CHAPTER X.
HOW CHARLES INCURRED THE COOK'S DISPLEASURE.
Having finished his work in the stable, the supposed Will Jonesproceeded to the kitchen, where he found Bridget the cook preparingsupper. Bridget was fat and not ill-looking, but something must havegone wrong, for she did not accord the new-comer a very graciousreception. The kitchen was large, occupying the entire ground floor ofone wing of the house, and was lighted on either side by deep mullionedwindows, filled with lattice panes. From the huge rafter supporting thelow ceiling hung a goodly collection of hams. At the further end was animmense fireplace, before which, dangling from a jack, slowly revolveda large joint of beef.
Charles saluted Bridget very respectfully, but she only just nodded herhead, and said:
"You're Will Jones, Mistress Jane Lane's groom, I suppose?" Andreceiving an answer in the affirmative, she went on. "Well, then, makeyourself useful, Will Jones, and see that the meat is properly roasted.I've plenty to do without attending to the jack."
Deeming it necessary to conciliate her, Charles marched at once to thefireplace. All went well for a few minutes, when the jack stopped.The king tried to put it in motion again but could not turn it. Afterseveral attempts to set matters right, he gave up the task in despair,when Bridget, who had been absent from the kitchen for a short time,returned, and at once made aware that the meat was burning, she rushedup, exclaiming furiously:
"Why, where have you been bred up, you lazy varlet, that you don't knowhow to wind up a jack? I'll teach you to attend to my orders in future."
So saying she snatched up the ladle from the dripping-pan, andthreatened to belabour him with it.
"Come, come! my good woman," cried Charles, seizing her arm, "this iscarrying the joke a little too far."
"I'm not a good woman, and I won't be called one," exclaimed Bridget."And it's not a joke to spoil the meat, as my master will let you know."
And she struggled to get free, but the king held her fast.
At this juncture an interruption was offered by loud roars of laughterproceeding from a couple of troopers standing at the kitchen-door.Having approached unawares, they had witnessed the occurrence, and werehighly diverted by it. On beholding them Bridget instantly calmed down,and the king released her. The troopers then stepped into the kitchen,and the cook having set the jack going again, asked them what theywanted.
"We have come in search of this young man," said one of them,designating Charles. "We thought he might be a malignant, or, asyou would say, a Cavalier in disguise, but we now think we must bemistaken."
"He a Cavalier!" exclaimed Bridget, scornfully, "no more a Cavalierthan I am. Go about your business directly, or I'll spoil your redcoats."
And she flourished the greasy ladle menacingly.
"Nay, nay, good Bridget," said Charles, trying to appease her. "Treatthem civilly; they have found out their mistake. Draw them a jug ofale. They may give us trouble," he added, in a whisper.
This consideration brought the cook to reason, and she left thekitchen, and presently returned with a foaming jug of ale. During herabsence the troopers had seated themselves at a table, and as it wasclear they would not depart without some refreshment, Bridget went backfor some cold meat and bread, while Charles poured out the ale. By thetime they had finished the cold meat the hot joint was ready, and theyinsisted on having a few slices. Bridget did not dare to refuse, andwas also obliged to draw them another jug of ale. Charles waited uponthem and pleased them so much by his attention, that they went away atlast declaring he was a very honest young man, and had nothing of amalignant about him.
Shortly afterwards, Mr. Tombs entered the kitchen, accompanied by JaneLane. Great consternation had been caused by the visit of the troopers,but as the men conducted themselves so quietly and made no disturbance,Mr. Tombs hoped they might be got rid of without any interference onhis part. At last he yielded to Jane's entreaties, and they went to thekitchen together, and were greatly relieved by finding that the enemyhad departed.
"Look here, sir," cried Bridget, "here's a joint to send to table! Butit's not my fault. The rogues forced me to carve it for them."
"Never mind, Bridget," cried Mr. Tombs, laughing at her distress. "I'mthankful they're gone. But what brought them here?"
"Most likely they only wanted a supper, sir," replied Bridget; "butthey pretended they came in search of that young man, declaring he wasa Cavalier in disguise."
"Ridiculous!" cried Jane. "Evidently a mere excuse to obtain a supper.What did they say to thee, Will?"
"They put a few questions to me," replied the king. "But I soonconvinced them of their mistake."
"They were not very good judges," remarked Mr. Tombs, in a low toneto Jane. "Now I look more narrowly at him, your groom has the air ofa gentleman. Besides, it is fair to tell you that my suspicions wereexcited by the glance he threw at you as we came into the kitchen. Nay,you need have no disguise with me."
The king's eyes were fixed upon them, and before making a reply Janeconsulted him by a look. She then took Mr. Tombs aside, so as to bequite out of Bridget's hearing, and said in a whisper:
"You are right. Will Jones is not what he appears."
"I felt sure of it," rejoined Mr. Tombs in the same tone. "He must bea person of the highest importance, for I know you would not run thisgreat risk for any one of inferior degree. I have my suspicions, but Iscarcely dare breathe them."
"Give them utterance," said Jane.
"Is it the king?" he asked.
