“A word in your ear, Patty,” the young falconer said, drawing closer to her. “Is anybody hidden in the house?—you under-stand, eh?”
Patty did not trust herself to answer otherwise than by an affirmative nod.
“Young master?” Ninian whispered.
Another nod.
“Your’re quite sure of it?”
Two more nods.
“I thought as much,” Ninian muttered. “Then it behoves us all to be upon the watch—it does, fegs!”
“It behoves you to keep a close tongue in your head, sir, and not to blab a secret of such importance to any of the numerous maidens to whom you pay court. However, I do want you to keep watch over some one in particular.”
“Name him, and it shall be done—it shall, fegs!”
“It is Increase Micklegift. May I trust you, Ninian? Well, then, my young lady met him this morning in the churchyard.”
“Met Increase Micklegift! whew! What sort of ‘lure’ did he use, Patty?—the whistle, or the bells, eh?”
“She was seared by him, rather than lured, poor gentle dove!” the handmaiden rejoined.
“Say the word, Patty, and a bolt from my cross-bow shall visit the canting preacher’s skull—smash it like an addled egg. It shall, fegs!”
“Killing him won’t help Mistress Dulcia. I’ll tell you what to do. But hush! they are coming forth. More another time.”
So saying, she hastily retreated, while Ninian drew back with equal celerity.
A moment or two afterwards, the stately figure of Colonel Maunsel appeared at the doorway. The old Cavalier had offered his hand to Dulcia to lead her forth, and was ceremoniously preceded by Martin Geere, and followed by two other serving-men.
But before accompanying them to their horses, and noting the effect produced by the colonel’s appearance on his attached retainers, let us see what had taken place within the house since we last left it.
II
THE PROCLAMATION
AFTER giving directions to Martin Geere, as before related, Colonel Maunsel, attended by Mr. Beard, sought his son, in order to acquaint him with his meditated ride to Lewes. Clavering’s disappointment will be readily conceived, on hearing that, in consequence of this arrangement, he should be deprived of Dulcia’s society, on which he had fondly calculated. However, he did not venture to remonstrate, but accepted, with the best grace he could, Mr. Beard’s offer to remain with him during the colonel’s compulsory absence.
At this juncture, John Habergeon returned to his post, which he had temporarily quitted, as the reader is aware; and the colonel briefly explained his plans to him. The old trooper made no objection, but informed his master that he had ascertained, beyond a doubt, that Increase Micklegift had discovered that Captain Clavering was concealed in the house. John did not deem it needful to state how he had obtained this information, neither did he declare what he meant to do; but he appeared so sanguine as to his ability to baffle the enemy’s machinations, that he allayed the fears which his intelligence was calculated to excite.
As the principal bedroom in the house, the colonel’s chamber was of considerable size—it was, in fact, a double room, for there was an inner apartment, which did not communicate with the gallery, and the entrance to which could be screened by a thick arras curtain. Wainscoted with lustrous old black oak, and hung with faded tapestry, the larger room had an extremely sombre air. In it were one or two closets, and it was furnished with a large oak armoire, half a dozen high-backed chairs, and a great elbow-chair, always used by the colonel himself, and placed near a massive oak table, on which were writing materials and a few books. In the inner chamber stood the bedstead, a very antique piece of furniture, with lofty tester, carved posts, and heavy hangings.
His conference with John Habergeon finished, the colonel repaired to the inner room. Opposite the bed stood a large oak coffer, banded with iron. Unlocking this chest, after rummaging for a short space amongst its contents, he found the deed he was looking for, secured it about his person, and then summoning John to his aid, proceeded to equip himself for the ride; putting on a dark riding-dress, with boots having immense funnel tops, and large spurs.
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