CHAPTER XXIX.
The beauty of the illustrious Captain Barecolt, in its kind, wasrather heightened than diminished by a large stripe of black plasterwhich he had drawn across the bridge of his egregious nose; for he wasone of those provident men who never go without a certain store ofneedful articles in their pockets, and his professional habits hadtaught him exactly what sort of small commodities were most frequentlyrequired. Thus, there were few occasions on which that personage wouldhave been found unprovided with a piece of strong cord, a sharppocket-knife, a lump of wax, a corkscrew, a hand's-breadth of goodsticking-plaster, and a crown-piece. I do not say more than one, forbut too frequently the piece of silver was a mere unity; and, indeed,he seemed to have a pleasure in reducing it to solitude; for, nosooner had it any companions, than he took the most expeditious meansof removing them. At the last crown, however, he always paused; and itseldom happened, what between good luck and occasional strong powersof abstinence, that sheer necessity compelled him to spend that piecebefore he had recruited his stock.
He now advanced towards Arrah Neil and Miss Walton with all theconsciousness of great exploits about him; and, after a long inquiryregarding their health, began a recapitulation of all his deeds thatday, notwithstanding the presence of an eye-witness, by which it wouldhave appeared that he had killed at least seven of the enemy with hisown hand; regretting indeed, in a deprecatory tone, that he had notkilled more, but attributing this short-coming, in comparison with hisusual achievements, to the care he had been obliged to take of theearl after he was wounded; otherwise, he hinted, he might havedestroyed the whole force. He was still in full career when LordWalton and Lady Margaret reappeared; and, whether it was to beattributed to the fact of his having delivered himself of a sufficientquantity of long-pent-up hyperbole, or whether it was that he knewthat the young lord was not likely to give entire credit to hismilitary statements, certain it is that his tone became moderated assoon as that gentleman appeared.
Captain Barecolt, however, was obliged to answer several questions;for, while the lady of the house went to give orders for theaccommodation of the numerous unexpected visiters by whom her housewas thronged, Lord Walton proceeded to inquire how all the events ofthe day had come about, and especially how it had happened that aparty of five or six persons, quietly crossing the country, werecharged by a body of the parliamentary horse.
"This is worse than civil war," he exclaimed; "and if such a state ofthings is to be established, we shall have nothing but anarchy fromone end of the country to the other. Had you been an armed party,bearing the royal colours, with drum or trumpet, it might have beenexcusable, considering these lamentable dissensions; but to attack youthus, without cause and without warrant, was the act of a meremarauder. This Captain Batten, whom you have killed, I find, has metwith too honourable a fate. He deserved to die by the hands of thehangman and not by those of a gentleman."
"Yes, my lord," replied Barecolt, with an air of calm grandeur; "I puthim to death, amongst others, and we had no time to consider what sortof fate was meet for them. However, I must do the men justice, and saythat I suspect they did not act without a motive, or perhaps withoutmany. In the first place, I believe that I was the unhappy object oftheir enmity. I had been recognised at the first inn where we stoppedby the cornet of this Captain Batten's troop; and though we werespeedily joined by the noble earl and a certain Colonel Warren, thelatter of whom vowed manfully that I was not the Captain Barecolt ofwhose little exploits they had heard so much, but one Captain Jersval,an officer employed by Sir John Hotham on the fortifications ofHull--I never heard a man lie so neatly in my life, and he deservesgreat credit for the same: although, I say, this Colonel Warrendelivered me from the first danger, and carried Cornet Stumpboroughback with him to Hull, yet I saw clearly that the worthy Roundhead wasnot convinced, and afterwards, as we were riding along, I caught aglimpse of a man, very like a trumpeter, going at full speed on ourleft."
"But what would that imply?" demanded Lord Walton.
"Simply, that Cornet Stumpborough had sent off a messenger to tell hiscommander, Captain Batten, who knew me well from having seen me withyour lordship on the march from Bishop's Merton, that he would catchme on the road if he looked out sharply. In this opinion I amconfirmed from having heard in the kitchen of an inn where westopped to feed the horses, that this same trumpeter had been seenhalf-an-hour before galloping round on the outside of the village, andtaking his way in the direction of Captain Batten's party. This mightbe one plea for attacking us; and another might be, that we werecertainly riding as fast as we could go. Now every beast, my lord, hasan inclination to run after another beast which it sees run away. Thenagain, when they had nearly come up with us, they commanded us tohalt, an order which we disobeyed to the best of our ability. Thenatural consequence was, they charged us immediately, and brought usfighting along the road for half-a-mile. Nevertheless, I am very muchafraid that your lordship's humble servant was the great object of theattack."
