Peveril of the Peak Read online

  CHAPTER IX

  _Bessus_.--'Tis a challenge, sir, is it not? _Gentleman_.--'Tis an inviting to the field. --King and No King.

  For a day or two after this forcible expulsion from the vicarage, Mr.Solsgrace continued his residence at Moultrassie Hall, where the naturalmelancholy attendant on his situation added to the gloom of the ownerof the mansion. In the morning, the ejected divine made excursions todifferent families in the neighbourhood, to whom his ministry hadbeen acceptable in the days of his prosperity, and from whose gratefulrecollections of that period he now found sympathy and consolation. Hedid not require to be condoled with, because he was deprived of an easyand competent maintenance, and thrust out upon the common of life, afterhe had reason to suppose he would be no longer liable to such mutationsof fortune. The piety of Mr. Solsgrace was sincere; and if he had manyof the uncharitable prejudices against other sects, which polemicalcontroversy had generated, and the Civil War brought to a head, he hadalso that deep sense of duty, by which enthusiasm is so often dignified,and held his very life little, if called upon to lay it down inattestation of the doctrines in which he believed. But he was soonto prepare for leaving the district which Heaven, he conceived, hadassigned to him as his corner of the vineyard; he was to abandon hisflock to the wolf--was to forsake those with whom he had held sweetcounsel in religious communion--was to leave the recently convertedto relapse into false doctrines, and forsake the wavering, whom hiscontinued cares might have directed into the right path,--these wereof themselves deep causes of sorrow, and were aggravated, doubtless, bythose natural feelings with which all men, especially those whose dutiesor habits have confined them to a limited circle, regard the separationfrom wonted scenes, and their accustomed haunts of solitary musing, orsocial intercourse.

  There was, indeed, a plan of placing Mr. Solsgrace at the head of anonconforming congregation in his present parish, which his followerswould have readily consented to endow with a sufficient revenue. Butalthough the act for universal conformity was not yet passed, such ameasure was understood to be impending, and there existed a generalopinion among the Presbyterians, that in no hands was it likely to bemore strictly enforced, than in those of Peveril of the Peak.Solsgrace himself considered not only his personal danger as beingconsiderable,--for, assuming perhaps more consequence than was actuallyattached to him or his productions, he conceived the honest Knight to behis mortal and determined enemy,--but he also conceived that he shouldserve the cause of his Church by absenting himself from Derbyshire.

  "Less known pastors," he said, "though perhaps more worthy of the name,may be permitted to assemble the scattered flocks in caverns or insecret wilds, and to them shall the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraimbe better than the vintage of Abiezer. But I, that have so often carriedthe banner forth against the mighty--I, whose tongue hath testified,morning and evening, like the watchman upon the tower, against Popery,Prelacy, and the tyrant of the Peak--for me to abide here, were but tobring the sword of bloody vengeance amongst you, that the shepherd mightbe smitten, and the sheep scattered. The shedders of blood havealready assailed me, even within that ground which they themselves callconsecrated; and yourselves have seen the scalp of the righteous broken,as he defended my cause. Therefore, I will put on my sandals, and girdmy loins, and depart to a far country, and there do as my duty shallcall upon me, whether it be to act or to suffer--to bear testimony atthe stake or in the pulpit."

  Such were the sentiments which Mr. Solsgrace expressed to his despondingfriends, and which he expatiated upon at more length with MajorBridgenorth; not failing, with friendly zeal, to rebuke the hastewhich the latter had shown to thrust out the hand of fellowship to theAmalekite woman, whereby he reminded him, "He had been rendered herslave and bondsman for a season, like Samson, betrayed by Delilah, andmight have remained longer in the house of Dagon, had not Heaven pointedto him a way out of the snare. Also, it sprung originally from theMajor's going up to feast in the high place of Baal, that he who was thechampion of the truth was stricken down, and put to shame by the enemy,even in the presence of the host."

