CHAPTER XVI
BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE
On our way into the town a thing happened which greatly shook me, being,as I was, nothing in the world but a small farmer who had never seen thewars. At a point where the rough road cut across a fold in the moorlandswe saw, half a mile to our right, a herd of cattle being lashed andchivvied away to the remoter crannies among the hills by a throng ofsweating hinds and fanners. Had it happened our way, thought I broodily,Joe and I would be there among the like, saving our own stock from themarauders. Donald looked at them longingly, but our haste brooked nodelay, and besides, as he put it to me later, "It's a puir town, but,after a' said, better than a wheen lousy cattle, for I've come by a finepair o' progues for a twa-three bawbees."
Leek was as full of Highlanders as a wasp-cake is of maggots, and stillthey were swarming in. Donald and the clansmen, indifferent to the crushand hubbub, clave a way for us to the market-place, where, on theColonel's advice, they were dismissed to beat for billets. I then tookcharge and led my companions across to the "Angel," where the throng wasso dense that they might have been giving the ale away.
To get the horses stabled and baited was easy enough, for few of theHighlanders rode south, although it was different going north again. Then,leading my companions into the yard, I pushed into the inn and, by goodhap, lighted on the host, nearly out of his five wits with trying tounderstand one word of English in a score of Gaelic.
"Hello, surry!" said I.
"Gom!" said he, "Staffordsheer at last."
"I've heard a lot about Leek ale," said I. "Draw me a mug of it!"
He brought it in a trice, and his face beamed with honest pride as hesaid, holding it up between my eyes and the light, "What do you think o'that for colour and nap? Damn my bones! None of your London rot-gut,master, but honest Staffordsheer ale. Damme, you can fairly chew the maltin it."
"I'll bet you a guinea I've drunk better," said I, with the aleyard at mylips.
"I'd bet on my own ale," said he, "if the 'Angel' was full of devils letalone petticoats. An', as between friends, y'r 'onour, win or lose, dunnatell my missus you've 'ad better ale than ourn."
I drank off his ale and said judiciously, "No, I haven't. That's the bestale I've ever drunk," and handed him his guinea.
"This'n's a bit of fat along with the lean," said he, spinning the guineaup in the air, and, countrywise, spitting on it for luck. "Be there owt Ican do for y'r, sir? A gentleman as knows good ale when he drinks itshudna be neglected for a lot of bare-legged savages that 'anna as muchjudgment in beer as a sow 'as in draff." He leaned towards me and added ina whisper, "I'm giving 'em bouse I wudna wesh my mare's fetlocks in, an'they're neckin' it as if it was my rale October."
"It was thundery in the summer," said I gravely, whereat he grinnedintelligently.
"Y'r 'onour's up to snuff," said he. "Be there owt I can do for y'r, sir?"
"Fetch the missus," said I, "and we'll talk."
The hostess came. Her cheeks were brown as her own ale, and we talked,nineteen to the dozen, for at least ten minutes.
In the end I snapped up the best parlour overlooking the square forMargaret's use, and bedrooms for each of us, paying a substantialbargain-penny, for Mistress Waynflete had handed me back the bag of goldMaster Freake had given me. It would be necessary, I found, to oust two orthree bare-knees who had marked them for their own, but that could easilybe done, if, as was unlikely to be the case, they were sober enough atnight to crawl bedwards. These arrangements made, I pushed out and fetchedin Margaret, who was very grateful for what I had done, and went off toher room, while we three men took our stand on the bricked causeway andwatched the doings in the square.
We saw two or three battalions swing into the square from theMacclesfield road, and the Colonel scanned them keenly, and, as I thought,anxiously. Even to my untrained eye they were a mixed lot; the bulk ofthem, to be sure, were stout, active, well-armed fighting men, who marchedin fair order, six or eight abreast; but there were numbers of oldish menand boys among them, and many were but indifferently armed.
"What do you number all told?" asked the Colonel.
Maclachlan answered in French. There was now no mistaking the gravity inthe Colonel's face, and he took snuff so thoughtfully that, for the firsttime, he forgot me.
