CHAPTER V.
HOW CHARLES RODE TO MADRESFIELD COURT; AND HOW MISTRESS JANE LANE ANDHER BROTHER, WITH SIR CLEMENT FISHER, WERE PRESENTED TO HIS MAJESTY.
Next morning another council of war was held at the palace. No tidingsas yet of Cromwell--no despatches from the Earl of Derby. After anhour's deliberation the council broke up, and the king proceeded to theCastle Hill, which was being fortified under the superintendence ofLord Rothes and Sir William Hamilton.
The city walls, in the reparation of which hundreds of men had beenemployed since midnight, were next inspected by his majesty, who waswell satisfied with the progress made. He then visited both camps,and while riding along the High-street with his escort, attended byMajor Careless, was loudly cheered. Ever since the king's arrivalat Worcester the weather had been splendid--a circumstance thatcontributed in no slight degree to the gay and festive air thatprevailed within the city. The taverns were full of roysteringCavaliers, smoking, drinking, dicing, and singing bacchanalian songs.
On his return from the camp at Pitchcroft, Charles paid a visit to themayor at his private residence, and had a long conference with him.Having given all the instructions he deemed necessary, and feeling thathis presence was no longer required, Charles, anxious to escape fromthe ceaseless applications by which he was beset, crossed the river,and, still attended by his escort and Careless, rode in the directionof the Malvern Hills, his destination being Madresfield Court, an oldfortified mansion, buried in the midst of thick woods of oak, beech,elm, and other trees, stretching almost from Malvern to the banks ofthe Severn.
The day, as we have said, was splendid, though excessively hot, butshaded by the trees, which sheltered him with their mighty arms fromthe oppressive summer heat, Charles found the ride through the forestenchanting. He seemed to breathe more freely now that he was away fromthe crowded city and the bustling camps.
A lovely sylvan scene, such as he had not for some time contemplated,was offered to his gaze. Madresfield Chase, which formed part ofthe old forest of Malvern, boasted some trees of great age and vastsize. Generally the chase was flat, but occasionally a knoll could bediscerned, crowned with timber. A long and beautiful glade of somemiles in extent led towards the ancient mansion, which could not,however, be distinguished. Rising in front, above the trees, appearedthe lovely Malvern Hills, and their summits, bathed in sunshine, lookedso exquisite that Charles wished he could be transported to one of them.
"I never look at a mountain top," he remarked to Careless, "withoutdesiring to ascend to it."
"'Tis a natural wish I think, my liege," replied the aide-de-camp."At least, I have the same feeling. Those hills are not difficult ofascent, and command a magnificent view. The highest of them, and thenearest to Malvern, is the Worcestershire Beacon; the other is theHerefordshire Beacon. Both noble hills."
"Can we ride to the top of the Worcestershire Beacon?"
"Easily, sire."
"Have you ever made the ascent on horseback?"
"Never--either on horseback or on foot, sire."
"Then you know nothing about it. However, the difficulties, if thereare any, won't deter me. I cannot resist the inclination to ride upto the beacon. We will make the ascent in the evening, when it growscooler. 'Tis too sultry just now."
"Very true, sire. I should be loth to quit these trees for the barehill-side."
They then rode on till they came in sight of the grey old structure,which was a very good specimen of a castellated mansion, being stronglybuilt, embattled, flanked with towers, surrounded by a broad, deepmoat, defended by a drawbridge, and approached by a grand embattledgateway.
During the Civil Wars, Madresfield Court had been alternately in thepossession of the Royalists and the Roundheads. Strongly garrisoned byCharles I., taken by Colonel Fynes at the first siege of Worcester,retaken by the Royalists, and again captured in 1646, it had remained,until within the last few days, in the quiet possession of its owner,Colonel Lygon, who prudently acted with the Parliamentarians. On thearrival of Charles at Worcester, Colonel Lygon was driven forth,after an ineffectual attempt at resistance, and his mansion seizedand garrisoned for the king. It was now in a condition to stand asiege, being already well victualled, and well provided with arms andammunition. Falconets were placed on the gateway, and larger ordnanceon the battlements.
Charles was well pleased to see the royal standard displayed from theroof of the old mansion, and to note the preparations for defence.Trumpets were sounded and drums beaten on his approach. The drawbridgewas lowered, and the officers and men prepared to turn out and receivehis majesty. Charles, however, halted beneath a spreading oak thatgrew on a wide lawn in front of the mansion, and was contemplating theancient edifice with some pride in being once more its master, whenCareless drew his attention to three persons on horseback, who had justissued from an avenue on the right. From their attire, and from theirsteeds, the equestrians looked like persons of distinction. One of theparty, who specially attracted the king's attention, was a young lady,slight in figure, and extremely graceful. Even beheld at that distance,it might be safely asserted that she was lovely, and when she drewnear, she more than realised any notions the king had formed of herbeauty. Her companions were Cavaliers undoubtedly--both fine-lookingyoung men, distinguished by their military bearing.
"Know you whom they are?" inquired the king of Careless.
