hear further tidings of the + Prioress. + </p> + <p> + It was a grand building in fine pointed architecture, for the Clares, + though once poor, in imitation of St. Clara and St. Francis, had been + dispensed collectively from their vow of poverty, and though singly + incapable of holding property, had a considerable accumulation en masse. + They were themselves a strict Order, but they often gave lodgings to + ladies either in retreat or for any cause detained near London. + </p> + <p> + Sir Giles and Harry were only admitted to the outer court, whence the + portress went with their message of inquiry. They waited a long time, and + then the Greystone lay Sister who had been the companion of their journey + came back in company with the portress. + </p> + <p> + ‘Benedicite, dear gentles,’ she said; ‘oh, you are a sight for sair een.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how fares the good Mother Prioress?’ asked the Lord of Peelholm. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alack! she is woefully ill when the fever takes her, and she is wasted + away so that you would scarce know her; but this is one of the better + days, and if you, sir, will come into the parlour, she will see you. She + was arraying herself as I came down. She was neither to have nor to hold + when she heard you were there, and said a north country face would be + better to her than all the Sisters’ potions!’ + </p> + <p> + They were accordingly conducted through a graceful cloister, overgrown + with trailing ivy, to a bare room, with mullioned windows, and frescoes on + the Walls with the history of St. Francis relieving beggars, preaching to + the birds, &c., and with a stout open work barrier cutting off half + the room. + </p> + <p> + Presently the Prioress tottered in, leaning heavily on the arms of Sister + Mabel and of Anne St. John, while her own lay Sister and another placed a + seat for her; but before she would sit down, she would go up to the + opening, and turning back her veil, put out a hand to be grasped. ‘Right + glad am I to see you, good Sir Giles and young Harry. Are you going back + to the wholesome winds of our moors?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet, holy Mother. It grieves me to see you faring so ill.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! a breeze from the north would bring life back to my old bones. Aye, + Giles, this place has made an old woman of me.’ And truly her bright ruddy + face was faded to a purple hue, and her cheeks hung haggard and almost + withered, but as her visitors expressed their grief and sympathy, she went + on in her own tone. ‘And tell me somewhat of how things are going. How + doth Richard of Warwick comport himself to the King? Hath your King zest + enough to reign? Is my White Rose King still abroad in Burgundy?’ And as + Sir Giles replied to each inquiry in turn, and told all he could of + political matters, she exclaimed: ‘Ah! that is better than the hearing + whether the black hen hath laid an egg, or the skein of yellow silk + matches. I am weary, O! I am weary. Moreover, young Hal, I know as matters + are that could I see George Nevil face to face I could do somewhat with + him, and I laid my plans to obtain a meeting, but therewith, what with + vexation and weariness and lack of air, comes this sickness, and I am laid + aside and can do nought but pray, and lay my plans to meet him some day in + the fields, and show him what a hawk can do, then shame him into listening + to my tale. But I must be a sound woman first! And maybe his brother + Warwick, being a sturdy gentleman who loves a brave man, will be better to + deal with. I am a sinful woman, and maybe my devotions here will help me + to be more worthy to be heard. Moreover, I hoped you had done somewhat in + thine own cause with thy King and Earl Oxford,’ she proceeded. ‘Thou hast + an esquire’s coat; hast thou any hope of thy lands?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must strive to earn them by deeds,’ said Hal. ‘And—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well spoken, lad! ‘Tis the manly way; but methought you hadst interest + with this King of thine, or hath he only a royal memory for services?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is good to me. Yea, most good,’ began Harry. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, he loves the boy,’ said Sir Giles, ‘no question about that; but his + memory for all that is about him hath failed, and there is nothing for it + save to wait for the Queen and the Prince, who will bear the boy’s + father’s services in mind.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And wherefore tarries the French woman? This maid’s father is to come + over with her. He is forming her English court, I trow; she can have few + beside from England.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When he comes,’ said Harry, with a look into Anne’s eyes that made them + droop and her cheeks burn, ‘then shall we put it to the touch. Then shall + I know whether I have mine own, and what is more than mine own.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thine own,’ whispered Anne. ‘Oh, better live in the sheepfolds with thee + than with this Baron! I shudder at the thought.’ + </p> + <p> + This, and a few more such words were an aside, while the Prioress + continued her conversation with Sir Giles, and went on to say that she was + sure she should never recover till she was out of these walls, and away + from London smoke and London smells, and she naughtily added in a whisper + the weary talk of these good nuns, who had never flown a hawk or chased a + deer in their lives, and thought Florimond a mere wolf, if not the evil + one himself, and kept the poor hound chained up like a malefactor in + gyves, till she was fain to send him away with Master Lorimer to keep for + her. + </p> + <p> + She would not go back to her Priory till Anne’s fate was settled, being in + hopes of doing something yet for the poor wench; but meantime she should + die if she stayed there much longer, and she meant to set forth on + pilgrimage in good time, before she had scandalised the good ladies enough + to make them gossip to the dames of St. Helen’s, who would be only too + glad to have a story against the Benedictines. A ride over the Kentish + downs was the only cure for her or for Anne, who had been pining ever + since they had been mewed up here, though, looking across at the girl, + whose head was leaning against the bars, Sir Giles seemed to have brought + a remedy to judge by those cheeks. + </p> + <p> + ‘Would that we could hope it would be an effectual and lasting remedy,’ + sighed Sir Giles; ‘but unless this poor King could be roused to insist, or + the Earl of Warwick fell out with his cousin, I do not see much chance for + the lad.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it Warwick who is his chief foe or King Edward?’ asked the Prioress. + </p> + <p> + ‘King Edward, doubtless, for his father’s slaughter of young Rutland at + Wakefield.