Peveril of the Peak Read online

  CHAPTER XXVI

  Necessity--thou best of peacemakers, As well as surest prompter of invention-- Help us to composition! --ANONYMOUS.

  While the fire continued, the two parties laboured in active union, likethe jarring factions of the Jews during the siege of Jerusalem, whencompelled to unite in resisting an assault of the besiegers. But whenthe last bucket of water had hissed on the few embers that continuedto glimmer--when the sense of mutual hostility, hitherto suspended bya feeling of common danger, was in its turn rekindled--the parties,mingled as they had hitherto been in one common exertion, drew off fromeach other, and began to arrange themselves at opposite sides of thehall, and handle their weapons, as if for a renewal of the fight.

  Bridgenorth interrupted any farther progress of this menaced hostility."Julian Peveril," he said, "thou art free to walk thine own path, sincethou wilt not walk with me that road which is more safe, as well as morehonourable. But if you do by my counsel, you will get soon beyond theBritish seas."

  "Ralph Bridgenorth," said one of his friends, "this is but evil andfeeble conduct on thine own part. Wilt thou withhold thy hand from thebattle, to defend, from these sons of Belial, the captive of thy bow andof thy spear? Surely we are enow to deal with them in the securityof the old serpent, until we essay whether the Lord will not give usvictory therein."

  A hum of stern assent followed; and had not Ganlesse now interfered, thecombat would probably have been renewed. He took the advocate for warapart into one of the window recesses, and apparently satisfied hisobjections; for as he returned to his companions, he said to them, "Ourfriend hath so well argued this matter, that, verily, since he is of thesame mind with the worthy Major Bridgenorth, I think the youth may beset at liberty."

  As no farther objection was offered, it only remained with Julian tothank and reward those who had been active in his assistance. Havingfirst obtained from Bridgenorth a promise of indemnity to them for theriot they had committed, a few kind words conveyed his sense of theirservices; and some broad pieces, thrust into the hand of Lance Outram,furnished the means for affording them a holiday. They would haveremained to protect him, but, fearful of farther disorder, and relyingentirely on the good faith of Major Bridgenorth, he dismissed them allexcept Lance, whom he detained to attend upon him for a few minutes,till he should depart from Moultrassie. But ere leaving the Hall, hecould not repress his desire to speak with Bridgenorth in secret; andadvancing towards him, he expressed such a desire.

  Tacitly granting what was asked of him, Bridgenorth led the way to asmall summer saloon adjoining to the Hall, where, with his usual gravityand indifference of manner, he seemed to await in silence what Peverilhad to communicate.

  Julian found it difficult, where so little opening was afforded him, tofind a tone in which to open the subjects he had at heart, that shouldbe at once dignified and conciliating. "Major Bridgenorth," he said atlength, "you have been a son, and an affectionate one--You may conceivemy present anxiety--My father!--What has been designed for him?"

  "What the law will," answered Bridgenorth. "Had he walked by thecounsels which I procured to be given to him, he might have dwelt safelyin the house of his ancestors. His fate is now beyond my control--farbeyond yours. It must be with him as his country decide."

  "And my mother?" said Peveril.

  "Will consult, as she has ever done, her own duty; and create herown happiness by doing so," replied Bridgenorth. "Believe, my designstowards your family are better than they may seem through the mist whichadversity has spread around your house. I may triumph as a man; but asa man I must also remember, in my hour, that mine enemies have hadtheirs.--Have you aught else to say?" he added, after a momentary pause."You have rejected once, yea, and again, the hand I stretched out toyou. Methinks little more remains between us."

  These words, which seemed to cut short farther discussion, were calmlyspoken; so that though they appeared to discourage farther question,they could not interrupt that which still trembled on Julian's tongue.He made a step or two towards the door; then suddenly returned. "Yourdaughter?" he said--"Major Bridgenorth--I should ask--I _do_ askforgiveness for mentioning her name--but may I not inquire afterher?--May I not express my wishes for her future happiness?"

  "Your interest in her is but too flattering," said Bridgenorth; "but youhave already chosen your part; and you must be, in future, strangersto each other. I may have wished it otherwise, but the hour of grace ispassed, during which your compliance with my advice might--I will speakit plainly--have led to your union. For her happiness--if such a wordbelongs to mortal pilgrimage--I shall care for it sufficiently. Sheleaves this place to-day, under the guardianship of a sure friend."