"Excuse me, my dear lad," said he, recovering himself and thrusting outthe box towards me. "I hope there's a tobacco-man in the town who sellsright Strasburg. I'm running out, and rappee and Brazil are mere rubbishto the cultivated palate." Then, looking around the square, he addedcheerily, "Quite a show for the townsmen!"
Just in front of us, standing on the edge of the gutter, was a little,ancient, distinguished dame, who had been watching the scene with quick,avid eyes. She turned her fierce, scornful face up to the Colonel, andsaid, "Yes, sir! You are right. It's a show, just a show, for thetownsmen. Yet I remember that, thirty years ago, the fathers of thesespiritless curs were as eager for the cause as is the eagle for hisquarry."
"So, madam," said the Colonel very gently.
"So, indeed," she returned. "But now, in their accursed grubbing formoney, they have rooted up every finer instinct, and they think only oftheir tradings in silks with the Court ladies of London. Better a finegown sold to godless Caroline than a stout blow struck for God-anointedJames."
She was beyond doubt a lady of quality, but fallen on poverty and now,worst of all to her, on evil, faithless days. As she stopped, short ofbreath with her sharp speaking, for she was very ancient, a mean lout of aman edged himself up against her to get a better position for watching thearrival of another body of clansmen. In a fierce access of rage she struckhim with the ebony stick on which she leaned and, almost hissing the wordsat him, said, "Back to your buttons and your tassels, Thomas Ashley, andget grace by thinking on your worthy father!"
The man sidled off, and she continued, addressing the Colonel, "In thefifteen his father was one of us, and suffered worthily."
"For what, madam?" I asked.
"For the cause," she replied.
"For what particular service to the cause, madam?" I persisted.
"He was zealous against the schismatics, sir," she said boldly.
"Madam," was my reply, "if the zeal of any one of us, townsman orclansman, takes the same form this day, I shall certainly wring his neck.We can fight for Charles without burning chapels."
"Smite-and-spare-not would subscribe to that doctrine," said Margaret,thrusting her way gently between the Colonel and me, and hooking a handround an arm of each of us. Putting her lips to my ear, she whisperedmerrily, "_Push of pike and the Word_," and then looked so winninglyat me that the black shadow lifted, and I smiled back at her.
And now the craning of necks at the angle where the great road curvedinto the square, betokened something out of the ordinary, which turned outto be the arrival of the Prince's life-guards. They were splendid,well-mounted fellows, clothed in blue, faced with red, and scarletwaistcoats heavy with gold. With them were the leading chiefs of the army,and I heard Maclachlan reeling off their names and qualities in theColonel's ear. The guard, in number some sixscore, formed three sides of asquare and sat their horses, while one of the leaders proclaimed James andtook possession of the town.
The cheers of the clansmen died away, only to be renewed more loudly andproudly when another column swept into the square. Here, indeed, were menapt for war and the battle, six abreast and a hundred files deep, with adozen pipers piping their mightiest, and a great standard flinging to thebreeze its proud _Tandem triumphans_. At their head strode a tallyoung man, very comely and proper, with a frank, resolute, intelligentface. He was dressed in the Highland fashion, with a blue bonnet toppedwith a white rosette, a broad, blue ribbon over his right shoulder, and astar upon his breast. The thronging thousands of clansmen burst intothundering volleys of Gaelic yells, the waiting leaders bared their headsand bowed, and I knew it was the Prince.
After a short consultation with his intimate counsellors, Cha
rles walkedalmost directly towards us, making, as it seemed, for the fine house thatneighboured the "Angel."
Even the townsmen, as he approached, raised their hats and cheered alittle, for he was on sight a man to be liked. When I hear sad tales ofhim now, I think of him as I saw him then, and as I knew him in those fewstirring days when hope spurred him on, and the star of his destiny hadnot yet climbed to its zenith. I come of a stock that sets no value onprinces, and I would not now lift a hand to snatch the Stuarts out of thegrave they have dug for themselves, but it is due to him, and, above all,due to the chiefs and clansmen who followed and fought and died for him,to say that the Bonnie Charlie I knew was every inch of him a man and aprince to his finger-tips.
