Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
Page 85
CHAPTER IV.
JULIANA CONINGSBY.
Comfortably lodged, and fatigued by his long journey, Careless sleptvery soundly, and awoke in better spirits than he had felt since thesad catastrophe in the gorge of the Avon.
On descending from his room he went forth upon the lawn in front ofthe house, and was admiring the range of magnificent elms by which itwas surrounded, when Juliana Coningsby came out of the garden with alittle basket of flowers in her hand, and tripped towards him with alight footstep across the smooth greensward.
If Careless had been struck by her beauty overnight, he was far moreimpressed by it now. Her figure, we have said, was exceedingly lightand graceful, and in her very becoming morning costume, with her blondetresses hanging over her shoulders, and her fair complexion slightlyheightened, she looked really charming.
He had persuaded himself that he could never love again, but now thatthis exquisite creature stood before him, and greeted him with thesweetest smile imaginable, and in accents that sounded melodiously inhis ear, he began to think it possible he might do so.
Formal salutations having passed between them, she said:
"Do you know, Major Careless, I have been dreaming all night of theking's romantic adventures, which you related to us. I quite envy JaneLane the part she took in them. I should consider it the greatestprivilege to attend upon his majesty."
"Jane Lane is a person of the highest courage, full of ardour and zealfor the royal cause," replied Careless. "You must excuse my saying thatvery few of your sex would have gone through what she has done."
And a slight shade crossed his features as he spoke.
"It is plain you think I could not do as much," said Juliana, in aslight tone of pique. "But I am certain I could. To ride on a pillionbehind the king would be an event to remember all one's life. Jane Lanemust feel very proud. Is she good-looking?"
"Remarkably so," rejoined Careless. "I have seen very few persons whocan compare with her. She is not only beautiful but full of spirit. Butyou will see her, for she is coming here with the king. Sir ClementFisher, to whom she is betrothed, will form one of the party. Shouldshe succeed in bringing his majesty safe to Trent, her duties will beat an end, and you can then, if you think proper, assume her post. Theking, I am sure, will be enchanted to have so fair a companion. But theservice is not without great risk."
"There would be no excitement in it--no honour to be won--if there wereno risk," she rejoined. "I hope some circumstance may occur to provethat I am not inferior to Jane Lane."
While thus conversing, they had moved to a part of the lawn from whichthe church was visible. It has been already stated that the beautifulold structure was quite close to the mansion, and indeed a narrow roadonly divided the churchyard from the garden.
"Though the church is so near to us, and contains the family pew,"said Juliana, "we are prevented from offering our devotions within it.The worthy rector, the Reverend Richard Langton, has been deprived ofhis benefice, and has been succeeded by an Independent minister, andthough the Reverend Lift-up-Hand Meldrum, for so he is named, may be avery good man, we none of us care to listen to his discourses. We haveprayers at home, and Mr. Langton, who though driven from the rectory,still resides in the village, officiates as Colonel Wyndham's domesticchaplain."
As Careless expressed a desire to inspect the sacred edifice, withwhich he was much struck, they passed out at a small gate at thebottom of the garden. A few steps brought them to the entrance tothe churchyard--a quiet spot, full of graves of rounded turf. On theleft of the churchyard stood the old rectory, now occupied by theIndependent minister.
On approaching the church they found the door open and walked in. Theinterior of the old fabric was as beautiful as the exterior, and notmuch damage had been done to its monuments, though the painted glassin the windows had been destroyed. A hasty survey of the chancelsufficed for Careless. As they returned through the churchyard, a tall,sallow-complexioned personage, in a black gown and Geneva bands, couldbe seen standing at the door of the rectory.
"The Reverend Lift-up-Hand Meldrum is watching us," said Juliana."Perhaps it would have been more prudent in you not to come here."
"It matters little, I think," said Careless. "If he is inquisitive, hemust have learnt that a stranger has arrived at the manor-house."
"Very true; but he will now discover from your attire that you are aCavalier."
They did not return by the garden, but entered the yard, which we havedescribed as contiguous to the church.
Here they found Colonel Wyndham, who was giving some orders to Petersand another groom, and after a hearty greeting had passed betweenCareless and his host, they proceeded to the stables to look at thehorses. On their return from this inspection, which occupied only a fewminutes, the colonel stopped Careless in the middle of the yard, andbade him notice the upper windows in the projecting wing of the house.
