Her cheeks grew pale with anxious fear as the bridle4 of her horse was at length seized, and she was forced back against a wall; and then for the first time she noticed that a body of soldiers were drawing near, and beyond them marched a number of downcast-looking men, evidently prisoners. Could it be that they were already on their way to execution?—that the delivery of her papers would be too late to save them? This thought almost maddened her, and turning her horse's head, she said, "On, Cavalier, on!" and at the same moment drew out her packet, and held it high above her head.
"ON CAVALIER, ON!"
The effect of her words seemed magical—not upon her horse, but upon the soldiers by whom she was now surrounded. The officer in command bowed as she uttered the ringing words, "On, Cavalier, on!" and instead of turning her back to the wall, called upon his men to halt, while Maud passed through their midst, holding high the official-looking document which she thought had gained her this privilege, but which in reality the officer had hardly noticed.
Quite unconsciously, Maud had used their password in addressing her horse, and to this she owed it that she was allowed to pass through the ranks, the officer believing she came with orders from the King to those in charge of the prisoners. She heeded5 not the looks of the soldiers; indeed, she scarcely saw them, but rode straight on to where an officer stood waiting to demand her business, and why the cavalcade6 had been stopped.
Maud handed him her packet. "It concerneth the prisoners," she said, panting with excitement.
The officer took it from her hand, and rode back to another officer after glancing at the address, and Maud, then face to face with the pale, weary-looking prisoners, glanced at them for the first time. One was looking at her and her horse most earnestly, but she did not recognise him; and when the officer came back she rode on, wondering whether she had been in time to save them after all. The papers had been sent to the residence of the general in command, and they were still halting, to know the result of his reading them; and Maud was detained, lest she should be wanted too. They had not to wait long. In a few minutes a soldier rode up with a note from the general. The prisoners were to be taken back to their prison and the messenger released; and Maud was allowed to go on her way, while the whole cavalcade turned back, to the great disappointment of the Oxford crowd, who would fain have testified their loyalty7 to the King by making a holiday over the execution of these rebels.
Maud had no other care than to get out of the way of the crowd and the detachments of soldiers; but as soon as a by-street was gained, and she was left in comparative quiet, weariness and exhaustion8 almost overcame her, and for the first time she noticed that Cavalier had fallen lame9 with his exertions10. To get back to Hayslope Grange, as she had at first intended, was therefore impossible, and she resolved to ask the hospitality of Mistress Stanhope for a few days. She hoped Master Drury was there, but of this she could not feel sure; but whether or no he was there, she must go, and she made instant inquiry11 of a bystander for Captain Stanhope's house. After some little difficulty she found it, and to her joy heard that Master Drury was there. He seemed much astonished to see Maud, and Mistress Stanhope was in no little alarm at her travel-stained appearance.
"Has the rebel army appeared before Hayslope?" he asked, anxiously.
"No," answered Maud, faintly smiling. "Nothing had happened to Hayslope when I left."
"Then wherefore hast thou come here?" asked Master Drury. "Has anything happened to Mistress Mabel or the children?"
"Nay12, they are all well," said Maud. "I came as a messenger, to bring certain letters from London to the King."
"Marry, now be truthful13, Mistress Maud," said Mary, "and tell us thou art come to see the gay city of Oxford."
"Nay, nay; I came not for that," said Maud. "I have ridden hard to reach here in time, so hard that Cavalier hath fallen lame with his journey, and needs rest more than I do."
"Then I will order Cavalier's rest and refreshment14 while Mary looketh to your wants," said Master Drury; and he went out at once, leaving the two ladies alone. Mistress Stanhope was proud to play the hostess to her old companion, and as soon as she had changed her dress, and had some refreshment, she insisted upon showing her new and fashionable house, in spite of Maud's evident weariness. At length she was allowed to take up a book and sit down in peace, for some other visitors had called, and Mary was obliged to go to them.
The book Maud had taken up was quite a new one, just published, and written by Master John Milton, a schoolmaster of London. It was a volume of poems, and Maud was soon absorbed in reading "Penseroso." Mary suddenly entering the room some time afterwards quite startled her, and the book slipped from her hand on to the floor. But Mary did not stay, she had only come for something to show her visitor; and as Maud picked up the book, she went out again, and did not see how pale Maud had suddenly grown, as she sat and stared at the inner cover of the book.
There was nothing very remarkable15 there,—only, "Mistress Stanhope, from an old friend. Oxford, 1645." But Maud knew that Harry16's hand had traced those letters, and she wondered how it was he was at Oxford, and whether he was there now. When Mary came back Maud was still staring at her name in the book.
"Marry, what are you looking at?" asked the young matron, glancing over her shoulder.
"I suppose he did," coolly spoke18 Mary; "but he had the grace to conceal19 the fact that I was his sister."
Maud had noticed that he wrote "friend" instead of "brother."
"Why should he do this?" she said.
