Dulcibel: A Tale of Old Salem

by Henry Peterson

  CHAPTER LI.

  Lady Mary's Coup D'Etat.

  Master Raymond's next proceeding was to call on Lady Phips. Sending inhis name, with a request to see her ladyship on very important business,he was ushered as usual into her boudoir.

  "I must be doing something, Lady Mary," he said, after a few wordsrelative to the evident change of weather; "I have news from Salem thatthe Magistrates are about to send Mistress Dulcibel back to Salem jail."

  "That is sad," she answered.

  "And, besides, there is no knowing what new proceedings they may beconcocting against me. I must take Sir William's advice, and get out ofthis hornet's nest as soon as possible."

  "Well what can I do for you?"

  "Get an order from Sir William releasing Dulcibel from prison."

  "Oh, that I could! God knows how gladly I would do it."

  "You can at least try," said Master Raymond desperately.

  The lady hesitated a moment. "Yes, as you say, I can at least try. Butyou know how impossible it is to carry on the government of thisProvince without the support of the ministers and the magistrates. SirWilliam is naturally anxious to succeed; for, if he fails here, it willblock his road to further preferment."

  "And he will allow the shedding of innocent blood to go on, in order topromote his own selfish ambition?" said the young man indignantly.

  "You are unjust to the Governor. He will do all he can to moderate thisfanaticism; and, if it comes to the worst, he will order a generaljail-delivery, and meet the consequences. But he hopes much from time,and from such developments as those of your chicken feathers"--and thelady smiled at the thought of the minister's discomfiture.

  "Some things can wait, but I cannot wait," insisted Master Raymond. "Youmust acknowledge that."

  "Sir William starts this afternoon on a visit to Plymouth, to remain fora day or so; but I will have a talk with him, and see what I can do,"replied the lady. "Call here again at six o'clock this evening."

  "Such beauty and spirit as yours must be irresistible in the cause ofvirtue and innocence," said the young man, rising to depart.

  "No flattery, Master Raymond; I will do all I can without that;" butLady Mary being still a very comely woman, as she certainly was a veryspirited one, was not much displeased at the compliment, coming fromsuch a handsome young man as Master Raymond. Eulogy that the hearerhopes embodies but the simple truth, is always pleasant alike to men andwomen. It is falsehood, and not truth, that constitutes the essence ofFlattery.

  The day dragged on very drearily and slowly to Master Raymond. Thewaiting for the hour of action is so irksome, that even the approach ofdanger is a relief. But patience will at last weary out the slowesthours; and punctually at six o'clock, the young man stood again at thedoor of the Governor's mansion.

  Lady Mary evidently was expecting him--for he was shown in at once. Shelooked up wearily as he entered. "I can do nothing to-day," she said.

  "What ground did the Governor take?"

  "That sound policy forbade him to move in the matter at present. Thepersecuting party were very indignant at the escape of Captain Aldenand the Englishes; and now for him to grant a pardon to another of theaccused, would be to irritate them to madness."

  Master Raymond acknowledged to himself the soundness of the Governor'spolicy; but he only said: "Then it seems that Dulcibel must go back toSalem prison; and I run a good chance of going to prison also, as aself-confessed deceiver and impostor."

  "If she were released, could you both get away from Boston--at once?"

  Master Raymond's voice sank to a whisper. "I have all my plans arranged.By the third hour after midnight, we shall be where we can snap ourfingers at the magistrates of Boston."

  "I have been thinking of a plan. It may work--or may not. But it isworth trying."

  The young man's face lightened.

  "You know that England is ruled by William and Mary, why should not theProvince of Massachusetts also be?"

  "I do not understand you."

  "Upon leaving Sir William, I was somewhat indignant that he would notgrant my request. And to pacify me, he said he was sorry that I had notthe same share in the government here, that Queen Mary had at home--andthen I could do more as I pleased."

  Still Master Raymond's face showed that he was puzzled to catch hermeaning.

  She laughed and rose from her chair; the old, resolute expression uponher spirited face, and, opening the door into the next room, which wasthe Governor's private office, she said:

  "Come here a moment, Master Josslyn."

  The private Secretary entered.

  "Prepare me," she said to the Secretary, "the proper paper, to be signedby the Governor, ordering Keeper Arnold to release at once MistressDulcibel Burton from confinement in the Boston Bridewell."

