CHAPTER XIV.
HOW THE KING AND JULIANA WERE RECEIVED BY DAME SWAN.
Lonesome was a substantial farm-house, with whitewashed walls anda thatched roof, and being a dairy-farm, at which the best doubleDorset blue-mould cheeses were made, it had large cow-sheds and otheroutbuildings attached to it, and its comfortable appearance washeightened by a very extensive orchard, the trees of which were stillheavily laden with fruit.
Captain Ellesdon did not dare to make a reverence to his majesty on hisarrival, lest he should be noticed by the fanning men, who naturallycame forward to look at the party, and take charge of the horses, butwhile assisting Juliana to alight, he had an opportunity of saying afew words to the king, and later on, he had a private conference withhis majesty. Charles thanked him most warmly for the important servicehe had rendered him--a service, he declared, that could not adequatelybe rewarded--and to these gracious observations Captain Ellesdon made afitting response; adding, that he was most happy to inform his majestythat everything was going on well. Not an hour ago, he had seen Limbry,and had learnt that the _Eider Duck_ was already victualled, and out ofthe Cobb, and would be quite ready to set sail at midnight, as soon asthe passengers were on board.
"The seamen have been given to understand," pursued Captain Ellesdon,"that the reason why the passengers embark at Charmouth at such anunseasonable hour, and not at Lyme, is, that they fear an arrest, theirfactor at St. Malo having detained their goods, which they trust torecover by appearing in person against him. With this explanation theseamen are perfectly satisfied, and a few gold pieces on your majesty'sarrival at St. Malo will effectually seal their lips. As the wind isfair, I think your majesty may calculate on a prosperous voyage. Youhave no doubt been informed that a large fair is held in Lyme to-day.Advantage has been taken of the meeting by the mayor of the town topublicly read the Proclamation made by the Men of Westminster offeringa reward of a Thousand Pounds for the discovery of your majesty, withthe penalty of death against all who shall conceal you. I am rejoicedto think that the _Eider Duck_ is out of port, so that the seamen willnot be likely to hear of the notice; and I am still better pleased tofind that our staunch shipmaster appears to care little about it. Yourmajesty will be off before any mischief can be done. As it turns out,it would have been quite impossible for you to embark at Lyme, sinceCaptain Macy has just arrived there with a regiment of horse, and hismen are spread about the town, and the inns and ale-houses are fullof them. I must also put your majesty on your guard against ReubenRufford, the ostler at the little inn at Charmouth. He is a Roundhead,and a notorious knave, as I have discovered."
"I will observe all due caution in regard to the rascal," said theking. "But as my stay at Charmouth will be so short, I do not thinkthere is much to fear from him."
Some further conversation then took place, at the close of which theking reiterated his thanks to Captain Ellesdon, and presented him witha piece of gold, through which a hole had been drilled, so that itcould be worn, bidding him keep it as an earnest of what he would dofor him hereafter, should better days arrive.
"Most assuredly those days will arrive, sire," said the captain; "butI desire no greater reward for my services than that which I have nowreceived. I shall always wear this medal next my heart."
There being nothing to detain him longer at the farm-house, the kingnow gave the word for departure, and all his attendants mounted theirhorses. Captain Ellesdon rode by his majesty's side, and conducted himto the summit of the steep hill that rises between Charmouth and Lyme;pointing out the _Eider Duck_, lying off the mouth of the Cobb, as wellas the exact spot where it had been arranged that the long-boat shouldfetch his majesty and his companions at midnight.
From this elevated point Lyme seemed immediately beneath them, and theking could clearly perceive the crowd in the principal street, as wellas hear the shouts and other noises that arose from the fair. Amid thethrong he noticed that many red-coats were mingled. From the churchtower floated the flag of the Commonwealth.
Satisfied at last with the survey, Charles bade farewell to CaptainEllesdon, and with his attendants rode down the left side of thedeclivity to Charmouth, while the captain took his way on the right toLyme.
As they approached the little town, Charles asked Juliana if she wasquite prepared for the part she had to play, and received a laughingresponse in the affirmative.
Harry Peters had ridden on beforehand, so that when the party arrivedat the little inn, the hostess, with the ostler and all the servants,were at the door ready to receive them.
Luckily, most of the villagers were at Lyme fair, or there would havebeen a little crowd collected to gaze at the strangers. So dazzledwas Dame Swan by Juliana's beauty, as she assisted the young lady toalight, that she could look at no one else, but when she did bestow aglance on the king she did not think him half handsome enough to bethe husband of such a charming creature.
Leading Juliana into a parlour, where a cold collation was laid out,the good dame kissed her and wished her all happiness. They werefollowed by Charles, who laughingly inquired if the hostess meant torob him of his intended bride.
"I won't rob you of her, sir," replied Dame Swan; "and I'll do my bestto prevent any one else from taking her from you. Ah! sir, you oughtto esteem yourself the luckiest man on earth to have obtained such atreasure."
"Why, so I do, dame. But is she not the luckiest woman?"
"I'm sure I think myself so," said Juliana.
"I'm a very bad judge," remarked the hostess. "I often say to myself,'It's very well we are not all of one mind. What suits one personwouldn't suit another.'"
"It's very clear I don't suit your fancy, good dame," cried Charles,laughing.
Here they were interrupted by the entrance of the rest of the party,and they all on the king's invitation sat down to the repast--Juliana,of course, being seated beside his majesty, and receiving particularattentions from him.