"However that might be," replied Lord Walton, "my friend the Earl ofBeverley has informed me of the gallant service you rendered on thisoccasion; and you may depend upon it, Captain Barecolt, that hismajesty will have a full report thereof."
"A trifle, my lord, a mere trifle;" replied the worthy captain, withan indifferent air: "these are things that happen every day, and arehardly worthy of notice. If I have an opportunity afforded to me,indeed, of performing the same deeds that I achieved at Rochelle andin the Cevennes, then there will be something to talk of. The onlything, at present, for which I shall claim any credit," he continued,turning towards Arrah Neil, "is for the skill and dexterity which Idisplayed in setting free this young lady, and enabling her to acquirecertain information regarding her birth, parentage, and education, asthe broadsheet has it, which may be of vast importance to her."
"Indeed, sir, you have been most kind, zealous, and resolute in mybehalf," replied Arrah Neil; "and though, perhaps, I may never havethe means of showing you how grateful I am except in words, yet Ishall be ever grateful, and there is One who rewards good deeds, evenwhen those for whom they are done have no power to offer arecompense."
"Whatever he has done for you, my poor Arrah," said Lord Walton,"shall not go without reward, if I can give it. But what is thisCaptain Barecolt says about your birth and parentage? He rouses mycuriosity."
"I will tell you all, my lord, when I can tell you alone," repliedArrah. "I mean all that I have heard, for I have no proof of thefacts."
"But I have some proof," said Captain Barecolt, "for I have a copy ofthe paper I found amongst the old knave's goods--one Mr. Dry, ofLongsoaken, whom your lordship may remember. He did not carry offMistress Arrah without a motive, and the paper shows clearly that sheis not what she seems to be; that she is of high race, and if I judgeright, of large property."
Lord Walton paused and mused; but his sister threw her arm round ArrahNeil, exclaiming, "Oh, dear child! I do rejoice at this indeed."
"And so do I," said Arrah Neil with a sigh; "but as I was enjoinedstrictly not to mention any of the facts but to you, Annie, or to yourbrother--the person who told me said, on many accounts--I hope CaptainBarecolt, who has been so kind in all this business, will not mentionwhat he believes to be the truth till he have his lordship's leave todo so."
Captain Barecolt laid his hand upon his heart and made her a low bow;but Lord Walton shook his head with a half-reproachful smile, saying,"When you were a poor unfriended girl, Arrah, you used to call meCharles Walton, and, now you are to become a great lady it seems, yougive me no other name but 'my lord.'"
The blood spread warm over Arrah Neil's fair cheek and brow. "Oh! no,no!" she exclaimed: "I know not why I did it; but I will call you sono more. You will be always Charles Walton to me, the noble, the goodand true, who fondled me as a child, and protected me in my youth, didnot despise me in my poverty, and cheered and consoled me in mydistress."
Her face was all glowing, her eyes were ful
l of tears, when LadyMargaret returned; but for a moment or two Lord Walton did not speak.The look, the manner of Arrah Neil produced emotions in his mind thathe did not rightly understand, or rather roused into activity feelingsthat he did not know were there. On Lady Margaret Langley, too, thepoor girl's appearance at that moment seemed to produce a strangeeffect. She stopped suddenly as she was crossing the room, gazedintently upon her; and then, as the stag-hound rose and walked slowlyup to her, she stopped and patted his head, saying, "Ah, Basto wemight well be both mistaken. Come," she continued, turning to hernephew, "supper is ready in the hall; and in the good old fashion ofother days we will all take our meal together, and then to rest. Foryou, my sweet child, whose name I do not yet know----"
"They call me Arrah Neil," replied the girl to whom she addressedherself.
"Well, then, Arrah, I have ordered a chamber for you near my own."
"Nay," said Annie Walton, "Arrah shall share mine; it is not the firsttime she has done so."