  "But the Governor, you know, is absent, Lady Mary," said the Secretary,"and his signature will be necessary."

  "Oh, I will see to that," replied the lady a little haughtily.

  Master Raymond sat quietly--waiting for what was to come next. He couldnot conceive how Lady Mary intended to manage it. As for the lady, shetapped the table with her shapely fingers impatiently.

  In a few minutes Master Josslyn reappeared with the paper. "All it nowwants is the signature of the Governor," said he.

  The lady took up a pen from the table by which she was sitting, andfilled it with ink; then with a firm hand she signed the paper, "WilliamPhips, Governor, by Lady Mary Phips."

  "But, your ladyship, the keeper will not acknowledge the validity ofthat signature, or obey it," said Master Josslyn in some alarm.

  "He will not? We shall see!" responded her ladyship rising. "Order mycarriage, Master Josslyn."

  In fifteen minutes, Lady Mary, accompanied by Master Raymond, was atKeeper Arnold's house.

  "I bring you good news, Master Arnold," said Lady Mary, "I know you willrejoice, such a tender-hearted man as you are at the release of MistressDulcibel Burton. Here is the official document." She flourished it athim, but still kept it in her hand.

  Dulcibel was soon informed of the good news; and came flying out to meether benefactor and her lover.

  "Put on a shawl and your veil at once; and make a bundle of yourbelongings," said Lady Mary, kissing her. "Master Raymond is in a greathurry to carry you off--at which I confess that I do not wonder."Dulcibel tripped off--the sooner she was out of that close place thebetter.

  "Well, what is it, Master Arnold?" said Lady Mary to the keeper, whoacted as if he wished to say something.

  "It is only a form, my lady; but you have not shown me the Governor'swarrant yet?"

  "Why, yes I have," said Lady Mary, fluttering it at him as before.

  But Keeper Arnold was fully aware of the responsibility of his position;and putting out his hand, he steadied the fluttering paper sufficientlyto glance over its contents. When he came to the signature, his facepaled. "Pardon me, my lady; but this is not the Governor's writing."

  "Of course it is not--why, you silly loon, how could it be when he hasgone to Plymouth? But you will perceive that it is in Master Josslyn'swriting--and the Governor ought to have signed it before he started."

  "This is hardly in regular form, my lady."

  "It is not? Do you not see the Governor's name; and there below it ismy name, as proof of the Governor's. Do you mean to impeach myattestation of Sir William's signature? There is my name, Lady MaryPhips: and I will take the responsibility of this paper being a legalone. If anybody finds fault with you, send him to me; and I will say youdid it, in the Governor's absence from town, at my peremptory order."The lady's face glowed, and her eyes flashed, with her excitement anddetermination.

  "It would be as much as my position is worth to disobey it and me!"rejoined Lady Mary. "I will have you out of this place in three days'time, if you cast disrespect upon my written name."

  "There can be no great haste in this matter. Bring the release tomorrow,and I will consult authority in the meanwhile," said the keeperpleadingly.r />
  "Authority? The Governor's name is authority! I am authority! Who dareyou set up beside us? You forget your proper respect and duty, MasterArnold."

  The keeper was overborne at last. "You will uphold me, if I do thisthing, Lady Mary?" said he imploringly.

  "You know me, Master Arnold--and that I never desert my friends! Ishall accept the full responsibility of this deed before Sir William andthe magistrates. And they cannot order any punishment which he cannotpardon."

  By this time it had grown quite dark. "Shall I take you anywhere in mycarriage?" said Lady Mary, as Dulcibel reappeared with a bundle.

  "It is not necessary," replied Master Raymond joyfully, "I will notcompromise you any further. God forever bless your ladyship! There isnot another woman in New England with the spirit and courage to do whatyou have done this day--and the reader of our history a hundred years tocome, as he reads this page, shall cry fervently, God bless the fearlessand generous soul of Lady Mary!"

  "Let me know when you are safe," she whispered to the young man, as hestood by her carriage. "Master and Mistress English are now the guestsof Governor Fletcher of New York--changing a Boston prison for aGovernor's mansion. You will be perfectly secure in that Province--or inPennsylvania, or Maryland or Virginia." And the carriage drove off.

  It was in that early hour of the evening, when the streets in town andcity, are more deserted than they are for some hours afterwards;everyone being indoors, and not come out for visiting or amusement. Andso the young man and his companion walked towards the north-eastern partof the town, meeting only one or two persons, who took no special noticeof them.