Careless sat on the other side of the young damsel, who did not seemdispleased to have him near her, but chatted with him very gaily. Andthe hostess subsequently remarked to Harry Peters, who had assisted herto wait on the company:
"I shouldn't have been surprised if that lovely creature had run awaywith the gallant-looking Cavalier on her right, and I almost think sheprefers him to the accepted suitor. It's not too late yet for her tochange her mind."
"Oh! yes, it is a great deal too late," rejoined Harry Peters. "Takecare you don't put such whims into her head."
"Not I, i'faith!" she rejoined. "But I'm pretty sure I'm right."
Later in the evening, the hostess was confirmed in her opinion whenCareless and Juliana walked out into the little garden at the back ofthe house. She could not help listening to their conversation, andheard the Cavalier say, in very tender accents, as it seemed to her:
"I must now bid you farewell! Fate seems resolved to separate us--but Ihope we shall meet again. I will not ask you to be constant to me."
"I should think not," mentally ejaculated Dame Swan, "seeing that sheis just about to be wedded to another."
"But I vow that I will be so," cried Juliana. "If a certain person,whom we both detest, and who interferes with our happiness, should onlybe removed, you will return at once, will you not?"
"There is very little chance of his removal, I fear," said Careless,with a profound sigh. "His success has been too complete of late."
"But something unexpected may occur," said Juliana. "He may not be longin our way."
"I hope not," said Careless. "But his present position appears secure."
"Still, I do not think he can long maintain it," said Juliana. "He mustfall soon."
"The announcement of his death will be my summons to return," saidCareless. "If some sure hand would only strike the blow."
"At a crisis like the present, when such great interests are at stake,that hand is not likely to be wanting," said Juliana.
"Great heavens! She is planning the poor young man's destruction,before she has married h
im," thought Dame Swan. "'Tis fortunate I haveoverheard the dreadful design, and can therefore prevent it. Hist!hist!" she cried.
Alarmed by the sound, Juliana came instantly into the house.
"I want to speak to you," said the hostess, taking her hand, anddrawing her into a small room which she called her own.
After closing the door, she said in a tone of great sympathy, "I findyou are very unhappily circumstanced."
"I do not understand you," interrupted Juliana.
"I have accidentally overheard what has passed between you and thehandsome young Cavalier in the garden, and I find that you greatlyprefer him to the swarthy-complexioned gentleman, to whom you havepromised your hand. You are very young, and feeling for you like amother, I cannot see you rush to destruction, without trying to preventit. Break off this foolish engagement at once--at once, I say--andreturn to your father. Nay, if you hesitate, I will take you to himmyself. You must not--shall not--marry this man!"
"I do not mean to marry him," said Juliana.
"What is it you mean to do, in Heaven's name?" cried Dame Swan, with anenergy that alarmed the young damsel.
"I find I must trust you," she said. "I am sure you are perfectlyloyal."
"Loyal! yes! I should like to see the king on the throne, and hisenemies confounded. But what has my loyalty got to do with yourengagement?"
"Everything," replied Juliana, reassured by the good woman's words."The king is now beneath your roof. He is the person whom you havebeen led to believe would be my husband; but the wretch of whom youheard us speak in the garden is the accursed regicide Cromwell. Now youunderstand it all?"
"I do, I do," cried Dame Swan.
"I won't trust you by halves," said Juliana. "The king is aboutto embark at midnight for France. Major Careless, with whom I wasconversing in the garden, will sail with him."
"Oh! I hope they will soon return!" cried the hostess. "I hope you willsoon be wedded to the major! He is worthy of you. I am glad you havetold me this, though the information is so astounding, that it hasquite upset me. But I shall be right in a few minutes."
Now that this explanation had taken place with the hostess, Julianafelt quite at ease with the good dame, and was very glad to spend therest of the evening with her in her room.
To Charles the hours seemed to pass very slowly, and he longed formidnight, but he was in extremely good spirits, and all his attendantsexerted themselves to amuse him.
Every half-hour--indeed, more frequently--some one went out toascertain the state of the weather. The night was fine and starlight,and a light breeze from the north-west was just what was desired.Charmouth, as the reader is aware, is about half a mile from the shore,but as an eminence intervenes the sea is not visible from the littletown.
These constant reports of the favourable state of the weather helped tokeep up the king's spirits. Missing Juliana, and deeming it necessaryto maintain his part as her intended husband, he went in search of herand found her in the hostess's room. Dame Swan was with her at thetime, and the extreme deference now paid him by the hostess soon showedhim that she had been let into the secret.
Feeling, therefore, that further disguise was useless, he addressedher in his own proper character, and quite enchanted her with hisaffability.
"I was not aware of the great honour intended me, my liege," she said,"or I would have made more fitting preparations for your reception."
"You have done quite enough, my good dame," said Charles. "In strictfulfilment of your promise, you have kept your house free from guestsat a busy time, so that I have been perfectly private, and if I haddeparted without making any disclosure to you, I should have desiredothers to thank you in my name."
Quite overwhelmed by his majesty's condescension, the hostess couldmake no reply.
"I must, also, compliment you on your discernment," pursued theking, smiling. "You quickly perceived that I wanted some necessaryqualifications for the part I attempted to play, and that I was notexactly the person with whom this charming young gentlewoman wouldhave made a runaway match. A great liberty has been taken withher--excusable, only, under the circumstances--but you will understandthat her loyalty alone induced her to consent to the scheme."
"Yes, but I played my part so indifferently, that I do not deserve yourmajesty's thanks," said Juliana.
"Nay, the fault was mine," rejoined the king. And he added in a lowvoice, "I ought to have changed parts with Major Careless."
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 95
