“The servants will have it the king is here,” rejoined Patty; “but they’ve said the same thing so often before that I don’t exactly believe them.”
“What sort of person is the king, child?” said Charles. “Should you know him if you beheld him?”
“Know him!” exclaimed Patty. “To be sure! the very instant I clapped eyes upon him.”
“But what is he like? Remarkably handsome, eh?”
“Handsome! quite the contrary! He’s remarkably plain — harsh features, and very dark. Mercy on us! if it should—”
“Why, what’s the matter, child?”
“If it should be the king whom I’ve been talking to all the time!” she exclaimed, trembling.
“If it were the king, I’ll answer for it he would be the last person to be offended with so pretty a lass as thyself,” said Charles, reassuring her with another kiss. “But hie thee downstairs, and thou mayst possibly find out some one who will better answer to thy notions of what a monarch ought to be than myself.”
Patty then curtseyed and moved towards the door, but she could not help casting another look at the king ere she quitted the room, exclaiming,
“Oh, if it should be his Majesty, I shall never get over it!”
Much diverted by the incident, Charles went into the inner room, and before proceeding to disrobe himself, placed his rapier and the brace of pocket- pistols, which he usually carried with him, on a table set near the arras curtain hung between the two rooms. His ablutions performed, he next exchanged his travel- soiled undergarments for the fair linen provided by Patty, humming the while some snatches of a then popular French romance.
“Egad!” he exclaimed, taking up the doublet he had just laid aside, this is a very comfortable old house, and I should have been quite as well lodged here as at Trent — and well cared for, moreover, by the pretty little Phillis who has just left me. For many reasons I am glad I am here, though Wilmot would fain have dissuaded me from doing soon the score of danger! Pshaw! no danger is to be apprehended — at all events, not to-day — and to-morrow his enemies will look in vain for Charles Stuart. Hang these Puritanical garments,” he added, throwing down the jerkin in disgust, “I abominate them. Let us see what this wardrobe contains. A doublet of Clavering’s might suit me.” With this he opened the door of the wardrobe, and taking out a handsome suit of black taffeta, exclaimed, “Oddsfish! these are the very things.”
With this, he proceeded to array himself in the, new-found apparel, which fitted him to admiration, and was adjusting his laced band before a mirror set in a frame of black oak, when the arras curtain was suddenly drawn aside, and two men, whose appearance and looks left him no doubt of their intentions, stepped from behind it.
CHAPTER IX.
How The King Was Shut Up In The Hiding-Place
IT is scarcely necessary to say that the menacing intruders who surprised Charles at his toilette were Stelfax and Micklegift. The Ironside leader’s first act was to possess himself of the pistols and rapier, which the king had incautiously laid upon the table, and deliver them to his companion.
“Ha! betrayed!” exclaimed Charles, springing towards the table in search of his arms, and perceiving to his dismay that they were gone.
Even in this extremity he did not lose his self-possession, but eyed his foes resolutely and even haughtily.
“What makes you here?” he sternly demanded.
“I am here to arrest thee, Charles Stuart, in the name of the Parliament of England, and by order of his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell. Surrender thyself my prisoner — rescue or no rescue — or I will shoot thee through the head.”
“Beware ere thou liftest thine hand against the Lord’s anointed!” exclaimed Charles, with a look and gesture so full of majesty that it inspired awe in both his hearers, and the Ironside captain involuntarily lowered the pistol which he had levelled at the king.
Charles instantly perceived the slight advantage he had gained, and sought to profit by it. If he could only gain time, he thought, assistance might arrive. He glanced around to see if there was a hand-bell within reach, a whistle, or any other means of giving the alarm. But nothing presented itself.
“For the second time, I ask thee, Charles Stuart,” said Stelfax, “dost thou yield thyself a prisoner, or wilt thou compel me to lay violent hands upon thy person?”
“Off, villains!” exclaimed the king, retreating a few paces. “Touch me at your peril. I will resist to the death.”