Maclachlan darted out and dropped on his knee before Charles, who, withkindly impatience, seized the shoulder-knot of his plaid, haled him to hisfeet, and plied him with a throng of questions. At some reply made by theyoung chief, Charles turned his eyes on us, and, easily picking out theColonel, made for him with eager outstretched hands. For his part, theColonel stepped clear of the crowd on the causeway and stood at thesalute. He was, I thought, the most self-possessed person in the square,and, indeed, was taking a pinch of snuff as soon as the formality wasover, while Margaret was red and white by turns, and I shook at the kneesas if expecting the Prince, in the manner of old Bloggs, to call me outand thrash me soundly.
The joy of the Prince at being joined by Colonel Waynflete was overflowing.
"My Lord Murray has talked of you," I heard him say, "until I felt thatyou were the one man in England that mattered, and now here you are. Imust tell Sheridan and all of them the good news."
He turned off and called to a group of men near him, and several of themcame up and were made known to the Colonel. After more handshaking andchatting, the eager Prince caught the Colonel by the arm and was fordragging him off into the house destined for his lodging, but the Colonelin his turn resisted and led him towards Margaret.
"My daughter, sir," he said, briefly and proudly.
Off came the bonnet, and Charles bowed low and greeted her with verymarked courtesy.
"Your prince, madam," he said, "but also your very humble servant. MyCourt is a small one, and you are as important and welcome an addition toit as is your distinguished father to my army. Swounds, Colonel," turningto him with a merry smile, "I shall put a flea in his lordship's ear whenI see him at Derby. He never so much as mentioned your daughter. Man, onemight as well talk of stars and forget Venus!"
"There is this excuse for him, sir," said the Colonel, very sedately,"that on the only occasion on which my Lord Murray saw her, which was atTurin in 1738, she was a whirlwind of arms and legs, long plaits and shortpetticoats."
"Whereas now she--but I will reserve my opinion for the shelter of a fanin a secluded corner at my next little Court." Then, very abruptly, fixinghis eyes on me, all of a swither, with my milk-stained cap in my hand,"And whom have we here?"
Whereupon, strangely enough, forgetting all courtliness, Margaret, theColonel, and Maclachlan fell over one another, so to speak, in telling thePrince who I was. For a few seconds there was a gabble of introductions,which made me feel hot and foolish.
"One at a time," laughed the Prince, "and, of course, Mistress Waynfletefirst."
"Your Royal Highness," said Margaret, "this is my splendid friend andgallant comrade, Oliver Wheatman."
"Enough, and more than enough, for a poor Prince Adventurer. Give me butthe leavings of your friendship and comradeship, Master Wheatman, and Ishall be beholden to you. And now, excuse us, madam, I have much to say toyour father."
"Sir," said I, "I crave a little boon."
"You begin well," he said, and added, after a little laugh, "With all myheart."
"Here at hand," said I, "is an ancient lady who has faced this roughcrowd and this bitter weather to see the Prince of her heart's desire. Sheis brave as a lion for you, but too modest to do more than stand and prayfor you."
And then he did one of those princely things that made rough men willingto be cut down in swathes for him. He strode up to her and seized hertrembling hands.
"Nay, kneel not, dear lady," he said, putting an arm around her torestrain her.
"God bless your Royal Highness, and give you victory," she said brokenly."This is the hour I have prayed for daily these thirty years, and I thankGod for giving us a Prince so worthy of an earthly throne. The Lord shallyet have mercy upon Jacob."
"I thank God," said Charles, "for giving me a friend like you."
His green plaid was looped up at his shoulder by a fine brooch, acairngorm set in a silver rim. This he took off, and pinned it on thetrembling woman's breast.