"Those windows belong to the room which my mother proposes torelinquish to his majesty," he said. "Below is the kitchen, which wewill visit anon, in order that you may see how the house is arranged.Notice the little outbuilding on the left, attached to the mainstructure. 'Tis a brewhouse, but it is important because the projectingchimney which you see beyond the gable contains the secret closetand staircase. On the other side there is an outlet to the garden,perfectly concealed by shrubs. Now notice the penthouse in the angle ofthe building. It has two arches as you will observe, and behind eachis a door, one of which affords an exit and the other an entrance. Theroom which his majesty will occupy, possesses the means of exit. Nowcome and look at the kitchen."
So saying, he led his guest to a deeply-arched doorway near thebrewhouse, which at once admitted them to a goodly room, occupyingthe entire ground floor of this part of the building. The roof wassomewhat low, but it was festooned with hams, and the kitchen containedan enormous fireplace, at which a baron of beef or a whole sheep mightbe roasted. The cook was now busily at work for breakfast, roasting abrace of partridges, and frying eggs and bacon. Colonel Wyndham did notdisturb her in her occupation, but took Careless into the outbuilding,and showed him how secret access might be gained to the room above.
"I see exactly what could be done," remarked Careless. "If the houseshould be searched, his majesty might come down from the room above,and, mingling with the servants, would not be observed."
"Precisely," replied Colonel Wyndham.
They then repaired to the dining-room, where they found all the ladiesassembled. With them was the deprived rector of Trent, who dwelt in asmall cottage hard by, but generally took his meals in the house.
The Reverend Mr. Langton's manner was grave, and not devoid of dignity,and his venerable appearance was heightened by his silver locks. Thatthe good man bore his losses with resignation was shown by the placidexpression of his countenance. Colonel Wyndham had already explained toCareless that Mr. Langton must be considered as one of the family, andthat no secrets need be kept from him, adding that the king had not amore devoted subject than the reverend gentleman.
As will be readily conceived, the king's expected visit engrossedthe thoughts of all concerned in the scheme, and preparations forhis majesty's reception were immediately commenced, though with alldue caution. Lady Wyndham removed to another room; and when Carelesswas shown the antique and curious chamber she had just quitted, hepronounced it admirably adapted to the purpose desired.
Having most successfully accomplished his mission, Careless prepared toset out to Castle Cary, where he had appointed to meet the king, andinform him how he had prospered. So charmed were the ladies of Trentwith the very agreeable manners of the king's handsome messenger,that his departure would have caused them great regret if he had notpromised to return next day, in company with his royal master.
Colonel Wyndham, attended by Harry Peters, rode with his friend as faras Sherborne. Here they separated, and Careless pursued his journeyalone, proceeding to Milborne Port, and Wincaunton, where he halted fora short time.
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bsp; On arriving at the prettily situated little town of Castle Cary, he putup at an inn where he thought that the king and his companions wouldalight. They were not there, but he learnt that a party answering totheir description had gone to the manor-house, then belonging to Mr.Kirton, who, it subsequently appeared, was well known to Sir ClementFisher.
The manor-house was situated on the further side of a hill, on whichthe castle had once stood, and thither Careless proceeded on foot. Hedid not make himself known at the house, as he was fortunate enough tofind the king in the stable. During the short interview he had withhis majesty, he acquainted him with the entire success of his mission,and Charles was delighted with the description given him of Trent. Inreturn, the king informed his attendant that he had left Abbots Leighearly in the morning, accompanied by Sir Clement Fisher and Jane Lane,and had encountered no difficulty or interruption during the wholeday's journey.
"Feeling that Jane must be tired of the pillion," he said, "I inducedher to discard it. Like a discreet groom I lagged behind, and left thelovers to enjoy their conversation unmolested, only joining them whenthey seemed tired of each other's society. It would appear that SirClement has been slightly jealous, though he has no reason on earth tobe so; but he is quite cured now, and I am glad of it, for he is a mostexcellent fellow."
"All is well, then," said Careless, laughing. "It would have been a sadthing if the match had been broken off. Has your majesty any furthercommands for me?"
"None. We shall start betimes in the morning. You can join us a mile ortwo out of the town. Good night!"
Careless then returned to the inn.