Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  CHAPTER VI.

  HOW CHARLES SUPPED AT HOBBAL GRANGE, AND WHOM HE MET THERE.

  Hobbal Grange, the farm-house tenanted by Richard Penderel, wassituated on a small green in the midst of the forest on the roadbetween White Ladies and Boscobel. Though described by its owner asa cottage, it was a very comfortable abode. Richard Penderel wasmarried, and his wife, a buxom, good-looking woman, had brought him oneson, but he was from home at the time.

  On reaching his dwelling, Trusty Dick opened the door, and usheredthe king into the house-place, as it was called--a spacious apartmentwith a huge fireplace at one end, and furnished with a long oakdining-table, a couple of benches, and some half-dozen chairs.

  A good fire burning in the grate gave the room a very comfortable look.The ceiling was low and whitewashed, as were the walls, and the rafterswere garnished with hams and sides of bacon, while nets containedsundry oat-cakes. Dick's wife and their niece, Frances, the daughter ofWilliam Penderel, a good-looking girl, who had just got into her teens,were frying some collops of meat, as the forester entered with hisguest.

  "Mary," cried Dick, winking at his wife, as he spoke, "this be WillJackson, whom I told thee I should bring wi' me to supper."

  "Glad to see him, I'm sure," replied Mary, dropping a curtsy, which theking returned with an awkward attempt at a clownish bow that provoked asmile from young Frances Penderel.

  "Master Jackson is going to Madeley," pursued Dick, "and beingunacquainted with the country, might get lost at night, so I havepromised to show him the way there after supper."

  "Then he ben't going to sleep here?" observed Mary.

  "No, my good dame, I thank you," said Charles. "To-night I shall sleepat Madeley, and to-morrow cross the Severn. I want to get to the Welshcoast as quickly as I can."

  "Don't ask any more questions, Mary, but get supper ready," interposedDick.

  "'Twill be ready in a trice," she replied. "Lay a clean cloth, Frances."

  In a very few minutes a large dish of collops and a great bowl ofpotatoes were placed on the table, and the king and his host sat downto the meal, and were waited upon by Mary Penderel and her niece.

  A jug of strong ale helped to wash down the viands. Charles rathersuspected from the good dame's manner that she was aware of his rank,but he didn't trouble himself on the subject, but went on with hissupper.

  An unexpected interruption, however, was offered to the meal. Some onetried the door, and finding it fastened, knocked against it ratherauthoritatively. Charles instantly laid down his knife and fork andstarted to his feet.

  "Go see who is there," said Dick to his wife. "But let no one in."

  On this Mary went to the door, and in as firm a tone as she couldcommand, for she was a good deal frightened, asked who knocked.

  "'Tis I! Don't you know me, Mary?" cried a familiar voice.

  "Blessed Virgin!" she exclaimed. "'Tis Father Huddlestone himself!"

  "Your majesty may go on quietly with your supper," whispered Dick tothe king. "As I have told you, the holy man may be trusted. Open thedoor, dame."

  Mary instantly complied, and a middle-aged and rather stout personageentered the room. His close-fitting cassock of black stuff was coveredby a long black gown. His appearance was far from ascetic, hisface being round, rosy, and good-humoured in expression, while hisscrupulously shaved cheeks showed marks of a very black beard.

  Father Huddlestone was priest to Mr. Whitgreave, of Moseley Hall, inthe neighbourhood of Wolverhampton, and resided with that gentleman,who was a well-known Royalist.

  "Heaven's blessings on this house and on all within it!" exclaimed thepriest as he came in. "I do not blame you for keeping your door boltedduring these troublous times, good daughter. An enemy might slip inunawares. You have a guest already, I perceive," he continued, glancingat Charles. "I have brought you two more. Nay, do not start, my goodwoman. No danger need be apprehended from one of your own sex."

  "What is this I hear, father," cried Dick, getting up from the table,and stepping towards him. "You have brought some one with you, you say?"

  "Here she is," replied Father Huddlestone. "Pray come in, fairmistress."

  On this invitation, a young lady in a riding-dress entered the house,followed by a slim, good-looking page.

  In the young lady, Charles recognised Jane Lane at a glance. As to herattendant, he almost fancied, from the slightness of the figure, itmust be a female in disguise.

  "Methought you said there was only a lady, good father?" cried Dick.

  "This page counts for nothing," rejoined the priest. "The lady isMistress Jane Lane, of Bentley Hall. I have promised her an asylum herefor the night, and I am sure you will afford it her."

