CHAPTER XX.
COLONEL ROBIN PHILIPS, OF MONTACUTE HOUSE.
Nothing could be more agreeable to Charles, after the great fatigue hehad undergone, than the repose he was able to enjoy for the next fewdays. But he then began to find his confinement irksome, despite theattentions shown him by Lady Wyndham and her daughter-in-law, and theagreeable companionship of the fair Juliana Coningsby. Harry Peters hadnot yet returned from Salisbury, and the king could not help fearingthat Lord Wilmot had failed in obtaining Mr. Coventry's assistance.Action, even attended by risk, suited Charles infinitely better thanquietude, and he longed for something to do. Mr. Langton sat with himfor several hours in each day, but he found the worthy man's discoursesintolerably tedious, and declared to Careless that he was becomingmoped to death.
Careless, on the contrary, found his stay at Trent far fromdisagreeable, and had no particular desire to incur fresh perils. Quitecontent to wait till a good chance of escape to France should offer, hesaw difficulties in every plan that was suggested. He was so happy inthe society of Juliana Coningsby, that he quite dreaded a separationfrom her.
One day, when the young pair were strolling together in the garden,Mrs. Wyndham came forth to inform them that Harry Peters had justreturned from Salisbury, accompanied by Colonel Robin Philips.Upon this Careless hastened to the yard, and found Colonel Wyndhamconversing with a tall, strongly-built man of soldier-like aspect andbearing. This was Colonel Robin Philips, of Montacute House, grandsonof Sir Edward Philips, formerly Master of the Rolls. Though nothandsome the colonel had a manly, expressive countenance. Harry Peterswas leading the horses to the stable, but stopped for a moment tosalute Careless, who was then introduced to Colonel Philips, with whomhe shook hands heartily.
At this juncture, a lattice window, looking upon the yard, was opened,and a voice called out:
"Robin! Robin! come up to me instantly."
"'Tis the king!" cried Colonel Philips.
And he instantly doffed his broad-leaved feathered hat, andrespectfully saluted Charles, whom he perceived at the window.
"Come up to me instantly, Robin," vociferated the king. "I am allimpatience to talk to thee. Come with him!" he added to the others.
Thus summoned they all repaired to the king's chamber. Charles embracedColonel Philips as he entered, and clapped him warmly on the shoulder.
"I am the better pleased to see thee, Robin, because I did not expectthee," he said. "How didst thou learn I was here?"
"From John Coventry, my liege," replied Colonel Philips. "I have oflate been in Salisbury, and on Lord Wilmot's arrival Mr. Coventrysent for me, knowing my anxious desire to serve your majesty, andafter conferring with him, I immediately proceeded to Southampton, andsucceeded in hiring a ship."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Charles, joyfully.
"Pardon me, sire, I have raised your expectations too highly. Soonafter I had concluded an arrangement with the skipper, the vessel I hadhired was pressed to transport troops to Jersey."
"Then you have failed?" cried Charles.
"So far, my liege. But I do not regret the failure, for I have sincediscovered that all vessels from Southampton are now stopped atCalshot Castle, and again at Hurst Castle, and the passengers strictlyexamined, so that the risk to your majesty would have been very great."
"Discovery would have been almost certain," observed Colonel Wyndham."'Twill be best that your majesty should embark from some small port onthe Sussex coast, where the vessels are not watched."
"Exactly my opinion," said Colonel Philips. "With the assistanceof my friend Colonel George Gunter, of Rackton, near Chichester, Ifeel confident I shall be able to hire a vessel at Little Hampton orShoreham. Before taking this step, however, I deemed it necessary toconsult your majesty, and have come hither for that purpose."
"Colonel Gunter, of course, can be relied upon, or you would notpropose him," observed Charles.
"He is thoroughly loyal, exceedingly active, and will spare no pains,"said Colonel Philips.
"From my own personal knowledge, my liege, I can confirm thisdescription of George Gunter," added Careless. "Your majesty may dependupon his fidelity."
"Then I place myself in his hands. Make any arrangement with him youplease."
"Since your majesty approves the plan, I will set out for Racktonforthwith."
"Nay, thou shalt not depart to-day, Robin," cried the king. "To-morrowwill be quite time enough. I must have some further talk with thee. Thesight of thy honest face cheers me. Thou shalt lodge in my room."
"Nay, your majesty shall not be put to inconvenience. I can find him aroom," remarked Colonel Wyndham.
It was then arranged that Colonel Philips should remain at Trent tillthe following day. His company was a great pleasure to the king,and helped to dissipate the ennui under which his majesty had beenlabouring of late. They had some further discussion as to the proposedembarkation from the Sussex coast, and the more he considered the planthe better the king liked it.
That night, Charles supped with the family party in the dining-room,Colonel Philips, of course, being present, and the improvementin his majesty's spirits was noticed by all the ladies. Supperwas just over when Harry Peters rushed into the room, with a veryanxious countenance, and said that Mr. Meldrum and some of thevillagers--notorious fanatics--were coming to search the houseimmediately. They had witnessed Colonel Philips's arrival, and feltcertain he was the king--the report, of his majesty's death atWorcester having been authoritatively contradicted.
On this alarming intelligence, Charles immediately hurried up-stairsto conceal himself in the secret closet, while Colonel Philips andCareless followed more leisurely, and sat down in the king's room. Thesearchers were not long in making their appearance, and Mr. Meldrumdemanded that Charles Stuart should be delivered up to them.
Colonel Wyndham answered them courteously.
"You shall see the gentleman who arrived here to-day, and judge foryourselves whether he is Charles Stuart."
With this, he conducted them to the room up-stairs. It was illumined bya lamp, which showed them the two gentlemen seated near a table. Botharose on the entrance of the party, and saluted Mr. Meldrum.
"You have seen me before, I doubt not, reverend sir," observedCareless, respectfully; "because I regularly attend your church, andhave profited much by your discourses."
"Truly, I have seen you, sir," replied the minister, "and have beenmuch pleased by your devout manner and attention. I have, also, beenwell pleased to find that Mistress Juliana Coningsby has become aconvert--peradventure, on your persuasion. I begin to think we aremistaken," he added to those with him. "This is a person of middle age,whereas Charles Stuart, as ye wot, is designated the Young Man."
"This gentleman is Captain Copthorne," said Careless, "a staunchRepublican and a Puritan."
"That is how I should describe myself, if called upon," said theso-called Captain Copthorne, with a courteous bow. "I am neither afugitive prince, nor a malignant."
"The assurance is sufficient, captain," rejoined the minister. "We havebeen labouring under a grievous error," he added to the zealots withhim, "and have no further business here."
As he turned to depart, he perceived Juliana standing at the back, andsaid to her in a low tone:
"Ere long, I hope I may have the happy privilege of uniting you to onewho deserves you."
Juliana blushed deeply. Without waiting for a reply, Mr. Meldrum andhis company went down-stairs, and were shown out of the house by HarryPeters. When the details of the incident were related to the king, theycaused him a good deal of amusement.
Promising to return to Trent as soon as any arrangement had been made,through the instrumentality of Colonel Gunter, for the hire of avessel, Colonel Philips, next morning, took leave of his majesty, andset out for Chichester, attended by the faithful Harry Peters.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 101