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That bodes ill,’ said the lady. ‘By all I gather, King Edward is a tiger + when once roused, but at other times is like that same tiger, purring and + slow to move. But there’s a bell that warns us to vespers. They are + mightily more strict here than ever we are at Greystone. Ah! you won’t + tell tales, Sir Giles! You’ll soon hear of me at St. Thomas’s shrine at + Canterbury.’ + </p> + <p> + The knight took his leave. It was impossible not to like and pity the + Prioress, though the life among devout nuns was clearly beyond her powers. + </p> + <p> + The dreamy peaceful days of the Tower of London were stirred by the + arrival of the great Earl of Warwick, the Kingmaker, as people already + called him. He took up his residence in his own mighty establishment at + Warwick House near St. Paul’s; and the day after his arrival, he came + clanking over London Bridge with a great following of knights and squires + to pay his respects to King Henry. + </p> + <p> + Henry Clifford was not disposed to meet him, and only watched from a + window when the drawbridge was lowered, and the sturdy man, with grizzled + hair and marked, determined features, rode into the gateway, where he was + received by the Earl of Oxford. + </p> + <p> + The interview was long, and when it was finished, the two Earls made the + round of the defences, and Oxford drew up his garrison on the Tower Green + to be inspected. + </p> + <p> + When Warwick had taken his leave, Hal was summoned to the Constable’s + hall. ‘We must be jogging, my young master,’ he said. ‘There are rumours + of King Edward making another attempt for his crown, and my Lord of + Warwick would have me go and watch the eastern seaboard. And you had best + go with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The King—’ began Hal. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will come back to the King by-and-by if so be he misses you, but he + was more dazed than ever to-day, and perhaps it was well, for Warwick + brought with him Dick Nevil, who has got your lands of Clifford, and might + be tempted to put you out of the way in one of the dungeons that lie so + handy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No one save the King knows who I am,’ said Hal, ‘and he forgets from day + to day all save that I am the herd boy, and I think it cheers him to have + me with him. I will stay beside him even as a varlet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, my lord, that may not be. ‘Tis true he loves thee, but he will + forget anon, and I may not suffer the risk. Too many know or guess.’ + </p> + <p> + Harry Clifford repeated that he recked not of the risk when he could serve + and comfort his beloved King, and, indeed, his mind was made up on the + subject. He had taken measures for remaining as one of the men-at-arms of + the garrison; but King Henry himself surprised him by saying, ‘My young + Lord of Clifford, fare thee well. Thou goest forth to-morrow with the + Constable of Oxford. Take my blessing with thee, my child. Thou hast been + granted to me to make life very sweet to me of late, and I thank God for + it, but the time is come that thou must part from me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, sir, never! None was ever so dear to me! For weal or woe I will be + with you! Suffer me to be your meanest varlet, and serve you as none other + can do.’ + </p> + <p> + Henry shook his head. ‘It may not be, my child, let not thy blood also be + on my head! Go with Oxford and his men. Thou hast learnt to draw sword and + use lance. Thou wilt be serving me still if again there be, which Heaven + forefend, stricken fields in my cause or my son’s.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir, if I must fight, let no less holy hand than thine lay knighthood on + my shoulder,’ sobbed Hal, kneeling. + </p> + <p> + Henry smiled. ‘I have well-nigh forgotten the fashion. But if it will + please thee, my son, give me thy sword, Oxford. In the name of God and St. + George of England I dub thee knight. For the Church, for the honour of + God, for a good cause, fight. Arise, Sir Henry Clifford!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. — A STRANGE EASTER EVE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + And spare, O spare + The meek usurper’s holy head. + —GRAY. +</pre> + <p> + Once more, at the close of morning service, while it was still dark, did + Harry Clifford, the new-made knight, kneel before King Henry and feel his + hand in blessing on his head. Then he went forth to join Musgrave and the + troop that the Earl of Oxford was leading from the Tower to raise the + counties of East Anglia and watch the coast against a descent of King + Edward from the Low Countries. + </p> + <p> + As they passed the walls enclosing the Minories Convent, and Hal gazed at + it wistfully, the wide gateway was opened and out came a party of + black-hooded nuns, mounted on ponies and mules, evidently waiting till + Oxford’s band had gone by. Harry drew Sir Giles’s attention, and they + lingered, as they became certain that they beheld the Prioress Selby of + Greystone, hawk, hound and all, riding forth, nearly smothered in her + hood, and not so upright as of old. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, here I am!’ she said, as he reined up and bowed his greeting. ‘Here I + am on my pilgrimage! I got Father Ridley, the Benedictine head, to order + me forth. Methinks he was glad, being a north countryman, to send me out + before I either died on the Poor Clares’ hands, or gave them a fuller + store of tales against us of St. Bennet’s! Not but that they are good + women, too godly and devout for a poor wild north country Selby like me, + who cannot live without air. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + O the oak and the ash and the bonny ivy tree, + They flourish best at home in the north countree. +</pre> + <p> + Flori, Flori, whither away? Ah! thou hast found thine old friend. Birds of + a feather. Eh? the young folk have foregathered likewise. Watch! And thou, + sir knight, whither are you away?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On our way to Norfolk in case the Duke of York should show himself on the + coast. And yours, reverend Mother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To Canterbury first by easy journeys. We sleep to-night at the Tabard, + where we shall meet other pilgrims.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Here, alack! our way severs from yours. Farewell, holy Mother, may you + find health on your pilgrimage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Every breath I take in is health,’ said the Mother, who had already + manoeuvred an opening in her veil, and gasped to throw it back as soon as + she should attain an unfrequented place. ‘There are so many coming and + going here that all the air is used up by their greasy nostrils! Well! + good luck, and God’s blessing go with you, and you, young Hal, I may say + so far, whichever side ye be, but still I hold that York has the right, + and yours may be a saint, but not a king.’ + </p> + <p> + Hal had meantime ‘forgathered’ as the Prioress said with Anne, marching, + in spite of his new honours, close to her stirrup, and venturing to + whisper to her that he was now her knight, and ‘her colours,’ which he was + to wear for her, were only a tiny scrap of ribbon from her glove, which he + cut off with his dagger, and kissed, saying he should wear it next his + heart, though he might not do so openly. + </p> + <p> + Their love was more implied than ever it had been before, and she repeated + her confidence that the kind Prioress would never leave her till she had + done her utmost for them both. + </p> + <p> + ‘But you, my good stripling, I am ashamed to see you. I have done nothing + for you. I sent a humble message to ask to see the Archbishop, but had no + answer, and by-and-by, when I stirred again, who should come to sec me but + young Bertram Selby, and “Kinswoman,” said he, “you had best keep quiet. + The Archbishop hath asked me whether rumours were sooth that yours was + scarce a regular Priory.” The squire stood up for me and said, as became + one of the family, that an outlying cell, where there were ill neighbours + of Scots, thieves, borderers, and the like, could scarce look to be as + trim as a city nunnery, and that none had ever heard harm of Mother Agnes. + But then one of his priests took on him to whisper in his ear, and he + demanded whether we had not gone so far as to hide traitors from justice, + to which Bertram returned a stout denial as well he might, though he + thought it well to give me warning, but for the present there was no use + in attempting anything more. The Archbishop was exceedingly busy with the + work of his office and the defence of London in case of Edward’s + threatened return; but he had not yet come, and no one thought there was a + reasonable doubt that Warwick, the Kingmaker, would not be victorious, and + he had carried his son-in-law, the Duke of Clarence, with him.’ After the + cause of the Red Rose was won, there was no fear but that the services of + Clifford would be remembered. So Harry Clifford parted with Anne, + promising himself and her that there should be fresh Clifford services, + winning a recognition of the De Vesci inheritance if of no more. + </p> + <p> + The ladies went on their way in the track which Chaucer has made + memorable, laying their count to meet Queen Margaret and her son, and win + their ears beforehand, and wondering that they came not. Kentish breezes + soon revived the Prioress, and she went through many strange devotions at + the shrine of Becket, which, it might be feared, did not improve her + spiritual, so much as her bodily, health, while Anne’s chiefly resolved + themselves into prayers that Harry Clifford might be guarded and restored, + and that she herself might be saved from the dreaded Lord Redgrave. + </p> + <p> + They did not set out on the return to London till they had inhaled plenty + of sea breezes by visiting the shrine of St. Mildred in the isle of + Thanet, and St. Eanswith at Folkestone, till Lent had begun, and the first + fresh tidings that they met were that Edward had landed in Yorkshire, but + his fleet had been dispersed by storms, and the people did not rise to + join him, so that he was fain to proclaim that he only came to assert his + right to his father’s inheritance of the Dukedom of York. + </p> + <p> + At the Minoresses’ Convent they found that a messenger had arrived, + bidding Anne go to meet her father at his castle in Bedfordshire. He was + coming over with the Queen whenever she could obtain a convoy from King + Louis of France. Lord Redgrave was with him, and the marriage should take + place as soon as they arrived. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never fear, child,’ said the Prioress; ‘many is the slip between the cup + and the lip.’ + </p> + <p> + Further tidings came that Edward had thrown off his first plea, that he + had passed Warwick’s brother Montagu at Pontefract, and that men from his + own hereditary estates were flocking to his royal banner. Warwick was + calling up his men in all directions, and both armies were advancing on + London. Then it was known that ‘false, fleeting, perjured Clarence’ had + deserted his father-in-law, and returned to his brother; and worthless as + he individually was, it boded ill for Lancaster, though still hope + continued in the uniform success of the Kingmaker. Warwick was about + twenty miles in advance of Edward, till that King actually passed him and + reached the town of Warwick itself. Still the Earl wrote to his brother + that if he could only hold out London for forty-eight hours all would be + well. + </p> + <p> + Once more poor King Henry was set on horseback and paraded through the + streets. Brother Martin went out with the chaplain of the Poor Clares to + gaze upon him, and they came back declaring that he was more than ever + like the image carried in a procession, seeming quite as helpless and + indifferent, except, said Brother Martin, when he passed a church, and + then a heavenly look came over his still features as he bowed his head; + but none of the crowd who came out to gaze cried ‘Save King Harry!’ or + ‘God bless him!’ + </p> + <p> + There were two or three thousand Yorkists in the various sanctuaries of + London, and they were preparing to rise in favour of their King Edward, + and only a few hundred were mustering in St. Paul’s Churchyard for the Red + Rose. + </p> + <p> + The Poor Clares were in much terror, though nunneries and religious + houses, and indeed non-combatants in general, were usually respected by + each side in these wars; but the Prioress of Greystone was not sorry that + the summons to her protegee called her party off on the way to + Bedfordshire, and they all set forward together, intending to make Master + Lorimer’s household at Chipping Barnet their first stage, as they had + engaged to do. + </p> + <p> + Their intention had been notified to Lorimer’s people in his London shop, + who had sent on word to their master, and the good man came out to meet + them, full of surprise at the valour of the ladies in attempting the + journey. But they could not possibly go further. King Edward was at St. + Albans, and was on his way to London, and the Earl of Warwick was coming + up from Dunstable with the Earls of Somerset and Oxford. For ladies, even + of religious orders, to ride on between the two hosts was manifestly + impossible, and he and his wife were delighted to entertain the Lady + Prioress till the roads should be safe. + </p> + <p> + The Prioress was nothing loth. She always enjoyed the freedom of a secular + household, and she was glad to remain within hearing of the last news in + this great crisis of York and Lancaster. + </p> + <p> + ‘I marvel if there will be a battle,’ she said. ‘Never have I had the good + luck to see or hear one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! Mother, are you not afraid?’ cried Sister Mabel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Afraid! What should I be afraid of, silly maid? Do you think the + men-at-arms are wolves to snap you up?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And,’ murmured Anne, ‘we shall know how it goes with my Lord of Oxford’s + people.’ + </p> + <p> + These were the last days of Lent, and were carefully kept in the matter of + food by the household, but the religious observances were much disturbed + by the tidings that poured in. King Henry and Archbishop Nevil had taken + refuge in the house of Bishop Kemp of London, Urswick the Recorder, with + the consent of the Aldermen, had opened the gates to Edward, and the Good + Friday Services at Barnet, the Psalms and prayers in the church, were + disturbed by men-at-arms galloping to and fro, and reports coming in + continually. + </p> + <p> + There could be no going out to gather flowers to deck the Church the next + day, for King Edward was on the London side, and Warwick with his army had + reached the low hills of Hadley, and their tents, their banners, and the + glint of their armour might be seen over the heathy slope between them and + the lanes and fields, surrounded by hedges, that fenced in the valley of + Barnet. The little town itself, though lying between the two armies, + remained unoccupied by either party, and only men-at-arms came down into + it, not as plunderers, but to buy food. + </p> + <p> + Warwick’s cannon, however, thundered all night, a very awful sound to such + unaccustomed ears, but they were so directed that the charges flew far + away from Barnet, under a false impression as to the situation of the + Yorkist forces. + </p> + <p> + Mistress Lorimer had heard them before, but accompanied every report with + a pious prayer; Sister Mabel screamed at each, then joined in; the + Prioress was greatly excited, and walked about with Master Lorimer, now on + the roof, trying to see, now at the gate, trying to hear. Anne fancied it + meant victory to Hal’s party, but knelt, tried to pray while she listened, + and the dogs barked incessantly. And that Hal must be in the army above + the little town they guessed, for in the evening Watch came floundering + into the courtyard, hungry and muddy, but full of affectionate recognition + of his old friends and the quarters he had learnt to know. Florimond, who + happened to be loose, had a romp with him in their old fashion, and to the + vexation and alarm of his mistress, they both ran off together, and must + have gone hunting on the heath, for there was no response to her silver + whistle. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. — BARNET + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A dead hush fell; but when the dolorous day + Grew drearier toward twilight falling, came + A bitter wind, clear from the North, and blew + The mist aside. + —TENNYSON. +</pre> + <p> + And Sir Henry Clifford? Still he was Hal of Derwentdale, for the perilous + usurper, Sir Richard Nevil, was known to be continually with Warwick, and + Musgrave was convinced that the concealment was safest. + </p> + <p> + The youth then remained with the Peelholm men, and became a good deal more + practised in warlike affairs, and accustomed to campaigning, during the + three months when Oxford was watching the eastern coast. On this Easter + night he lay down on the hill-side with Watch beside him, his shepherd’s + plaid round him, his heart rising as he thought himself near upon gaining + fame and honour wherewith to win his early love, and winning victory and + safety for his beloved King, or rather his hermit. For as his hermit did + that mild unearthly face always come before him. He could not think of it + wearing that golden crown, which seemed alien to it, but rather, as he lay + on his back, after his old habit looking up at the stars, either he saw + and recognised the Northern Crown, or his dazed and sleepy fancy wove a + radiant coronet of stars above that meek countenance that he knew and + loved so well; and as at intervals the cannon boomed and wakened him, he + looked on at the bright Northern Cross and dreamily linked together the + cross and crown. + </p> + <p> + Easter Sunday morning came dawning, but no one looked to see the sun + dance, even if the morning had not been dull and grey, a thick fog + covering everything; but through it came a dull and heavy sound, and the + clang of armour. Even by their own force the radiant star of the De Veres + could hardly be seen on the banner, as the Earl of Oxford rode up and + down, putting his men in battle array. Hal was on foot as an archer, + meaning to deserve the spurs that he had not yet worn. The hosts were + close to one another, and at first only the continual rain of arrows + darkened the air; but as the sun rose and the two armies saw one another, + Oxford’s star was to be seen carried into the very midst of the opposing + force under Lord Hastings. On, on, with cries of victory, the knights + rode, the archers ran across the heath carrying all before them, never + doubting that the day was theirs, but not knowing where they were till + trumpets sounded, halt was called, and they were drawn up together, as + best they might, round their leading star. But as they advanced, behold + there was an unexpected shout of treason. Arrows came thickly on them, + men-at-arms bearing Warwick’s ragged staff came thundering headlong upon + them. ‘Treason, treason,’ echoed on all sides, and with that sound in his + ears Harry Clifford was cut down, and fell under a huge horse and man, and + lay senseless under a gorse-bush. + </p> + <p> + He knew no more but that horses and men seemed for ever trampling over him + and treading him down, and then all was lost to him—for how long he + knew not, but for one second he was roused so far as to hear a furious + growling and barking of Watch, but with dazed senses he thought it was + over the sheep, tried to raise himself, could not, thought himself dying, + and sank back again. + </p> + <p> + The next thing he knew was ‘Here, Master Lorimer, you know this gear + better than I; unfasten this buff coat. There, he can breathe. Drink this, + my lad.’ + </p> + <p> + It was the Prioress’s voice! He felt a jolt as of a waggon, and opened his + eyes. It was dark, but he knew he was under the tilt of Lorimer’s waggon, + which was moving on. The Prioress was kneeling over him on one side, + Lorimer on the other, and his head was on a soft lap—nay, a warm + tear dropped on his face, a sweet though stifled voice said, ‘Is he truly + better?’ + </p> + <p> + Then came sounds of ‘hushing,’ yet of reassurance; and when there was a + halt, and clearer consciousness began to revive, while kind hands were + busy about him, and a cordial was poured down his throat, by the light of + a lantern cautiously shown, Hal found speech to say, as he felt a long + soft tongue on his face, ‘Watch, Watch, is it thou, man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, Watch it is,’ said the Prioress. ‘Well may you thank him! It is to + him you owe all, and to my good Florimond.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what—how—where am I?’ asked Hal, trying to look round, + but feeling sharp thrills and shoots of pain at every motion. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lie still till they bring their bandages, and I will tell you. Gently, + Nan, gently—thy sobs shake him!’ But, as he managed to hold and + press Anne’s hand, the Prioress went on, ‘You are in good Lorimer’s + warehouse. Safer thus, though it is too odorous, for the men of York do + not respect sanctuary in the hour of victory.’ + </p> + <p> + The word roused Hal further. ‘The victory was ours!’ he said. ‘We had + driven Hastings’ banner off the field! Say, was there a cry of treason?