  "Not of----?" exclaimed Peveril, and stopped short; for he felt he hadno right to pronounce the name which came to his lips.

  "Why do you pause?" said Bridgenorth; "a sudden thought is often awise, almost always an honest one. With whom did you suppose I meant toentrust my child, that the idea called forth so anxious an expression?"

  "Again I should ask your forgiveness," said Julian, "for meddling whereI have little right to interfere. But I saw a face here that is known tome--the person calls himself Ganlesse--Is it with him that you mean toentrust your daughter?"

  "Even to the person who call himself Ganlesse," said Bridgenorth,without expressing either anger or surprise.

  "And do you know to whom you commit a charge so precious to all who knowher, and so dear to yourself?" said Julian.

  "Do _you_ know, who ask me the question?" answered Bridgenorth.

  "I own I do not," answered Julian; "but I have seen him in a characterso different from that he now wears, that I feel it my duty to warn you,how you entrust the charge of your child to one who can alternatelyplay the profligate or the hypocrite, as it suits his own interest orhumour."

  Bridgenorth smiled contemptuously. "I might be angry," he said, "withthe officious zeal which supposes that its green conceptions caninstruct my grey hairs; but, good Julian, I do but only ask from you theliberal construction, that I, who have had much converse with mankind,know with whom I trust what is dearest to me. He of whom thou speakesthath one visage to his friends, though he may have others to the world,living amongst those before whom honest features should be concealedunder a grotesque vizard; even as in the sinful sports of the day,called maskings and mummeries, where the wise, if he show himself atall, must be contented to play the apish and fantastic fool."

  "I would only pray your wisdom to beware," said Julian, "of one, who,as he has a vizard for others, may also have one which can disguise hisreal features from you yourself."

  "This is being over careful, young man," replied Bridgenorth, moreshortly than he had hitherto spoken; "if you would walk by my counsel,you will attend to your own affairs, which, credit me, deserve all yourcare, and leave others to the management of theirs."

  This was too plain to be misunderstood; and Peveril was compelled totake his leave of Bridgenorth, and of Moultrassie Hall, without fartherparley or explanation. The reader may imagine how oft he looked back,and tried to guess, amongst the lights which continued to twinkle invarious parts of the building, which sparkle it was that gleamed fromthe bower of Alice. When the road turned into another direction, he sunkinto deep reverie, from which he was at length roused by the voice ofLance, who demanded where he intended to quarter for the night. Hewas unprepared to answer the question, but the honest keeper himselfprompted a solution of the problem, by requesting that he would occupya spare bed in the Lodge; to which Julian willingly agreed. The restof the inhabitants had retired to rest when they entered; but DameEllesmere, apprised by a messenger of her nephew's hospitable intent,had everything in the best readiness she could, for the son of herancient patron. Peveril betook himself to rest; and, notwithstandingso many subjects of anxiety, slept soundly till the morning was faradvanced.

  His slumbers were first broken by Lance, who had bee
n long up, andalready active in his service. He informed him, that his horse, arms,and small cloak-bag had been sent from the Castle by one of MajorBridgenorth's servants, who brought a letter, discharging from theMajor's service the unfortunate Deborah Debbitch, and prohibiting herreturn to the Hall. The officer of the House of Commons, escorted by astrong guard, had left Martindale Castle that morning early, travellingin Sir Geoffrey's carriage--his lady being also permitted to attend onhim. To this he had to add, that the property at the Castle was takenpossession of by Master Win-the-fight, the attorney, from Chesterfield,with other officers of law, in name of Major Bridgenorth, a largecreditor of the unfortunate knight.

  Having told these Job's tidings, Lance paused; and, after a moment'shesitation, declared he was resolved to quit the country, and go up toLondon along with his young master. Julian argued the point with him;and insisted he had better stay to take charge of his aunt, in case sheshould be disturbed by these strangers. Lance replied, "She wouldhave one with her, who would protect her well enough; for there waswherewithal to buy protection amongst them. But for himself, he wasresolved to follow Master Julian to the death."

  Julian heartily thanked him for his love.

  "Nay, it is not altogether out of love neither," said Lance, "though Iam as loving as another; but it is, as it were, partly out of fear,lest I be called over the coals for last night's matter; for as for theminers, they will never trouble them, as the creatures only act aftertheir kind."

  "I will write in your behalf to Major Bridgenorth, who is bound toafford you protection, if you have such fear," said Julian.

