CHAPTER V.
"This is a lamentable and very sad visitation, my lord," said ColonelThistleton, as soon as he was seated with two companions in the largeroom we have before described.
"It is indeed, colonel," replied Lord Walton, "and will cost me atleast ten thousand pounds to repair; so that I hope you have not comefor anything like a benevolence, such as our kings of old usedsometimes to levy upon their subjects, for I could ill spare one tothe honourable house just now.----Langan," he continued to the servantwho appeared at the door, "have wine and meat set out in the hall. Weshall all want refreshment."
"No, my lord," replied Colonel Thistleton, with some degree ofhesitation; "the houses of parliament resort to no illegal andunjustifiable acts of taxation. Labouring but for the defence ofthemselves, of the king's person, and the liberty and laws of thekingdom, they take care to abide by the true rights and customs of thecountry; but at the same time, my lord, they think it but proper andnecessary, as well for the safety of the state as for the exculpationof persons unjustly accused, to inquire into and examine, either bythe judges appointed by law, or by a committee of their own body,where any highly honourable and devout person is subjected to calumny,into all charges of resistance to the authority of the two houses, orof conspiracy for the purpose of levying war and further endangeringthe condition of the poor distracted realm."
The colour somewhat increased in Lord Walton's cheek, but withoutpause he replied, gravely--
"They are quite right, sir; and if, as I gather from what you say, youare come into this part of the country upon such an errand, you willfind me very ready and willing to give you every assistance in mypower."
Now, the commission Colonel Thistleton had to perform was of a naturesomewhat delicate; for the demeanour of the Walton family, at thefirst resistance shown to the arbitrary proceedings of the court, hadbeen favourable to the views of general freedom, which were then aloneapparent on the side of the parliament; and though it had becomeevident that the young lord had grown cold as they stretched theirpretensions, and had even remonstrated against several of theirproceedings, yet his course had not been so decided as to cut off allhope of attaching him to the party favourable to resistance of theroyal authority by arms, while the task that the worthy committee-manwas charged to execute was one likely to alienate him for ever, if thegrounds for suspicion were found unreasonable. However, he was askilful man, ever ready to take advantage of opportunity, and hetherefore replied--
"I was quite sure, my lord, that we should find every readiness inyour lordship. We have, indeed, the unpleasant duty to perform (whichI trust we shall do discreetly) of investigating charges against anumber of persons in this country; but as it is advisable that thosein whose affection and loyalty we have the utmost confidence shouldset an example to others against whom there is just cause ofsuspicion, it is as well that I should inform your lordship that notlong since, at Chippenham, a false and calumnious accusation was madeagainst you to our worthy brother, Dr. Bastwick, here present----"
"Of which I do not credit a word," added the doctor.
"Charging you with countenancing the cruel preparations for war madeby the king against his loyal subjects, and with having entered intocorrespondence with his majesty, and received a commission under hishand to levy horse against the honourable houses."
He paused, as if for a reply, and Lord Walton, with a frowning browand flushed cheek, answered--
"So, sir, I am to suppose, in short, that you have come hither toexamine my house, and search for the correspondence you speak of?"
"Exactly, sir," replied a less prudent member of the committee, namedBatten; but Thistleton cut him short by adding, "We are perfectly surethat your lordship, whose family have always been godly andwell-disposed, would rejoice at an opportunity of showing the worldhow readily you would submit to the authority of parliament, and clearyourself of all false and unjust reproaches."
"Should such reproaches against a person of such a character belistened to for a moment?" asked the young nobleman; "and on my word,gentlemen," he added, "you are somewhat bold men to venture on thetask."
"Not so bold as you give us credit for, my lord," replied Batten,taking once more the reply out of Thistleton's mouth: "there is atroop of horse under your park wall."
"Then it seems," rejoined Lord Walton, "that you did not reallycalculate upon such unresisting submission as you affected to expectat first. I must, of course, yield to force. However," he continuedwith a smile, "I am certainly not prepared to resist, even if I werewilling."
"That want of preparation shows your lordship to be innocent,"answered the cautious Thistleton--"a point upon which I have no doubt.It was judged necessary to institute inquiries into all cases ofmalignant resistance to the authority of parliament in this country;and it was to meet any opposition in such instances that the troop ofhorse was sent, not against your lordship, of whose conduct we arequite sure, though we thought it would show unrighteous partiality ifwe did not in some way notice the charges made against you----"
"Charges made upon oath, be it remarked," said Dr. Bastwick.
"Well, gentlemen," rejoined Lord Walton, "it is useless to discussthis question further. I will even take it for granted that you havedue warrant for your proceeding, and merely ask what you intend to donext."