"It is," she replied. "But be careful not to betray the secret by wordor gesture. You must not even take your wife into your confidence.My sister and her husband are entirely in the dark, and must be keptso, for Mr. Petre is not a fit depositary for a secret of this vastimportance."
"I feel the prudence of your counsel, Jane, and will follow itstrictly," said Mr. Tombs; "yet I can hardly refrain from throwingmyself at his majesty's feet. Had I known who is here, how alarmed Ishould have felt at the visit of these troopers! Never should I forgivemyself if aught were to happen to the king while he is under my roof.But I must see that he is attended to. Hark ye, Bridget, this young manmust have a good supper. Do you hear that?"
"Yes, I hear it, sir," she replied. "But he must wait till his bettershave been served. Begging Mistress Jane Lane's pardon, I must say thata more ignorant fellow than her groom never came into a kitchen. Hecan't even wind up a jack! Ah! if I had him under my care for a monthI'd work a change, I warrant him."
"Hold your peace, Bridget. Take good care of the young man, or you'lldisplease me," said Mr. Tombs. "If thou art neglected, Will, complainto me."
And fearing he might excite the cook's suspicions if he said more, hequitted the kitchen with Jane.
But in spite of the worthy gentleman's injunctions, Charles obtainednothing till the dishes were brought from the dining-room, when he wasallowed to sit down with the servants, and eat as much as he pleased.
A small couch in a small room served his turn that night, but he sleptvery soundly, and waking early, hied to the stables to prepare for theday's journey.
Charles was grooming his horse, when Mr. Tombs came into the stable,and making an excuse to send his men away, expressed his profoundregret that he had not been able to pay his majesty more attention.
"I have not done more," he said, "because I fear to trust my household."
"I quite understand your motives, Mr. Tombs, and appreciate them," saidCharles. "And pray understand that it was from no want of faith in yourloyalty, which was vouched for by Jane, that you were not trustedwith the secret from the first. It was simply to spare you trouble andanxiety; and believe me, I am just as much obliged as if you had madepreparations for my security. For this reason I counselled Jane to keepsilence; but I am not sorry the disclosure has been made, since itaffords me an opportunity of speaking to you freely. My object, as youwill have conjectured, is to quit the country as speedily as I can, andtake refuge in France, and for this purpose I am going to Bristol un
derthe care of this devoted girl, who is hazarding her life for me. Youhave been an involuntary agent in the scheme, Mr. Tombs, and I hope youwill have no reason to regret taking part in it."
"Whatever betides, it will always be a matter of proud satisfaction tome that your majesty has found shelter at my house during your flight.That you have not been received in a more worthy manner is not myfault, but the fault of circumstances."
"You have done all that I could desire, Mr. Tombs," said Charles; "andI pray you to pursue the same course to the moment of my departure.Treat me as Jane Lane's groom, and nothing more. Do not stay herelonger, or you may excite suspicion."
"Your majesty shall be obeyed," replied Mr. Tombs.
And with a profound obeisance he withdrew.
When he had finished dressing his horse, Charles quitted the stablesand found his way to the kitchen, where he met with a better welcomefrom Bridget than he had experienced overnight. He had found his way toher good graces at supper, and she now gave him an excellent breakfast.
Anxious, for many reasons, to start at an early hour, Jane made ahasty breakfast in her own room, and without waiting to take leave ofMrs. Tombs or the Petres, who had not yet made their appearance, wentin quest of Mr. Tombs, whom she found in the garden. He told her whatpassed between him and the king, and how distressed he felt that hecould not render his majesty any real service.
"If you think I can be of any use I will accompany you on your journeyto Bristol," he said. "I did not propose this to his majesty but I amready to set out at once if you deem my attendance desirable."
"I need not consult the king on the subject, because I know what hisdecision would be," she rejoined. "His plans are settled, and he wouldnot care to change them. Besides, your sudden departure would occasionremark among the household, and might draw suspicion upon us. Your wifewould think it strange, for you could not explain your motives to her.No, believe me, you are far better at home at this critical juncture.Some unforeseen difficulty may occur after the king's departure;another visit may be paid by the troopers, and your presence may berequired to check indiscretion on the part of the servants. Were theRoundhead rogues to learn that you had gone on with us they wouldinevitably follow, and then there is no telling what the consequencesmight be. You can best serve the king by remaining at home. I willacquaint his majesty with your proposal, as well as with my reasons fordeclining it."
No more was said, for noticing that Charles had brought the horsefrom the stables, they proceeded towards him. In another minute Janewas seated on the pillion behind the king. As some of the otherservants were standing by, Mr. Tombs was exceedingly cautious in hisobservations.
"I wish you a safe and pleasant journey, Jane," he said; adding to thesupposed groom, "be sure to take good care of your young lady, Will."
"Fear nothing, sir," replied the king, doffing his cap respectfully.And as Mr. Tombs drew somewhat nearer, he added, in a low tone, "whenyou next hear of me I trust it will be from France."
Bidding her relative adieu, Jane ordered Will Jones to go on, andaccompanied by many fervent prayers for the king's safety, murmured insecret by Mr. Tombs, they soon gained the road to Chipping-Campden.
End of Book the Fifth.
Book the Sixth.
ABBOTS LEIGH.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 72
