Peveril of the Peak - Вальтер Скотт 17 стр.


Know you not, said he, that Satan hath come down upon earth with great wrath, because his time is short? The next heir to the crown is an avowed Papist; and who dare assert, save sycophants and time-servers, that he who wears it is not equally ready to stoop to Rome, were he not kept in awe by a few noble spirits in the Commons House? You believe not this yet in my solitary and midnight walks, when I thought on your kindness to the dead and to the living, it was my prayer that I might have the means granted to warn you and lo! Heaven hath heard me.

What I was while in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity, it signifies not to recall, answered he. I was then like to Gallio, who cared for none of these things. I doted on creature comforts I clung to worldly honour and repute my thoughts were earthward or those I turned to Heaven were cold, formal, pharisaical meditations I brought nothing to the altar save straw and stubble. Heaven saw need to chastise me in love I was stript of all I clung to on earth my worldly honour was torn from me I went forth an exile from the home of my fathers, a deprived and desolate man a baffled, and beaten, and dishonoured man. But who shall find out the ways of Providence? Such were the means by which I was chosen forth as a champion for the truth holding my life as nothing, if thereby that may be advanced. But this was not what I wished to speak of. Thou hast saved the earthly life of my child let me save the eternal welfare of yours.

Lady Peveril was silent. They were now approaching the point where the avenue terminated in a communication with a public road, or rather pathway, running through an unenclosed common field; this the lady had to prosecute for a little way, until a turn of the path gave her admittance into the Park of Martindale. She now felt sincerely anxious to be in the open moonshine, and avoided reply to Bridgenorth that she might make the more haste. But as they reached the junction of the avenue and the public road, he laid his hand on her arm, and commanded rather than requested her to stop. She obeyed. He pointed to a huge oak, of the largest size, which grew on the summit of a knoll in the open ground which terminated the avenue, and was exactly so placed as to serve for a termination to the vista. The moonshine without the avenue was so strong, that, amidst the flood of light which it poured on the venerable tree, they could easily discover, from the shattered state of the boughs on one side, that it had suffered damage from lightning. Remember you, he said, when we last looked together on that tree? I had ridden from London, and brought with me a protection from the committee for your husband; and as I passed the spot here on this spot where we now stand, you stood with my lost Alice two the last two of my beloved infants gambolled before you. I leaped from my horse to her I was a husband to those a father to you a welcome and revered protector What am I now to any one? He pressed his hand on his brow, and groaned in agony of spirit.

It was not in the Lady Peverils nature to hear sorrow without an attempt at consolation. Master Bridgenorth, she said, I blame no mans creed, while I believe and follow my own; and I rejoice that in yours you have sought consolation for temporal afflictions. But does not every Christian creed teach us alike, that affliction should soften our heart?

Ay, woman, said Bridgenorth sternly, as the lightning which shattered yonder oak hath softened its trunk. No; the seared wood is the fitter for the use of the workmen the hardened and the dried-up heart is that which can best bear the task imposed by these dismal times. God and man will no longer endure the unbridled profligacy of the dissolute the scoffing of the profane the contempt of the divine laws the infraction of human rights. The times demand righters and avengers, and there will be no want of them.

I deny not the existence of much evil, said Lady Peveril, compelling herself to answer, and beginning at the same time to walk forward; and from hearsay, though not, I thank Heaven, from observation, I am convinced of the wild debauchery of the times. But let us trust it may be corrected without such violent remedies as you hint at. Surely the ruin of a second civil war though I trust your thoughts go not that dreadful length were at best a desperate alternative.

Sharp, but sure, replied Bridgenorth. The blood of the Paschal lamb chased away the destroying angel the sacrifices offered on the threshing-floor of Araunah, stayed the pestilence. Fire and sword are severe remedies, but they pure and purify.

Alas! Major Bridgenorth, said the lady, wise and moderate in your youth, can you have adopted in your advanced life the thoughts and language of those whom you yourself beheld drive themselves and the nation to the brink of ruin?

I know not what I then was you know not what I now am, he replied, and suddenly broke off; for they even then came forth into the open light, and it seemed as if, feeling himself under the ladys eye, he was disposed to soften his tone and his language.