"Wear this from me and for me," he said, speaking with great feeling.Tears were standing in Margaret's eyes, there was a big lump in my throat,and the Colonel was wasting precious Strasburg on the cobbles in thesquare. When the Prince had pinned it there, he doffed his bonnet, bentgracefully down, kissed her on the lips, and so left her. The standers-bynow cheered in earnest, and the ancient dame fell on her knees in prayer.When she rose she plucked her robe around her, safeguarding her royal giftin her withered hands, and was for timidly stealing away.
"Madam," said I, "I think you are alone."
"Yes, sir," she whispered.
I offered her my arm, saying, "Allow me to escort you to your home?"
The sharp eyes swept over me from my belt upward, and then, without aword, she placed her arm in mine. I looked around to bow to Margaretbefore starting, but she had disappeared.
We soon reached her house or, rather, cottage, which was in a streetbehind the west side of the square. She was too tottery, too dazzled, tooafflated to speak on the way thither, but, at the door, when with a bow Iwas intending to leave her, she bade me, in a madam-like way that cut offdebate or refusal, to enter with her.
Plain to the casual eye, it was the home of decayed gentility. Here wouldbe refined eating of a dinner of herbs, solaced by talk of pridefulyesterdays. You saw it in the few things that still kept their grip on thepast: on the wall an old, black painting of a knight in ruff and quilteddoubtlet; a pounce-box and a hawking-glove on the chimney-piece, and aboveit an oval scutcheon, with a golden eagle _naissant_ from a _fessevert_. And hope was ever new-born here, but it was the hope centred inthe Virgin-Mother, posed in ivory over a wooden _prie-Dieu_. Nor didI feel that I had shifted from my familiar moorings as I bowed my headwhen she knelt in prayer.
"Madam," said I, when, with a happy face, she rose and turned and thankedme, "it is in your power to do me a great kindness."
"I shall, then, most surely do it."
"I ask you to pray for the soul of John Dobson."
"He was your friend?" she said gently.
"My friend from boyhood, madam, and this morning I slew him."
There was silence for a space. Then she said, "I will pray daily for thesoul of your friend, and for you that God will have mercy upon you andgive you peace. We women, who can only pray, do not, I fear, realize how,for our men, the facts of life seem to make havoc of our creeds."
"You are right, madam," I said sombrely. "For me to-day there is no Godin heaven."
"Yet the morrow cometh," she replied confidently. "It has come for me. Mymind goes back to the time when the evil began that our glorious Prince isnow uprooting. In eighty-eight, when I was a maid of some twenty Junes,not uncomely as I remember myself in my mirror, though not comparable withyour sweet and splendid mistress, we, then the ancient Hardys ofHardywick, gave our all and lost our all for the cause. Yon scutcheon thenhung in a noble hall. I have looked at it with pride and, God be thanked,without regret, during nearly sixty years of loneliness and poverty, but Ishall die rich and friended in the possession of this."
She lifted the brooch to her lips and kissed it, and then, poor soul,broke into a fit of coughing that racked her thin frame. A comelyserving-woman rushed in to her aid, and together we seated her near thefire and wrapped a shawl around her. She seemed as one
who slept withhalf-shut eyes and dreamed.
"She's of'n tuk like this'n," whispered her woman. "As lively as a lassat a wedding for an hour maybe, and then dreamy and dead-like for hours ata stretch. She's seventy-six come June, but I dunna think she'll live tosee it, and to be sure, God bless her, I shall be glad to see her brokenheart at rest."
She put a smelling-bottle to her mistress's nose, and bathed the whitelips with eau-de-Luce.
"I love her no end," she said simply.
It was time to go. I dropped on my knee and kissed the fair, thin,wrinkled hand. At the touch of my lips she spoke again:
"Good-bye, Harold, my beloved! The God of all good causes go with thee!"
She was back in the long-ago with her lover at her knee, sending him offto fight for the cause, and the ringless finger showed that he had nevercome back.
I stole out of the room with a mist in my eyes.
