“Intercede not for me, I entreat you, sir?” cried Dulcia, fearing that he meditated treachery. “If my life is to be sacrificed, I will give it cheerfully.”
“Nay, your life is not endangered, maiden,” said Stelfax; “merely your liberty—for the which, I repeat, you have to thank Colonel Maunsel.”
“I say unto thee again, captain, the damsel’s liberty must not, and shall not be constrained,” said Micklegift.
“Hold thy peace, I say! thou froward fellow,” cried Stelfax. “The damsel herself desires not thy mediation.”
“Indeed I do not,” implored Dulcia. “Beseech you, good sir, let the matter be,” she added to Micklegift.
“Thou hearest what she says,” cried Stelfax. “Trouble me no further.”
“I will not let the matter be,” exclaimed Micklegift. “I tell thee, for the third time, thou shalt not take the damsel. Even if she would go freely with thee, she shall not do it.”
“This passeth all endurance,” roared Stelfax, stamping his foot with rage. “What ho! guard!” he shouted. And half a dozen troopers instantly answering the summons, he continued, “Seize this pestilent fellow who hath dared to wag his evil tongue against me, and disputeth my authority. Thrust a kerchief into his mouth to stop his mischievous clamour. Cast him from the house—and suffer him not, on any pretence, to enter it again.”
The Ironside leader’s injunctions were instantly obeyed. Micklegift’s arms were seized and pinioned behind his back, while a cloth thrust into his mouth prevented his utterance. In this guise, and exposed to further ill-usage as he was forced out of the room and hurried down stairs, he was kicked out of the house, amidst the jeers of the troopers and of such of the household as witnessed his ignominious expulsion.
III
HOW THE CAPTAIN OF THE IRONSIDES TOOK POSSESSION OF THE COLONEL’S CHAMBER
No one among the Royalists, except good Mr. Beard, regretted the summary dismissal of the Independent minister. Dulcia, indeed, regarded his ejection as a most fortunate deliverance, being convinced that he was about to betray Clavering, when his design was frustrated by the Roundhead leader’s unwillingness to listen to him.
Captain Stelfax’s secret object, however, was to get rid of one whom he looked upon as a troublesome rival. Having accomplished his purpose, he withdrew to the further end of the room, where he held a long consultation with Delves. The old Cavalier, who watched them narrowly, was at no loss to understand from the captain’s gestures that he was discussing the possibility of the fugitives still being concealed within the chamber; and it was with no little alarm that at one moment he perceived the glances of both the Ironsides directed towards the mantelpiece. But his alarm was dispelled as quickly as it arose. Stelfax shook his head as if to intimate that no one could have found refuge there.
His conference ended, the captain of the Ironsides marched up to the old Cavalier, and said, “I have resolved upon remaining here till to-morrow, Colonel Maunsel, and if by that time the three persons I have demanded from you be not delivered up to me, I shall be compelled to execute my threat in respect to yourself, Master Beard, and his daughter. If you are put to inconvenience in finding accommodation and provisions for my men, you must not blame me.”
“I am in your power, sir, and must perforce submit,” the colonel replied. “What is your further pleasure?”
“Humph!” exclaimed Stelfax. “I have no particular orders to give. My men must be well fed, and well lodged—but they will see to those matters themselves—and it will be best to content them. As to myself, I shall merely require this room for my occupation.”
“This room!” the colonel exclaimed, visibly embarrassed. “Will none other serve your turn? This is my own sleeping-chamber.”
“You must resign it to me for to-night, colonel,” Stelfax rejoined; noticing, with secret satisfaction, the other’s dismay. “I have taken a fancy to it, and cannot study your convenience.”
“So it seems, sir,” said the old Cavalier, feeling that remonstrance would be useless, and perhaps dangerous. “You will not object, at least, to my making some little arrangements within the chamber, and removing a few trifling articles before you take possession of it.”