  "Nay, for that matter, it is not altogether fear, more than altogetherlove," answered the enigmatical keeper, "although it hath a tasting ofboth in it. And, to speak plain truth, thus it is--Dame Debbitch andNaunt Ellesmere have resolved to set up their horses together, and havemade up all their quarrels. And of all ghosts in the world, the worstis, when an old true-love comes back to haunt a poor fellow like me.Mistress Deborah, though distressed enow for the loss of her place, hasbeen already speaking of a broken sixpence, or some such token, as ifa man could remember such things for so many years, even if she had notgone over seas, like woodcock, in the meanwhile."

  Julian could scarce forbear laughing. "I thought you too much of a man,Lance, to fear a woman marrying you whether you would or no."

  "It has been many an honest man's luck, for all that," said Lance; "anda woman in the very house has so many deuced opportunities. And thenthere would be two upon one; for Naunt, though high enough when any of_your_ folks are concerned, hath some look to the main chance; and itseems Mistress Deb is as rich as a Jew."

  "And you, Lance," said Julian, "have no mind to marry for cake andpudding."

  "No, truly, master," answered Lance, "unless I knew of what dough theywere baked. How the devil do I know how the jade came by so much? Andthen if she speaks of tokens and love-passages, let her be the sametight lass I broke the sixpence with, and I will be the same true lad toher. But I never heard of true love lasting ten years; and hers, if itlives at all, must be nearer twenty."

  "Well, then, Lance," said Julian, "since you are resolved on the thing,we will go to London together; where, if I cannot retain you in myservice, and if my father recovers not these misfortunes, I willendeavour to promote you elsewhere."

  "Nay, nay," said Lance, "I trust to be back to bonny Martindale beforeit is long, and to keep the greenwood, as I have been wont to do; for,as to Dame Debbitch, when they have not me for their common butt,Naunt and she will soon bend bows on each other. So here comes old DameEllesmere with your breakfast. I will but give some directions aboutthe deer to Rough Ralph, my helper, and saddle my forest pony, and yourhonour's horse, which is no prime one, and we will be ready to trot."

  Julian was not sorry for this addition to his establishment; for Lancehad shown himself, on the preceding evening, a shrewd and bold fellow,and attached to his master. He therefore set himself to reconcile hisaunt to parting with her nephew for some time. Her unlimited devotionfor "the family," readily induced the old lady to acquiesce in hisproposal, though not without a gentle sigh over the ruins of a castle inthe air, which was founded on the well-saved purse of Mistress DeborahDebbitch. "At any rate," she thought, "it was as well that Lance shouldbe out of the way of that bold, long-legged, beggarly trollop, CisSellok." But to poor Deb herself, the expatriation of Lance, whom shehad looked to as a sailor to a port under his lee, for which he can run,if weather becomes foul, was a second severe blow, following close onher dismissal from the profitable service of Major Bridgenorth.

  Julian visited the disconsolate damsel, in hopes of gaining some lightupon Bridgenorth's projects regarding his daughter--the character ofthis Ganlesse--and other matters, with which her residence in thefamily might have made her acquainted; but he found her by far toomuch troubled in mind to afford him the least information. The nameof Ganlesse she did not seem to recollect--that of Alice rendered herhysterical--that of Bridgenorth, furious. She numbered up the variousservices she had rendered in the family--and denounced the plagueof swartness to the linen--of leanness to the poultry--of dearth anddishonour to the housekeeping--and of lingering sickness and early deathto Alice;--all which evils, she averred, had only been kept off by hercontinued, watchful, and incessant cares.--Then again turning to thesubject of the fugitive Lance, she expressed such a total contempt ofthat mean-spirited fellow, in a tone between laughing and crying, assatisfied Julian it was not a topic likely to act as a sedative; andthat, therefore, unless he made a longer stay than the urgent state ofhis affairs permitted, he was not likely to find Mistress Deborah insuch a state of composure as might enable him to obtain from her anyrational or useful information.

  Lance, who good-naturedly took upon himself the whole burden of DameDebbitch's mental alienation, or "taking on," as such fits of _passiohysterica_ are usually termed in the country, had too much feeling topresent himself before the victim of her own sensibility, and of hisobduracy. He therefore intimated to Julian, by his assistant Ralph, thatthe horses stood saddled behind the Lodge, and that all was ready fortheir departure.