  These objurgations seeming to give some offence to Major Bridgenorth,who liked, no better than any other man, to hear of his own mishaps, andat the same time to have them imputed to his own misconduct, the worthydivine proceeded to take shame to himself for his own sinful compliancein that matter; for to the vengeance justly due for that unhappy dinnerat Martindale Castle (which was, he said, a crying of peace when therewas no peace, and a dwelling in the tents of sin), he imputed hisejection from his living, with the destruction of some of his most pithyand highly prized volumes of divinity, with the loss of his cap, gown,and band, and a double hogshead of choice Derby ale.

  The mind of Major Bridgenorth was strongly tinged with devotionalfeeling, which his late misfortunes had rendered more deep and solemn;and it is therefore no wonder, that, when he heard these arguments urgedagain and again, by a pastor whom he so much respected, and who was nowa confessor in the cause of their joint faith, he began to lookback with disapproval on his own conduct, and to suspect that he hadpermitted himself to be seduced by gratitude towards Lady Peveril, andby her special arguments in favour of a mutual and tolerating liberalityof sentiments, into an action which had a tendency to compromise hisreligious and political principles.

  One morning, as Major Bridgenorth had wearied himself with severaldetails respecting the arrangement of his affairs, he was reposing inthe leathern easy-chair, beside the latticed window, a posture which, bynatural association, recalled to him the memory of former times, andthe feelings with which he was wont to expect the recurring visit ofSir Geoffrey, who brought him news of his child's welfare,--"Surely,"he said, thinking, as it were, aloud, "there was no sin in the kindnesswith which I then regarded that man."

  Solsgrace, who was in the apartment, and guessed what passed throughhis friend's mind, acquainted as he was with every point of his history,replied--"When God caused Elijah to be fed by ravens, while hiding atthe brook Cherith, we hear not of his fondling the unclean birds, whom,contrary to their ravening nature, a miracle compelled to minister tohim."

  "It may be so," answered Bridgenorth, "yet the flap of their wings musthave been gracious in the ear of the famished prophet, like the tread ofhis horse in mine. The ravens, doubtless, resumed their nature whenthe season was passed, and even so it has fared with him.--Hark!" heexclaimed, starting, "I hear his horse's hoof tramp even now."

  It was seldom that the echoes of that silent house and courtyard wereawakened by the trampling of horses, but such was now the case.

  Both Bridgenorth and Solsgrace were surprised at the sound, and evendisposed to anticipate some farther oppression on the part of thegovernment, when the Major's old servant introduced, with littleceremony (for his manners were nearly as plain as his master's), a tallgentleman on the farther side of middle life, whose vest and cloak, longhair, slouched hat and drooping feather, announced him as a Cavalier.He bowed formally, but courteously, to both gentlemen, and said, that hewas "Sir Jasper Cranbourne, charged with an especial message to MasterRalph Bridgenorth of Moultrassie Hall, by his honourable friend SirGeoffrey Peveril of the Peak, and that he requested to know whetherMaster Bridgenorth would be pleased to receive his acquittal ofcommission here or elsewhere."

  "Anything which Sir Geoffrey Peveril can have to say to me," said MajorBridgenorth, "may be told instantly, and before my friend, from whom Ihave no secrets."

  "The presence of any other friend were, instead of being objectionable,the thing in the world most to be desired," said Sir Jasper, after amoment's hesitation, and looking at Mr. Solsgrace; "but this gentlemanseems to be a sort of clergyman."

  "I am not conscious of any secrets," answered Bridgenorth, "nor do Idesire to have any, in which a clergyman is unfitting confidant."

  "At your pleasure," replied Sir Jasper. "The confidence, for aught Iknow, may be well enough chosen, for your divines (always under
yourfavour) have proved no enemies to such matters as I am to treat with youupon."

  "Proceed, sir," answered Mr. Bridgenorth gravely; "and I pray you to beseated, unless it is rather your pleasure to stand."