"That is better, perhaps," answered Lady Margaret; "you will doubtlesshave much to speak of, but I must have my share of her, Annie; forwhen I look at those eyes, it seems as if twenty sad years wereblotted out, and I were in bright days again. But come; the people arewaiting for us in the hall, with furious appetites, if I may judgefrom what I saw of them as I passed through."
Thus saying, she led the way; and in a few moments they were allseated at a long table, the followers of Lord Walton and the men whohad accompanied the Earl of Beverley being ranged on either side belowthe more dignified part of the company.
It was altogether a somewhat curious and interesting scene, as theysupped in the old oak-lined hall, with the light flashing upon twelvesuits of armour placed between the panels, and showing, seated round,a body of men, scarcely one of whom was without some wound recentlyreceived. One had his hand bound up in a napkin, another his arm in asling, a third had his coat thrown back from his shoulder, havingreceived a pistol-shot in the fleshy part of his breast; another had adeep gash upon his cheek, not very neatly plastered up by the hands ofsome of Lady Margaret's servants; while Captain Barecolt appeared atthe head of the file with a large black patch across his nose.
Not much conversation took place during the first part of the meal,for Lord Walton was grave and thoughtful; and every one at his end ofthe table, except Captain Barecolt, was too much occupied with busymemories of the past, or deep interest in the present, to be veryloquacious.
The persons at the lower part of the board were restrained by respectfor those above them from talking in aught but whispers; and CaptainBarecolt himself; with that provident disposition which has beenremarked in him, always thought it best to secure his full share ofthe good things of this life while they were going, and to keep hiseloquence in reserve for a season of leisure.
The lady of the house, with her two fair guests, rose as soon as theactual meal was over and quitted the hall; and all the inferiorpersons also retired, with the exception indeed of Captain Barecolt,if he can be included in that class. He, however, though Lord Waltonhad also risen, remained seated, eyeing a half-empty tankard whichstood at his right hand, with an evident dislike to abandon itssociety while anything remained within its shining sides. Knowing wellthe habits of this peculiar species of Cavalier, Lord Walton pointedto the tankard, saying, "Go on, captain, you will soon finish it, andthen I must see the earl and go to rest, for I depart early to-morrow.But, in the mean while, I would fain hear more particularly how youmet with our fair Mistress Arrah, and, indeed, how you and LordBeverley happen to be here at all, for I cannot imagine that you canhave fulfilled the mission with which you were charged.
"Faith, my lord," replied the worthy captain, after a deep draught,"our mission was cut wondrous short, as your lordship shall hear," andhe proceeded to give his noble companion a full account of all thathad occurred, from Lord Beverley's departure from the court till theyfound themselves prisoners at Hull.
Lord Walton listened, without making the slightest comment, to thetale with which the reader is already acquainted; but he could notrefrain from a smile as Barecolt went on to detail all his proceedingswith regard to Sir John Hotham; and as the narrator clearly saw heamused his listener, he dwelt perhaps longer than necessary upon allthe particulars. At length, however, growing somewhat impatient forfacts, the young nobleman again pointed to the tankard, saying,"Drink, captain, and let me hear of your meeting with my sister'syoung friend. I see how you obtained your own freedom--what more?"
"Why, you see, my lord," replied Barecolt, "as I hinted to yourlordship just before I left the good town of Nottingham, I hadobtained a little information, which showed me that Master Dry, ofLongsoaken, had taken pretty Mistress Arrah to Hull, and I had laid alittle scheme for setting her free, thinking that I should therebypleasure your lordship."
"Undoubtedly!" replied Lord Walton, gravely, "nothing could give megreater pleasure than to have this young lady freed from the hands ofone who combines the characters of hypocrite, cheat, and ruffian inhis own person."
"Well, my lord, such being the case," continued Barecolt, "and findingmyself suddenly in Hull, I determined to seek even if I did not find;and as the man who was sent with me, partly as my guide, partly as aspy, was walking with me through the town to seek for an inn at whichto lodge, I determined, if possible, to ascertain if Dry was in any ofthem, and to take up my quarters in the same. He recommended the'Lion' and the 'Rose,' and half-a-dozen places; but I thought tomyself; 'Dry will not put up at a first-rate victualler's;' and Iaccordingly fixed upon one which I judged to be the sort of house atwhich he would stop. In I accordingly went; and while taking a glassof wine in the bar, who should appear, followed close by the watch,but the worshipful Mr. Dry, of Longsoaken, beastly drunk! He wasspeedily carried to his bed, and from that moment I determined toremain at the 'Swan,' and make use of my advantages. I found thelandlady an excellent good woman, and speedily opened a communicationwith her upon the subject of the young lady. She was a little shy atfirst, indeed, but I soon brought matters round by telling her that Ihad been sent especially to Hull by your lordship to set MistressArrah free.
