Preston Fight Part 6

XIII.

The Betrothal

A PROFUSE breakfast, served in the good old style, awaited them in the dining-room. The sideboard groaned with the weight of huge cold joints, hams, tongues, and pasties; and broiled trout and salmon in abundance appeared on the table. How many good things there were besides in the shape of cutlets and omelettes, we cannot tell, but nothing seemed wanting. Chocolate was handed to the ladies, but claret suited the gentlemen best, though in some instances a flagon of strong ale was preferred.

Breakfast over, the ladies withdrew to prepare for the ceremony appointed to take place in the chapel, while the prince again walked forth on the terrace, in company with Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and Sir John Webb, and gazed with fresh delight at the prospect.

Colonel Oxburgh and his companions, with Tom Forster, adjourned to the stables. There was a good deal of conjecture among them as to the prince's plans, which now seemed quite undecided; but they came to the conclusion that no rising would take place. At the same time, they all rejoiced that the hazardous-and as they deemed it, useless-journey to London had been abandoned.

"Something ought to be done," cried Forster. "But it puzzles me to say what."

"Have patience," said Colonel Oxburgh. "Depend upon it we shan't remain long idle. His majesty will be forced to make a move of some kind."

Long before the hour appointed for the betrothal, the little chapel was filled. All the household craved permission to witness the ceremony, and none were refused. The guests entered at the same time, and found places where they could. But little room was left, as may be imagined, when all these persons were accommodated. In the large pew were the prince with Charles Radclyffe, Mr. Forster and his sister-the latter looking bright and blooming as usual.

Lord Derwent.w.a.ter was standing at the door of the little edifice in momentary expectation of the arrival of her to whom he was about to be affianced. She came, leaning on her father's arm, and attended by her mother-not decked in bridal attire-not draped in a bridal veil-for such adornments would have been unsuitable to the occasion, but arrayed in a charming costume of azure satin and lace.

After salutations had pa.s.sed, Sir John Webb consigned his lovely daughter to the earl, and followed them with Lady Webb.

An irrepressible murmur of admiration burst forth as the youthful pair moved towards the altar, where they immediately knelt down, and a group was formed behind them of which the prince was the princ.i.p.al figure-his highness having come with the others from the pew.

Not till a prayer was recited could the spectators obtain a glimpse of the scene at the altar, and if this was quickly hidden from their sight they heard the vow p.r.o.nounced that bound the pair together, and they likewise heard Father Norman's benediction.

Those near the altar saw the earl embrace his affianced bride as they rose together, and some of them remarked that she looked strangely pale. Only for a minute, for her colour quickly returned. The prince, however, noticed the circ.u.mstance, and so did Dorothy. But both attributed it to deep emotion.

Nothing whatever marred the ceremony, the sole fault of which, in the opinion of the majority of those present, was that it was too brief.

Several of the household grouped themselves on either side of the path leading to the gate to offer their good wishes to the newly-affianced pair as they pa.s.sed by. Among these were old Nicholas Ribbleton, and an elderly dame who, like himself, had lived in the family for years.

"Eh! she's a bonnie la.s.s!" cried this old woman, after scrutinising her sharply. "But I doubt if she'll make his lordship happy. He had better have chosen Dorothy Forster."

"Why, what ails her?" said Ribbleton.

"I cannot exactly tell-but there's a look about her I don't like."

"Well, it's too late to change now, Grace," observed Ribbleton. "The troth is plighted."

"Ay, that's the worst of it," rejoined the old woman. "But a time may come, when his lordship will wish what's done were undone."

This was the only discordant note uttered, and it reached no other ear but Ribbleton's, and him it made angry. So he walked off, and left the old prophetess of ill to herself.

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XIV.

The Spy

THE rest of the day was spent in festivity and amus.e.m.e.nt.

Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and his affianced bride did not stray beyond the garden, and seemed so perfectly happy in each other's society that no one went near them.

The prince explored the mysterious glen, and Charles Radclyffe acted as his guide, introducing him to all the beauties of the place, and relating all the legends connected with it. A large party accompanied his highness, including Lady Webb and Dorothy Forster-the latter of whom had often seen the place before, but was quite as much enchanted with it as ever.