  "I must, in the first place, deliver myself of my small commission,"answered Sir Jasper, drawing himself up; "and it will be after I haveseen the reception thereof, that I shall know whether I am, or amnot, to sit down at Moultrassie Hall.--Sir Geoffrey Peveril, MasterBridgenorth, hath carefully considered with himself the unhappycircumstances which at present separate you as neighbours. And heremembers many passages in former times--I speak his very words--whichincline him to do all that can possibly consist with his honour, to wipeout unkindness between you; and for this desirable object, he is willingto condescend in a degree, which, as you could not have expected, itwill no doubt give you great pleasure to learn."

  "Allow me to say, Sir Jasper," said Bridgenorth, "that this isunnecessary. I have made no complaints of Sir Geoffrey--I have requiredno submission from him--I am about to leave this country; and whataffairs we may have together, can be as well settled by others as byourselves."

  "In a word," said the divine, "the worthy Major Bridgenorth hath hadenough of trafficking with the ungodly, and will no longer, on anyterms, consort with them."

  "Gentleman both," said Sir Jasper, with imperturbable politeness,bowing, "you greatly mistake the tenor of my commission, which you willdo as well to hear out, before making any reply to it.--I think, MasterBridgenorth, you cannot but remember your letter to the Lady Peveril,of which I have here a rough copy, in which you complain of thehard measure which you have received at Sir Geoffrey's hand, and, inparticular, when he pulled you from your horse at or near Hartley-nick.Now, Sir Geoffrey thinks so well of you, as to believe, that, were itnot for the wide difference betwixt his descent and rank and yourown, you would have sought to bring this matter to a gentleman-likearbitrament, as the only mode whereby your stain may be honourably wipedaway. Wherefore, in this slight note, he gives you, in his generosity,the offer of what you, in your modesty (for to nothing else does heimpute your acquiescence), have declined to demand of him. And withal,I bring you the measure of his weapon; and when you have accepted thecartel which I now offer you, I shall be ready to settle the time,place, and other circumstances of your meeting."

  "And I," said Solsgrace, with a solemn voice, "should the Author of Eviltempt my friend to accept of so bloodthirsty a proposal, would be thefirst to pronounce against him sentence of the greater excommunication."

  "It is not you whom I address, reverend sir," replied the envoy; "yourinterest, not unnaturally, may determine you to be more anxious aboutyour patron's life than about his honour. I must know, from himself, towhich _he_ is disposed to give the preference."

  So saying, and with a graceful bow, he again tendered the challenge toMajor Bridgenorth. There was obviously a struggle in that gentleman'sbosom, between the suggestions of human honour and those of religiousprinciple; but the latter prevailed. He calmly waived receiving thepaper which Sir Jasper offered to him, and spoke to the followingpurpose:--"It may not be known to you, Sir Jasper, that since thegeneral pouring out of Christian light upon this kingdom, many solid menhave been led to doubt whether the shedding human blood by the hand of afellow-creature be in _any_ respect justifiable. And although this ruleappears to me to be scarcely applicable to our state in this stage oftrial, seeing that such non-resistance, if general, would surrender ourcivil and religious rights into the hands of whatsoever daring tyrantsmight usurp the same; yet I am, and have been, inclined to limit theuse of carnal arms to the case of necessary self-defence, whethersuch regards our own person, or the protection of our country againstinvasion; or of our rights of property, and the freedom of our laws andof our conscience, against usurping power. And as I have never shownmyself unwilling to draw my sword in any of the latter causes, so youshall excuse my suffering it now to remain in the scabbard, when, havingsustained a grievous injury, the man who inflicted it summons me tocombat, either upon an idle punctilio, or, as is more likely, in merebravado."

  "I have heard you with patience," said Sir Jasper; "and now, MasterBridgenorth, take it not amiss, if I beseech you to bethink yourselfbetter on this matter. I vow to Heaven, sir, that your honour liesa-bleeding; and that in condescending to afford you this fair meeting,and thereby giving you some chance to stop its wounds, Sir Geoffrey hasbeen moved by a tender sense of your condition, and an earnest wish toredeem your dishonour. And it will be but the crossing of your bladewith his honoured sword for the space of some few minutes, and you willeither live or die a noble and honoured gentleman. Besides, that theKnight's exquisite skill of fence may enable him, as his good-naturewill incline him, to disarm you with some flesh wound, little to thedamage of your person, and greatly to the benefit of your reputation."