At the first distinct view which she had of his person, she was aware that he was armed with a short sword, a poniard, and pistols at his belt precautions very unusual for a man who formerly had seldom, and only on days of ceremony, carried a walking rapier, though such was the habitual and constant practice of gentlemen of his station in life. There seemed also something of more stern determination than usual in his air, which indeed had always been rather sullen than affable; and ere she could repress the sentiment, she could not help saying, Master Bridgenorth, you are indeed changed.

You see but the outward man, he replied; the change within is yet deeper. But it was not of myself that I desired to talk I have already said, that as you have preserved my child from the darkness of the grave, I would willingly preserve yours from that more utter darkness, which, I fear, hath involved the path and walks of his father.

I must not hear this of Sir Geoffrey, said the Lady Peveril; I must bid you farewell for the present; and when we again meet at a more suitable time, I will at least listen to your advice concerning Julian, although I should not perhaps incline to it.

That more suitable time may never come, replied Bridgenorth. Time wanes, eternity draws nigh. Hearken! it is said to be your purpose to send the young Julian to be bred up in yonder bloody island, under the hand of your kinswoman, that cruel murderess, by whom was done to death a man more worthy of vital existence than any that she can boast among her vaunted ancestry. These are current tidings Are they true?

I do not blame you, Master Bridgenorth, for thinking harshly of my cousin of Derby, said Lady Peveril; nor do I altogether vindicate the rash action of which she hath been guilty. Nevertheless, in her habitation, it is my husbands opinion and my own, that Julian may be trained in the studies and accomplishments becoming his rank, along with the young Earl of Derby.

Under the curse of God, and the blessing of the Pope of Rome, said Bridgenorth. You, lady, so quick-sighted in matters of earthly prudence, are you blind to the gigantic pace at which Rome is moving to regain this country, once the richest gem in her usurped tiara? The old are seduced by gold the youth by pleasure the weak by flattery cowards by fear and the courageous by ambition. A thousand baits for each taste, and each bait concealing the same deadly hook.

I am well aware, Master Bridgenorth, said Lady Peveril, that my kinswoman is a Catholic;5 but her son is educated in the Church of Englands principles, agreeably to the command of her deceased husband.

I am well aware, Master Bridgenorth, said Lady Peveril, that my kinswoman is a Catholic;5 but her son is educated in the Church of Englands principles, agreeably to the command of her deceased husband.

Is it likely, answered Bridgenorth, that she, who fears not shedding the blood of the righteous, whether on the field or scaffold, will regard the sanction of her promise when her religion bids her break it? Or, if she does, what shall your son be the better, if he remain in the mire of his father? What are your Episcopal tenets but mere Popery? save that ye have chosen a temporal tyrant for your Pope, and substitute a mangled mass in English for that which your predecessors pronounced in Latin.  But why speak I of these things to one who hath ears, indeed, and eyes, yet cannot see, listen to, or understand what is alone worthy to be heard, seen, and known? Pity that what hath been wrought so fair and exquisite in form and disposition, should be yet blind, deaf, and ignorant, like the things which perish!

We shall not agree on these subjects, Master Bridgenorth, said the lady, anxious still to escape from this strange conference, though scarce knowing what to apprehend; once more, I must bid you farewell.

Stay yet an instant, he said, again laying his hand on her arm; I would stop you if I saw you rushing on the brink of an actual precipice let me prevent you from a danger still greater. How shall I work upon your unbelieving mind? Shall I tell you that the debt of bloodshed yet remains a debt to be paid by the bloody house of Derby? And wilt thou send thy son to be among those from whom it shall be exacted?

You wish to alarm me in vain, Master Bridgenorth, answered the lady; what penalty can be exacted from the Countess, for an action, which I have already called a rash one, has been long since levied.

You deceive yourself, retorted he sternly. Think you a paltry sum of money, given to be wasted on the debaucheries of Charles, can atone for the death of such a man as Christian a man precious alike to heaven and to earth? Not on such terms is the blood of the righteous to be poured forth! Every hours delay is numbered down as adding interest to the grievous debt, which will one day be required from that blood-thirsty woman.

At this moment the distant tread of horses was heard on the road on which they held this singular dialogue. Bridgenorth listened a moment, and then said, Forget that you have seen me name not my name to your nearest or dearest lock my counsel in your breast profit by it, and it shall be well with you.