"That was wrong," said Lord Walton, somewhat sternly: "however, nomatter, as it did no harm. What did you discover there?"
"Why, I found out," continued Captain Barecolt, "that the very inn atwhich we were was that where the poor young lady had been brought whenfirst she came to England; that her mother was a very beautiful ladyat that time, much like herself; but taller; that she died in thathouse of a terrible fever that was then raging; that Mistress Arrahherself had well-nigh died of it; and that an old man, whom theycalled Sergeant Neil, was then in attendance upon the two ladies, as asort of servant, though he afterwards passed as her grandfather, theysay."
"He did, he did," answered Lord Walton, musing. "This is a strangestory, Captain Barecolt; let me hear more."
"Why, I suspect the young lady knows more than I do, my lord," repliedBarecolt, "and the tankard is empty."
"There is more here," answered Lord Walton, pushing over anotherflagon from the opposite side of the board: "what more did you hear?"
"Why, I instantly went and saw Mistress Arrah herself," continuedBarecolt, after having assuaged his thirst, "and found that old Dryhad swept Sergeant Neil's house of all his papers at his death,especially some that the old man had told the young lady where tofind; and that he now dragged her about with him, treating hersometimes well, sometimes ill, as he was in the humour, pretending tobe her guardian, and asking for a Mister O'Donnell, who lives inHull. From all this, I divined that the old hypocrite had got betterinformation out of the old sergeant's papers than we had, and that heintended to marry the young lady, or perhaps gain possession of herproperty."
"Marry her!" exclaimed Lord Walton, with a scornful smile curling hislip.
"Well, my lord, I do not know," answered Barecolt; "but, as she is sovery beautiful, even such a stockfish as that might think it nounpleasant way of getting hold of her fortune, to
make her his wife.But, as I was saying, having taken this fancy, I determined to seewhat papers the old man had with him, and consequently I walkedstraight into his room, where he lay like a drunken sow, snoring inhis bed; and I rummaged his bags till I found all the papers he hadwith him. I found only one that referred to this business, however,and it was but a string of questions to be asked of this MisterO'Donnell. However, they proved clearly that what the good landlady ofthe 'Swan' had told was quite true, as your lordship shall seepresently."
The worthy captain then went on to tell all that had taken placesubsequently, mingling what portion of falsehood with his truth hemight think proper, and taking especial care to make whateveradvantage fell in his way by accident appear to have been obtained byhis own skill and calculation. Lord Walton was not deceived by hisrepresentations; nor can he be said to have been aware of hismisrepresentations. He took in the general facts, casting away, as isusually the case with men of high mind, the minor circumstances. Thushe was aware that Captain Barecolt had greatly served one in whom hetook a deep interest; but the small particulars of that personage'sskill and judgment in effecting the object, he cared very littleabout, and gave no attention to them whatever, hearing the detailsindeed, but without pausing upon them for consideration, and waitingfor the principal results.
"We must find means," he said at length, "of having furtherinformation from this Master O'Donnell. He is evidently aware of allthe facts."
"Ay, and he has made the lady aware of them too, my lord," rejoinedBarecolt, emptying the second tankard, "or at least some of them; forwhen I came up after having lingered behind at the gates for a shorttime, in order to give the enemies the change, I found him in closeconference with her, and the last words he spoke were to bid her tellno one but yourself or your sister."
"So she said, I recollect," replied Lord Walton; "I will hear morefrom her, and perhaps, Captain Barecolt, if you be not otherwiseengaged in the king's service, I may ask you to have the goodness toemploy yourself farther in this affair."
