Atherton was slowly passing on his way, which brought him somewhatnearer the group, when Colonel Townley caught sight of him, andimmediately hailed him.
By no means sorry to have a nearer view of the mysterious fair ones,the young man readily responded to the summons, but if he expected anintroduction to the damsels he was disappointed.
Before he came up, it was evident that the colonel had been told thatthis was not to be, and he carefully obeyed orders.
The young lady who had especially attracted Atherton's attentionproved to be very handsome, for, though he could not obtain a fullview of her face, he saw enough to satisfy him she had delicatelyformed features, magnificent black eyes, and black tresses.
These splendid black eyes were steadily fixed upon him for a fewmoments, as if she was reading his character; and after the rapidinspection, she turned to Colonel Townley, and made some remark to himin a whisper.
Without tarrying any longer, she then signed to her companions, andthey all three moved off, followed by the manservant, leaving Athertonquite bewildered. The party walked so rapidly that they were almostinstantly out of sight.
"If it is not impertinent on my part, may I ask who those young ladiesare?" inquired Atherton.
"I am not allowed to tell you, my dear fellow," replied the colonel,slightly laughing. "But I dare say you will meet them again."
"I must not even ask if they live in Manchester, I suppose?"
"I cannot satisfy your curiosity in any particular. I meant to presentyou to them, but I was forbidden. I may, however, tell you that theyoung lady nearest me made a flattering observation respecting you."
"That is something, from so charming a girl."
"Then you discovered that she is beautiful!"
"I never beheld such fine eyes."
Colonel Townley laughed heartily.
"Take care of yourself, my dear boy--take care of yourself," he said."Those eyes have already done wonderful execution."
"One question more, colonel, and I have done. Are they sisters?"
"Well, I may answer that. They are not. I thought you must have knownthe young man who was with them."
"I fancied he was Jemmy Dawson. But I own I did not pay much attentionto him."
"You were engrossed by one object. It was Jemmy Dawson. He is to beone of my officers, and I feel very proud of him, as I shall be ofanother gallant youth whom I count upon. But I must loiter no longerhere. I shall ride to Preston to-night, and proceed to-morrow toLancaster. Fail not to keep your appointment with Sir RichardRawcliffe. You will see his daughter, who will put this fair unknownout of your head."
"I scarcely think so," replied Atherton.
"Well, I shall learn all about it on my return. Adieu!"
With this, the colonel struck spurs into his horse and rode quicklyacross the bridge, followed by his groom, while Atherton, whosethoughts had been entirely changed within the last ten minutes,proceeded towards his lodgings in Deansgate.
CHAPTER VIII.
BEPPY BYROM.
Next morning, in the drawing-room of a comfortable house, situatednear the collegiate church, and commanding from its windows a view ofthat venerable fabric, a family party, consisting of four persons--twoladies and two gentlemen--had assembled after breakfast.
Elegantly furnished in the taste of the time, the room was fitted upwith japanned cabinets and numerous small brackets, on which chinaware and other ornaments were placed. A crystal chandelier hung fromthe ceiling, and a large folding Indian screen was partly drawn roundthe work-table, beside which the two ladies sat. The gentlemen werestanding near the fireplace.
The mistress of the house, though no longer young, as will be guessedwhen we mention that her daughter was turned twenty-one, while her sonwas some two or three years older, still retained considerablepersonal attractions, and had a most agreeable expression ofcountenance.
We may as well state at once, that this lady, who had made the besthelpmate possible to the best of husbands, was the wife of our worthyfriend Dr. Byrom, who had every reason to congratulate himself, as heconstantly did, on the possession of such a treasure.
Very pretty, and very lively, was the younger lady--ElizabethByrom--Beppy as she was familiarly called. We despair of giving anidea of her features, but her eyes were bright and blue, hercomplexion like a damask rose, her nose slightly retrousse, and herteeth like pearls. When she laughed, her cheek displayed the prettiestdimple imaginable. Her light-brown locks were taken from the brow, andraised to a considerable height, but there were no artificial tressesamong them.