“Be ruled by my counsel, O insensate young man!” exclaimed Micklegift. “Resistance is useless, and will bring instant destruction upon thee. Yield thee to what cannot be averted, and submit patiently to the decrees of Heaven.”
“Heaven hath never decreed that I shall perish by such base hands as those of thy comrade!” cried the king.
“Better for thee thou shouldst die by my hands than by those of the headsman, like thy tyrannous father,” retorted Stelfax. “For the last time, I ask thee, dost thou yield thyself a prisoner?”
Charles seemed to have taken a sudden resolution.
“Since it cannot be helped, I yield,” he said; “but I couple my surrender with no promise. Keep guard over me as best ye may, I will escape if I can.”
Stelfax made no reply, but signed to the monarch to come forth into the outer room. Charles obeyed, and marched towards his captors with great dignity and unshaken firmness, secretly wondering what they meant to do with him. He was not long kept in suspense.
They were now in the centre of the chamber, and Stelfax directed his companion to open the door of the hiding-place. “Thou know’st the secret spring,” he said— “touch it, I prithee. I will not quit the prisoner, even for a moment.”
Micklegift did as he was enjoined, pressed his hand upon the little knob that moved the pillar, and the aperture was disclosed.
“Enter that hiding-place, Charles Stuart,” said Stelfax, sternly, to the king. “It was contrived for thy fugitive followers, and may therefore serve thy turn. ’Tis in vain to dispute my authority. I am thy master now, by right of the sword,” he added, presenting his rapier’s point at the king’s breast, “and will be obeyed. Enter, I command thee!”
Charles had no alternative but compliance. A struggle, under such disadvantageous circumstances, must have cost him his life.
“Plague take ‘em!” he muttered, as he went into the hiding- place. “What the deuce can they all be about downstairs, to allow me to be trapped in this manner? Will no one come to the rescue?”
But as rescue came not, he went in.
Stelfax quickly followed, but, ere he passed quite through the aperture, he called out to Micklegift:
“Hie thee back as quickly as thou canst to Morefruit Stone’s cottage. Dispatch him with all haste to Lewes for my men. Then return to this chamber, and if nought has happened in the interval, tap thrice against these boards. I shall know thy signal, and will come forth. The Lord hath delivered Abijam into my hands at last, and he shall never quit them with life!”
So saying, he closed the door of the hiding place.
Micklegift then passed through a small door in the inner chamber, partially concealed by arras, through which he and Stelfax had obtained admittance. This outlet communicated with a back staircase, which the Independent minister hastily descended. At the foot of the staircase was a postern, which let him out into the garden.
CHAPTER X.
The Puritan’s Daughter
NOT many minutes after the king’s immurement in the hiding-place, Clavering tapped at the chamber door, and receiving no answer, though he repeated the application yet more loudly, ventured to enter the apartment. Pausing for a moment in the outer chamber, and coughing slightly to announce his presence, he went on, and was both surprised and alarmed not to perceive the king. Remarking, however, that his Majesty had changed his attire, and that the small door communicating with the back staircase was left partly open, he concluded Charles must have discovered that means of exit,
and had probably found his way to the garden. Notwithstanding this conviction, however, he could not shake off a strong feeling of uneasiness, and resolving to satisfy himself without delay, quickly descended the winding staircase and reached the postern at its foot, which he found unlocked. The latter circumstance convinced him that he was right in his conjecture, and he now felt certain of finding his Majesty in the garden. But though he visited every walk, alley, and labyrinth, he was unsuccessful, and all his alarm returned, and with additional force. One hope alone sustained him. The king — though this appeared highly improbable — might have strayed into the orchard, or the holt beyond it. To the orchard he flew at once, and had scarcely opened the gate leading to it when he encountered old Ticehurst, the gardener, and Nut Springett. In answer to his inquiries, Ticehurst stated that about five minutes ago he had seen a tall, dark man, answering to the description of the person Captain Clavering was inquiring about, issue from the postern, and pass out at the gate in the north wall near Morefruit Stone’s cottage. Still more perplexed, but thinking this must be the king, though he was wholly unable to account for such imprudence on his Majesty’s part, Clavering hurried off in the direction taken by the person whom the gardeners had seen, and passed through the gate referred to by them. Not fifty yards off, and shaded by a fine elm-tree, stood Morefruit Stone’s cottage. Great was his surprise, on entering it, to find Increase Micklegift in the hands of John Habergeon and Ninian Saxby. The only person in the cottage, besides the Independent minister and his captors, was Morefruit Stone’s daughter, Temperance, a comely damsel, to whom Ninian had once paid considerable attention. Instantly divining that treachery had been practised by Micklegift, Clavering drew his sword, and placing its point at the other’s throat, demanded, in a terrible voice,
“What hast thou done with him? Where is he?”