"That I will do most gladly, my lord," replied Barecolt. "I rememberwell, when in the year thirty-five I was requested by----"
"Oh, I neither doubt your capacity nor your zeal, my good sir,"answered the young nobleman, interrupting the anecdote, "and thereward shall be equal to the service performed. I will now, however,go and converse with my friend, Lord Beverley, for a short time;to-morrow I will talk over the matter with Mistress Arrah Neil; and,as I suppose you will think it fit to hasten over to give an accountto his majesty of what has taken place, we by the way can speak ofwhat is further to be done. In the mean time, let me see the paper youmentioned; I should like to think over the contents during the night."
Barecolt put his hand in his pocket, but the moment after he gave asudden start, and then looked round the table from place to place, asif he were trying to recollect who had sat in each particular seat.Then turning to Lord Walton, with a look of horror and consternation,he exclaimed--"Diggory Falgate! where is poor, jolly Diggory Falgate?"
"I do not know whom you speak of," replied Lord Walton; "what has heto do with this affair?"
"The paper is in his bundle," cried Barecolt, with increasing dismay;"and we have left the poor devil outside in the hands of thoserascally Roundheads, whom he hates as a cat hates salt."
"But who is he?" demanded Lord Walton; "this is the first time youhave mentioned his name."
As Captain Barecolt was about to give a true and particular account ofDiggory Falgate, however, William, Lady Margaret's servant, enteredthe hall, and addressing the young nobleman, informed him that theEarl of Beverley would be glad to speak with him as soon as he haddone supper.
"I will come to him directly," replied Charles Walton, taking a stepor two towards the door; and then pausing, he turned again toBarecolt, saying, "As to this friend of yours, I think you had bettertake any of the people who may be still up, and seek for him withtorches as far as the fight continued. The road must be clear by thistime, for the adversary suffered much, and would not like theneighbourhood; but you had better have five or six men with you, andfire-arms. A watch shall be kept in case you need help, and I shallnot be in bed for an hour or two. The poor fellow may be lyingwounded."
"Oh, I need little help in such cases, my lord," replied Barecolt;"but, as we may have to carry him hither if he be wounded, I will takesome men with me and go directly."
While our worthy captain proceeded to execute this resolution, LordWalton walked on towards the chamber which had been assigned to hiswounded friend; but as he passed through the room in which LadyMargaret usually sat, he turned thither for a moment to see whetherhis sister and fair Arrah Neil had yet retired to rest. He found hisaunt alone, however; and in answer to his inquiries she replied, "Ihave sent them both to bed, Charles. Poor things! they have had muchfatigue of body and more of mind. I never leave my book till thehouse-clock strikes one; but that was no reason why I should keep themwaking."
"Well, dear Aunt Margaret, I am going to see Francis Beverley, andwill return to you ere you retire to rest," said Charles Walton; andproceeding on his way, he found with some difficulty his friend'sroom, and went in.
"Charles," said the earl, who was lying with a lamp on the tablebeside him, and several papers in his hand, which he seemed to havebeen reading attentively, "I feel that I cannot ride to-morrow, andthe time it would take to send a litter hither from York is toovaluable to be lost. You must take the first tidings to the king, andI will follow as soon as some conveyance arrives. I will relate to youall that has happened since we parted, but tell his majesty, I beg,that it was no weak idleness which prevented me from hurrying on togive him all the information I possess."
"He knows you too well to imagine such a thing," replied Lord Walton;"but I can shorten your narrative till your arrival at Hull. All yourfirst adventures I have heard from Captain Barecolt."
"And a glorious tale he has made of it, doubtless," said the earl:"however, all that is of little importance in comparison with thatwhich is to follow." He then went on to give an account of his variousinterviews with Sir John Hotham, of which, as the reader is alreadyacquainted with the particulars, I will give no detail. The result,however, is still to be told, and it was stated by Lord Beverley infew words.
"At length," he said, "I found that the good governor was so tired ofhis position, so deeply offended with the conduct of the parliament,so desirous of returning to his duty, and so willing to risk all buthis head to restore Hull to the king, that it wanted but some excuseto save his honour to induce him to do all that we can desire. It wasfinally agreed between us, then, that if the king would advanceagainst the city and fire but a shot at it, Sir John would capitulate,and deliver that important place into his majesty's hands. There aremany minor particulars to be told; but this principal fact should becommunicated to the king without the loss of a day, as it may decidehis future movements."