Her costume suited her extremely well--her gown being of grey silk,looped round the body; and she wore a hoop petticoat--as every othergirl did at the time who had any pretension to fashion.
Beppy was not a coquette--far from it--but she tried to please; norwas she vain of her figure, yet she liked to dress becomingly.Accomplished she was, undoubtedly; sang well, and played on thespinet; but she was useful as well as ornamental, and did a great manythings in the house, which no girl of our own period would condescendto undertake.
With much gaiety of manner, a keen sense of the ridiculous, and a turnfor satire, Beppy never said an ill-natured thing. In short, she was avery charming girl, and the wonder was, with so many agreeablequalities, that she should have remained single.
Our description would be incomplete if we omitted to state that shewas an ardent Jacobite.
Her brother, Edward, resembled his father, and was gentleman-like inappearance and manner. He wore a suit of light blue, with silverbuttons, and a flaxen-coloured peruke, which gave him a gay look, butin reality he was very sedate. There was nothing of the coxcomb aboutEdward Byrom. Nor was he of an enthusiastic temperament. Like all themembers of his family, he was well inclined towards the House ofStuart, but he was not disposed to make any sacrifice, or incur anypersonal risk for its restoration to the throne. Edward Byrom wastall, well-made, and passably good-looking.
Mrs. Byrom was dressed in green flowered silk, which suited her: worepowder in her hair, which also suited her, and a hoop petticoat, butwe will not say whether the latter suited her or not. Her husbandthought it did, and he was the best judge.
"Well, papa," cried Beppy, looking up at him from her work, "what doyou mean to do to-day?"
"I have a good deal to do," replied Dr. Byrom. "In the first place Ishall pay a visit to Tom Syddall, the barber."
"I like Tom Syddall because he is a Jacobite, and because his fathersuffered for the good cause," said Beppy. "Though a barber is theleast heroic of mortals, Tom Syddall always appears to me a sort ofhero, with a pair of scissors and a powder-puff for weapons."
"He has thrown dust in your eyes, Beppy," said the doctor.
"He has vowed to avenge his father. Is not that creditable to him,papa?"
"Yes, he is a brave fellow, no doubt. I only hope he mayn't share hisfather's fate. I shall endeavour to persuade him to keep quiet."
"Is it quite certain the prince will come to Manchester?" asked Mrs.Byrom, anxiously.
"He will be here in two or three days at the latest with his army. Butdon't alarm yourself, my love."
"Oh, dear!" she exclaimed. "I think we had better leave the town."
"You are needlessly afraid, mamma," cried Beppy. "I am not frightenedin the least. It may be prudent in some people to get out of the way;but depend upon it _we_ shan't be molested. Papa's opinions are toowell known. I wouldn't for the world miss seeing the prince. I daresay we shall all be presented to him."
"You talk of the prince as if he had already arrived, Beppy," observedEdward Byrom, gravely. "After all, he may never reach Manchester."
"You hope he won't come," cried his sister. "You are a Hanoverian,Teddy, and don't belong to us."
"'Tis because I wish the prince well that I hope he mayn't come," saidTeddy. "The wisest thing he could do would be to retreat."
"I disown you, sir," cried the young lady. "The prince will neverretreat, unless compelled, and success has hithert
o attended him."
"Are you aware that the townspeople of Liverpool have raised aregiment seven hundred strong?"
"For the prince?"
"For King George. Chester, also, has been put into a state of defenceagainst the insurgents, though there are many Roman Catholic familiesin the city."
"I won't be discouraged," said Beppy. "I am certain the right willtriumph. What do you think, papa?"
Dr. Byrom made no response to this appeal.
"Your papa has great misgivings, my dear," observed Mrs. Byrom; "andso have I. I should most heartily rejoice if the danger that threatensus could be averted. Rebellion is a dreadful thing. We must take nopart in this contest. How miserable I should have been if your brotherhad joined the insurgents!"
"Happily, Teddy has more discretion," said Dr. Byrom, casting anapproving look at his son. "Some of our friends, I fear, will rue theconsequences of their folly. Jemmy Dawson has joined the ManchesterRegiment, and of course Dr. Deacon's three sons are to be enrolled init."