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so, my son. So far as Master Lorimer understands, Lord Oxford’s + banner of the beaming star was mistaken for the sun of York, and the men + of Warwick turned on you as you came back from the chase, but all was + utter confusion. No one knows who was staunch and who not, and the fields + and lanes are full of blood and slaughtered men; and Edward’s royal banner + is set up on the market cross, and trumpets were sounding round it. And + here come Master Lorimer and the goodwife to bind these wounds.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But Sir Giles Musgrave?’ still asked Hal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Belike fled with Lord Oxford and his men, who all made off at the cry of + treason,’ was the answer. + </p> + <p> + Lorimer returned with his wife and various appliances, and likewise with + fresh tidings. There was no doubt that the brothers Warwick and Montagu + had been slain. They had been found—Warwick under a hedge impeded by + his heavy armour, and Montagu on the field itself. Each body had been + thrown over a horse, and shown at the market cross; and they would be + carried to London on the morrow. ‘And so end,’ said Lorimer, ‘two brave + and open-handed gentlemen as ever lived, with whom I have had many + friendly dealings.’ + </p> + <p> + One thing more Hal longed to hear—namely, how he had been saved. He + remembered that Watch had come back to him with Florimond the evening + before. They had probably been hunting together, and the hound, who had + always been very fond of him on the journey, had accompanied Watch to his + side before going back to his chain in Barnet; but he had lost sight of + them in the morning, and regretted that he could not find Watch to provide + for his safety. He knew, he said, by the presence of Florimond, who must + be in Barnet. And he also had a dim recollection of being licked by + Watch’s tongue as he lay, and likewise of hearing a furious barking, + yelling and growling, whether of one or both dogs he was not sure. + </p> + <p> + It seemed that towards the evening, when the battle-cries had grown + fainter, and the sun was going down, Florimond had burst in on his + mistress, panting and blood-stained—but not with his own blood, as + was soon ascertained—and made vehement demonstrations by which, as a + true dog-lover, the Prioress perceived that he wanted her to follow him. + And Anne, who thought she saw a piece of Hal’s plaid caught in his collar, + was ‘neither to have nor to hold,’ as the Mother said, till Master Lorimer + was found, and entreated to follow the hound, ay, and to take them with + him. He demurred much as to their safety, but the Prioress declared that + it was the part of the religious to take care of the wounded, and not + inconsistent with her vow. See the Sisters of St. Katharine’s of the + Tower! And though her interpretation was a broad one, and would have + shocked alike her own Abbess and her of the Minoresses, he was fain to + accept it in such a cause; but he commanded his waggoners to bring the + wain in the rear, both as an excuse, and a possible protection for the + ladies, and, it might be, a conveyance for the wounded. + </p> + <p> + Florimond, who had sprung about, barked, fawned and made entreating sounds + all this time (longer in narrative than in reality) led them, not through + the central field of slaughter, but somewhat to the left, among the heath—where, + in fact, Oxford had lost his way in the fog, and his own allies had + charged him, but had not followed far beyond the place of Hal’s fall, + discovering the fatal error that spread confusion through their ranks, + where everyone distrusted his fellow leader. + </p> + <p> + There, after a weary and perilous way, diversified by the horrid shouts of + plunderers of the slain, happily not near at hand, and when Lorimer, but + for the ladies, would have given up the quest as useless, they were + greeted by Watch’s bark, and found him lying with his fine head alert and + ready over his senseless master. + </p> + <p> + There was no doubt but that the two good creatures, both powerful and + formidable animals, must have saved him from the spoilers, and then been + sagacious enough to let the hound go down to fetch assistance while the + sheep-dog remained as his master’s faithful guardian. How honoured and + caressed they were can hardly be described, but all will know. + </p> + <p> + The joy and gratitude of knowing of Anne’s devotion, and the pleasure of + his good dog’s faithfulness, helped Hal through the painful process of + having his hurts dealt with. Surgeons, even barbers, were fully occupied, + and Lorimer did not wish to have it known that a Lancastrian was in his + house. His wife and her old nurse, as well as the Prioress, had some + knowledge of simple practical surgery; and Hal’s disasters proved to be a + severe cut on the head, a slash on the shoulder, various bruises, and a + broken rib and thigh-bone, all which were within their capabilities, with + assistance from the master’s stronger hand. No one could tell whether the + savage nature of the York brothers might not slake their revenge in a + general massacre of their antagonists; so Lorimer caused Hal’s bed to be + made in the waggon in the warehouse, where he was safe from detection + until the victorious army should have quitted Barnet. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. — TEWKESBURY + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The last shoot of that ancient tree + Was budding fair as fair might be; + Its buds they crop + Its branches lop + Then leave the sapless stem to die. + —SOPHOCLES (Anstice). +</pre> + <p> + Harry Clifford lay fevered, and knowing little of what passed, for several + days, only murmuring sometimes of his flock at home, sometimes of the + royal hermit, and sometimes in distress of the men-at-arms with whom he + had been thrown, and whose habits and language had plainly been a great + shock to his innocent mind, trained by the company of the sheep, and the + hermit. He took the Prioress’s hand for Good-wife Dolly’s, but he + generally knew Anne, who could soothe him better than any other. + </p> + <p> + Master Lorimer was fully occupied by combatants who came to have their + equipments renewed or repaired, and he spent the days in his shop in + London, but rode home in the long evenings with his budget of news. King + Henry was in the Tower again, as passive as ever, but on the very day of + the battle of Barnet Queen Margaret had landed at Weymouth with her son, + and the war would be renewed in Somersetshire. + </p> + <p> + Search for prisoners being over at Barnet, Hal was removed to the guest + chamber of his hosts, where he lay in a huge square bed, and in the better + air began to recover, understand what was going on round him, and be + anxious for his friends, especially Sir Giles Musgrave and Simon Bunce. + The ladies still attended to him, as Lorimer pronounced the journey to be + absolutely unsafe, while so many soldiers disbanded, or on their way to + the Queen’s army, were roaming about, and the Burgundians brought by + Edward might not be respectful to an English Prioress. It