First Davenport of Bramhall

Front matter

Digby's Popular Novel Series Crown Svo, handsome cloth, price 2s 6d each. THE MYSTERY OF CLEMENT Dunraven. By Jean Middlemass. Author of 'A Girl in a Thousand,' etc. {Second Edition") A HIDDEN CHAIN. By Dora Russell. Author of ' The Other Bond,' 'Footprints in the Snow,' etc. (Second Edition) DR JANET OF HARLEY STREET. By Dr Arabella Kenealy. Author of ' Molly and her Man-o'-War,' etc. (Sixth Edition with Portrait.) THE JOLLY ROGER. By Hume Nisbet. Author of ' Her Loving Slave,' ' Bail Up,' etc. With Illustrations by the Author. (Fifth Edition) t*x Other Works i?i same Series in due course. DIGBY, LONG & CO., London BY JOSEPH BRADBURY Author of 'A Lost Name,' 'The Ardernes of Arden Hall,' ' Grace Barton,' etc., etc. ICslttion DIGBY, LONG & CO., PUBLISHERS 18 BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C. CONTENTS PAGE I. THE PATH BY THE RIVER, ...

I II. THE THREE FUSILS, ..... _ III. DANGER PASSED, . . . . . 13 IV. MORE DANGER AT HAND 19 V. A HIDING PLACE, 25 VI. THE SEARCH ...... 32 VII. AN EVENING AT BRAMHALL ... 38 VIII. ABOUT JORDAN, 43 IX. UNDERGROUND, ..... 50 X. A STRANGER IN THE WAY, . . . 56 XI. THE STRANGER, 62 XII. AN ANGRY ENCOUNTER, .... 70 XIII. IN THE CHAPEL, 74 XIV. SIR GEOFFREY RESTORED, . . . 81 XV. THE ESCAPE, ...... 85 XVI. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, ... 92 XVII. HE WANTED OUR ELEANOR, ... 96 XVIII. HUGO DE STANLAW, ..... 102 XIX. THROUGH THE WOOD, . . . . HO XX. SAINT AIDAN'S OAK, 114 XXI. THE FORESTER'S DWELLING, . . ' 119 XXII. FRIAR OPPENHEART, . . . . 1 23 XXIII. PRIEST AND FRIAR, . . . . . 130 XXIV. IN THE CAVE, VI CONTENTS PAGZ XXV. MARPLE HALL, 14 l xxvi. sir Jordan's captive 146 xxvii. a discussion, 152 XXVIII.

LUCY VERNON— DORA'S RESOLVE, . . 157 XXIX. THE INTERVIEW, . . . . . 1 63 XXX. DORA'S RETURN, ..... 167 XXXI. THOUGHTS AFTER A GLORIOUS BATTLE, . 1 72 XXXII. PRIEST AND PRISONER, . . . . 1 79 XXXIII. AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY, . . . l8l XXXIV. HOW THE RECTOR MET WITH HIS DEATH, . 1 85 XXXV. LUCY AND JORDAN, . . . . . I90 XXXVI. DORA OPENS JORDAN'S EYES, . . . 1 96 XXXVII. THE NUNNERY AT KIRKLEES, . . . 202 XXXVIII. THE FIRE, ...... 207 XXXIX. ELEANOR MISSING, . . . . . 212 XL. THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY, . . . 219 XLI. HOME ONCE MORE 224 XLII. AT THE GOLDEN SPUR, .... 229 XLIII. ON THE COAST, 235 XLIV. THE LOST CHARM, 240 XLV. ON BOARD THE TARROO USHTEY, . . 246 XLVI. THE TEMPEST, . . . . . . 25 1 XLVII. DEATH AND BURIAL, .... 256 XLVIII. PREPARING FOR TIIE NUPTIALS, . . 262 XLIX. THE WEDDING — SIR GEOFFREY'S SECRET, . 270 L. AD FINEM FIDELIS 276 LI. EXEUNT OMNES, . . . . . 28

Chapter I The Path By The River

The bell in St Mary's tower had just struck the hour of curfew; the darkening night was drawing on apace; the last beams of the setting sun had just forsaken the heights above the Mersey on an eventful evening in the early part of the winter of the year 1460, when two pedestrians of very dissimilar appearance were observed to be winding their slow and gradual course along an ancient and in some parts well-sheltered footpath which led from the elevated and scattered hamlet of Heaton- Mersey to the banks of the river below, and so forward into the town of Stockport. The hour, we have said, was that of curfew; the travellers dissimilar. An aged, tottering man and a youth of not more than eighteen summers' age were the ill-matched companions, but with more patience than is usual with agile youth, the young man adapted his pace to that of the elder, and allowed him to lean his bony frame on the stalwart shoulders for support.