  "You do not ask where we are going, Dulcibel?" at last said MasterRaymond.

  She could not see the sweet smile on his face; but she could feel it inhis voice.

  "Anywhere, with you!" the maiden replied in a low tone.

  "We are going to be married."

  He felt the pressure of her hand upon his arm in response.

  "That is, if we can find a minister to perform the ceremony."

  "That will be difficult, I should think."

  "Yes, difficult, but not impossible. After getting you out of prison, asLady Mary did, I should not like to call anything impossible."

  "Lady Mary is an angel!"

  "Yes, one of the kind with wings," replied her companion laughing. "Shehas kindly loaned us her wings though--and we are flying away on them."

  Before long they were at one of the wharves; then on a small boat--thenon the deck of the "Storm King."

  "I am better than my word, Captain Tolley."

  "Aye! indeed you are. And this is the birdie! Fair Mistress, the "StormKing" and his brood are ready to die to shield you from harm."

  Dulcibel looked wonder out of her clear blue eyes. What did it all mean?She smiled at the Captain's devoted speech. "I do not want any one todie for me, Captain. I would rather have you sing me a good sea-song,such as my father, who was also a sea-captain, used to delight me withat home."

  "Oh, we can do that too," answered the Captain gaily. "I hope we shallhave a jolly time of it, before we reach our destination. Now, come downinto the cabin and see the preparations I have made for you; a sailor'sdaughter must have the best of sailor's cheer."

  "One word, Captain," said Master Raymond, as the Captain came up on deckagain, leaving Dulcibel to the privacy of her state-room. "It does notseem fitting that a young unmarried woman should be alone on a vessellike this, with no matron to bear her company."

  "Sir!" said the Captain, "I would have you know that the maiden is assafe from aught that could offend her modesty on the decks of the "StormKing," as if she were in her father's house."

  "Of course she is. I know that well--and mean not the least offense. Andshe, innocent as she is, has no other thought. But this is a slanderousworld, Captain, and we men who know the world, must think for her."

  "Oh, I admit that," said Captain Tolley, somewhat mollified, "we cannotexpect of mere land's people, who put an innocent girl like that intoprison for no offense, the gentle behavior towards women that comesnaturally from a seaman; but what do you propose?"

  "To send for one of the Boston ministers, and marry her before we leaveport."

  "Why, of course," replied the Captain. "It is the very thing. Whom shallwe send for? The North Church is nearest--how would Master Cotton Matherdo?"

  The young man stood thoughtfully silent for a moment or two. Theministers of South Church and of King's chapel were more heterodox inall this witchcraft business; but for that very reason he did not wishto compromise them in any way. Besides, he owed a grudge to MasterMather, for his general course in sustaining the persecution, and hisrecent language in particular towards himself. So his lips graduallysettled into a stern determination, and he replied "Master Mather is thevery man."

  "It may require a little ingenuity to get him aboard at this time of theevening," said the Captain. "But I reckon my first mate, Simmons, can doit, if any one can."

  "Here, Simmons," to the first mate, who was standing near, "you looklike a pillar of the church, go ashore and bring off Master CottonMather with you. A wealthy young Englishman is dying--and he cannot passaway from Boston in peace without his ministerial services."

  "Dying?" ejaculated Master Raymond.

  "Yes, dying! dying to get married--and you cannot pass out of Bostonharbor in peace, without his ministerial services."

  "Would it not do as well to ask him to come and marry us?"

  "I doubt it," replied the Captain. "Master Mather is honest in hisfaith, even if he is bigoted and superstitious--and death cannot be putoff like marriage till tomorrow. But take your own course,Simmons--only bring him."

  "Shall I use force, sir, if he will not come peaceably?" asked the matecoolly.

  "Not if it will make a disturbance," said his commander. "We do not wantto run the gauntlet of the castle's guns as we go out of the harbor. Thewind is hardly lively enough for that."

  "I will go down and tell Dulcibel," said Master Raymond. "It is rathersudden, but she is a maiden of great good sense, and will see clearlythe necessity of the case. And as she is an orphan, she has no father ormother whose consent she might consider necessary. But Mate"--going tothe side of the vessel, which the boat was just leaving, "not a word asto my name or that of the maiden. That would spoil all."

  "Aye, aye, sir! Trust me to bring him!" and the boat started for theshore, under the vigorous strokes of two oarsmen.