When I got on the corner by the Prince's lodging, the first thing thatcaught my eye was a calash drawn up in the middle of the square, with twovery elegant ladies in it, and a sprig of a blackamoor in green breechesand yellow doublet at the horse's head. Margaret and Maclachlan werestanding by, and a merry rattle of conversation was going on between themand the new-comers, though Margaret, her quick mind interested in thevivid scenes around, kept turning her head to sweep the square with hereyes.
I had always felt and, for the most part I trust, observed the differencebetween us, but it struck me now like a blow between the eyes. It was easyto see that Margaret, for all her grey domino, was the mistress of thegay, courtly group; easy, too, to catch the meaning of the eyes thestranger ladies made at one another as they noted with amusement the youngChief's infatuation. Well, he was there, and I was here, by right. I saidso to myself very savagely, that there should be no mistake about it, butI must admit to a sour taste in my mouth as I pushed into a passing groupof clansmen, and then dodged behind a clump of ammunition wagons, and sogot into a side-alley unseen by those searching eyes.
I came to an ale-house where I managed very well, for all that it had itsfull share of clansmen stuffed into it, making a square meal of bread andcheese and cold bacon, washed down with excellent ale. I made a point ofmarking myself off as an Englishman by paying for my meal in the Englishfashion.
Sallying forth, and still avoiding the square, I roamed round the littletown, distracting my mind by forcing an interest in what was going on. TheHighlanders were happy, noisy, and full of confidence--not unjustly, forso far they had played ninepins with the Royal troops. Everywhere theywere hard at it, sharpening dirks and claymores and furbishing muskets,and such of their talk as I could understand was all of battle imminent.In the churchyard I found a number of them practising shooting, with agrand old cross as a target. They had chipped it somewhat already. Icursed them roundly and then bargained it off at the price of a fewshillings. They turned their attention, with hopeful grins, to the brassweathercock on the church tower, which I did not deem worth saving.Moreover, it was a better mark, and good shooting was to be encouraged.
I mooned around for an hour or so, very miserable. If my mind was idle amoment, I saw Jack's body lying in the dim-lit passage and the calash inthe market-square.
Tired of watching the Highlanders, I suddenly struck out for the "Angel,"intending to see how the horses were doing, a necessary task which I wasto blame for neglecting so long. I was going at a great pace along by theshops on one side of the square and, in heedlessly passing a mercer's, hadto skip aside to avoid a finely dressed lady coming out of the door, withthe shopmaster, his nose nearly at his knees, bowing behind her. She was astranger to me and, moreover, I had my eye on the spot where the calashhad stood, so that, having clean avoided her, I was for striding on, butshe said sharply, "What do you mean by such conduct, sir?"
I cannot remember any other occasion in my life when I have been socompletely taken aback. The elegant lady who stood there, a quizzing smileon her face and a roguish twinkle in her eyes, was Margaret.
"I've waited and waited your honour's convenience till I could wait nolonger," she said.
There was still the delightful mock anger in her voice, but the smile andtwinkle changed their meaning, so to speak. At least I, who delighted towatch the varying shades of expression sweep over her exquisite face,thought so as I stood there, twizzling my cap in my hand, and feeling anutter fool.
"You cannot expect a perfect match in this light," she went on, plainlyenjoying my discomfiture, "especially as I have had to carry the colour inmy eye."
"No, madam," said I desperately, having to say something, but not havingthe faintest idea of what she was driving at.
"I disclaim all responsibility if it's a bungle. It will be your faultentirely. Your arm, sir!"
I offered her my arm, into which she slipped hers, jammed on my wretchedhat, and together we made for the "Angel." Of course we must meetMaclachlan, to complete my misery I suppose, and he was keen on joiningus, but Margaret disposed of him in a way that reminded me of Kate shooinga turkey off from her feeding chickens. Arrived at the "Angel," she ledthe way to her parlour overlooking the square, dragged me hurriedly to thewindow, and undid the packet. From it she took a patch of cloth and a hankof silk thread. These she first dabbed on my sleeve, and then flourishedbefore my eyes.
"Quite a good match after all! Do they suit me, Oliver?"