Their progress was slow, for the old man tottered visibly and appeared to have exerted himself beyond his strength; but when the rather steep descent had been made and the river's bank been reached, the old man seemed to walk easier and with less difficulty than upon the rougher ground which they had just crossed. Dressed in a faded tunic of some black material, and with long hose whose A toes turned upward to his knees, the man bore some resemblance to a worn-out but still respected dependant of some knightly house. His scanty grey locks, which were scanty indeed, blew in the fitful wind from beneath the waim velvet cap which protected his head from the cold autumnal blast. Covering the remainder of his dress a thick cloak completed his costume, and beneath this burden, which appeared too heavy for him, he hobbled along with the aid of a stout staff and the support of the youth, his companion.

The younger man, as we have remarked, had probably seen about eighteen summers, but his frame was as fully developed, his features as hardened, his bearing as manly, as many men of our degenerate time are at thirty. Un like the old man, his companion, his attire was unfaded and unsoiled ; he wore walking armour of unsullied brightness, and had at his side a weapon of trusty steel which he well knew how to wield. His age might certainly have appeared more had it not been for the occasional boyish laughter which burst forth ever and anon during his journey, probably occasioned by some laughable anecdote or interesting adventure which the old man was narrating. His dark curling locks flowed freely from under his helmet and lapped his bronzed cheeks as they tossed carelessly in the passing breeze; his laughter boyish and innocent as that of childhood; but yet, withal, there was an occasional shade of melancholy which settled on his features when no outward circum stance arose to call up a smile.

The two jogged leisurely together down the river's brink until they arrived opposite the red sandstone cliff which arose almost perpendicularly from the water on the opposite bank and terminated above in a round knoll luxuriantly clad with verdure, and surmounted with a group of stunted oaks. Here the old man paused and pointed with his staff to a small aperture, not more than a few inches in width and about two feet in length, in the face of the cliff opposite; and then, having directed the youth's attention to the opening, he seated himself upon a detached mass of rock which lay conveniently by the side of the path. 'We will rest here, my young fellow, if thou wilt,' THE PATH BY TIIE RIVER 3 said the elder man, as he liberated himself from the youth's care; ' my old limbs feel this lengthy walk up yonder; and no wonder, for I am this day eighty-five if I am an hour.' ' I am truly sorry, my worthy friend, that thou shouldst have undertaken a journey so far on my behalf, and especially when it seems so useless to oppose Dame Margery's intentions.

But is that the hole I have this day heard of ? ' and as the youth asked the question he nodded in the direction of the aperture in the rock. 'It is, my son ! But whether shall we speak of that or of what more particularly concerns the first Davenport of Bramhall, eh?' ' As thou wilt, Sir Geoffrey, but the first Davenport of Bramhall is only Davenport of Wheltrough as yet — " Little Jackey Wheltrough," as my neighbours say.' ' Never mind,' replied Sir Geoffrey in a slow deliberate manner, 'never mind; let thy neighbours call thee what they will, and let Dame Peggy do what she will. Old Joan says it's bound to be; Hugh Toft says it can be, and if thou'lt say it shall be then the thing's done ! Now, what sayest thou, my lad ? ' ' Well, I don't know,' answered the youth, slowly and in an evidently perplexed state of mind. ' Ye see, Sir Geoffrey, everybody does not put the same faith in Old Joan's prophecies.

