CHAPTER VII.
HOW THEY WERE RECEIVED AT PACKINGTON HALL.
Meanwhile, Colonel Lane and his two companions had come up, and whenCharles got back to the little inn, he found them seated on the benchbeneath the tree. After enjoying half an hour's good sport, they hadsent back the falconers with a few brace of partridges. Colonel Lanefilled a cup of sack for the king, who took it with a grateful bowas beseemed the character he represented. Before they set off again,Careless contrived to exchange a few words in private with his majesty.
On quitting the village, the party entered the extensive and beautifuldomains belonging to Packington Hall. The park contained a great dealof fine timber, and several large sheets of water could be descriedthrough the trees, contributing greatly to its beauty. The charm ofthe prospect was also heightened by the picturesque inequalities ofthe ground--the uplands being crowned by trees. From all these heightsenchanting prospects could be obtained. The old mansion towards whichthey were riding was frequently lost to view, owing to the interventionof the trees, but reappeared with additional effect.
The party were within half a mile of the house, which was then in fullview, when they were met by Sir Clement Fisher, who had been anxiouslyexpecting their arrival.
Sir Clement looked somewhat depressed, but gave a warm welcome to hisfriends, and conducted them to the house.
With a special view to the king's convenience, the party alighted inthe court-yard, and Sir Clement contrived that his majesty shouldbe relieved from any duties in the stable, and taken at once to thebuttery. It was excessively annoying to the loyal young baronet that hecould not attend to the king in person--but that was impossible. Evenwith his other guests great caution was observed--Major Careless's namewas never mentioned, and Lord Wilmot's real rank was concealed from theservants.
Dinner was served in the great hall immediately after the arrival ofthe party. Circumstances seeming to necessitate a slight alteration inthe plans, it was now arranged that Colonel Lane, with Lord Wilmot andCareless, should stay where they were, while the others proceeded, asbefore settled, to Long Marston, in order to pass the night there.
Before Jane's departure an interview took place between her and hersuitor. They had walked to a retired part of the garden, but for someminutes each remained silent. At length Sir Clement, looking at herearnestly, said, "I know the courage of your nature, Jane, and I willnot, therefore, attempt to disguise from you the perilous position inwhich I am placed. Had all gone well, I hoped to have made you mistressof this house; but now you may never be mine."
"Do you say this to try me, Sir Clement?" she exclaimed, turning verypale.
"Alas, there is no exaggeration in what I am saying to you," herejoined. "Before you return I may be a prisoner in Warwick Castle."
"If you deem yourself in such great danger, why do you not fly?" shecried.
"No; I will stand my ground," he rejoined. "Those who come to arrest meshall find me here. I am prepared to die for the cause I have espoused."
"Oh! do not talk thus, dear Sir Clement," she exclaimed. "You give mecredit for far more fortitude than I really possess. Again, I entreatyou to fly."
"My resolution is taken," he rejoined firmly, but sadly. "But I wishedto acquaint you with it, that you may judge me rightly. Our union maybe deferred for years, or it may never take place; but I regard you asmy wife."
"And if I wed not you, Sir Clement, be sure I will wed no other," sherejoined. "I will not break my plighted troth. We must bear these heavytrials with resignation, and perhaps we may be the better for them inthe end. Our affection will be severely tested, but my feelings willundergo no change."
"Nor will mine," he added, taking her hand, and pressing itaffectionately to his lips. "Jane," he added, in accents that bespokehis sincerity, "you are a noble girl. I always thought you so; but nowmore than ever. Some men, incapable of estimating your character, mightbe jealous of the devotion you display to the king, but I have no suchfeeling. On the contrary, it excites my highest admiration. Nay, Ithink I should not love you so well, were you less loyal."