"Why, the fact is this, my very good lord," replied Thistleton: "theinformation stated that we should find the papers in question in thewest tower, in a chamber used by your lordship as a cabinet orwriting-room, on the first floor from the ground. Now, I was informedbut now, that two large chests which I saw on the terrace withoutcontained writings of value, which had just been removed from thefire. It would be satisfactory to us to look into those cases."
"Surely not to-night," said the young nobleman.
"I think it would be expedient," said Thistleton.
"It would prevent evil surmises," added Bastwick.
"No time like the present," cried Batten. "The king's commission mightbe gone before to-morrow."
"The keys, I fear, have been lost in the fire," answered Lord Walton,giving him a look of contempt.
"They will easily be broken open," replied Batten.
"I may not exactly like to have all my papers left open to the world,"said the young nobleman, gravely; "but having now clearly ascertainedhow far the suspicions of the parliament really go, I will makeno further objection. But I give you all notice, that I protestagainst this act; and that when next I take my place amongstthe peers of England, I will move for an inquiry into the wholeproceeding.----Without there! bring in those cases of papers, and someinstrument for forcing open the locks." Thus saying, he rose, and,turning to the window, looked out upon the terrace, which was stillpartially illuminated by the fitful glare of the decaying fire in thetower.
In a few minutes four stout servants appeared, carrying in the chests,and having received orders to break them open, soon laid the contentsbare before the eager eyes of the parliamentary commissioners. Great,however, was their disappointment to perceive nothing on the top butold deeds and parchments, with many a waxen seal pendent from itsbroad ribbon. They were not so easily satisfied, however, andproceeded to turn out the whole contents, strewing the floor of thesaloon with yellow papers, while Lord Walton spoke a few words toLangan, who left the room.
"Well, gentlemen, are you satisfied?" asked the young nobleman atlength, when the bottom of each case was laid bare. "If so, theservants shall replace the papers, and we will to supper."
The committee whispered together for a moment ere they replied, butLord Walton could catch the words "No, no! not now. To-morrow atdaybreak. There has evidently been no preparation. Have up the troopby that time," and other broken sentences, which evidently showed himthat further proceedings were in contemplation.
"We will, my lord, put off any further perquisitions till to-morrow,"Colonel Thistleton replied at length, "upon your lordship pledging usyour word of honour that you will no
t leave the house, nor send out ofit any paper of any kind or sort whatever."
"I shall most assuredly leave the house," replied Lord Walton, "for Iam going in five minutes to assure myself that the fire will spread nofarther. But if you mean that I am not to absent myself, I have nointention of so doing, and will promise to stay and entertain myunexpected guests as befits their quality and commission: nor will Isend hence or make away with any paper, from the warrant of arraydirected by Henry II. to my ancestor, down to the cellar-book of theold butler. So now, sirs, to supper; and let us forget for the timeall that is unpleasant in our meeting. The day will come, and thatbefore the world is a week older, when I will deal with this matter inthe proper place and in the proper manner."
"Be that as you please, my lord," replied Thistleton; "we doubt not weshall be justified. Myself and Dr. Bastwick will in the mean timegladly accept your hospitality. Captain Batten, however, may be wantedwith his troop."
"Nay," cried the young lord, "it were a pity to deprive yourselves ofone of your most able and active members. If Captain Batten have anyorders to give, he can send them in writing. There lie paper and pens,and I remarked that he had a trooper without. My wine is good,gentlemen, and venison is yet in season."
"It will do as well to write," said Batten, who, always ready to takehis part in all that was unpleasant, was not without inclination toshare in things more agreeable; and proceeding to the writing-table inthe window, he had soon concocted a hasty note, which he carried outhimself; while the rest, with the owner of the mansion, proceeded tothe eating-hall.
When the meal was over--and the commissioners did not spare it--LordWalton ordered them to be conducted to the rooms prepared for them,and took leave, saying, "Tomorrow, gentlemen, at five, if you please,we will proceed to further business. In the mean while, good night."
The beds were soft and downy, the guests of Lord Walton tired with thefatigues of the preceding day, and it was somewhat later than the hourappointed when the members of the committee rose; and then, on lookingforth from his window, Captain Batten was surprised and disappointednot to see his troop of horse drawn up in the park, as he had orderedthem to muster there by half-past four. His two companions were downbefore him, and he found them, with the noble owner of the mansion, inthe hall. Lord Walton immediately signified in a grave tone that itwould be better to proceed on their search; but the task was soonerbegun than ended, for Bishop's Merton House, even in its dismemberedstate, was not easily examined from one end to the other. Room afterroom was ransacked, every article of furniture which could be supposedto conceal papers was subjected to the perquisitions of the threecommissioners; and it must be recollected that, in those days, peoplehad not multiplied the luxuries and conveniences of life to such adegree as scarcely to be able to turn amidst the crowd ofsuperfluities. Still nothing was discovered; for Lord Walton, thoughyoung, was a man of regular habits, and his papers were not allscattered over his dwelling, but gathered regularly into onerepository.