"Prithee, Maud, will you never see how he has disgraced our name?" said Mary, impatiently. "Nay, nay, you have not seen my father's misery20 since he hath been here, and how closely he hath kept himself shut up, lest any should hear his name."
"But why should he do this?" asked Maud.
"Why?" uttered Mary, "when all men are talking of the traitor2 rebel, Harry Drury, who was this day to be executed."
Her voice faltered21 as she said the last words, although she tried to appear unmoved as she added, "But the execution is postponed22, I hear."
"Only postponed!" gasped Maud, who sat with widely staring eyes.
"The letters were to save their lives, I heard."
"What letters?" asked Mary.
"Those I brought from Hayslope, where the parliament messenger lies sorely wounded," said Maud.
Mary did not wait to hear more, but went to meet her husband, who was coming up the stairs. The gaily23 dressed officer bowed to Maud as he entered a few minutes afterwards, but she could see he looked annoyed.
"Good-morrow, lady messenger," he said. "You did but reach Oxford in time, and if you had been an hour later 'twere better for his Majesty24, I trow."
"Prithee, tell me why?" said Maud.
"There would have been six stout-hearted rebels the less to fight against King Charles," said Captain Stanhope.
"Are the prisoners released?" asked Maud, with an exclamation25 of joy.
"Nay, nay, not yet; but we cannot afford to execute them, for the rebel army hath five thousand of our loyal troopers, and they propose to exchange some of these for the handful we have here in our prison, and Harry Drury is specially26 named as one of them—Harry Drury and Gilbert Clayton, whom Prince Rupert's men captured some time since."
To describe Maud's feelings when she heard how near Harry had been to an ignominious27 death would be impossible. For a time she could only bow her head in her hands, and weep out her thanksgiving to God for His great mercy; but by degrees the hope that she should soon see him gradually stole over her, until she recollected28 that Harry would scarcely venture to call upon them, even though he had seen her in the town; for she doubted not but that the prisoner who had looked at her so closely was Harry, although she had failed to recognise him.
When Master Drury came in soon afterwards, it was evident he had heard the news, although Harry's name was not mentioned.
"Maud," he said, drawing his chair close to hers as soon as they were left alone, "you heard that the King's cabinet had been captured at the battle of Naseby?"
Maud bowed. "Hath it been retaken?" she asked.
Master Drury shook his head. "Prithee, I would it had never existed," he said, "or that I knew not aught of it."
"Have you seen the King's letters?" asked Maud.
"All the world will see them shortly," sighed the gentleman. "The rebels have published some of his papers, calling it 'The King's Cabinet Opened.'"
"Alas30! they will see that what these rebels say of him is true; that he hath tried to sell his people to a foreign foe," groaned31 Master Drury. "All his doings with the Irish rebels, and his negotiations32 with foreign princes to bring troops over here, are given in these papers."
Maud started to her feet, flushed with indignation. "It is not true," she said. "It would be unkingly—beneath the majesty of our royal Charles. It is a fabrication of the Parliament rebels."
"I would fain think so if I could," sighed Master Drury; "but, Maud, I have heard from those who knew all the King's matters that these letters are true copies of what were in the cabinet."
Maud dropped into her seat as though she had been shot. "The King is false and untrue, then," she gasped, "and Harry is right after all."
"Hush33, prithee, hush!" said Master Drury. "You know not what you say, Maud;" but he did not speak as though he were angry that Harry's name had been uttered.
"Marry, but I cannot hold my peace when true and noble men are risking their lives to fight for this false king," said Maud.
"I will not fight," quietly spoke Master Drury. "I will go back with you to Hayslope."
"Prithee, but you will see Harry before you leave Oxford?" said Maud, a faint colour stealing into her cheek as she spoke.
Master Drury was deeply moved. It was evident he was longing34 to see his son, but he said in a faint voice, "Nay, nay, I dare not see him. Mary Stanhope has spread the report that I have cast him off as a traitor rebel, and my loyalty to the King would be suspected if I were to see him now;" and he heaved a deep sigh as he spoke.
Master Drury winced36 at the implied reproach. "Nay, nay, I cannot go so far as that," he said; "if I were I should be a rebel."
"Then you must be false to yourself to _seem+ true to the King," said Maud, boldly; "and that is why there are so many true and honest men among the rebels, and why they are so strong. It is not their hatred37 of oppression only, nor their wish to save England's liberties, as they say; but they cannot do otherwise if they would be true to themselves—true to God, who has said, 'Fear God,' first, and then 'Honour the king.'"
Maud was speaking for Harry, and that gave her courage, or she would never dared to have said so much to her guardian38. But it was all in vain. Family honour demanded the sacrifice of principle—at least, so thought Master Drury—and he would not allow Maud to seek an interview with Harry, or claim acquaintance with the all but executed traitor.
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1
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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2
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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5
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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7
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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8
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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12
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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13
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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14
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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15
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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18
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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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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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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postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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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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25
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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26
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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27
ignominious
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| adj.可鄙的，不光彩的，耻辱的 | |
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28
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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33
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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34
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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35
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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36
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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38
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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