"Were I a man I would join likewise," cried Beppy.
"My dear!" exclaimed her mother, half reproachfully.
"Forgive me if I have hurt your feelings, dearest mamma," said Beppy,getting up and kissing her. "You know I would do nothing to displeaseyou."
"Jemmy Dawson will incur his father's anger by the step he has taken,"remarked Edward Byrom. "But powerful influence has been brought tobear upon him. A young lady, quite as enthusiastic a Jacobite as youare, Beppy, to whom he is attached, has done the mischief."
"Indeed! I should like to know who she is?" said his sister.
"Nay, you must not question me. You will learn the secret in due time,I make no doubt."
"I have guessed it already," said Beppy. "'Tis Monica Butler. I haveseen Jemmy with her. She is just the girl who could induce him to jointhe insurrection, for she is heart and soul in the cause."
"You are right. Monica Butler is Jemmy's fair enslaver. His assent wasto be the price of her hand. I believe they are affianced."
"I hope the engagement will end well, but it does not commenceauspiciously," said Dr. Byrom. "Their creeds are different. Monica isa Roman Catholic--at least, I conclude so, since her mother belongs tothat religion."
"Mrs. Butler is a widow, I believe?" remarked Mrs. Byrom.
"She is widow of Captain Butler, and sister of Sir Richard Rawcliffe.Consequently, Monica is cousin to the beautiful Constance Rawcliffe.Though so well connected, Mrs. Butler is far from rich, and lives ingreat privacy, as you know, in Salford. She is very proud of herancient descent, and I almost wonder she consented to Monica'sengagement to young Dawson. By-the-bye, Sir Richard Rawcliffe and hisdaughter are now in Manchester, and are staying at the Bull's Head. Imet Sir Richard last night. He is very anxious to obtain recruits forthe prince, and tried hard to enlist Atherton Legh. The young manresisted, but he will have to go through a different ordeal to-day,for he will be exposed to the fascinations of the fair Constance. Ishall be curious to learn the result."
"So shall I," said Beppy, with some vivacity.
"Do you take any interest in the young man?" asked her father.
"I think him very handsome," she replied, blushing. "And I think hewould be a very great acquisition to the prince. But it wouldcertainly be a pity----"
"That so handsome a young fellow should be executed as a rebel,"supplied the father. "I quite agree with you, Beppy, and I thereforehope he will remain firm."
CHAPTER IX.
THE TWO CURATES OF ST. ANN'S.
Just then a female servant ushered in two young divines, both of themassistant curates of St. Ann's--the Rev. Thomas Lewthwaite and theRev. Benjamin Nichols. Mr. Hoole, the rector of St. Ann's, wasinclined to Nonjuring principles, which he had imbibed from Dr.Deacon, and was very popular with the High Church party, but hiscurates were Whigs, and belonged to the Low Church, and had bothpreached against rebellion. Mr. Lewthwaite was a suitor to Beppy, butshe did not give him much encouragement, and, indeed, rather laughedat him.
Both the reverend gentlemen looked rather grave, and gave adescription of the state of the town that brought back all Mrs.Byrom's alarms.
"An express has just come in," said Mr. Lewthwaite, "bringing wordthat the rebels have reached Lancaster, and that Marshal Wade hasturned back to Newcastle. The rebel force is estimated at seventhousand men, but other accounts affirm that it now amounts to thirtythousand and upwards."
"I hope the latter accounts are correct," observed Beppy.
"We shall certainly have the Pretender here in a couple of days,"pursued the curate.
"Pray don't call him the Pretender, sir," cried Beppy. "Speak of himwith proper respect as Prince Charles Edward."
"I can't do that," said Mr. Lewthwaite, "being a loyal subject of KingGeorge."
"Whom some people regard as a usurper," muttered Beppy.
"The news has thrown the whole town into consternation," said Mr.Nichols. "Everybody is preparing for flight. Almost all the warehousesare closed. Half the shops are shut, and as Mr. Lewthwaite and myselfpassed through the square just now, we didn't see half a dozenpersons. Before night the place will be empty.