"Without the loss of an hour," replied Lord Walton; "for when I lefthis majesty, he told me that I had barely time to reach this place andreturn before the army would be in motion. This is an important affairindeed; for the example set by Hull would bring over a dozen othertowns; and, even if it did not, the possession of a port in the northis worth any jewel in his crown. I would set off this very moment, butthat both men and horses are so much fatigued that we should lose moretime by going than by staying for a few hours' repose. To-morrowmorning, however, at daybreak, I will set out. I shall not beable to see my sister, indeed; but it is perhaps as well to avoidleave-taking, and you must console her, Francis. Had you not betterwrite to the king?"
"No," answered the earl, "I think not. I have been considering thatquestion while you were away; but, looking to the danger of the roadsand the risk of your being intercepted, as well as the peril to SirJohn Hotham, if such should be the case it will be more prudent tobear nothing but the tidings by word of mouth."
"I believe you are right," replied Lord Walton "and such being thecase, Beverley, I will at once go
and prepare for the journey. Havingall the facts, I need not disturb you to-morrow morning before I go."
"Perhaps I had better see you," answered the earl, "for somethingmight strike me in the night which I might wish to say."
"Well, then, I will come in," rejoined Lord Walton; "and now, goodnight. Sleep if you can, Francis, and let not all the thoughts of thisaffair disturb your repose."
"I want that quality of a great man, Charles," answered the earl witha smile. "I cannot cast off the thought of things that have occupiedme, the moment that action has ceased. A quick imagination is a curseas well as a blessing. In bright days it is a happiness indeed, but inthose of shadow and darkness it but tends to increase the gloom. Goodnight, good night!"
Lord Walton shook his hand and retired, and then, rejoining LadyMargaret, announced to her his intention of setting off at daybreakthe next morning. We will not pause upon all the little particulars oftheir conversation--the discussion which took place as to whether itwould be better and kinder for the young nobleman to take leave of hissister or not, or the after arrangements that he made for leaving fourof his men behind him to give aid and protection to Lady Margaret andher household, several of her own servants being absent at the time.Before he retired to rest, he wrote a short note to his sister, andanother to Arrah Neil, begging her to write the statement which thehurry of his departure prevented him from hearing in person; and then,giving orders for his horses to be saddled by daybreak, he onlyfurther paused to inquire whether poor Falgate had been found.Barecolt and his companions, however, had not yet returned; but, whileCharles Walton was undressing, the gallant captain made his appearancein the room, and with a woeful face informed him that no trace of themerry painter could be discovered.
"Then he has certainly been taken prisoner," replied Lord Walton, "andwe cannot help him. We have more important business in hand, CaptainBarecolt, now: by what Lord Beverley tells me, I am induced to returnto the king with all speed. I think you had better accompany me, andif so, remember I shall be in the saddle by daybreak."
"I am with you, my lord," replied Barecolt; "and as human beings mustsleep, I will even go to bed for the present."
"Do so," replied Lord Walton; "I shall follow the same course."
But before he put his resolution into effect, after Captain Barecoltleft him, the young nobleman fell into a fit of deep thought, fromwhich he did not rouse himself for nearly an hour. When he did risefrom his seat, however, he said to himself in a low, sad voice, "'Tisas well I am going."
Annie Walton slept well, but Arrah Neil was restless and agitated, andafter a few hours of disturbed slumber she awoke, and saw the blue,faint light of the first dawn through the curtains of the room. Sheturned to gaze upon her fair companion, and remarked with a smile thetranquil repose she was enjoying. "Sleep, sleep, sweet lady!" shemurmured; "and, oh! may no heartache ever keep your eyes from rest!"
The moment after, she heard the sound of arms and of horses' feet, andrising quietly she approached the window and looked out. The oppositeroom, which, as we have described it, was destined for a sitting-room,commanded the view at the back of Langley Hall, but the bed-room wasturned towards the court and the drawbridge; and as poor Arrah Neilgazed forth from the window, she saw a party of five horsemen mounted,and Lord Walton putting his foot in the stirrup. The next moment hewas in the saddle; and after speaking a few words to his aunt'sservant William, who was standing beside his horse, he rode over thedrawbridge and at a quick pace pursue the way to York.
"He is gone without my seeing him," murmured Arrah Neil to herself;and then, creeping quietly to bed again, she turned her face to thepillow and deluged it with tears.
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