She was dressed in a cinnamon-brown joseph, buttoned at the waist, andshowing, above and below, an under-dress of supple woven material, creamyin colour and flowered in golden silk. A hat of a military cast, made ofsome short-napped fur and set off with a great white panache, half hid andhalf revealed her masses of yellow hair.
"You look perfect," I said emphatically.
"For my Prince," she replied softly. "Off with your coat, and let me showyou what sort of a housewife I am."
I did as she bade me, and she doffed hat and joseph. She set mecomfortably before the fire in an elbow-chair, and handed me a new pipeand a fresh paper of tobacco, and insisted on my smoking. Then, sittingalmost at my feet in a squat rush-bottomed chair, with quaint bow legs anda back like a yard of ladder, she set to work on the holes Brocton'srapier had made in my coat.
I felt very cubbish as I sat feeding my soul on the picture she made asshe bent over her stitchery. A rare hobbledehoy I was in my villainouscoat, but what I looked like in my shirt-sleeves, good linen enough buthome-made and with never a shred of cuff or ruff to them, was pastimagining.
She was quite silent too, and though talk of any sort would have beendistasteful to me then, for the picture was enough, I could not helpremembering how she had rattled on with Maclachlan. Here was anothercursed deficiency. My conversation was as country-like andpoverty-stricken as my clothes. I had always ruled the roast at our marketordinaries, where I was looked upon as a bit of a fop and a miracle oflearning, and even my farming was solemnly respected because I was so hardand ready a hitter. Here, in a parlour and with her, so beautiful thateven her beautiful dress scarce attracted a passing glance, I was dull andill at ease. The only thing I did, except to look at her, was to let mypipe out and light it again, time after time.
"The man in the shop told me," Margaret said, "that was the best tobaccothat comes from the Americas."
"I should think it is," said I; "I've never smoked better."
"It gives you a lot of trouble," she answered, and stayed her stitchingfor a moment to look at me.
"Did you get some right Strasburg for the Colonel?" I asked.
"No. Is he running short?"
"Yes," said I.
"And no marvel, either. He puts his snuff-box under his pillow, and whenI take him his chocolate of a morning, he takes a long, affectionatepinch, and then says, 'Good morrow, sweetheart!'"
I laughed, and then fell silent and wondered. While I had been loafingabout the town, she had been attending to my small whims and needs.
And now, after a smart rap at the door, in flounced a sprightly, elegantlady, very gay and very certain
of herself.
"What a charming, domestic picture!" she broke out. "I fear I intrude,Margaret dear, but I'm going to stay. The girl is bringing up the tea, andI'm positively dying for a cup and a sit-down. Of course this"--turninggaily round on me, standing there like a great gawk, volubly cursing myshirt-sleeves under my breath--"is the incomparable Oliver! Charmed tomeet you, sir!"
I bowed, and Margaret said staidly, "Yes, my lady. This is Master OliverWheatman of the Hanyards. Oliver, I have the privilege of introducing youto the Lady Ogilvie."
I bent in the middle again and gabbled something. It was suitable to theoccasion, I hope.
Lady Ogilvie eyed me up and down carefully, much as I should overlook abullock I had a mind to buy.
"When Davie left me at Macclesfield I told him I'd be guid, and I will beguid, but I wish he hadn't asked me," she said. "Never mind! At Derby,when we meet again, my promise will be lapsed, and I shall flirt with you,sir, most furiously."
"Really, my lady," I replied, "my knowledge of the art of flirtation ismerely rudimentary, but I always understood that it required two."
"Naturally," she retorted, "that's its great charm."
"I see my mistake now," said I, as if thoughtfully. Margaret sat with herneedle poised for a stitch, and waited.
"You're learning already, you see! What is it?" said Lady Ogilvie.
"One and a bit would suffice when your ladyship was the one," I saidboldly.
Margaret laughed and resumed the swift play of her needle.
"Indeed so, and I've struck sparks out of turnips in my time," shereplied, with much complaisance. "There's a glisk of intelligence about yenow that was sair to seek when I came into the room. Men are likediamonds, you must know, Margaret darling, all the better for being cutand rubbed. I'll teach ye things, sir, at and after Derby, that is. Tillthen I'm to be verra guid."