Then again, Father Toft, worthy good man that he is, is only chaplain for Vernon of Marple and hath no more power at Bramhall (at least with the Dame) than my own humble priest at home. Lastly, Dame Margaret says that it is not to be.' ' But what sayest thou, Jackey Davenport ? To be or not to be? that's the question.' ' I don't know,' replied the youth. ' Not know ! not know whether thou'lt tarry plain Jack o' Wheltrough or become the first Davenport of Bramhall, with Mistress Alice for a wife and an estate for her dowry ? ' ' And old Jeff for his grandfather,' added a voice pro ceeding from an individual whom they had not heard approach, but who now stood erect before them, and judging from the expression of his countenance, in no pleasant mood. Davenport started at sight of the intruder — and no wonder — whilst the old knight became tremulous with excitement and grasped his staff in an angry manner sufficient to demonstrate the will for active interference if he had had but the bodily power necessary.

Poor Sir Geoffrey, however, (what Sir Geoffrey we shall learn presently) was unable to do more than retain his seat and passively watch young Davenport place himself in the way of the newcomer and lay his hand upon his sword. Davenport, though still suffering from the first surprise, kept his hand upon his weapon ready for its instant drawing if it should be necessary, but his eye remained steadily fixed upon the features of the intruder, a man as repulsive in appearance as rude in manner. He was a tall gaunt fellow, with tanned complexion and a face streaked with unseemly scars. His head was covered with rough and shaggy hair which bristled on end most like ' quills upon the fretful porcupine,' his beard was of like nature, matted and untidy; but what was perhaps most repulsive of all was a villainous scowl which seemed moulded upon his dark unhandsome face.

For some seconds the two men, the youth and the stranger, gazed intently into each other's face, but neither spoke. At last the silence was broken by Sir Geoffrey, who, perhaps, dreaded an encounter at that particular spot, which was but a narrow defenceless path, high upon the bank of the stream, whose heaving waters were much swollen from recent rains, and rolled rapidly seaward. The dusk of the evening, too, added to the dangers of the situation, and the knight feared for the safety of his young protector. ' What doest thou here, Mark Winsford ? ' asked Sir Geoffrey, ' is it not enough that thy persecution should be borne at the Hall, without this following of me ? ' 'It is not enough,' answered the man spoken to, at the same time making a move in the direction of the knight as though he would have approached nearer ; but this young Davenport prevented by the interposition of his body and the now drawn sword. ' Stand back,' he cried, ' nor advance one foot, at thy peril.

Though we now meet for the first time, Mark Winsford, thy name and thy deeds are familiar to me, THE PATH BV THE RIVER 5 and learn at once that we are foes.' And Davenport almost hissed out the words as he grasped his weapon the tighter, and held himself in readiness for the expected attack. 'Stand back indeed ! ' replied the man, a sneer curling upon his lip, ' stand back thee, stripling. It is not beard less youths that can stop Mark Winsford's vengeance. Stand back, I say, and let me speak with the knight behind thee.' ' Speak where thou art, then, for thou shalt advance no further,' answered Davenport. ' That is well spoken, my lad,' said Sir Geoffrey, ' let the villain come no nearer, I pray thee, for I too well know his devilish intent and understand his ways. Stand on thy guard, Jackey, and may the holy saints preserve thee.' ' He shall have need of preservation if he attempts to thwart me,' replied;Mark Winsford ; and then addressing himself to Davenport, he continued — ' young man, thee and I have no quarrel as yet, and thou canst not under stand the affair between that old man and me ; therefore go thy ways quietly, to thy own home if thou wilt, or thou mayest sup with me in an hour's time at Will Tapster's house in Sto'pport.' 'Thou wouldst tempt him, wouldst thou?' groaned Sir Geoffrey ; ' aye, villain, I know thy cunning and thy wickedness, but here thou hast an honourable man to deal with, a youth true as steel and firm as adamant.

