CHAPTER XI.
OF THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY HARRY PETERS WITH DAME SWAN.
Our three Royalists did not make any stay at the little innat Charmouth, after their negotiation with Limbry had been sosatisfactorily concluded, but ordered their horses, paid theirreckoning, and departed. They did not return by the beach, CaptainEllesdon being desirous to show his companions a secluded farm-housebelonging to his father, about a mile and a half off among the downs,where he thought the king should halt on the appointed day, beforeproceeding to Charmouth.
"Lonesome the place is called," said Captain Ellesdon, pointing outthe solitary house, "and it well deserves its name, since there is notanother habitation within a mile of it. The farm is let, but the tenantis an honest fellow, on whom I can rely. I will come there early onMonday, and wait his majesty's arrival. I have likewise just bethoughtme that Lyme fair occurs on Monday. Consequently, the town will bethronged, and so will Charmouth. Rooms must, therefore, be engagedbeforehand at our little inn. Another point requires consideration.His majesty and those with him will have to sit up till midnight, andif they quit the house at that late hour, suspicion may be excited.Some pretext, therefore, must be found to satisfy Dame Swan and herservants."
"Very true," replied Colonel Wyndham, "I will send my servant, HarryPeters, to Charmouth. He will invent some plausible tale that willimpose upon the hostess."
Their business at Lonesome being accomplished, the party rode acrossthe downs to Lyme Regis, and repaired to the George. Harry Peters wasat once despatched on his mission, and during the absence of the trustygroom, Colonel Wyndham and Careless dined with Captain Ellesdon, at theresidence of the latter.
Concocting his scheme at he rode along, Harry Peters arrived atCharmouth full of confidence, and alighting at the little inn, sent hishorse to the stable, and ordering a flask of sack, begged the pleasureof Dame Swan's company for a few minutes in the parlour.
After a few preliminary observations, and the offer of a glass of wine,which was graciously accepted by the hostess, he delicately approachedthe business.
"I have a very great favour to ask of you, madam," he said, "but I aminclined to think you will readily grant it, since the happiness of twoyoung persons depends upon your willingness to assist them. When I tellyou it is a love affair, I shall have said enough, I am convinced,to awaken your tender sympathies. I must not mention names, but mymaster has gained the affections of a very beautiful young gentlewoman.Unluckily, her father refuses him her hand. Prayers have been in vain.Cruel father, you will say! Such fathers, however, reap their ownreward, and are deceived like jealous husbands."
"Generally," observed the hostess, sipping her wine.
"You will not be surprised, therefore, madam, that the younggentlewoman in question, justly provoked by such harsh treatment, hasyielded to her lover's prayers, and agreed to run away with him."
"In good sooth, I am not surprised at it, sir," remarked Dame Swan. "Ishould have done just the same myself at her age, and under similarcircumstances."
"Say you so, madam! Then I have no hesitation in claiming yourassistance. On Monday next the elopement will take place. Promised arefuge with you, the young couple will come here. That they may not beinterfered with, I am directed by my master to engage all the rooms inthe house."
"Stay! Lyme Fair is held on Monday, and we are always full on that day.I dare not promise the rooms."
"But I will pay double for them, and make you a handsome present intothe bargain. It must be Monday. No other day will suit the younggentlewoman."
"Well, I would not disappoint her for the world. You shall have therooms, and I will put off my other guests."
"I expected nothing less from you, madam. But you will not lose byyour good nature. You will make friends of the young people for life.Another danger has to be guarded against. The lovers may be pursued,and chance may bring the angry father here."
"Mercy on us! I hope not," exclaimed the hostess.
"Do not alarm yourself, madam. Such an untoward event is not likelyto occur; but every precaution ought to be taken. The young pair mustsit up during the night, and their horses be kept ready saddled andbridled, so that they can be off at a moment's notice. You must bepleased to give directions to your servants accordingly."
"You may depend upon me, sir," said Dame Swan. "All preparations shallbe made for the young couple. I take a particular interest in them, andto insure their being properly attended to, I will sit up myself."
"I do not think that will be necessary, madam; but as you please. Mymaster begs your acceptance of half a dozen pistoles." And he slippedthem into her hand as he spoke.
"He acts like a gentleman--that is quite certain," said Dame Swan.
"And now for the rooms. Shall we say half a dozen pistoles more?"
"That will be most handsome payment."
"On an occasion of this kind one must behave handsomely," said Peters,putting down the money. "My master is rich--at any rate, he will be so."
"I hope he has got an heiress," observed the hostess.
Peters said nothing, but winked significantly.
This concluded the arrangement.
Everything being settled in a manner entirely satisfactory to bothparties, the adroit emissary took leave of Dame Swan, and rode back asquickly as he could to Lyme, being anxious to communicate the good newsto his master and the others.
On hearing his account of the affair, they laughed very heartily, andcomplimented him on the skill he had displayed.
The party then went down to the Cobb to look at the _Eider Duck_, andwere very well satisfied with her appearance. At Captain Ellesdon'searnest request our two Royalists agreed to pass the evening with him,and did not return till next day to Trent.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 92