At length Colonel Thistleton, after having twice passed through thecorridor and gallery, pointed to a door in the former, saying, "Wehave omitted that room several times, my lord. It may be necessarythat we examine there, merely for the sake of making our taskcomplete. You will understand me clearly, my most honourable friend,that I am perfectly satisfied, and indeed was so from the first; butwe must be enabled to say that we have not left any part of themansion unseen."
The young nobleman heard him to the end, and then replied gravely--
"Those are my sister's apartments, sir."
"Nevertheless, my lord," answered Dr. Bastwick.
But Lord Walton cut him short, with a frowning brow and a flushedcheek.
"There is no 'nevertheless,' sir," he said. "Those are my sister'sapartments--that is enough. Let me see the man that dares wag a foottowards them."
"Nay, my good lord," cried Thistleton, in a mild and deprecating tone,"we mean no offence. If the lady sleep, we can wait her awaking. Weneed not go in now."
"Neither now nor ever, sir," answered the young nobleman, sternly."There are no papers of mine there; of that I pledge my honour. Ifthat satisfies you, well."
"But it does not, sir," cried Batten.
"Then that is well also," answered Lord Walton, turning away with alook of scorn.
Thistleton spoke a word to his two companions, and then followed theyoung nobleman, exclaiming--
"My lord, my lord!"
"You speak loud, sir," rejoined Charles Walton, walking on. "I willhear you in the hall. Remember there are people who can sleep despiteof parliamentary committees."
"This is too insolent," whispered Batten. "If you arrest him not,Master Thistleton, I will."
"Leave him to me," answered the colonel, gravely. "A committee of thehouse must not be bearded by the best man in the realm. Leave him tome;" and thus saying, he followed the young lord down the stairs.
When they were in the hall, in which were several servants, LordWalton paused in the midst.
"Now, gentlemen," he said, "what are your further commands?"
"I have but to ask, my lord," demanded Thistleton, "whether you aredisposed to resist the lawful authority of parliament?"
"The unlawful exercise of authority it does not possess, you mean,"replied the peer. "But, not to cavil at words, sir--if I say I am,what then?"
"Why, then I should be obliged to do that which would be mostunpleasant to me," replied Colonel Thistleton.
"I rather think, however, that such must be the result, sir," rejoinedCharles Walton, with a cold and indifferent air.
"I mean, sir, that I shall be compelled to put you under somerestraint," said Thistleton, with an angry brow, "which must certainlybe done if----"
"If I permit you," added Lord Walton, seeing that he paused. "ColonelThistleton, you are mistaken," he continued, advancing towards him. "Iarrest you, sir, for high treason, in the king's name! Give up yoursword!" and he laid his hand firmly on his shoulder.
Dr. Bastwick shrank back, and looked towards the door; and while thecolour died away in Batten's cheek, Thistleton shook off the younglord's grasp, exclaiming--
"Call up the horse from the window, Batten!" and as he spoke he drewhis blade.
"They are not there," answered Batten, with shaking knees.
"No, sir, they are not there," rejoined the master of the mansion;"those that are left of them are now galloping hard to escape MajorRandal's keen riders. You may have heard of his name, sir; and itwould be well to put up your weapon and submit to what cannot beavoided. Call in a party, Langan!"
"Well, my lord," cried Thistleton, thrusting back his sword into thescabbard, "this is a most shameless breach of----"
"Of what, sir?" demanded Lord Walton. "You came hither upon anunsavoury errand. You have attempted to cozen me from the beginning.Without lawful power or authority you have infringed upon the rightsof an Englishman; and I told you that I would stay here to deal withmy unexpected guests as befitted their quality and commission. Butmark me, Colonel Thistleton: had you been moderate and wise--had youcarried on your search with decency--you should have gone from thishouse without hindrance or molestation. I would have remembered that Ihad given the parliament no greater intimation of my intentions thanthey have given me, and treated you with civility and respect; but youhave exceeded all propriety: you have pried where no likelihoodexisted of finding what you sought; you have even expressed thepurpose of intruding on the privicy of my sister's chamber. Themeasure is full, gentlemen, and it is now too late. You are all threeprisoners under arrest; and it will be for his majesty to determinethe full extent of your deserts. You see it is in vain to resist," headded, pointing to the door, where stood a party of soldiers fullyarmed. "Take them back to their chambers, Langan; suffer nocommunication between them; place a sentry at each door, and thenreturn to me."
The members of the committee looked dolefully in each other's faces;but they well saw that what the young nobleman said was but too true,regarding the useless
ness of remonstrance or opposition, and with bentheads and dejected countenances they were led away.
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