Fool ! thy temptations are offered in vain.' ' Let me pass,' said Mark to Davenport, without seem ing to notice the words of Sir Geoffrey. ' No,' sternly replied Davenport, ' Sir Geoffrey is an old man and requires a protector — I am he. I know nothing of thy quarrel, nor do I seek to know; it is sufficient to judge thy purpose, to understand thy character, to read in thy face " disreputable villain." ' ' Villain ! Thou callest me villain ? Thou dare to—' ' I have said,' was the calm reply which broke the intruder's sentence. ' Thou seekest a quarrel with me ? ' ' I neither seek nor refuse. Thy will in that matter is mine; but I say so long as Sir Geoffrey requires a friend or protector — I am he.' ' Thank thee, lad, thank thee,' cried the old knight, ' but watch the villain warily or thou wilt miss being first Davenpoit of Bramhall.' 'First Davenport of Bramhall,' hissed Mark Winsford, ' aye, thou wilt make him heir to thine house, but thou wouldst not give thy daughter to him who — who — who — who — ' ' Never tried to deserve her,' said the knight. 'And thou tells me that to my face ? ' 'I have told thee so a hundred times before; aye! and were ye both young again and standing before me as on that night, were ye kneeling and crying as ye did then, I would still say as I then did — " Mark Winsford, thou art not the man for Bramhall's daughter."

I thank heaven — heartily thank Him who givest all — that I had courage to say thee " Nay " at that time, as I have courage still to say it now.' 'And thou wouldst have me believe that she is dead ! But I know better, Geoffrey de Bramhall; I have dis covered her hiding-place, fla, ha ! I can laugh at thee now, for I have access to the Nunnery of — ' ' Villain ! ' exclaimed the knight, rising to his feet with the strength lent by excitement and anger. 'Villain ! if thou sayest true thou shalt perish this very night, this hour, aye, this instant,' and dashing past Davenport, who had stood with his back towards him, he suddenly seized the astonished Mark in his sinewy arms and endeavoured to throw him bodily over the cliff into the boiling torrent below.

Chapter II The Three Fusils

Vain attempt ! futile endeavour ! How was it, ordinarily speaking, possible that a feeble old man of eighty-five could overcome a tall, bony, and muscular man some forty years his junior. The attempt was rash, but honest indignation had tempted it. For a moment or two the couple struggled together, whilst Davenport vainly en deavoured to separate them. There was no opening, however, for the youth to interfere, and he was reluctantly compelled to stand a passive spectator of a struggle which he thought could have only one termination. With his drawn sword he might have rushed in and slain the assailant had not the movements of the wriggling pair been too quick for him to strike with certainty; and, as it was, the risk was too great when, by an unfortunate mistake he might pierce Sir Geoffrey to the heart, and thus not only slay the old man but also rob himself of a faithful and friendly benefactor.

What intense agony did Davenport suffer whilst these thoughts ran rapidly through his mind. But the time was brief ; he recollected the feeble condition of the knight, the dissimilarity in age and strength of the combatants, and with startling suddenness he rushed upon Mark Winsford, but, alas ! too late to thwart him in his purpose; for at that instant a reeling figure seemed to dance before the youth's eyes, and then he saw Winsford standing alone. Old Sir Geoffrey had gone ! and his piercing shriek sounded far and wide above the surging waters of the turbid river. But where was Davenport now ? Leaving the would be murderer to escape or tarry, according to his own free will, the young man threw himself over the edge of the precipice without a moment's consideration, and seizing the gnarled roots of stunted shrubs which protruded here and there from the crevices in the rocks, he adroitly lowered himself to the water's edge in the hope of being able to overtake the knight before he had been carried far down the stream.

Fortunately it was not yet quite dark, and as young Davenport strained his eyes to pierce the gloom, he gladly saw that his hopes were not altogether vain. The disappointed Mark was still on the top of the bank,'bent forward and casting his eyes into the stream, but his elevation and further distance from the object prevented his seeing what Davenport saw, and therefore he waited patiently for the latter's re-appearance. Davenport was at the time resting himself for an instant on a narrow ledge of rock at the level of the stream, but at a few yards' distance further down the stream a dark object waved to and fro in a distressing manner, like the tossing of some drowning mariner in the heaving billows of the storm beat ocean. Lowering himself quietly into the water, Davenport made his way cautiously and with careful tread along the side of the stream which lay beneath the cliff on which Mark Winsford stood, and thus he pro ceeded until he had reached a point opposite that portion of the stream from whence the signals of distress were made.

