But as the old trooper hesitated to obey the king’s command, and was on the point of remonstrating with his Majesty on the apparent imprudence of the step, Dulcia, who had already risen, sprang towards the prisoner, and with her own hands undid his bonds.
“We are now quits, Captain Stelfax,” she said.
“I owe my life to you, maiden,” replied the other, in a voice of deep emotion. “Would it could be devoted to your service!—but I know this cannot be. May you be happy!”
Dulcia did not trust herself to reply, but went hastily back to Clavering, who had looked on in speechless astonishment.
“Take Captain Stelfax below,” said Colonel Maunsel to John Habergeon, “and see that he wants nothing. Circumstances, as you will readily apprehend, sir,” he added to the Ironside leader, “will not permit me to requite your former civility to myself by allowing you to depart as a prisoner on parole, but your comforts shall be attended to.”
“I cannot expect better treatment,” replied Stelfax. “The best wish I can offer to your Majesty is that you may soon see the other side of the Channel.”
With an obeisance to the king he then retired, John Habergeon and Ninian marching on either side of him.
“There is some good about that rough Republican,” observed the king, when he was gone.
“Your Majesty seems to think so,” observed Lord Wilmot. “After your magnanimous treatment of him, I do not wonder he war converted, and only marvel he did not, swear fidelity on the spot.”
“Oddsfish! my lord, you overrate my conduct. I had taken the sting from the hornet, why crush the creature? Besides, I owed the fellow something, for he might have dispatched me when I was alone with him in yon hiding-place. But the matter is well over, and without harm to any one except that miserable Independent minister, who seems to have deserved his fate.”
“I fear he did, sire,” replied Colonel Maunsel. “And since all has ended so fortunately, I will pray your Majesty to adjourn to the banqueting-room, where a trifling collation awaits you. As things have turned out, it is lucky that the chief part of the dishes composing the repast are cold, otherwise the cook’s labour might have been thrown away.”
“To the banqueting-chamber, then, at once,” exclaimed the king, gaily. “‘Fore George! colonel, I promise to do justice to your feast, whether the meats be hot or cold. My confinement in yon lurking-hole has given me a wondrous appetite. Your hand, fair mistress.”
Blushing with pleasure at the honour conferred upon her, Dulcia gave her hand to his Majesty, who led her down the grand staircase, and through the entrance-hall into the dining-room, where the tables were groaning beneath the weight of a sumptuous repast.
All the guests had very speedily assembled, and a place was assigned to each by Colonel Maunsel—Charles, however, insisting upon Dulcia sitting near him, though he good-naturedly intimated to Clavering that he might occupy the chair on the damsel’s other side. The repast was abundant and excellent, and the best wines in the colonel’s cellar, as might naturally be expected, were produced on the occasion, old Martin Geere taking care that the glasses were kept constantly filled. The party were still seated at table, though the appetites of most of the guests were satisfied, when Colonel Gunter, and his kinsman, Captain Gunter, were announced, and the two gentlemen entered the room. They had just arrived from Shoreham, and brought the welcome intelligence that Captain Tattersall had got in his cargo, and was quite ready to sail the next morning before daybreak.
“The rascal, however, still sticks to his terms,” said Colonel Gunter, “and insists upon seeing his passengers before he will agree to take them. But it is only a whim, I am certain. There will be no real difficulty with him.”
“But why did you not bring him here?” cried the king.
“For the best of all reasons, my liege,” replied Gunter; “because he would not come. But he has appointed to meet you this evening at the George at Brightelmstone; and though I am very reluctant to disturb your enjoyment, and withdraw you from further participation of Colonel Maunsel’s hospitality, yet I think it will be best and wisest to repair to Brightelmstone without delay.”