was safer to + wait for tidings from Lord St. John, which were certain to come either + from Bletso or the Minoresses’. + </p> + <p> + So May had begun when Lorimer hurried home with the tidings that a + messenger had come in haste from King Edward from the battlefield of + Tewkesbury, with the tidings of a complete victory. Prince Edward, the + fair and spirited hope of Lancaster, was slain, Somerset and his friends + had taken sanctuary in the Abbey Church, Queen Margaret and the young wife + of the prince in a small convent, and beyond all had been flight and + slaughter. + </p> + <p> + For a few days no more was known, but then came fuller and sadder tidings. + The young prince had been brutally slain by his cousins, Edward, George, + and Richard, excited as they were to tiger-like ferocity by the late + revolt. The nobles in the sanctuary, who had for one night been protected + by a cord drawn in front of them by a priest, had in the morning been + dragged out and beheaded. Among them was Anne’s father, Lord St. John of + Bletso, and on the field the heralds had recognised the corpse of her + suitor, Lord Redgrave. To expect that Anne felt any acute sorrow for a + father whom she had never seen since she was six years old, and who then + had never seemed to care for her, was not possible. + </p> + <p> + And what was to be her fate? Her young brother, the heir of Bletso, was in + Flanders with his foreign mother, and she knew not what might be her own + claims through her own mother, though the Prioress and Master Lorimer knew + that it could be ascertained through the seneschal at Bletso, if he had + not perished with his lord, or the agents at York through whom Anne’s + pension had been paid. If she were an heiress, she would become a ward of + the Crown, a dreary prospect, for it meant to be disposed of to some + unknown minion of the Court. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. — THE NUT-BROWN MAID + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + All my wellfare to trouble and care + Should change if you were gone, + For in my mynde, of all mankind + I love but you alone. + —NUT-BROWN MAID. +</pre> + <p> + Anne St. John, in her ‘doul’ or deep mourning, sat by Hal’s couch or + daybed in tears, as he lay in the deep bay of the mullioned window, and + told him of the consultation that had been held. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, dear lady!’ he said, ‘now am I grieved that I have not mine own to + endow you with! Well would I remain the landless shepherd were it not for + you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay,’ she said, looking up through her tears, ‘and wherefore should I not + share your shepherd’s lot?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You! Nan, sweet Nan, tenderly nurtured in the convent while I have ever + lived as a rough hardy shepherd!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I have ever been a moorland maid,’ she answered, ‘bred to no soft + ways. I know not how to be the lady of a castle—I shall be a much + better herdsman’s wife, like your good old Dolly, whom I have always loved + and envied.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You never saw us snowed up in winter with all things scarce, and hardly + able to milk a goat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have not we been snowed up at Greystone for five weeks at a time?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, but with thick walls round and a stack of peat at hand,’ said Hal, + his heart beating violently as more and more he felt that the maiden did + not speak in jest, but in full earnestness of love. + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily one would deem you took me for a fine dainty dame, such as I saw + at the Minoresses’, shivering at the least gust of fresh wind, and not + daring to wet their satin shoes if there had been a shower of rain in the + cloisters. Were we not all stifled within the walls, and never breathed + till we were out of them? Nay, Hal, there is none to come between us now. + Take me to your moors and hills! I will be your good housewife and + shepherdess, and make you such a home! And you will teach me of the stars + and of the flowers and all the holy lore of your good royal hermit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! my hermit, my master, how fares it with him? Would that I could go + and see!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Which do you love best—me or the hermit?’ asked Anne archly, + lifting up her head, which was lying on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + ‘I love you, mine own love and sweetheart, with all my heart,’ he said, + regaining her hand, ‘but my King and master with my soul; and oh! that I + had any strength to give him! I love him as my master in holy things, and + as my true prince, and what would I not give to know how it is with him + and how he bears these dreadful tidings!’ + </p> + <p> + He bent his head, choking with sobs as he spoke, and Anne wept with him, + her momentary jealousy subdued by the picture of the lonely prisoner, his + friends slain in his cause, and his only child cut off in early prime; but + she tried the comfort of hoping that his Queen would be with him. Thus + talking now of love, now of grief, now of the future, now of the past, the + Prioress found them, and as she was inclined to blame Anne for letting her + patient weep, the maiden looked up to her and said, ‘Dear Mother, we are + disputing—I want this same Hal to wed me so soon as he can stand and + walk. Then I would go home with him to Derwentside, and take care of him.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prioress burst out laughing. ‘Make porridge, milk the ewes and spin + their wool? Eh? Meet work for a baron’s daughter!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So I tell her,’ said Harry. ‘She knows not how hard the life is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do I not?’ said Anne. ‘Have I not spent a night and day, the happiest my + childhood knew, in your hut? Has it not been a dream of joy ever since?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, a summer’s dream!’ said Hal. ‘Tell her the folly of it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I verily believe he does not want me. If he had not a lame leg, I trow he + would be trying to be mewed up with his King!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It would be my duty,’ murmured Hal, ‘nor should I love thee the less.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘’Tis a duty beyond your reach,’ said the Prioress. ‘Master Lorimer hears + that none have access to King Henry, God help him! and he sits as in a + trance, as though he understood and took heed of nothing—not even of + this last sore battle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘God aid him! Aye, and his converse is with Him,’ said Hal, with a gush of + tears. ‘He minds nought of earth, not even earthly griefs.