The next morning Miss Hamilton came down dressed in her riding gear, to find her host already in the saddle and armed with a stout1 hunting crop, which he flourished emphatically as he gave some directions to his groom2. The day was fine and clear after a rainy night, with a hearty3 fragrance4 of the showery summer fields blowing through the Bristol streets.
They were quick outside the town on the road to Bath. Mary found herself well mounted, though a little too safely for her liking5. Her horse was heavy of build, being used to the burden of a somewhat ponderous6 master; but the lighter7 weight and easy prompting hand of a young girl soon made him like a brave colt again. The old merchant looked on with approval at such pretty skill and acquaintance with horsemanship as his companion showed at the outset of their journey; and presently, when both the good horses had finished their discreet8 frolic and settled to sober travel, he fell into easy discourse9, and showed the fair rider all the varied10 interests of the way. It was a busy thoroughfare, and this honored citizen was smiled at and handsomely saluted11 by many acquaintances, noble and humble12. Mr. Davis was stingy of holidays, even in these dull times, but all the gallantry he had ever possessed13 was glowing in his heart as he rode soberly along in such pleasant company.
The dreary14 suspense15 and anxiety of six long weeks at sea were like a half-forgotten dream in the girl's own mind; at last she could set forth16 about her business. The sorrows of seafaring were now at an end; she was in England at last, and the very heart of the mother country seemed to welcome her; yet a young heart like Mary Hamilton's must needs feel a twinge of pain at the height of her morning's happiness. The fields and hedges, the bright foxglove and green ivy17, the larks18 and blackbirds and quiet robins19, the soft air against her cheeks,—each called up some far-inherited memory, some instinct of old relationship. All her elders in Berwick still called England home, and her thrilled heart had come to know the reason.
Roger Wallingford had lived in England. She suddenly understood against her will why he could find it so hard to go to sea in the Ranger20 to attack these shores, and why he had always protested against taking part in the war. England was no longer an angry, contemptuous enemy, tyrannous and exacting21, and determined22 to withhold23 the right of liberty from her own growing colonies. All those sad, familiar prejudices faded away, and Mary could only see white clouds in a soft sky above the hazy24 distance, and hear the English birds singing, and meet the honest English faces, like old friends, as she rode along the road. There was some witchery that bewildered her; it was like some angry quarrel sprung up between mother and child while they were at a distance from each other, that must be quick forgotten when they came face to face. There was indeed some magic touch upon her: the girl's heart was beating fast; she was half afraid that she had misunderstood everything in blaming old England so much, and even stole a quick glance at her companion to see if he could have guessed her strange thoughts.
"'T is a pretty morning," said Mr. Davis kindly25, seeing that she looked his way. "We shall reach Bath in proper season," and he let his horse come to a slow walk.
Whether it was the fresh air of the summer day, very strengthening to one who had been long at sea, or whether it was the justice of their errand itself, the weakness of this happy moment quickly passed, and Miss Hamilton's hand eagerly sought for a packet in the bosom26 of her gown, to see if it were safe. The reason for being on this side the sea was the hope that an anxious errand could be well done. She thought now of Master Sullivan on his bleak27 New England hillside; of the far blue mountains of the north country, and the outlook that was clearer and wider than this hazy landscape along the Avon; she looked down at the tame English river, and only remembered the wide stream at home that ran from the mountains straight to sea,—how it roared and droned over the great rocky fall near the master's own house, and sounded like the calling sea itself in his ears.
"You may see Bath now, there in the valley," said Mr. Davis, pointing with his big hand and the hunting crop. "'T is as fine a ride from Bristol to Bath as any you may have in England." They stopped their horses, a little short of breath, and looked down the rich wooded country to the bright town below.
"'T is a fine ride indeed," said Mary, patting her horse's neck, and thinking, with uncontrollable wistfulness, of the slenderer and less discreet young Duke at home, and of the old coachman and his black helpers as they always stood by the stable, eager to watch her, with loud cautions, as she rode away. It was a sharp touch of homesickness, and she turned her head so that she could hide her face from sight.
"I 'll change with you, my dear, as we ride toward home; I see you are so competent a rider," offered Mr. Davis heartily28. "Lightfoot is a steady beast, though I must own you found him otherwise this morning; this chestnut29 is younger and freer-gaited." He had a strange sense, as he spoke30, that Mary was no longer in good spirits. Perhaps the heavy horse had tired her strength, though Lightfoot was as good a creature as any in Bristol, and much admired for his noble appearance.