The visit to this picturesque dell, which has been previously described, occupied some time, for there was a great deal to be seen. But neither the prince, nor any of those with him, were aware, that while they were tracking the course of the Devil's Water over its rocky channel, or standing near the pool, they were watched by a person concealed amid the brushwood on its banks.

This person was an emissary of Sir William Lorraine of Bywell Park, high sheriff of the county, and a strong supporter of the Government. That very morning, Sir William had received the astounding information that the Pretender had arrived at Dilston Castle, and that a rising in his favour was imminent among the gentlemen of the county; but as the news came from a suspicious source, the high sheriff, though alarmed, did not entirely credit it, and before taking any active measures-such as raising a posse-comitatus, or calling out the militia-he determined to send a couple of spies to Dilston to ascertain the truth of the report.

One of these emissaries was now concealed, as we have stated, among the trees overhanging the glen. Without betraying himself, he got sufficiently near the party to hear their discourse, and soon learnt enough to convince him that the plainly attired, but distinguished-looking young man, whom he beheld, and to whom so much attention was paid by Charles Radclyffe and the rest, was no other than the Chevalier de Saint George.

As soon as he had clearly ascertained this point, he stole away, mounted his horse, which he had left in a thicket near the moor, and galloped off to convey the important information to Sir William Lorraine.

On reaching Bywell Park, he found the high sheriff anxiously expecting him, and called out: "I have seen the Pretender, Sir William-seen him with my own eyes."

"You are certain of it, Jesmond?"

"I saw him in the glen by the side of the Devil's Water. He had a large party with him, and I heard several of 'em address him as 'your majesty.'"

"Enough," cried the high sheriff. "You have done your work well, Jesmond. But where have you left Hedgeley?"

"I've seen nothing of him since we got to Dilston, Sir William. He went to the castle, and I went to the grounds. I took the right course it appears, for I soon found the person I was looking for, and without asking any questions, or letting myself be seen."

"I hope Hedgeley has not been seized as a spy," said the high sheriff.

"If he has, he'll tell nothing, Sir William. Don't fear him. If you want to take the place by surprise to-morrow, you can do it. His lordship has taken no precautions. With half a dozen mounted men I could have taken the Pretender prisoner myself, and have carried him off."

"I wish you had done so, Jesmond," laughed the high sheriff. "It would have saved me the trouble of getting a party of men together. I must set about the task without delay. You think all will be safe at Dilston till to-morrow?"

"Not a doubt about it, Sir William. Lord Derwent.w.a.ter's guests seem to be amusing themselves. I think-from what I overheard-that his lordship has a grand banquet to-day. Certainly, some festivities are taking place at the castle."

"It would be a pity to disturb them," said the high sheriff. "To-morrow I will present myself at the castle with sufficient force to render all resistance useless."

Hedgeley, the emissary to Dilston, had not fared so well as his comrade. Stopped at the gate, and unable to explain his business entirely to the porter's satisfaction, he was locked up in a strong room for the night. This was done by Colonel Oxburgh's order, who chanced to be in the court at the time, and interrogated him. Except detention, the spy had nothing to complain of, for he had plenty to eat and drink.

Jesmond had correctly informed the high sheriff, when he told him that a grand dinner would be given that day at the castle. A vast deal of handsome plate was displayed at the banquet, which was far more agreeable to the n.o.ble host than the dinner of the previous day, since it was graced by the presence of his affianced bride, who now sat next to him, and looked more charming than ever, being beautifully dressed, and in high spirits. The prince was likewise in a very lively mood, and contributed to the general gaiety at the upper end of the table.

In the evening there was music in the grand saloon, which was brilliantly lighted up for the occasion. Anna produced a great effect, and her magnificent voice enraptured the prince as much as it had enraptured Lord Derwent.w.a.ter when he first heard it.

Very different in style, but equally effective in their way, were some simple ditties sung with great taste and feeling by Dorothy Forster.

As we have intimated, the prince was in a very gay humour and seemed to take no thought of the morrow-though that morrow had much in store for him. He talked lightly with Anna and Dorothy, laughed and jested with Sir John Webb, Colonel Oxburgh, and Forster, but he talked seriously with no one.

So pa.s.sed his last night at Dilston Castle.

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XV.

A General Departure

A BRIGHT day dawned on Dilston.

