Captain Stelfax, it presently appeared, had descried the party on Kingston Hill, and, curious to know who they were, on coming near Ninian, halted his men, and shouted to the young falconer to come to him. Ninian did not dare to disobey, and though he would much rather have taken to his heels, he affected great alacrity in complying with the summons. Captain Stelfax put a few interrogatories to him in a brief authoritative tone, and appeared satisfied with the replies he received; but as soon as he ascertained that it was Colonel Maunsel who was on the heights, he turned to one of the troopers nearest him, whom he addressed as Sergeant Hadadezer Delves, and, pointing out the party stationed on the hill, bade him bring them down to him.
Sergeant Delves executed his commission with great promptitude. Notwithstanding the precipitous nature of the ascent, he very soon gained the summit of the hill, and presenting himself before Colonel Maunsel, delivered his leader’s message to him. Knowing that refusal was impossible, the old Cavalier expressed his readiness to accompany the sergeant—the more so, he said, as he was actually intending to proceed in that direction—and only stipulated that he and the young lady might be allowed to descend at a point where the declivity was less abrupt. To this the sergeant made no objection, and a bridle-road being indicated by Eustace Saxby, the whole party soon afterwards reached the valley without misadventure.
Captain Stelfax made no advance to meet the colonel, but remained lolling back listlessly in his saddle, with his left hand on the hinder bow, while the greater part of his men having lighted their pipes, puffed away at them vigorously. On approaching the Roundhead troop, Colonel Maunsel haughtily demanded of the officer wherefore he had been sent for?
Without changing his position, or making him any reply, the captain of the Ironsides regarded him insolently for a moment, and then casting his eye upon Dulcia, appeared much struck with her charms. He did not care to conceal his admiration, but gazed at her with much boldness.
“Is this comely damsel your daughter, Colonel Maunsel?” he inquired.
Offended by the question, as well as by the other’s deportment, the old Cavalier felt disinclined to answer. Putting a constraint upon himself, however, he rejoined coldly, “She is the daughter of the Rector of Ovingdean, who has been deprived of his benefice, and who resides with me.”
“Ardingly Beard, is he not named?” the other rejoined. “I have him upon my list of suspected. And his daughter is called Dulcia. I like not the name. It is heathenish, and beseemeth not one so richly endowed with good gifts. Nay, avert not your face from me, damsel. A rough soldier’s talk need not offend you. Perchance you have heard of Hezron Stelfax, captain of the Lord-General’s chosen troop of Ironsides? I am he.”
“Ask me not, then, what I have heard of you, sir,” Dulcia replied, sharply, “or I may be forced to utter that which will not sound pleasing in your ear.”
“You can say naught that will be displeasing to me, I am well assured,” he rejoined. “But what have you heard of me? Speak out, and fear not.”
“I have heard that your whole troop are cruel and blood-thirsty,” she replied; “and that you are the cruelest among them.”
“Ho! ho!” Stelfax laughed. “Cavaliers’ tales, believe me. I am cruel only to my foes—bloodthirsty only in the field. And so is every soldier, malignant as well as Parliamentarian. But since you reside with Colonel Maunsel, damsel, you must have known his son, Clavering?”
Dulcia made no reply, but her check burnt hotly.
“What of him?” demanded the colonel, who had with difficulty controlled his anger during this discourse.
“Have you not heard?” the other said, looking at him steadfastly.
“Heard what?” the colonel cried.
“Your son fought at Worcester,” Stelfax rejoined; “on that great day when the Lord of Hosts so wonderfully manifested his power, covering our heads in the conflict, and enabling us utterly to overthrow our enemies. Praise and glory to His holy name for the great success given us. ‘Thou didst march through the land in indignation. Thou didst thrash the heathen in anger. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked.'”