"Well, we shan't go," said Beppy.
"The Earl of Warrington has sent away all his plate," pursued Mr.Nichols.
"I have very little plate to send away," observed Dr. Byrom. "Besides,I am not afraid of being plundered."
"You may not feel quite so secure, sir, when I tell you that themagistrates have thrown open the doors of the House of Correction,"said Mr. Nichols.
"Very considerate of them, indeed," said Dr. Byrom. "The townspeoplewill appreciate their attention. Have you any more agreeableintelligence?"
"Yes; the postmaster has started for London this morning to stop anyfurther remittances from the bankers, lest the money should fall intothe hands of the rebels."
"That looks as if the authorities were becoming really alarmed,"observed Edward Byrom.
"They are rather late in bestirring themselves," said Mr. Nichols."The boroughreeve and constables have learnt that a good deal ofunlawful recruiting for the Pretender has been going on under theirvery noses, and are determined to put an end to it. Colonel Townleywould have been arrested last night if he had not saved himself by ahasty departure. But I understand that an important arrest will bemade this morning."
"An arrest!--of whom?" inquired Dr. Byrom, uneasily.
"I can't tell you precisely, sir," replied Mr. Nichols. "But theperson is a Jacobite gentleman of some consequence, who has only justarrived in Manchester."
"It must be Sir Richard Rawcliffe," mentally ejaculated Dr. Byrom. "Imust warn him of his danger without delay. Excuse me, gentlemen," hesaid, "I have just recollected an appointment. I fear I shall berather late."
And he was hurrying out of the room, but before he could reach thedoor, it was opened by the servant, and Atherton Legh came in.
Under the circumstances the interruption was vexatious, but quicklyrecovering from the confusion into which he was thrown, the doctorexclaimed, "You are the person I wanted to see."
Seizing the young man's arm, he led him to a small adjoining room thatserved as a study.
"You will think my conduct strange," he said, "but there is no timefor explanation. Will you take a message from me to Sir RichardRawcliffe?"
"Willingly," replied Atherton, "I was going to him after I had said afew words to you."
"Our conference must be postponed," said the doctor.
He then sat down and tracing a few hasty lines on a sheet of paper,directed and sealed the note, and gave it to Atherton.
"Take this to Sir Richard, without loss of time," he said. "You willrender him an important service."
"I shall be very glad to serve him," replied the young man. "But may Inot know the nature of my mission?"
"Be satisfied that it is important," said the doctor. "I shall see youagain later on. Perhaps Sir Richard may have a message to send to me."
Dr. Byrom then conducted the young
man to the hall-door, and let himout himself; after which he returned to the study, not caring to goback to the drawing-room.
Great was Beppy's disappointment that Atherton was carried off sosuddenly by her father; but she had some suspicion of the truth. As tothe two curates, they thought the doctor's conduct rather singular,but forebore to make any remarks.
CHAPTER X.
CONSTANCE RAWCLIFFE.
On quitting Dr. Byrom's house, Atherton proceeded quickly along OldMill Gate towards the market-place.
This street, one of the oldest and busiest in the town, presented avery unwonted appearance--several of the shops being shut, while cartshalf-filled with goods were standing at the doors, showing that theowners were removing their property.
Very little business seemed to be going on, and there were somesymptoms of a disturbance, for a band of rough-looking fellows, armedwith bludgeons, was marching along the street, and pushing decentpeople from the narrow footway.
In the market-place several groups were collected, eagerly discussingthe news; and at the doors of the Exchange, then newly erected, a fewmerchants were assembled, but they all had an anxious look, and didnot seem to be engaged on business.
Except the Exchange, to which we have just adverted, there was not amodern building near the market-place. All the habitations were old,and constructed of timber and plaster. In the midst of these, on theleft, stood the Bull's Head. The old inn ran back to a considerabledistance, and possessed a court-yard large enough to hold three orfour post-chaises and an occasional stage-coach.