So saying, he turned from her, and plunging through a gap in the fence, regained the cover of his own wood, along which the path still led.

The noise of horses advancing at full trot now came nearer; and Lady Peveril was aware of several riders, whose forms rose indistinctly on the summit of the rising ground behind her. She became also visible to them; and one or two of the foremost made towards her at increased speed, challenging her as they advanced with the cry of Stand! Who goes there? The foremost who came up, however, exclaimed, Mercy on us, if it be not my lady! and Lady Peveril, at the same moment, recognised one of her own servants. Her husband rode up immediately afterwards, with, How now, Dame Margaret? What makes you abroad so far from home and at an hour so late?

Lady Peveril mentioned her visit at the cottage, but did not think it necessary to say aught of having seen Major Bridgenorth; afraid, it may be, that her husband might be displeased with that incident.

Charity is a fine thing and a fair, answered Sir Geoffrey; but I must tell you, you do ill, dame, to wander about the country like a quacksalver, at the call of every old woman who has a colic-fit; and at this time of night especially, and when the land is so unsettled besides.

I am sorry to hear that it so, said the lady. I had heard no such news.

News? repeated Sir Geoffrey, why, here has a new plot broken out among the Roundheads, worse than Venners by a butts length;6 and who should be so deep in it as our old neighbour Bridgenorth? There is search for him everywhere; and I promise you if he is found, he is like to pay old scores.

Then I am sure, I trust he will not be found, said Lady Peveril.

Do you so? replied Sir Geoffrey. Now I, on my part hope that he will; and it shall not be my fault if he be not; for which effect I will presently ride down to Moultrassie, and make strict search, according to my duty; there shall neither rebel nor traitor earth so near Martindale Castle, that I will assure them. And you, my lady, be pleased for once to dispense with a pillion, and get up, as you have done before, behind Saunders, who shall convey you safe home.

The Lady obeyed in silence; indeed she did not dare to trust her voice in an attempt to reply, so much was she disconcerted with the intelligence she had just heard.

She rode behind the groom to the Castle, where she awaited in great anxiety the return of her husband. He came back at length; but to her great relief, without any prisoner. He then explained more fully than his haste had before permitted, that an express had come down to Chesterfield, with news from Court of a proposed insurrection amongst the old Commonwealth men, especially those who had served in the army; and that Bridgenorth, said to be lurking in Derbyshire, was one of the principal conspirators.

After some time, this report of a conspiracy seemed to die away like many others of that period. The warrants were recalled, but nothing more was seen or heard of Major Bridgenorth; although it is probable he might safely enough have shown himself as openly as many did who lay under the same circumstances of suspicion.

About this time also, Lady Peveril, with many tears, took a temporary leave of her son Julian, who was sent, as had long been intended, for the purpose of sharing the education of the young Earl of Derby. Although the boding words of Bridgenorth sometimes occurred to Lady Peverils mind, she did not suffer them to weigh with her in opposition to the advantages which the patronage of the Countess of Derby secured to her son.

The plan seemed to be in every respect successful; and when, from time to time, Julian visited the house of his father, Lady Peveril had the satisfaction to see him, on every occasion, improved in person and in manner, as well as ardent in the pursuit of more solid acquirements. In process of time he became a gallant and accomplished youth, and travelled for some time upon the continent with the young Earl. This was the more especially necessary for the enlarging of their acquaintance with the world; because the Countess had never appeared in London, or at the Court of King Charles, since her flight to the Isle of Man in 1660; but had resided in solitary and aristocratic state, alternately on her estates in England and in that island.

This had given to the education of both the young men, otherwise as excellent as the best teachers could render it, something of a narrow and restricted character; but though the disposition of the young Earl was lighter and more volatile than that of Julian, both the one and the other had profited, in a considerable degree, by the opportunities afforded them. It was Lady Derbys strict injunction to her son, now returning from the continent, that he should not appear at the Court of Charles. But having been for some time of age, he did not think it absolutely necessary to obey her in this particular; and had remained for some time in London, partaking the pleasures of the gay Court there, with all the ardour of a young man bred up in comparative seclusion.

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