  "The tender mercies of the wicked," said Master Solsgrace emphatically,by way of commenting on this speech, which Sir Jasper had uttered verypathetically, "are cruel."

  "I pray to have no farther interruption from your reverence," said SirJasper; "especially as I think this affair very little concerns you;and I entreat that you permit me to discharge myself regularly of mycommission from my worthy friend."

  So saying, he took his sheathed rapier from his belt, and passing thepoint through the silk thread which secured the letter, he oncemore, and literally at sword point, gracefully tendered it to MajorBridgenorth who again waved it aside, though colouring deeply at thesame time, as if he was putting a marked constraint upon himself--drewback, and made Sir Jasper Cranbourne a deep bow.

  "Since it is to be thus," said Sir Jasper, "I must myself do violence tothe seal of Sir Geoffrey's letter, and read it to you, that I mayfully acquit myself of the charge entrusted to me, and make you, MasterBridgenorth, equally aware of the generous intentions of Sir Geoffrey onyour behalf."

  "If," said Major Bridgenorth, "the contents of the letter be to noother purpose than you have intimated, methinks farther ceremony isunnecessary on this occasion, as I have already taken my course."

  "Nevertheless," said Sir Jasper, breaking open the letter, "it isfitting that I read to you the letter of my worshipful friend." And heread accordingly as follows:--

  "_For the worthy hands of Ralph Bridgenorth, Esquire, of Moultrassie Hall--These:_

  "By the honoured conveyance of the Worshipful Sir Jasper Cranbourne, Knight, of Long-Mallington.

  "Master Bridgenorth,--We have been given to understand by your letter to our loving wife, Dame Margaret Peveril, that you hold hard construction of certain passages betwixt you and I, of a late date, as if your honour should have been, in some sort, prejudiced by what then took place. And although you have not thought it fit to have direct recourse to me, to request such satisfaction as is due from one gentleman of condition to another, yet I am fully minded that this proceeds only from modesty, arising out of the distinction of our degree, and from no lack of that courage which you have heretofore displayed, I would I could say in a good cause. Wherefore I am purposed to give you, by my friend, Sir Jasper Cranbourne, a meeting, for the sake of doing that which doubtless you entirely long for. Sir Jasper will deliver you the length of my weapon, and appoint circumstances and an hour for our meeting; which, whether early or late--on foot or horseback--with rapier or backsword--I refer to yourself, with all the other privileges of a challenged person; only desiring, that if you decline to match my weapon, you will send me forthwith the length and breadth of your own. And nothing doubting that the issue of this meeting must needs be to end, in one way or other, all unkindness betwixt two near neighbours,--I remain, your humble servant to command, "Geoffrey Peveril of the Peak."

  "Given from my poor house of Martindale Castle, this same ____ of ____, sixteen hundred and sixty."

  "Bear back my respects to Sir Geoffrey Peveril," said Major Bridgenorth."According to his light, his meani
ng may be fair towards me; but tellhim that our quarrel had its rise in his own wilful aggression towardsme; and that though I wish to be in charity with all mankind, I am notso wedded to his friendship as to break the laws of God, and run therisk of suffering or committing murder, in order to regain it. And foryou, sir, methinks your advanced years and past misfortunes might teachyou the folly of coming on such idle errands."

  "I shall do your message, Master Ralph Bridgenorth," said Sir Jasper;"and shall then endeavour to forget your name, as a sound unfit to bepronounced, or even remembered, by a man of honour. In the meanwhile,in return for your uncivil advice, be pleased to accept of mine; namely,that as your religion prevents your giving a gentleman satisfaction, itought to make you very cautious of offering him provocation."