Mary eagerly protested, and patted the old horse with still greater friendliness31 and approval as they went riding on toward the town. The alderman sighed at the very sight of her youth and freshness; it would be pleasant to have such a daughter for his own. A man likes young company as he grows older; though the alderman might be growing clumsy on his own legs, the good horse under him made him feel like a lad of twenty. This was a fine day to ride out from Bristol, and the weather of the best. Mr. Davis began to mind him of an errand of business to Westbury on Trym, beyond the Clifton Downs, where, on the morrow, he could show Miss Hamilton still finer prospects32 than these.
They stopped at last before a handsome lodging33 in the middle of the town of Bath. Mr. George Fairfax was a Virginian, of old Lord Bryan Fairfax's near kindred, a man of great wealth, and a hearty Loyalist; his mother, a Cary of Hampton, had been well known to Madam Wallingford in their early years. He was at home this day, and came out at once to receive his guests with fine hospitality, being on excellent terms of friendship with the old merchant. They greeted each other with great respect before Miss Hamilton's presence was explained; and then Mr. Fairfax's smiling face was at once clouded. He had been the hope and stay of so many distressed34 persons, in these anxious days of war, that he could only sigh as he listened. It was evident enough that, however charming this new sufferer and applicant36 might be, their host could but regret her errand. Yet one might well take pleasure in her lovely face, even if she must be disappointed, as most ladies were, in the hope of receiving an instant and ample pension from the Ministers of His Majesty37 George the Third.
Mr. Fairfax, with great courtesy, began to say something of his regrets and fears.
"But we do not ask for these kind favors," Mary interrupted him, with gentle dignity. "You mistake our present errand, sir. Madam Wallingford is in no need of such assistance. We are provided with what money we are like to need, as our good friend here must already know. The people at home"—and she faltered38 for one moment before she could go on. "It was indeed thought best that Madam Wallingford should be absent for a time; but she was glad to come hither for her son's sake, who is in prison. We have come but to find him and to set him free, and we ask for your advice and help. Here is her letter," and Miss Hamilton hesitated and blushed with what seemed to both the gentlemen a most pretty confusion. "I ought to tell you, Mr. Fairfax—I think you should know, sir, that I am of the Patriots39. My brother was with General Washington, with his own regiment40, when I left home."
Mr. George Fairfax bowed ceremoniously, but his eyes twinkled a little, and he took instant refuge in reading the letter. This was evidently an interesting case, but not without its difficulties.
"The young gentleman in question also appears to be a Patriot," he said seriously, as he looked up at Mr. Davis. "In Miss Hamilton's presence I must drop our usual term of 'rebel.' Madam Wallingford professes41 herself unshaken in her hereditary42 allegiance to the Crown; but as for this young officer, her son, I am astonished to find that he has been on board the Ranger with that Paul Jones who is the terror of all our ports now, and the chief pest and scourge43 of our commerce here in England. 'T is a distressed parent, indeed.
"You have the right of it," said the old British merchant, with great eagerness and reproach. Mr. Davis was not a man who found it easy to take the humorous point of view. "It seems that he was left ashore44, that night of the attack upon Whitehaven, in the north, which you will well remember. He was caught by the town guard. You know that we captured one of the Ranger's men? 'Twas this same young officer, and, though badly wounded, he was ordered to the Mill Prison, and is said to have arrived in a dying state. For his mother's sake (and her face would distress35 any man's heart), I try to believe that he is yet alive and lies there in the jail; but 't is a sorry house of correction that he has come to through his own foolishness. They say he is like to have been hanged already."
"Good God! what a melancholy45 story, and all England thinking that he deserves his fate!" exclaimed Fairfax. "I cannot see how anything can be done."
"There is but one gleam of hope," said Mr. Davis, who had not sat among the Bristol magistrates46 in vain. He spoke pompously47, but with some kindness for Miss Hamilton, who was listening sadly enough, the eager bravery of her face all gone; their last words had been very hard to bear. "There is one thing to add. The story reached America, before these good friends left, that young Mr. Wallingford was suspected by many persons on board the Ranger of still holding to his early Loyalist principles. They openly accused him of an effort to betray the ship into our hands. If this is true"—
"It is not true!" interrupted Miss Hamilton, and both the gentlemen looked a little startled. "No, it is not true," she repeated more calmly. "It is not a proper plea to make, if he should never be set free."
"We must think of his mother; we are only reviewing the situation in our own fashion," said the elder man, frowning a stern rebuke48 at her. But she would have her way.
"Mr. Davis has been very kind in the matter," she continued. "When we were speaking together, last night, he told me that Lord Mount Edgecumbe was now in Bath, and would have great influence about the American prisoners."