“Harm me, and thou shalt never learn,” replied the Independent minister, composedly.
“Let us take him to the house at once, captain, and examine him there,” said John Habergeon. “He has important revelations to make. I warrant we will find means of making him speak.”
“Try!” rejoined Micklegift, with a look of cold contempt.
“Ay, we will try, and to some purpose, presently, I warrant thee,” rejoined John. “We will question thee with the thumbscrew and the scourge, after Captain Stelfax’s fashion.”
“How came you to find the villain here?” inquired Clavering.
“We received our information from pretty Temperance Stone,” said Ninian, with a grateful look at the damsel in question; “and I shall not soon forget the service she has done us.”
“Woe to her! for she hath betrayed her father and her father’s friend,” said Micklegift, sternly. “Her love for this vain youth shall never prosper.”
“That is more than you can answer for, rascal,” replied Ninian.
“Where is her father?” demanded Clavering.
“He hath escaped from the hands of these Philistines,” said Micklegift, with a look of triumph, “and will yet bring the enemy upon you.”
“Be not alarmed, sir,” replied John Habergeon. “He hath started for Lewes, but he cannot have gone far. Eustace Saxby is upon his track. Besides, there are others on the look-out, whose vigilance he will find it difficult to elude.”
“I have not told all I know,” said Temperance; “but since I am provoked, I will withhold nothing.” And she then proceeded to relate to Clavering that Micklegift and Stelfax were concealed in her father’s cottage as he had passed on his way with the other gentlemen to the house. That one of the party had been recognized by the two men, who declared it was the Young Man. That Stelfax then declared that at all hazards he would obtain admission to the house and accomplish his arrest, and Micklegift agreed to accompany him, telling him he knew a way by which they could obtain secret admission to the colonel’s sleeping chamber.
“The colonel’s sleeping chamber, damsel — art sure he mentioned that room?” demanded John Habergeon. “If so, they must have gained admission by the postern opening from the back stairs into the garden.”
“They did so,” replied Clavering. “But how came the door open?”
A scornful smile lighted up Micklegift’s sallow features.
“He hath a master-key, no doubt,” replied Temperance, “for he unlocked the garden-gate, and they went in together. Feeling sure some great mischief was afoot, I made an excuse to quit the cottage, and hastened in search of Ninian, whom I found with his father and John Habergeon, and told him what had happened, and they all three came back with me.”
“We saw Micklegift from a distance enter the cottage,” said Ninian, “and pounced upon him before he was aware. And here we have him safe enough, as you see, to answer for his offences.”
“But where is Stelfax?” exclaimed Clavering. “Where is—”
“The Young Man Charles Stuart thou wouldst say,” supplied Micklegift. “Neither of them wilt thou find till it be too late.”
“Villain, I will force thee to disclose where the king is!” cried Clavering, with a look of distraction— “I will tear the secret from thy breast.”
“Hold, your honour!” exclaimed John. “I think I have discovered it. Where was the king last seen?”
“I left him alone to attire himself in my father’s sleeping chamber,” replied Clavering.
“Then, depend upon it he is shut up in the hiding-place, and Stelfax is there with him,” cried John.
“A shrewd guess!” exclaimed Clavering. “I can see from this rascal’s looks that thou art in the right. Bring him along! We must not lose a moment in setting our royal master free.”
