CHAPTER III.
COLONEL FRANCIS WYNDHAM, OF TRENT.
Understanding from Pope that a fugitive Cavalier had sought shelter atAbbots Leigh, Mr. Norton had a private interview with his guest, and onlearning his name, offered him all the assistance in his power.
Thanking him most heartily, Careless said if he would provide him witha horse he would esteem it a very great favour.
"What is more, Mr. Norton," he added, "you will materially serve theking."
"Since it is for his majesty's service," replied Mr. Norton, "you shallhave the best horse in my stable. Return him or not, as may suit yourconvenience."
"I shall not fail to acquaint his majesty with your zeal in his behalf,sir," said Careless. "He is well aware of your attachment to him."
"I only wish I had a better opportunity of proving my loyalty, sir. Ipray you say as much to the king. I will not ask questions which youmay be unwilling to answer, but I shall unfeignedly rejoice to hearthat his majesty has escaped."
"I trust it will not be long before you receive that satisfactoryintelligence, sir," said Careless. "And I am sure it will gratify youto reflect that you have contributed to so desirable a result. Whennext we meet I hope I may salute you as Sir George Norton."
"I hope so, too, sir," rejoined the other; "for in that case hismajesty will have been restored to the throne."
After this interview Careless was not allowed to return to his placeof concealment in the stable, but was lodged in a chamber in the upperpart of the house, not far from the room occupied by the king, so thatthey had an opportunity of conferring together.
At a very early hour on the following morning Careless started on hismission. He was well mounted, for Mr. Norton had strictly fulfilled hispromise, and given him his best horse. In his present distracted frameof mind, nothing could have suited the king's faithful adherent betterthan the task he had undertaken, as he hoped that hard exercise wouldenable him to shake off the painful idea by which he was haunted.
He rode on throughout the day, halting only when it was necessary torefresh his steed. Fortunately, he met with no hindrance, though onceor twice he was compelled to quit the direct course. His last halt wasat Sherborne, and he was then nearly at the end of his journey.
A pleasant ride of a few miles from this charming old town broughthim to a secluded little village, consisting only of a few scatteredcottages, in the midst of which stood an antique church.
This was Trent. It was growing dusk as he approached the village, andthe place was so surrounded by trees that he could only just discernthe spire of the church. But he knew that in the midst of those loftyelms stood the old manor-house, of which he was in quest, so he rode onwithout making any inquiries from the few rustics he encountered.
Pursuing his course along a narrow winding lane, overhung by trees,and skirted here and there by a cottage, having whitewashed walls anda grey thatched roof, he came to the church, close to which stood theold manor-house--a large, low building, solidly constructed of stone,with shingled roof, mullioned windows, and an entrance covered by apent house. This was the rear of the mansion, but the front looked upona smooth lawn, bordered, as we have said, by lofty elm-trees, inhabitedby a colony of rooks.
Trent House was not approached by an avenue, and to this circumstanceit chiefly owed its extreme privacy. The entrance being at the rear wasreached from a large yard, differing very little, except in size, fromthe enclosure ordinarily attached to a substantial farm-house. On theright of the yard were the stables and other outbuildings.
TRENT HOUSE.]
Careless had pulled up at the gate, and was contemplating the oldhouse, and thinking how well adapted it was as a place of refuge forthe king, when a serving-man, who was crossing the yard from thestables, noticed him, and at once came up to ascertain his business.As the man drew near he recognised Major Careless, and saluting himrespectfully, addressed him by name.
"Your honour has forgotten me, I make no doubt," he said, taking offhis cap as he spoke. "I am Harry Peters, and was once your groom."
"Nay, I have not forgotten thee, Harry," replied Careless. "I am gladto find thee here, for I know thee to be a trusty fellow, and thoumay'st be of use to me, and to another beside me. Is Colonel Wyndham athome?" And as Peters responded in the affirmative, he added, "that'swell; open the gate, and let me in. Now go tell thy master that Mr.Morton desires to speak with him."
"Had I not better announce your honour correctly?"
"Do as I bid thee," said Careless.
And Peters departed.
Left alone Careless dismounted, awaiting Colonel Wyndham's appearance.In a minute or two afterwards the colonel came out of the house andmarched towards him.