Now he could plainly see the work before him. On a rock, half hidden in the midst of the stream, and half protruding into the surrounding darkness, he beheld the form of his aged friend, helpless and exhausted with out doubt, but yet waving his arm on high in the almost vain hope of attracting attention. But the obstruction of the rock in the middle of the stream made the current run strong and deep on either side; so strong, indeed, that it seemed folly to attempt struggling against it in the expectation of reaching the rock and returning with the still living body of Sir Geoffrey de Bramhall. Nothing daunted, however, by the force of the stream THE THREE FUSILS 9 or the danger of the rescue John Davenport determined to make the attempt. Seeking first a convenient ledge in the cliff, he stepped upon it and stripped himself of his armour, his sword, and his helmet.

Then casting one more glance in the direction of the rock, he placed his hands together, lifted up his eyes in supplication to Him above, and then, without another moment's consideration for his own fate, he gave a plunge forward and was in stantly struggling in the midst of the stormy flood. Mark Winsford still stood on the cliff where the struggle had taken place, but it was too far removed for him to see what was now transpiring. Davenpoit struggled on, bravely battling with the surging stream; but, strong as was his young and athletic frame, vigorous though his health, and hard his constitution, he soon found that he had undertaken a task which was likely to prove too much for him. As the narrow current encircled him he found himself almost without the power of resisting the onward stream.

Vainly though strenuously did he strive to reach that central goal, but no, the attempt was not to succeed, the youthful hero was not to have his will with out a struggle. The aching arm and failing breath soon reduced Davenport to a mere useless, helpless form in the water, and with sorrowful anguish he found himself now drifting, drifting down the stream. But he had yet hope. A sudden thought inspired him and summoning fresh strength and courage to his aid he plunged deeper into the flood and struck out boldly into the middle of the stream. By this movement he intended to gain the still water in the immediate lee of the rock, but it was not without a violent struggle and much hard exertion that he at last succeeded in this object. But finally his endeavours met with success and he clomb the rock on which Sir Geoffrey lay.

But there was no waving of the hand now, no more piercing cries for help, no prayers for succour and safety. All that had passed. Davenport stooped down over the body, but no sign of life was there : Death seemed to have dealt his last stroke at the old man, and life had apparently fled. ' Oh, my friend ! Oh, my benefactor ! ' groaned the youth in his inmost soul. ' Oh, that I should lose thee thus ! Oh Sancta Maria et sancta omnia ! Ora pro nobis ! Oh, woe is me, woe is me ! but my curses be on the head of him who hath robbed me. My sword shall pierce his heart, aye, if I wade to the knee in gore to reach him.' Thus the youth soliloquised with himself as he dragged the body of the knight higher upon the rock, for his lower extremities remained immersed in the water. But as the thought of vengeance took possession of his mind the blood in his veins warmed again with excitement, and the idea of overtaking Mark before he left Stockport became predominant. ' But I cannot leave my old friend here,' thought the youth ; ' I must gain the shore with him by some means, or the rising flood will bear him from my sight for ever.' Thus thinking Davenport looked around him for an instant, then taking the body of Sir Geoffrey in his arms he again entered the water, on a low shelving side of the rock, and once more launched himself into the noisy current, letting it bear him downwards without re sistance, but guiding himself as well as he was able to the side of the river, and eventually landing on a bank which fortuitously seemed to have been placed in his way.

Though this bank was some distance below the spot where Mark Winsford had been left, and even below the ledge where Davenport had left his armour, he did not despair of finding the villain in one of the taverns of the town, and therefore, with this purpose in view, Davenport drew the knight's body far above the reach of the water, and hid it as well as he was able under the low willows which grew upon the river's brink. Then, darting off in haste, he descended the cliff to the place where he had left his armour, which he recovered safely and put upon him with all possible haste before clamber ing again to the footpath along which he and his friend had so lately passed together. ' And now, where shall I commence to search ? ' Davenport asked himself as he began to walk rapidly towards the town; for the armour pressed his wet clothing closer to his body and gave him an uncomfort able feeling, which he hoped to remove by quick walking.

