“If we ourselves do not depart at once we shall have small chance of lending his Majesty further aid,” said Lord Wilmot. “Will you not go with us, Colonel Maunsel? If you stay, you will have to brook the rage—perhaps the vengeance—of that disappointed and savage Ironside captain.”
“I fear him not,” replied the old Cavalier. “I will not quit my house, unless forced from it.”
Despite the hurry and confusion of the moment, it will not be supposed that Clavering—aware of her presence—would fail to seek out Dulcia. When his father became engaged with Colonel Gunter he instantly took advantage of the opportunity offered him to fly to her. The poor damsel needed his support. The sudden revulsion of feeling she experienced was too much for her. Her lover’s fate had appeared to her to be sealed. Escape for him from the clutches of Stelfax seemed impossible. Yet at the very moment when such an occurrence was least expected, he stood before her—free! Yes, free! The garb in which he was arrayed told how he had escaped. But explanation was unneeded. Enough for her he was out of the power of his relentless captor, who had pronounced that his doom would be death. After gazing at him for a short space intently, through eyes streaming with tears, she gave utterance to a wild, irrepressible cry of delight, which had yet something thrilling and painful about it, and sank upon his shoulder. Mr. Beard, who was standing beside his daughter, watching her with great anxiety, would have removed her, but Clavering besought him to forbear.
“Leave her with me for a moment, good sir,” he said. “My time is short. Heaven only knows when we shall meet again!”
“Place yourself wholly in the hands of Providence, my dear young friend,” the clergyman rejoined. “After this display of His mercy manifested towards you, you can never doubt His ability to aid you, if He be so minded. Resign yourself, henceforth, to His will and guidance.”
“My heart is full to overflowing with gratitude to the Great Disposer of Events,” said Clavering; “but He would not have us remain inactive. As He prompts, we must obey. If I might counsel you, I would urge you to fly for a season with Dulcia from this dwelling, and seek a more secure asylum elsewhere.”
“Whither should I go?” Mr. Beard replied. “There is no place of security for me and for my child. No, I will not voluntarily quit the house that has sheltered me so long. I will not desert the patron who has so long befriended me, and who has need of my ministry and assistance. And my child will tarry with me.”
“To the last, father,” Dulcia cried, raising her head. “My place is near your side, and I will never abandon it.”
“I would not have you do so!” exclaimed Clavering. “But it drives me almost to distraction to think what may happen when that fierce Republican officer returns. I cannot—will not leave you.
“You must—you must, dear Clavering,” said Dulcia. “Fly with your friends, and think not of us, or think that we are under the protection of a watchful Providence. Your staying here would not add to our security, and would lead to your own certain recapture. Go!—go with my father’s blessing, and my own heartfelt wishes for your preservation. Stay not a moment longer. Pray Heaven you have not stayed too long already!”
This latter exclamation was caused by a movement of alarm among the Royalists. A noise was heard outside, announcing the return of Stelfax and his men.
“They are upon us!” exclaimed Lord Wilmot. “Secure the door, and extinguish the lights.”
The latter order was instantly obeyed, and the first part of the directions was attended to with equal promptitude by John Habergeon and Ninian, who, flying to the door, bolted and barred it.
Before proceeding further, we may mention that Ninian had found Patty’s presence as irresistible as that of Dulcia proved to his young master. Marching up to her in military fashion, but with rather more swagger in his gait than was consistent with his Roundhead accoutrements, he tried to catch her in his arms. Patty either did not recognize him at first in his disguise, or pretended not to do so, for she screamed slightly, and checked his attempted familiarity by a sound box on the ear. However, an explanation quickly ensued, and she was congratulating him on his escape, when the alarm of Stelfax’s return was given as above narrated, and the young falconer suddenly recalled to sterner duties.