The former governor of Dunster Castle was a remarkably fine-lookingman, in the prime of life, and, though plainly attired, had a verydistinguished air, and looked like one accustomed to command.
When within a few yards of the stranger he suddenly stopped, andexclaimed:
"Why, how is this? My man said that Mr. Morton, of whom I know nothing,and never heard of before, desired to see me, but I find it is my oldfriend Will Careless."
"Yes, 'tis I, in good truth, Frank," replied the other, laughing. "ButI had reasons for the disguise, as I will explain anon."
"You are welcome to Trent, Will--right welcome--under whatever name youcome," said Colonel Wyndham, heartily. "Take Mr. Morton's horse to thestable," he added to Peters. "Now come in with me, and I will presentyou to my wife and mother."
"Hold a moment, Frank," cried Careless. "I must have a word with you.When you have heard what I have to say, you will judge what is best tobe done. I come from the king."
Colonel Wyndham started back, and uttered an exclamation of joy andsurprise.
"You amaze me!" he cried. "We heard that his majesty was slain atWorcester."
"'Twas a false report, invented by the enemy," replied Careless. "Notonly is the king alive and well, but he is coming to take refuge withyou here at Trent."
"By Heaven, I am glad to hear it!" cried the colonel. "No news couldplease me better--nay, not half so well. As the bearer of such joyfultidings thou art doubly welcome, Will. And think not there is need ofsecrecy. I will answer for my womankind as I would for myself. Of mymother, Lady Wyndham, I need not speak, for you know her."
"And know her to be loyal," remarked Careless.
"My wife is just as loyal," pursued the colonel. "And my fair cousin,Juliana Coningsby, is as loyal as my wife. They have been profoundlygrieved by the rumour I have just alluded to of the king's death; butJuliana refused to credit it, and maintained her confident belief thathe is still living, and will be restored to the throne."
"'Tis clear from what you say, Frank, that there will be no risk incommunicating the secret to your ladies."
"Fear nothing. Women can keep a secret as well as we men can--better,perhaps. My household consists of some twenty persons, and I firmlybelieve there is not a traitor among them."
"That is much to say. Yet 'twill be best not to try their fidelity.There is one honest fellow, I'll be sworn--Harry Peters."
"Peters is not an exception--they are all honest. But come in. I amanxious to acquaint the ladies with the good news respecting the king."
He then took Careless into the house, and led him to a parlour, whichwas lighted by a lamp placed on the table. In this room three ladieswere assembled, two of them being young, and engaged on some feminineoccupation, while the third and oldest of the party was reading adevotional work.
The elderly dame, as will be surmised, was the colonel's mother.Lady Wyndham had a stately figure and a dignified deportment, andthough her finely formed features bore the impress of age, they werestill regular in outline. Her costume belonged to an earlier period,and suited her well. Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wyndham, the heiressto whom the colonel owed Trent, possessed considerable personalattractions--magnificent black eyes and luxuriant black tresses.
A striking contrast to Mrs. Wyndham was Jul
iana Coningsby--acharming blonde, with summer blue eyes, delicately formed features,snow-white skin, and light locks. When she smiled--and she smiled veryfrequently--two rows of exquisite pearls were displayed. Juliana wasjust nineteen, and our description would be incomplete if we did notadd that her figure was slight and exceedingly graceful.
Careless's appearance caused some excitement among the company. As wehave intimated, he was known to Lady Wyndham, who received him verycordially, and after he had said a few words to her he was presented indue form to the other ladies.
When the presentation had taken place, Colonel Wyndham remarked:
"Major Careless brings us very good news. The rumour we have heard ofthe king's death at Worcester is utterly unfounded. His majesty is safeand well."
"I can vouch for that, since I only left him this morning," addedCareless.
Joyful exclamations arose from all. Juliana clapped her hands together,and called out:
"I knew it! I knew the king was safe. Nothing would persuade me to thecontrary. And I am just as sure now that he will escape his enemies,and regain the throne."
"His majesty will be delighted to find he has such a zealous partisan,"observed Careless, smiling at her vivacity. "You must give him theassurance from your own lips."
"I should like to have an opportunity of doing so," she rejoined.
"Then your wish will be speedily gratified, Juliana," said ColonelWyndham. "You will very soon have an opportunity of conversing with theking."