  "There may be reasons why I should not remain here," said Jane,perceiving the king. "I will go on with you to Moseley Hall, goodfather."

  "There can be nothing to prevent you from staying here, so far as Iam concerned, fair mistress," observed Charles, who had risen fromthe table, but stood apart. "I am about to proceed on my journeyimmediately."

  "Are you quite sure you had so decided before my arrival?" asked Jane.

  "Quite sure," he replied. "Richard Penderel will tell you so."

  "Who is this young man, Mary?" asked Father Huddlestone, looking veryhard at the king. "He hath the dress of a woodward, but neither thelook nor the manner of one."

  "I will tell your reverence some other time," she replied, evasively.

  "Perhaps your reverence can prevail on Mistress Jane Lane to sit downwith us and share our supper," said Charles to Father Huddlestone.

  "I shall need no entreaty, for in truth I am very hungry," repliedJane, taking a place at the table, while the priest sat down beside her.

  "How are you named, good youth?" asked Charles of the supposed page.

  "Jasper," was the reply.

  "Then come and sit down by me, Jasper," said the king.

  "Shall I, madam?" inquired the page of his mistress, who signified herassent, and the so-called Jasper took a place by the king.

  Fortunately, Mary Penderel had made such bountiful provision that therewas plenty for the new-comers.

  "No accident, I hope, has happened to your mistress, young sir?"observed Charles to the page.

  "We were on our way from Wolverhampton to Bentley Hall, when we wereattacked by a patrol of rebels in the forest, who were in search forthe king," replied Jasper. "They did us no injury, but took our horses."

  "How came it that you did not defend your mistress better?" askedCharles.

  "How could I defend her against half a dozen armed men?" cried thepage. "If I had had a pistol, I would have shot the first Roundheadrascal who came up through the head."

  "Rather through the heart, I should say," remarked the king, with asmile.

  "Heaven preserve his majesty, and deliver him from his enemies!"exclaimed Father Huddlestone. "May their devices be confounded."

  "Amen!" ejaculated Jane Lane, fervently. "Could I communicate with hismajesty, I would counsel him to embark for France as speedily as maybe."

  "Such, I doubt not, is his design," remarked the priest. "But there isdanger on every side," he added in a significant tone, and looking atthe king as he spoke.

  "I have heard no particulars of the battle of Worcester," observedJasper. "His majesty has escaped, I know, but I would fain learn thathis aide-de-camp, Major Careless, is safe."

  "Rest easy on that score, Jasper," said the king. "I saw Major Carelessthis morning."

  "Indeed!" exclaimed the page, unable to repress his emotion. "Oh, I amso glad. You have taken a great weight from my breast."

  "You appear greatly interested in Major Careless," remarked Charles."Have you known him long?"

  "Only since his majesty arrived in Worcester. I hope I shall see himagain."

  "Have you any message for him, in case I should meet him?" whisperedCharles.

  "None," replied the page, in the same tone. "But he will remember thehouse in Angel-lane."

  "Ah! t
hen you are----"

  The page imposed silence by a look.

  Just then Richard Penderel arose, and glanced significantly at Charles,who at once took the hint, and rose likewise.

  "Don't let me disturb the company," said Dick. "But Master Jackson andI have a long walk before us, and must be moving."

  "Quite right, my son," replied the priest. "But I should like to say aword to Master Jackson before he sets forth."

  Taking Charles aside, he said to him in a low earnest tone: "I will notwaste time in professions of loyalty and devotion, nor can I be of anypresent use to your majesty. Whatever your plans may be, I trust Heavenwill prosper them, but should it be necessary for you to seek a placeof concealment, you will be safe with my worthy friend and patron, Mr.Whitgreave, of Moseley Hall. Richard Penderel will guide you thither."

  "Should occasion require it, I will take refuge in Mr. Whitgreave'shouse," replied Charles.

  "Your majesty will be pleased to learn that Lord Wilmot is now atMoseley," pursued Father Huddlestone.

  "I am glad to hear it," replied Charles. "Should he not hear from me intwo or three days, he may conclude I have escaped to France. And nowgive me your blessing, father."

  While preferring this request he bowed his head, and the good priestgave him his benediction.

  As the king passed her, Jane Lane fixed a meaning look upon him, andsaid in a low tone: "At Bentley Hall your majesty will find a safeplace of refuge, should you require it."

  A hasty adieu sufficed for the page, and with a warm expression ofthanks to Mary Penderel, Charles quitted the house with her husband.