  So saying, and with a look of haughty scorn, first at the Major, andthen at the divine, the envoy of Sir Geoffrey put his hat on his head,replaced his rapier in its belt, and left the apartment. In a fewminutes afterwards, the tread of his horse died away at a considerabledistance.

  Bridgenorth had held his hand upon his brow ever since his departure,and a tear of anger and shame was on his face as he raised it when thesound was heard no more. "He carries this answer to MartindaleCastle," he said. "Men will hereafter think of me as a whipped, beaten,dishonourable fellow, whom every one may baffle and insult at theirpleasure. It is well I am leaving the house of my father."

  Master Solsgrace approached his friend with much sympathy, and graspedhim by the hand. "Noble brother," he said, with unwonted kindness ofmanner, "though a man of peace, I can judge what this sacrifice hathcost to thy manly spirit. But God will not have from us an imperfectobedience. We must not, like Ananias and Sapphira, reserve behind somedarling lust, some favourite sin, while we pretend to make sacrifice ofour worldly affections. What avails it to say that we have but secreteda little matter, if the slightest remnant of the accursed thing remainhidden in our tent? Would it be a defence in thy prayers to say, I havenot murdered this man for the lucre of gain, like a robber--nor forthe acquisition of power, like a tyrant,--nor for the gratificationof revenge, like a darkened savage; but because the imperious voice ofworldly honour said, 'Go forth--kill or be killed--is it not I that havesent thee?' Bethink thee, my worthy friend, how thou couldst frame sucha vindication in thy prayers; and if thou art forced to tremble at theblasphemy of such an excuse, remember in thy prayers the thanks due toHeaven, which enabled thee to resist the strong temptation."

  "Reverend and dear friend," answered Bridgenorth, "I feel that you speakthe truth. Bitterer, indeed, and harder, to the old Adam, is the textwhich ordains him to suffer shame, than that which bids him to dovaliantly for the truth. But happy am I that my path through thewilderness of this world will, for some space at least, be along withone, whose zeal and friendship are so active to support me when I amfainting in the way."

  While the inhabitants of Moultrassie Hall thus communicated togetherupon the purport of Sir Jasper Cranbourne's visit, that worthy knightgreatly excited the surprise of Sir Geoffrey Peveril, by reporting themanner in which his embassy had been received.

  "I took him for a man of other metal," said Sir Geoffrey;--"nay, I wouldhave sworn it, had any one asked my testimony. But there is no making asilken purse out of a sow's ear. I have done a folly for him that I willnever do for another: and that is, to think a Presbyterian would fightwithout his preacher's permission. Give them a two hours' sermon,and let them howl a psalm to a tune that is worse than the cries of aflogged hound, and the villains will lay on like threshers; but fora calm, cool, gentleman-like turn upon the sod, hand to hand, in aneighbourly way, they have not honour enough to undertake it. But enoughof our crop-eared cur of a neighbour.--Sir Jasper, you will tarry withus to dine, and see how Dame Margaret's kitchen smokes; and after dinnerI will show you a long-winged falcon fly. She is not mine, but theCountess's, who brought her from London on her fist almost the wholeway, for all the haste she was in, and left her with me to keep theperch for a season."

  This match was soon arranged, and Dame Margaret overheard the goodKnight's resentment mutter itself off, with those feelings with whichwe listen to the last growling of the thunderstorm; which, as the blackcloud sinks beneath the hill, at once assures us that there has beendanger, and that the peril is over. She could not, indeed, but marvel inher own mind at the singular path of reconciliation with his neighbourwhich her husband had, with so much confidence, and in the actualsincerity of his goodwill to Mr. Bridgenorth, attempted to open; andshe blessed God internally that it had not terminated in bloodshed.But these reflections she locked carefully within her own bosom, wellknowing that they referred to subjects in which the Knight of the Peakwould neither permit his sagacity to be called in question, nor his willto be controlled.

  The progress of the history hath hitherto been slow; but after thisperiod so little matter worth of mark occurred at Martindale, that wemust hurry over hastily the transactions of several years.