His wife and Lady Wyndham were greatly surprised by the announcement,and questioned him as to its meaning by their looks; but Juliana calledout:
"You are jesting with me, Frank."
"Not so," he rejoined. "But I won't keep you longer in suspense. Learnthen that the king is coming here."
"His majesty coming to Trent!" exclaimed Juliana, again clapping herhands. "Oh! that is delightful. I have longed so much to see him."
"Moderate yourself, my love," said Mrs. Wyndham, who looked scarcelyless pleased.
"You are his majesty's harbinger, I suppose?" said Lady Wyndham toCareless.
"Your ladyship is right," he replied. "I have attended the king eversince the great disaster at Worcester. Several attempts which he hasmade to escape to France, have been frustrated, and he has thereforeresolved to abide a time when the vigilance of his enemies shall relax.With this design he has fixed upon Trent House as a retreat, feelingwell assured that he has not a more devoted adherent than ColonelFrancis Wyndham."
"His majesty has formed a just opinion of my son," said Lady Wyndham."He will be quite safe under his roof."
"Women are not generally trusted with important secrets," observedMrs. Wyndham. "But his majesty need fear no indiscretion on our part.Juliana is sometimes rather thoughtless, but she will now see thenecessity of keeping strict guard upon her tongue."
"I have never yet had a secret confided to me," said the young lady inquestion; "but if everybody is as careful as I shall be his majestywon't be in much danger."
"I have already assured Major Careless that the servants can be reliedupon," said Colonel Wyndham.
"Yes, they are all perfectly faithful and honest," said his wife. "Butof course every precaution shall be observed."
"His majesty shall have my room," said Lady Wyndham. "I will describeit to you, Major Careless, and then you will judge of its fitness forthe purpose. It is not in this part of the house, but is situated abovethe kitchen. It is reasonably large, and loftier than you would expect,because the ceiling is raised into the roof, and supported by oakenrafters. On either side are lattice windows which look into the gardenand command the yard, so that his majesty would be made immediatelyaware of the arrival of any dangerous visitor. The room is wainscotedwith old oak, and at one end is a secret closet in which the king couldtake refuge. But this is not all. A movable board within the closetaffords access to a short, narrow staircase contrived in the wall, bymeans of which an outbuilding can be gained, and thus any search may beeluded. I must not omit to mention that in the principal room there isa small cupboard, concealed by a sliding panel, and in this cupboardwine and provisions may be stored. But you must see the room yourself.No other apartment in the house offers such facilities for concealmentand flight."
"Your ladyship's description is so clear," said Careless, "that I neednot see the room to decide that it is exactly suitable to the king'spresent requirements. My only concern is that you should be obliged torelinquish it."
"Poh! that is a mere trifle," exclaimed the loyal old dame. "I wouldgive up all I possess to benefit his majesty. I shall easily findanother room."
"You shall have mine, dear aunt," cried Juliana, eagerly.
"When is his majesty's arrival to be expected?" inquired ColonelWyndham.
"He is staying at Abbots Leigh, near Bristol," replied Careless. "Inall probability he will leave there to-morrow morning, attended byMistress Jane Lane and Sir Clement Fisher, but he will not proceedbeyond Castle Cary. Early on the following day he may be looked forhere."
"All shall be ready for him," said Colonel Wyndham.
A long conversation then ensued, which it is not needful to report.The ladies had a number of questions to ask respecting the fatal fightat Worcester and the king's subsequent adventures, and while Carelessgratified their natural curiosity, Colonel Wyndham left the room togive directions for the accommodation of his unexpected, though mostwelcome guest. Careless's auditors listened with the deepest interestto his vivid description of the king's hair-breadth 'scapes, but no onewas so excited by the relation as Juliana Coningsby.
From the first moment when she beheld the king's faithful messenger,Juliana had been struck by his appearance, but when he recounted somestirring incident in which he himself, as well as his royal master,had taken part--when his eyes flashed, and the gloom that had hithertohung upon his brow was dispersed--she thought him the handsomest manshe had ever beheld, and began to feel an interest in him, such asshe had never before experienced. She was still watching his animatedcountenance--still drinking in his accents--when Colonel Wyndham brokethe charm--very unpleasantly to her--by coming in, and announcing thatsupper was ready. The party then adjourned to the dining-room, where asubstantial repast awaited them.
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