"Unless I mistake not, sire, he in the black velvet doublet, slashedwith white, is Colonel Lane of Bentley Hall, in Staffordshire----"
"The Lanes are staunch Royalists?" interrupted Charles.
"Staunchest of the staunch, sire. With the colonel is his sister,Mistress Jane Lane, one of the fairest damsels in the county, anddevoted to your majesty. He on the roan horse, and in the green jerkin,laced with silver, is Sir Clement Fisher, of Packington Hall, inWarwickshire."
JANE LANE PRESENTED TO CHARLES II.]
"Jane Lane's suitor, I'll be sworn!" cried Charles.
"Your majesty has hit it," replied Careless, with a smile.
While this brief colloquy took place, the party had stopped, as ifawaiting permission to advance.
"Bring them to me, and present them," said Charles.
Careless, who was a _preux chevalier_, executed his task with infinitegrace. It was a charming sight to witness Jane Lane's presentation tothe young king. There was an ingenuousness in her manner that delightedCharles. She seemed to possess great spirit and force of character,and yet she had all the most agreeable feminine qualities. As to herbeauty there could be no question. Brighter black eyes, features ofgreater delicacy and refinement, tresses more exquisite, Charles hadnever beheld. Though she coloured deeply when she first encountered theking's gaze, she manifested no embarrassment.
There was a certain likeness between Colonel Lane and his sister,though the colonel had strongly-marked traits, a firm mouth, and abold, determined look. But he had dark eyes like Jane, and in themresided the expression that constituted the likeness. Sir ClementFisher was an admirable specimen of a Cavalier--handsome, brave,chivalrous, he seemed formed to win a fair lady's heart. Whether he hadwon that of Jane Lane will be seen.
"How is it I have not yet seen you at Worcester, gentlemen?" inquiredCharles.
"We are on our way thither, sire," replied Colonel Lane. "You will seeus at the Muster at Pitchcroft to-morrow. We have not been lukewarm inyour majesty's cause."
"Even I have done something for you, sire," said Jane. "This morning Ihave secured your majesty forty horse; and I hope to render you stillbetter service before the day is over."
"My sister is zealous, you perceive, sire," remarked Colonel Lane, witha smile.
"Were there a hundred like her I should soon have an army," observedCharles, highly pleased. "But what is the great service you hope torender me?"
"Nay, sire," she rejoined, playfully, "you must allow me to keep mysecret. 'Twill be a surprise to you to-morrow."
"Then I will ask you no further questions, yet I would fain know whyyou cam
e here. You could not have expected to find me at Madresfield."
"Pardon me, your majesty, I _did_ expect to find you here."
"Oddsfish! you must be a witch," cried Charles, laughing.
"There is no sorcery in the matter, sire. Have you not sent a messengerto Mr. Thomas Hornyold, of Blackmore Park, commanding him to attendupon you at Madresfield this afternoon?"
"And you have seen the messenger?"
"I have, sire. I have read the message, and I told Tom Hornyold I wouldcome in his stead, and make his excuses. The blame of his disobedienceof your majesty's order must rest entirely with me. I have sent him toSir Rowland Berkeley."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Charles.
"He will do more good with Sir Rowland than here. But that is not all.He has promised me to see Sir Walter Blount, Sir John Winford, and Mr.Ralph Sheldon of Beoly. Will you forgive now for my great presumption,sire?"
"Forgive you! I am beyond measure indebted to you."
"Sire!" she cried, with a look that bespoke her conviction of thetruth of what she uttered, "I believe that I am destined to render youa signal service. My brother will confirm what I am about to say. Itwas foretold of me when I was a child, by a famous astrologer, that Ishould save a prince's life. The prophecy must refer to you."
"It may be so," said Charles, smiling at her enthusiasm. "At allevents, I shall look upon you as my guardian angel."
"My heart beats only with loyalty, sire. I have no other feeling in mybreast."
"No other feeling, fair mistress?" said the king, glancing towards SirClement.
"It is perfectly true, sire," observed the young baronet, with asomewhat despondent look. "Mistress Jane Lane vows she will never wedtill your majesty is seated on the throne."
"And I will keep my vow," cried Jane.
"Then I trust ere long Sir Clement may be in a position to claim you,and that I may be present at your nuptials," said Charles. "But whitheryou go?" he added, seeing they were preparing to depart. "Will you notenter the house?"
"We must pray your majesty to excuse us," said Colonel Lane,bowing. "We have much to do. We are going to cross the hills intoHerefordshire.'"
"Nay, then you must stay till the heat of the day is abated, and Imyself will bear you company for part of your journey, for I design toascend the Worcestershire Beacon. 'Tis not fit your sister should beexposed to this fierce sun."
"I am not one of those damsels that care for my complexion, sire,"observed Jane, laughing. "The sun will not melt me."
"Nay, then I will not detain you," rejoined Charles. "I shall see youto-morrow at the Muster at Pitchcroft. You must not be absent, fairmistress."
"Be sure I will not, sire," she replied.
Bending reverentially to the king, she rode off with the others.
"A noble girl!" exclaimed Charles, gazing after her with admiration."She is the incarnation of loyalty."