Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
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CHAPTER XI.
WHAT BROUGHT FATHER HUDDLESTONE TO BOSCOBEL.
After breakfast, Charles, attended by Careless, went out into thegarden, and having previously consulted William Penderel, who did notseek to dissuade him from the step, visited the oak, and remained for along time contemplating it with mingled gratitude and admiration. Howmajestic looked the tree on that morning! Before quitting it Charlesspread his arms round its trunk in a loving embrace.
On returning to the garden, Charles proceeded to the arbour, and satdown within it. So pleasant was the spot, that for a short time hesurrendered himself to the enjoyment of the moment, and sank into acalm reverie, from which he was rather rudely disturbed by the soundof approaching footsteps, and looking out he saw Father Huddlestone,accompanied by Careless. Greeting the priest with much respect, he methim at the top of the mount, and led him into the arbour, graciouslypraying him to be seated.
"All good saints bless your majesty!" exclaimed the priest, "and guardyou from your enemies. I have just come from Moseley Hall, and am thebearer of a message to your majesty from Lord Wilmot. His lordshipis in great anxiety on your majesty's account--very alarming reportshaving reached him, which I am glad to find are unfounded, and heimplores you to come on to Moseley Hall, where he feels sure you willbe safe. To his lordship's entreaties I would add those of my patron,Mr. Whitgreave, who places his house at your disposal, and has means,almost better than any other person, of offering you a secure asylumat this dangerous juncture. To these entreaties, my gracious liege,"continued the good priest, earnestly, "I will add my own. Do not remainhere too long. Your enemies have been temporarily baffled in theirquest, but I fear they will renew it, since their obstinacy is great."
The king listened attentively to what was said to him.
"I intended to remain here for a few days, holy father, till the dangershould be blown over," he said. "But I perceive there is too much riskin doing so. Loth, therefore, as I am to leave Boscobel, I will come toMoseley Hall to-night."
"Your majesty has determined well," said Father Huddlestone. "But Ientreat you to take a sufficient guard with you. The forest is full ofrebel troopers. No doubt the trusty Penderels will guard you."
"I can count upon them," replied Charles.
"I will speak with William Penderel myself, before I depart," said thepriest.
"Do you depart soon, father?"
"Almost immediately, sire. I return by Chillington."
"Then come in at once and take some refreshment."
And rising as he spoke, the king led the way to the house.
As the king and Father Huddlestone walked on, they perceived Carelessand the page leaning from an open lattice window to the room on theground floor. Thus seen they formed a very pretty picture. On hismajesty's approach they would have drawn back, but he marched up to thewindow to speak to them.
"A change has taken place in my plans," he said. "Father Huddlestone isreturning immediately to Moseley Hall. You must both go with him."
"And leave you here, sire?" cried Careless. "I do not like thearrangement at all. But, of course, I must obey your majesty's orders."
"If all goes well, I shall rejoin you to-morrow at Moseley," said theking. "I shall travel at night, and with a sufficient escort."
"But why am I not to form one of your majesty's escort?" asked Careless.
"Because you are wanted elsewhere," replied Charles, smiling.
"Well, since it must be, it must," said Careless. "But your majesty maywish me at your side."
While Charles was thus conversing, the good priest entered the house,and finding Joan and her husband in the hall, paused for a moment atthe open door, and bestowed a benediction upon them. They received himwith the greatest respect. William placed a chair for him, and Joanquickly brought him some refreshment. While this was going on, the goodfather briefly explained the purport of his message to the king, andthough the faithful pair were grieved to lose their important charge,they raised no objection.
At this juncture Charles came in.
"My good friends," he said, "I perceive from your countenances thatFather Huddlestone has told you I must leave you. Never shall I forgetyour kindness to me, and I desire to express my gratitude in the goodfather's presence."
"Your feelings do you honour, my liege," said Father Huddlestone,rising. "Your majesty may rest assured that you have not more devotedsubjects than the Penderels. As to Dame Joan----"
"Her price is above rubies," interrupted the king. "I know it. Beseated, I pray, your reverence, and heed not my presence. I have morehard work for you, William, and for your trusty brothers. To-night youmust all escort me to Moseley Hall."
"We will all be ready, my liege, and shall account it no hardship,"replied William. "We will take with us our brother-in-law, FrancisYates. We can trust him as we can trust ourselves."
"The husband of the good woman who visited me in Spring Coppice?"observed Charles.
"The same, sire."
"Then he is well mated," said the king.
"You must all go armed, William," remarked Father Huddlestone,gravely--"armed, and prepared to resist to the death. I warn you thereis danger."
"We will go fully prepared for any event," rejoined William Penderel,resolutely. "We cannot do better than die for the king."
"That is a sentiment I have always inculcated," said the father.
"And I have not forgotten it, your reverence." Then turning to theking, he added, "I will bid Humphrey bring his horse for your majesty.Moseley Hall is a long way off, and your majesty looks somewhatfootsore."
"Oddsfish! I could not walk half a dozen miles without falling deadlame," cried Charles. "By all means let me have Humphrey's nag."
Soon afterwards, Careless and the page, neither of whom had anypreparations to make, came in to bid adieu to Joan and her worthyspouse; and Father Huddlestone, declaring he was sufficiently restedand refreshed, rose to depart.
Before bidding adieu to Careless, the king gave him some instructionsin private, saying, as he left him at the garden gate,
"If we do not meet again, you will know what to do."
Charles did not wait for any reply, but, as if afraid of betraying theemotion he felt, walked quickly towards the arbour. On gaining thesummit of the mount, he looked round and saw that Father Huddlestoneand his two companions were gazing anxiously at him from the skirts ofthe wood. Waving his hand to them, he entered the arbour, and was forsome time lost in painful reflection.
End of Book the Third.
Book the Fourth.
MOSELEY OLD HALL.