The bringing in of the tea interrupted us. Over the cups, though Margaretstuck to her work, there was gay talk about the main business of theday--the supper and ball to come.
"The men will simply rave over you, dear," she said to Margaret. "There'sonly six of us, seven with you added, you see, for no town ladies wait onHis Royal Highness nowadays, and I'm danced off my feet. Maclachlan willwant you every time, and you'll be wise to have him as often as possible,for he dances like a fairy. Davie's none so bad, but Maclachlan is justgrand. And the incomparable one," grimacing prettily at me, "will foot ittrippingly by the look of him."
"I dance like a three-legged bear," said I, grim enough at having mydefects brought home to me.
"Is it that you're telling me?" she replied. "Legs like yours and nomusic in them! Well, well, I'll take you in hand, that's flat. At Derby,of course."
"Now, Oliver, pray attend to the simpler matters that I deal with," saidMargaret, cutting off the last needle of silk. "I've done the best I canfor you. Come and appraise my work!"
She held the coat up by the collar, and I stepped forward and examined it.
"Marvellous!" said I. "It's as good as new."
Her ladyship screeched with laughter. "Oh, you courtier!" she said. "Inever saw anything better done at the Tuileries. Look a foot higher, yourogue!"
Still even there the job was neatly and thoroughly done, and I thankedMargaret for it heartily. With my coat on, I brightened up, and indeed Ihad need to, for most of their talk was in and about a world of which Iknew nothing. Thanks to Margaret's hints and half-lights, I did wellenough.
There came a gentle rap at the door and then, without further ceremony,the Colonel bowed in a visitor. In the twilight at the door there was noseeing who the new-comer was, but as he stepped forward the full lightrevealed him. It was Prince Charles.
"Stir not, ladies, on your allegiance!" he said gaily. I rose, bowed himinto my chair, and stood behind him.
"Oddsfish, as my great uncle used to say, I've come to save your life,Master Wheatman!"
"You need not trouble, sir," said I, "to save what is freely yours tothrow away."
"Very well said, sir," he answered, "and I shall not forget it."
"Good lad, Oliver!" said the Colonel, dipping for his snuff-box.
"Still, I must prove my point!" said Charles, smiling merrily. "My Courtconsists of precisely seven ladies and an unlimited number of gentlemen,the latter, for the most part, fiery chiefs who slash off men's heads asif they were tops of thistles. Yet here are you, sir, keeping two of themall to yourself. And such a two! Lady Ogilvie, whose charms are withoutblemish--"
"Nay, sir," said I.
"May I pull his ears, Your Highness?" asked her ladyship tartly.
"You may," said Charles, "unless he proves his point. A Prince must bejust, you know!"
"That's fair," said Margaret.
"Of course," retorted Lady Ogilvie. "He'll be right if he says I've aneye like an ox and a mouth like a frog."
"Save your ears, Master Wheatman!" said Charles, grinning at me. "What'sthe blemish?"
"Davie!" said I.
The Prince rocked with laughter, and her ladyship enjoyed it quite asfully.
"It's the smartest hit I've heard since I left Paris," said the Prince.
"Sir," said I, "be good enough to explain. Who is Davie?"
"Her ladyship's husband," he replied.
"Damme!" I ejaculated. "I thought he was only an ordinary Scotchman."Whereat everybody laughed.
"A most delightful interlude in a heavy day's work," said the Prince. "Iam unfeignedly vexed, ladies, at having to rob you of so agreeable acavalier, but I need Master Wheatman myself."
* * * * *
Half an hour later the Colonel stood with me at the town's end to give memy final instructions. I was on Sultan, with urgent letters in my pocketand important work on hand.
We took a pinch of snuff together very solemnly. Then he snapped his box,rubbed Sultan's velvet nose, shook my hand, said good-bye gruffly, andstrode back townward. I cantered on into the open road and the night.