He had not proceeded very far on his way, however, THE THREE FUSILS 11 when a tall form appeared dimly before him in the darkness and a deep hollow voice addressed him. 'H'm,' muttered the indistinct figure, 'come back, eh ? Methought thou hadst gone to keep the old man company to the other world ; but as 'tis not so, odds bodikins, let us take a tankard together, young man. H'm, I was but this minute thinking of leaving the spot, deeming it certain that thou hadst ta'en a voyage to Lerpoole, or Runcorn at all events.' Davenport for an instant stood almost pertrified, but it was only a momentary stagnation of life and mind, and then his senses returned with renewed vigour, his vengeance burnt with a double indignation, the sense of the loss he had sustained seemed intensified, and crying ' Villain ! ' he drew his sword and rushed upon the foe. ' H'm ! is it so ? ' muttered Mark, for the figure was none other, and with an unseen sneer he shrank from Davenport's impetuous charge and prepared to defend himself. 'Well, well, Jack o' Wheltrough, I like a plucky youth as well as any man in Cheshire, and though this bout may prevent us supping together at the Three Fusils, odds o' life, man, it will warm our blood this cold night.

Eh ? eh ? eh ? ' And with every ' eh ' which he uttered Mark Winsford brought down his sword upon the young man, who now found himself matched with an opponent of more than double his experience and twice his age. But Davenport fought bravely, rapid as were the strokes of Winsford's powerful arm, Wheltrough's blade was raised to meet them ; nor was this all ; for parry and thrust, he gave blow for blow, right and left, and in all directions, the cuts were given with a sure eye and certain aim, for Jackey had not been taught the use of arms in a negligent school. 'By my halidom, thou framest well,' gasped Mark, amidst the blows which Davenport in the heat of his excitement dealt quicker and thicker; but the words were scarcely out of the man's mouth when his opponent's sword entered between the joints of his armour, and in stepping backward Mark overbalanced himself and helplessly fell headlong over the precipice and into that torrent to which he had, so short a time before, consigned poor old Sir Geoffrey. 'Thus perish all our foes,' exclaimed Davenport, as seeing his opponent's fall, he examined carefully the point of his sword and found that there was blood upon it.

Having nothing further to hinder his progress the youth tarried not to look after his defeated enemy, but hurrying along the narrow path entered the dimly lighted town, with the intention of procuring aid for the removal of Sir Geoffrey's body, which he feared to leave for long in the place where he had hidden it. Street after street was passed and the bridge was crossed before he met any person to whom he thought it safe to speak. At last, however, as he turned into the well-known Chestergate, he met a youth of whom he inquired whether he had come from the Black Boar and whether there was much company there. ' I know not,' was the reply, ' but if thou wilt go a little further thou wilt find an open house and company enough, I'll warrant,' and when he had thus said, the stranger continued on his way. 'Of course,' thought Davenpott, 'all Stopport knows Sir Geoffrey and will befriend him in his evil hour,' and with this thought he made the utmost speed in the direc tion of the hostelry the stranger had spoken of.

It was not far distant and Davenport would have entered unceremoniously had he not been stopped on the threshold by hearing loud sounds of revelry, mingled with oaths and blasphemy, proceeding from within, and this deterred him from advancing further. Then retracing his steps to the door he cast his eyes upwards and beheld the Three Fusils.

Chapter III Danger Passed

The sign of the Three Fusils swinging above his head at once caused Davenport to hasten away from the inn as quickly as possible, for he had not for gotten that it was at this house that Mark Winsford had signified his intention of supping in an hour's time, and ' doubtless,' thought the youth, ' these are his com panions that I hear, and it would be but folly for me to enter there. No, I must seek for aid elsewhere, and the Black Boar or the Cheshire Lion — Sir Geoffrey's usual houses — are much more likely places to find his friends.' To the former of these ancient inns, then, Davenport directed his steps but was somewhat disappointed with its quietness, which formed a striking contrast to the noise and bustle of the hostel from which he had so precipitately fled. Looking up to the sign that he might be certain of the house on this occasion he beheld the figure of a wild and terrible looking boar swinging to and fro in the evening breeze, and being convinced that he was now right he boldly entered the public room and addressing himself to two men present asked for the taverner. ' Take thy seat, sir knight,' replied one of them, ' and I doubt not that Jim Vintner will wait on thee shortly.' ' I thank thee for thine offer, friend,' answered Jackey, ' but my business will bide no long tarrying, and I pray thee, therefore, direct me to the taverner, that I may go to him at once.' 'That is impossible, sir, for Jim is but now gone into the town and we know not where to find him.