"That is true," said Mr. Fairfax politely; "but I do not possess the honor of his lordship's acquaintance, and I fear that I have no means of reaching him. He is in bad health, and but lately arrived in Bath to take the waters."
"Miss Hamilton has brought letters"—
"I have some letters, given me by an old friend at home," acknowledged Mary. "The writer was very sure that they would be of use to us. Do you happen to know anything of Lord Newburgh, sir, and where he may be found?"
"Lord Newburgh?" repeated the Virginian eagerly, with a quick shake of his head and a sudden frown, though there was again a twinkle of merriment in his eyes. Mary's best hopes suddenly fell to the ground. She was aware as she had not been before upon how slight a foundation these best hopes might have been built. She had always looked up to Master Sullivan with veneration49; the mystery of his presence was like an enchantment50 to those who knew him best. But he had been a long lifetime in America; he might have written his letters to dead men only; they might be worth no more than those withered51 oak leaves of last year that were fluttering on the hedges, pierced by a new growth.
There was a pause. Mr. Fairfax's face seemed full of pity. Miss Hamilton began to resent his open show of sympathy.
"I am strangely inhospitable!" he exclaimed. "We were so quick at our business that I forgot to offer you anything, sir, and you, Miss Hamilton, after your morning's ride! No, no, it is no trouble. You will excuse me for a moment? I am like to forget my good bringing up in Virginia, and my lady is just now absent from home."
Mr. Fairfax quickly left the room. The alderman sat there speechless, but looking satisfied and complacent52. It certainly did make a man thirsty to ride abroad on a sunshiny morning, and his ears were sharp-set for the comfortable clink of glasses. The heavy tray presently arrived, and was put near him on a card table, and the old butler, with his pleasant Virginian speech, was eager in the discharge of hospitality; Mr. Fairfax being still absent, and Mary quite at the end of her courage. She could not take the cool draught53 which old Peter offered her with respectful entreaties54, as if he were C?sar, their own old slave; she tried to look at the hunting pictures on the wall, but they blurred55 strangely,—there was something the matter with her eyes.
"What noble Jamaica spirits!" said Mr. John Davis, looking at the ceiling with affected56 indifference57 as his glass was being replenished58. "Did your master grow these lemons on his own plantations59 in Virginia? They are of a wondrous60 freshness," he added, politely, to repeat his approval of such an entertainment. "Miss Hamilton, my dear, you forget we must take the long ride back again to Bristol. I fear you make a great mistake to refuse any refreshment61 at good Peter's hands."
The door was thrown open and Mr. Fairfax made a handsome, middle-aged62 gentleman precede him into the room.
"I was afraid that I should miss this noble friend," he said gayly; "he might have been taking advantage of so fine a morning, like yourselves. Here is my Lord Newburgh, Miss Hamilton; this is Lord Newburgh himself for you! You must have heard of the Honorable Mr. Davis, of Bristol, my lord?—one of their great merchants. I have told you already that Miss Hamilton brings you a letter, and that she hopes for your interest with my Lord Mount Edgecumbe. My dear Miss Hamilton, this gives me great pleasure! When you said that you had brought such a letter, I was sure at last that there was one thing I could do for you."
Lord Newburgh gravely saluted these new acquaintances, taking quick notice of the lady's charm, and smiling over his shoulder at Mr. Fairfax's excited manner. He waved his hand in kind protest to check Peter's officious approach with the tray of glasses.
"So you have a letter for me, from America, Miss Hamilton?" he asked bluntly; and she put it into his hand.
Lord Newburgh gave a curious look at the carefully written address, and turned the folded sheet to see the seal. Then he flushed like a man in anger and bit his lip as he looked at the seal again, and started back as he stood close by the window, so that they all saw him. Then he tore open Master Sullivan's letter.
"It is dated this very last month!" he cried. "My God! do you mean to tell me that this man is still alive?"
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2
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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8
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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10
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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11
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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12
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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ivy
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| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
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larks
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| n.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的名词复数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了v.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的第三人称单数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了 | |
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19
robins
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| n.知更鸟，鸫( robin的名词复数 )；（签名者不分先后，以避免受责的）圆形签名抗议书（或请愿书） | |
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ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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hazy
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| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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27
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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30
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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31
friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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33
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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applicant
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| n.申请人，求职者，请求者 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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38
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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39
patriots
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| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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professes
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| 声称( profess的第三人称单数 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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42
hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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43
scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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44
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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45
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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46
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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47
pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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48
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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49
veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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50
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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51
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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52
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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53
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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54
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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55
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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56
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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57
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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58
replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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59
plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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61
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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62
middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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