"Hear, also, the truth from me, Sir Clement," cried Jane, in a tone ofexaltation; "I could but have loved you as I do, had you not been trueto the king. That you would approve my conduct I never doubted, becauseyou know my feelings, and can appreciate them; but I have also theapproval of my own heart, for I am sure I am acting rightly. This firmconviction will sustain me through any trials that may be reserved forme. I am vowed to one object--the king's deliverance from his enemies.If I can accomplish it, I shall be content. Devoted loyalty like mineis perfectly compatible with love, for, though I am engrossed by it atpresent, it does not exclude the deeper feeling. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly," he replied, clasping her to his breast. "You are myown Jane. Go on with your task. You are destined to be the king'spreserver."
"I firmly believe so," cried a well-known voice that somewhat startledthem at first, for they had not heard the approach of the speaker. Itwas the king, who had come to seek Jane, and had overheard the latterpart of their discourse.
"I firmly believe you are destined to be my preserver, Jane," he said,stepping forward.
"I am not sorry that your majesty has heard the expression of myopinions," said Sir Clement. "Jane is free to act as she will, andI have no control over her; but had she been my wife, I should havecharged her to act as she is doing."
"You will not repent your confidence in her, nor your reliance on me,Sir Clement," said Charles, with dignity. "All our difficulties will beovercome in time, and then you will have the best wife in England. Nay,be not cast down. 'Tis written that you shall be Jane Lane's husband.'Tis written, also, that Jane shall be mistress of Packington Hall; forshould you be deprived of it, you shall have the house back again if Icome to the throne."
"Sire, after your gracious promise to me, I can no longer feeluneasiness," cried Sir Clement, shaking off the gloom that had hithertooppressed him.
"As your groom," said Charles, bowing to Jane, "I come to inform youthat Mr. and Mrs. Petre are already mounted, and waiting for you in thecourt-yard. Your own steed is ready."
Having delivered this message, he again bowed, and left the loverstogether.
They followed him almost immediately to the court-yard, where the restof the party were assembled.
After some consultation with his friends, the king had determinedto prosecute that day's journey without any additional attendance.Careless would fain have gone on to Stratford-on-Avon, but his royalmaster would not permit him, deeming it safer to proceed in this quietmanner than with an attendance liable to attract attention, and thatmight cause them to be stopped. It was therefore agreed that LordWilmot and Careless should follow their royal master next day. Thiscould easily be done, as they knew the precise route he intended totake. Colonel Lane, not being required, was to remain at PackingtonHall.
A tender parting between the lovers took place at the park-gates, whichCharles from his proximity was obliged to witness.
The party, comprehending the same persons as heretofore, rode on insilence, and Charles fancied he saw tears stealing down Jane's cheeks;but she chased them away, and soon afterwards recovered her composure,and forced herself to enter into conversation with her sister and Mr.Petre.
Their road led them through beautiful country, and the contemplationof this charming scenery tended to tranquilise her mind. Sometimesthey mounted a gentle hill which gave them an extensive view overwide-spread open fields, through which a river took its course,fertilising the district, and adding greatly to its beauty. Severalmansions came within their ken; but the most picturesque feature of thescene was an old castle standing on the banks of the river. The viewwas so delightful that the party stopped for a few minutes to admire it.
As a scene that could not be beheld elsewhere than in England, it had aspecial charm for the king, who gazed at it with undisguised rapture.Chancing to look at him at the moment, Mr. Petre was struck by thesingular expression of his c
ountenance.
"You seem to be greatly pleased by the prospect, Will," he cried. "Haveyou never beheld it before?"
Charles made no reply, and Jane touched his arm to recal him to hissenses.
"Mr. Petre asks if you have ever beheld this view before," she said.
The supposed groom begged pardon, and said, "I was looking at yon oldcastle, and thinking I should like to have it, with a few guns and adozen artillerymen."
"Why, what wouldst thou do with the castle, Will?"
"Hold it against Cromwell and the rebels," was the reply.
"Heaven help thee for a fool, Will!" cried Mr. Petre, laughing. "Thouwouldst fare no better than the king fared at Worcester."
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 69