Fair looked the garden with its lawn and terrace, inviting those within the mansion to stroll forth and enjoy the freshness of the morn. So calm and still was all around that the rippling of the hidden burn could be distinctly heard in the deep glen. Within the park, beyond the old grey bridge that linked it with the grounds, the deer could be seen couched beneath the oaks. The neighbouring woods, the dark moorland in the distance, over which hung a thin mist, the river glistening here and there through the trees-all completed a picture which was seen by more than one of the earl's guests, and often recalled by them.

The prince was amongst those who brushed the dew from the lawn, and gazed at the charming prospect. He likewise attended matins in the little chapel.

As he was returning from the service with Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, he met Colonel Oxburgh, and was struck by the grave expression of his countenance.

"Good morrow, colonel," he said, returning the other's military salute. "I fear, from your looks, that you have some bad news to give me."

"What I have to tell your majesty demands instant consideration and decision," replied Oxburgh. "By some means or other, your arrival has been discovered by Sir William Lorraine, the high sheriff of the county, and yesterday afternoon he sent a spy here to make sure that he had not been misinformed. The fellow was suspected and locked up for the night, but it was only this morning that I forced him by threats to confess his errand. It is certain from what he says that the sheriff will come here with a strong party of men to secure your majesty's person."

Lord Derwent.w.a.ter looked aghast at this startling intelligence, but the prince did not seem much disturbed by it.

"Instant measures must be taken for the defence of the place," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter.

"It cannot be defended, my lord," rejoined Colonel Oxburgh. "His majesty must not remain here."

"Do you counsel flight, colonel?" said the prince.

"Not flight-but a retreat, my liege," replied Oxburgh.

"No need to fly," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter. "I will undertake to conceal his majesty from any search that can be made for him."

"Better he should seek shelter in some fortified house or castle," observed Oxburgh.

"But where?" demanded the prince. "Where would you have me go?"

"If your majesty will not remain here, and trust yourself to me, I advise you to go to Bamborough Castle," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter.

"But is Forster to be relied on?" said the prince. "Is he thoroughly loyal?"

"I'll answer for him with my life," said the earl.

"And so will I, my liege," added Oxburgh.

"Then I'll trust him," said the prince.

"Shall I acquaint him with your majesty's determination?" inquired the earl. "No time must be lost."

"I'll go to him, myself," rejoined the prince.

"Ah! here he comes!" exclaimed Colonel Oxburgh.

As he spoke, Forster was seen descending the steps with Sir John Webb, and immediately obeyed a summons given him by the colonel.

He was as much alarmed as the others when he learnt the prince's jeopardy, and before his highness signified his intention, offered him an asylum at Bamborough.

It was then decided that the prince's departure should take place forthwith, and it was likewise arranged that Lord Derwent.w.a.ter with Colonel Oxburgh and his troop should escort his highness.

Some further arrangements were subsequently made, but these were sufficient in the meantime, and Colonel Oxburgh and Forster hurried off to the stables to give directions about the horses, while the prince and Lord Derwent.w.a.ter entered the house.

As soon as the prince's intended departure became known all was bustle and confusion. The news was quickly communicated to the ladies, who very soon came down-stairs, and another consultation was held in the library.

What was to be done? Anna and Dorothy were determined not to be left behind. Since the prince was going to Bamborough, and Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, and almost everybody else were going with him, they would go too. Both were such perfect equestrians that they could be trusted to keep up with the fugitives, while their spirit was equal to any unforeseen difficulty or danger that might arise. So the proposition was acceded to.

Then came a suggestion from Lady Webb, to the effect that she and Sir John should drive back to Bamborough. This was likewise adopted.

Preparations for a general start were then made at once. Trunks and valises were packed up. Riding-dresses donned, horses brought round, Sir John Webb's carriage got ready, and in less than half an hour the prince and a large party consisting of Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and his betrothed, Tom Forster and his fair sister, Colonel Oxburgh and his companions, were speeding down the chestnut avenue, with the intent of shaping their course to Bamborough Castle, which they hoped to reach before night.

Some quarter of an hour later, Sir John Webb's great lumbering coach took the same route.

Charles Radclyffe was left in charge of Dilston, and empowered to act as he deemed best, in his brother's absence.

Hedgeley, the spy, was detained for some time after the prince's departure, and then liberated.

END OF BOOK THE FIRST.