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But we, we are of earth still, and have our years before us,’ said Anne, + ‘and I will not spend mine the dreary lady of a dull castle. Either I will + back and take my vows in your Priory, reverend Mother, if Hal there + disdains to have me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nan, Nan! when you know that all I dread is to have you mewed behind a + wall of snow as thick as the walls of the Tower and freezing to the bone!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With you behind it telling all the tales. Mother, prithee prove to him + that I am not made of sugar like the Clares, but that I love a fresh wind + and the open moorlands.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prioress laughed and took her away, but in private the maiden + convinced her that the proposal, however wild, was in full earnest, and + not in utter ignorance of the way of life that was preferred. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards the good lady discussed it with the Lorimers. ‘For my part,’ + she said, ‘I see nought to gainsay the children having their way. They are + equal in birth and breeding, and love one another heartily, and the times + may turn about to bring them to their own proper station.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But the hardness and the roughness of the life,’ objected Mistress + Lorimer, ‘for a dainty, convent-bred lady.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My convent—God, forgive me!—is not like the Poor Clares. We + knew there what cold and hunger mean, as well as what free air and + mountains are. Moreover, though the maid thinks not of it, I do not + believe the life will be so bare and comfortless. The lad’s mother hath + not let him want, and there is a heritage through the Vescis that must + come to him, even if he never can claim the lands of Clifford.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And now that all Lancaster is gone, King Edward may be less vindictive + against the Red Rose,’ said Lorimer. + </p> + <p> + ‘There must be a dowry secured to the maid,’ said the Prioress. ‘Let them + only lie quiet for a time till the remains of the late tempest have blown + over, and all will be well with them. Ay, and Master Lorimer, the Lady + Threlkeld, as well as myself, will fully acquit ourselves of the heavy + charges you have been put to for your hospitality to us.’ + </p> + <p> + Master Lorimer disclaimed all save his delight in the honour paid to his + poor house, and appealed to his wife, who seconded him courteously, though + perhaps the expenses of a wounded knight, three nuns, a noble damsel and + their horses, were felt by her enough to make the promise gratifying. + </p> + <p> + While the elders talked, a horseman was heard in the court, asking whether + the young demoiselle of Bletso were lodged there. It was the seneschal + Wenlock, who had come with what might be called the official report of his + lord’s death, and to consider of the disposal of the young lady, being + glad to find the Prioress of Greystone, to whom she had originally been + committed by her father. + </p> + <p> + Before summoning her, he explained to the Prioress that a small estate + which had belonged to her mother devolved upon her. The proceeds of the + property were not large, but they had been sufficient to keep her at the + convent, on the moderate charges of the time. Anne was only eighteen, and + at no time of their lives were women, even widows, reckoned able to + dispose of themselves. She would naturally become a ward of the Crown, and + Lord Redgrave having been killed, the seneschal was about to go and inform + King Edward of the situation. + </p> + <p> + ‘But,’ said the Prioress, ‘suppose you found her already betrothed to a + gentleman of equal birth, and with claims to an even greater inheritance? + Would you not be silent till the match was concluded, and the King had no + chance of breaking it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If it were well for the maid’s honour and fortune,’ said the seneschal. + ‘If you, reverend Mother, have found a fair marriage for her, it might be + better to let well alone.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the Prioress set forth the situation and claims of young Clifford, + and the certainty, that even if it were more prudent not to advance them + at present, yet the ruin of the house of Nevil removed one great barrier, + and at least the Vesci inheritance held by his mother must come to him, + and she was the more likely to make a portion over to him when she found + that he had married nobly. + </p> + <p> + The seneschal acquiesced, even though the Prioress confessed that the + betrothal had not actually taken place. In fact he was relieved that the + maiden, whom he had known as a fair child, should be off his hands, and + secured from the greed of some Yorkist partisan needing a reward. + </p> + <p> + When Anne, her dark eyes and hair shaded by her mourning veil, came down, + and had heard his greeting, with such details of her father’s death and + the state of the family as he could give her, she rose and said: ‘Sir, + there have been passages between Sir Harry Clifford and myself, and I + would wed none other than him.’ + </p> + <p> + Nor did the seneschal gainsay her. + </p> + <p> + All that he desired was that what was decided upon should be done quickly, + before heralds or lawyers brought to the knowledge of the Woodvilles that + there was any sort of prize to be had in the damsel of St. John, and he + went off, early the next morning, back to Bletso, that he might seem to + know nothing of the matter. + </p> + <p> + The Prioress laughed at men being so much more afraid than women. She was + willing to bear all the consequences, but then the Plantagenets were not + in the habit of treating ladies as traitors. However, all agreed that it + would be wiser to be out of reach of London as soon as possible, and + Master Lorimer, who had become deeply interested in this romance of true + love, arranged to send one of his wains to York, in which the bride and + bridegroom might travel unsuspected, until the latter should be able to + ride and all were out of reach of pursuit. The Prioress would go thus far + with them, ‘And then! And then,’ she said sighing, ‘I shall have to dree + my penance for all my friskings!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, oh, what kindly friskings!’ cried Anne, throwing herself into those + tender arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘Little they will reck of kindness out of rule,’ sighed the Prioress. ‘If + only they will send me back to Greystone, then shall I hear of thee, and + thou hadst better take Florimond, poor hound, or the Sisters at York may + put him to penance too!’ + </p> + <p> + Henry Clifford was able to walk again, though still lame, when, in the + early morning of Ascension Day, he and Anne St. John were married in the + hall of Master Lorimer’s house by a trusty priest of Barnet, and in the + afternoon, when the thanksgiving worship at the church had been gone + through, they started in the waggon for the first stage of the journey, to + be overtaken at the halting-place by the Prioress and Master Lorimer, who + had had to ride into London to finish some business. + </p> + <p> + And he brought tidings that rendered that wedding-day one of mournful, if + peaceful, remembrances. + </p> + <p> + For he had seen, borne from the Tower, along Cheapside, the bier on which + lay the body of King Henry, his hands clasped on his breast, his white + face upturned with that heavenly expression which Hal knew so well, + enhanced into perfect peace, every toil, every grief at an end. + </p> + <p> + Whether blood dropped as the procession moved along, Lorimer could not + certainly tell. Whether so it was, or whoever shed it, there was no + marring the absolute rest and joy that had crowned the ‘meek usurper’s + holy head,’ after his dreary half-century of suffering under the + retribution of the ancestral sins of two lines of forefathers. All had + been undergone in a deep and holy trust and faith such as could render + even his hereditary insanity an actual shield from the poignancy of grief. + </p> + <p> + Tears were shed, not bitter nor vengeful. Such thoughts would have seemed + out of place with the memory of the gentle countenance of love, good-will + and peace, and as Harry and Anne joined in the service that the Prioress + had requested to have in the early daylight before starting, Hal felt that + to the hermit saint of his boyhood he verily owed his own self. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. — BROUGHAM CASTLE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + And now am I an Earlis son, + And not a banished man. + —NUT-BROWN MAID. +</pre> + <p> + That journey northward in the long summer days was a honeymoon to the + young couple. The Prioress left them as much to themselves as possible, + trying to rejoice fully in their gladness, and not to think what might + have been hers but for that vow of her parents, keeping her hours + diligently in preparation for the stricter rule awaiting her. + </p> + <p> + When they parted she sent Florimond with them, to be restored if she were + allowed to return to Greystone, and Anne parted with her with many tears + as the truest mother and friend she had ever known. + </p> + <p> + By this time Harry was able to ride, and the two, with a couple of + men-at-arms hired as escort, made their way over the moors, Harry’s head + throbbing with gladness, as, with a shout of joy, he hailed his own + mountain-heads, Helvellyn and Saddleback, in all their purple cloud-like + majesty. + </p> + <p> + They agreed first to go to Dolly’s homestead, drawn as much by affection + as by prudence. Delight it was to Hal to point out the rocks and bushes of + his home; but when he came in sight of Piers and the sheep, the dumb boy + broke out into a cry of terror, and rushed away headlong, nor did he turn + till he felt Watch’s very substantial paws bounding on him in ecstasy. + </p> + <p> + Watch was indeed a forerunner, for Dolly and her husband could scarcely be + induced by his solid presence and caresses to come out and see for + themselves that the tall knight and lady were no ghostly shades, nor + bewildered travellers, but that this was their own nursling Hal, whom + Simon Bunce had reported to be lying dead under a gorse-bush at Barnet, + and further that the lovely brunette lady was the little lost child whom + Dolly had mothered for a night. + </p> + <p> + While the happy goodwife was regaling them with the best she had to offer, + Hob set forth to announce their arrival at Threlkeld, being not certain + what the cautious Sir Lancelot would deem advisable, since the Lancaster + race had perished, and York was in the ascendant. + </p> + <p> + There was a long time to wait, but finally Sir Lancelot himself came + riding through the wood, no longer afraid to welcome his stepson at the + castle, and the more willing since the bride newly arrived was no maiden + of low degree, but a damsel of equal birth and with unquestioned rights. + </p> + <p> + So all was well, and the lady no longer had to embrace her son in fear and + trembling, but to see him a handsome and thoughtful young man, well able + to take his place in her halls. + </p> + <p> + Since he had been actually in arms against King Edward it was not thought + safe to assert his claims to his father’s domains, but the lady gave up to + him a portion of her own inheritance from the Vescis, where he and Anne + were able to live in Barden Tower in Yorkshire, not far from Bolton Abbey. + So Hal’s shepherd days were over, though he still loved country habits and + ways. Hob came to be once more his attendant, Dolly was Anne’s + bower-woman, and Simon Bunce Sir Harry’s squire, though he never ceased + blaming himself for having left his master, dead as he thought, when even + a poor hound was more trusty. + </p> + <p> + Florimond was restored to the Prioress, who was reinstated at Greystone, a + graver woman than before she had set forth, the better for having watched + deeper devotion at the Minoresses’, and still more for the terrible + realities of the battle of Barnet. At Bolton Abbey Harry found monks who + encouraged his craving for information on natural science, and could carry + him on much farther in these researches than his hermit, though he always + maintained that the royal anchorite and prisoner saw farther into heavenly + things than any other whom he had known, and that his soul and insight + rose the higher with his outward troubles and bodily decay. + </p> + <p> + So peacefully went the world with them till Henry was one-and-thirty, and + then the tidings of Bosworth Field came north. The great tragedy of + Plantagenet was complete, and the ambitious and blood-stained house of + York, who had avenged the usurpation of Henry of Lancaster, had perished, + chiefly by the hands of each other, and the distantly related descendant + of John of Gaunt, Henry Tudor, triumphed. + </p> + <p> + The Threlkelds were not slow to recollect that it was time for the + Cliffords to show their heads; moreover, that the St. Johns of Bletso were + related to the Tudors. Though now an aged woman, she descended from her + hills, called upon her son and his wife with their little nine-year-old + son to come with her, and pay homage to the new sovereign in their own + names, and rode with them to Westminster. + </p> + <p> + There a very different monarch from the saint of Harry’s memory received + and favoured him. The lands of Westmoreland were granted to him as his + right, and on their return, Master Lorimer coming by special invitation, + the family were welcomed at Brougham Castle, the cradle of their race, + where Harry Clifford, no longer an outlaw, began the career thus + described: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Love had he found in huts where poor men lie, + His daily teachers had been woods and rills, + The silence that is in the starry sky, + The sleep that is among the lonely hills. + + In him the savage virtue of the race, + Revenge, and all ferocious thoughts were dead, + Nor did he change, but kept in lofty place + The wisdom that adversity had bred. + + Glad were the vales, and every cottage hearth, + The Shepherd Lord was honoured more and more, + And ages after he was laid in earth + The Good Lord Clifford was the name he bore. +</pre> + <p> + FINIS + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Herd Boy and His Hermit, by Charlotte M. 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