“Hold yet a moment, and listen to me,” said Micklegift. “I will not deny that you have hit upon the truth, for it is vain to attempt further concealment. But ye cannot liberate Charles Stuart without my aid. Stelfax will slay his prisoner rather than yield him to you. Such I know to be his purpose, and ye are acquainted with his determined character. Promise to do me no injury, and I will avert this direful catastrophe, which will otherwise inevitably ensue.”
Clavering reflected for a moment, and then replied, “I give thee the promise thou requirest. Bring him along.”
“Nay, there will be no need to use force,” said Micklegift. “I will go peaceably enough.”
“You must come with us too, fair mistress,” said Ninian to Temperance. “We cannot leave you behind.”
“I have no desire to be left,” replied the blushing maiden, displaying great readiness to accompany him.
The whole party then quitted the cottage. Micklegift marched between John and Ninian, who, notwithstanding their captive’s promise to go quietly, thought it right to keep firm hold of him. In this manner they crossed the garden and proceeded to the little postern.
CHAPTER XI.
In Which The Tables Are Turned Upon Stelfax
A PRISONER in a narrow cell, with an inexorable gaoler close beside him, and ready to slay him if he attempted escape, Charles did not lose his confidence. Deliverance he felt sure would come. His absence must be ere long discovered by the inmates of the house, and then search would be made for him, and it was scarcely probable that this hiding-place, of which he himself had heard Clavering speak, would remain unvisited. Still, great risk might be incurred at the moment when his liberation should be attempted, and he tried to consider what ought to be done at that hazardous conjuncture. Leaning against the wall of the cell, he assumed a perfectly indifferent air, and began to hum snatches of French ditties, as he had previously done while making his toilette. This show of gaiety and unconcern was so annoying to Stelfax, that he at last sternly rebuked him for his unseemly levity.
“Would you prefer that I should join you in a hymn, captain?” said Charles. “Lead on, and I will accompany you.”
“Trouble me not, thou vain young man, but keep silence,” rejoined Stelfax, sternly.
The careless monarch was not, however, to be checked, but went on humming his songs in
spite of his moody gaoler. In this manner nearly half an hour passed away. Charles then began to find the confinement irksome, and asked, with some impatience, how long he was to be kept there? Stelfax made no reply, but the next moment the attention of both was caught by a slight sound — a tap against the piece of wood screening the entrance to the recess. Charles started, but controlled himself by a great effort. Was relief come? Or was it the aid expected by Stelfax?
The Ironside captain likewise listened attentively, and not without anxiety. The tap was repeated; and again, after a pause, for the third time. There could be no doubt now. It was Micklegift.
Sternly enjoining the king to follow him, Stelfax moved forward.
At this moment the secret spring was touched, the door of the recess flew open, and the voice of the Independent minister was heard to call out, “It is I, Increase Micklegift. Come forth without fear.”
Addressing another stern injunction to the king to follow him, Stelfax drew a pistol from his belt, and grasping his bared sword in his left hand, to be ready for instant service if required, stepped out into the room.
Micklegift was standing in the middle of the chamber, almost opposite the fireplace, and, on seeing Stelfax, signed to him to follow him to the inner room, moving quickly in that direction himself.
“Stay!” vociferated Stelfax, angrily. “Whither goest thou? I may need thy aid with the prisoner.”
Glancing backwards as he spoke, to ascertain whether Charles was following, he caught sight of two men lurking within the angle of the chimney-piece, ready to spring upon him.
“Ah! treacherous dog, thou hast played me false!” he vociferated. “But thou shalt not escape punishment!” With which words he fired his pistol at the Independent minister, and with fatal effect. Micklegift uttered a cry, staggered, and fell backwards. “Neither shalt thou escape!” he continued, turning to attack the king, who at this moment appeared at the entrance of the recess; but ere he could execute his purpose, or indeed turn completely round, John Habergeon had thrown himself upon him, and, aided by Ninian, succeeded in disarming him.
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 584