  Julian took the hint, and they were soon mounted, and clearing the road,at a rapid trot, in the direction of London; but not by the most usualroute. Julian calculated that the carriage in which his father wastransported would travel slowly; and it was his purpose, if possible,to get to London before it should arrive there, in order to have time toconsult, with the friends of his family, what measures should be takenin his father's behalf.

  In this manner they advanced a day's journey towards London; at theconclusion of which, Julian found his resting-place in a small inn uponthe road. No one came, at the first call, to attend upon the guests andtheir horses, although the house was well lighted up; and there was aprodigious chattering in the kitchen, such as can only be produced bya French cook when his mystery is in the very moment of projection. Itinstantly occurred to Julian--so rare was the ministry of these Gallicartists at that time--that the clamour he heard must necessarily beproduced by the Sieur Chaubert, on whose _plats_ he had lately feasted,along with Smith and Ganlesse.

  One, or both of these, were therefore probably in the little inn; andif so, he might have some opportunity to discover their real purposeand character. How to avail himself of such a meeting he knew not; butchance favoured him more than he could have expected.

  "I can scarce receive you, gentlefolks," said the landlord, who atlength appeared at the door; "here be a sort of quality in my houseto-night, whom less than all will not satisfy; nor all neither, for thatmatter."

  "We are but plain fellows, landlord," said Julian; "we are bound forMoseley-market, and can get no farther to-night. Any hole will serve us,no matter what."

  "Why," said the honest host, "if that be the case, I must e'en put oneof you behind the bar, though the gentlemen have desired to be private;the other must take heart of grace and help me at the tap."

  "The tap for me," said Lance, without waiting hi
s master's decision. "Itis an element which I could live and die in."

  "The bar, then, for me," said Peveril; and stepping back, whispered toLance to exchange cloaks with him, desirous, if possible, to avoid beingrecognised.

  The exchange was made in an instant; and presently afterwards thelandlord brought a light; and as he guided Julian into his hostelry,cautioned him to sit quiet in the place where he should stow him; and ifhe was discovered, to say that he was one of the house, and leave himto make it good. "You will hear what the gallants say," he added; "but Ithink thou wilt carry away but little on it; for when it is not French,it is Court gibberish; and that is as hard to construe."

  The bar, into which our hero was inducted on these conditions, seemedformed, with respect to the public room, upon the principle of acitadel, intended to observe and bridle a rebellious capital. Here satthe host on the Saturday evenings, screened from the observation ofhis guests, yet with the power of observing both their wants and theirbehaviour, and also that of overhearing their conversation--a practicewhich he was much addicted to, being one of that numerous class ofphilanthropists, to whom their neighbours' business is of as muchconsequence, or rather more, than their own.

  Here he planted his new guest, with a repeated caution not to disturbthe gentlemen by speech or motion; and a promise that he should bespeedily accommodated with a cold buttock of beef, and a tankard ofhome-brewed. And here he left him with no other light than that whichglimmered from the well-illuminated apartment within, through a sort ofshuttle which accommodated the landlord with a view into it.

  This situation, inconvenient enough in itself, was, on the presentoccasion, precisely what Julian would have selected. He wrapped himselfin the weather-beaten cloak of Lance Outram, which had been stained, byage and weather, into a thousand variations from its original Lincolngreen; and with as little noise as he could, set himself to observe thetwo inmates, who had engrossed to themselves the whole of the apartment,which was usually open to the public. They sat by a table well coveredwith such costly rarities, as could only have been procured by muchforecast, and prepared by the exquisite Mons. Chaubert; to which bothseemed to do much justice.

  Julian had little difficulty in ascertaining, that one of the travellerswas, as he had anticipated, the master of the said Chaubert, or, as hewas called by Ganlesse, Smith; the other, who faced him, he had neverseen before. This last was dressed like a gallant of the first order.His periwig, indeed, as he travelled on horseback, did not much exceedin size the bar-wig of a modern lawyer; but then the essence which heshook from it with every motion, impregnated a whole apartment, whichwas usually only perfumed by that vulgar herb, tobacco. His riding-coatwas laced in the newest and most courtly style; and Grammont himselfmight have envied the embroidery of his waistcoat, and the peculiar cutof his breeches, which buttoned above the knee, permitting the shapeof a very handsome leg to be completely seen. This, by the proprietorthereof, had been stretched out upon a stool, and he contemplated itsproportions, from time to time, with infinite satisfaction.

  The conversation between these worthies was so interesting, that wepropose to assign to it another chapter.