The Wife's secret : A romance

Preface

. The Author of " The Wife's Secret/' feels grateful to the indulgent public for the great support they have rendered to him in this particular emanation of his pen, and he can assure the public, and especially the readers of his productions generally, lhat no exertion shall be wanting on bis part to induce a continuance of their favour ; and be begs leavo to say that; assiduity to subject, clear dolineation of character and an ad herence to facts, shall form the main features of his future perseverance. The present Romance is taken from the Popular Play of the same name, which was performed at the Haymarket Theatre ; and gives the reader an introduction to the Commonwealth era, when civil war was shaking society to its foundation from one end of the kingdom to the other, and before the Protector hadjiad time to consolidate his power. The Public's Humble Sekvant, London; THE AUTHOR. THE WIFE'S SECRET; OR, THE CAVALIER 'AND THE ROUNDHEAD. A ROMANCE

Chapter I

A. DISCOVERT.— LADY AMY_T BECOMES CON- VINCED THAT SHE HAS A DISHONEST SER- VANT IN HER HOUSE. — JABEZ SNEED LEARNS A PACT THAT HAKES HIM PEEL VERT UN- COMFORTABLE — PERCEIVES HIS DANGER, AND THREATENS RETALIATION. — ARRIVAL OF AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR. " Depend upon it, lady, Jabez Sneed is neither more nor less than an old rogue, who takes ad vantage of his master's confidence, and is robb.ng him every day that he lives." Lady Eveline Amyot threw upon the table some of the -steward's accounts which she had Just been looking over, and glancing towards her faithful attendant, Maud, who had just given utterance to these words, inquired how long she had suspected the acts of dishonesty of which they had been speaking. " Long enough, my lady, to be quite convinced that I am not making an unjust charge against him."

" Is he aware that you suspect him ?" " I think he is," answered Maud, " for he scarcely can venture to look me in the face, and all his actions go to prove that he is conscious of No. 1. THE WIFE'S SECRET; OR, THE 2 of King Charles, and has consequently brought upon hiimelfthe vindictive anger of i he Protector Cromv 11. Reward-- V.ave lung been offered for his ij., ichension, and now that he has imdi. another'attempt to overthrow the present government , I fear his chances of escape are but small." " Has be no way to leave the country ?" "I know of none unless he can biiba the captain of so we ship to carry him over to France, where his royal master is sc j >urning, till he sees an opportunity to return and ge; back possession of bis kingdom " " Which people say there i3 very little chance of his doing."

" Ay, Maud," replied her mistress, "at present it must be acknowledged the cause of royalty seems to be in a most hapless condition. Those, however, who desire to see the kiiig return, are full of hope that things canno.f repaain much longer in their prtsent state ; and there are many who venture to say that at no very distant period Englishmen will gladly hail the re tun: of the exiled Charles." " Is it fair to ask if your ladyship be one of those who are anxious to see his return ?" " For some reason I am," answered Lady Amyot, " for my family were all royalists so long as the struggle lasted between the late King Charles the First and his people. On the other hand, however, my husband has f ught and bled on the opposite side, and it is perhaps my duty to saciiflce my opinion to him who has a right to expect so much submission from me.M " Wasn't ii rather a singular circumstance, my lady, that you, the daughter of a Royalist, should have united yourself to a Roundhea 1 ?

" " Sir Walter Amyot," answered Lady Eveline, "isa Puritan, but he has never proved himself to be a bigot. He was a determined foe of the late monarch, hut bearing no enmity to those who still adhere to the family of the king, who a few years ago perished upon the 6caffold." "As a proof of which," observed Maud, "he wooed and Won your ladyship, the sister of Lord Arden, as stout a cavalier as any who fought in support of the royal prerogative, and who, at this time, is supposed 10 be a fugitive, on account of the part h« has taken to restore the monarh whose cause he advocates. That jour husband loves you, my lady, i.oone can doubt ; hut somehow I am afraid Jabez Snced is only looking fora chance to injure youln his good opinion." " And yet," observed her ladyship, " the old man always appears to treat me with the greatest respect." ' " That of course he would do if he expects to blind you as to his real feeling towards you."

" But I have never given him cause for complaint." " Sn you may fancy, my lady," answered her attendant, " but I can see reasons though for the dislike that he entertains towards you." ' " Have I not always treated him with kindness V "With a great deal more than ever be deserved " replied Maud. "That, however, has had little effect upon Jabez Sneed, who would bate you if it were only for your difference in the forms of religious worship." " He may think my notions in that respect are wrong, but surely he would not try to injure me on account of a mere matter of opimon ." r..iAZ_ mI lady*" answered the girl, "you little know how bitter the feelings are that arise out of a difference in religious opinions. Jabez Sneed is one of the most vindictive Puritan that e^r-JÆad the »»***«» to be acquainted wit" and if there were no other reason for his wishine to injure you in the estimation of your husband one would be four.d in the fact that your chscoverv ofh.sknaverymayieadto his dismissal from tie •ewiseof sir Walter Amyot."

Ue i S_s a^n: being unworthy the trust that has been placed in him." " Well," replied Lady Amyot, " it would be in vain for me longer to conceal the fact that our steward's accounts are anything but satisfactory. He has scand_lou-ly abused the comndence reposed in him by his master ; and from what I have just now seen, I am afraid his defalcations, will amount to a very considerable sum." "Ay, my lady!" exclaimed her attendant, " who would have supposed that Jabez was such an oldbypociiieas he has turned out to be? But_o much for your Roundhead Puritans, who all prove to be so many rogues in grain, thoagh they profess to be so much better than their neighbours. Even Oliver Cromwell himself is no betier than he should be, in spite of his affected piety amid the rigidness of manners that he outwardly ex hibits."

"Hush! these are dangerous words, Maud,*' interrupted her mistress, '*for whatever maybe his faults, he is our ruler, and has the power to punish those who.show themselves hostile to him. Besides, you yourself wear the garb of a Puritan, though probably not a very strict follower of the sect you apparently belong to." "Ah! my lady," answered Maud, "my only reason for putting on this plain, homely-looking garb, is that I may remain constantly near you, which would never be allowed if your husband, Sir Walter Amyot, thought I was one of what he calls the daughters of Belial- Perhaps it was hardly right to impose upon him, bur as he wanted you to be surrounded by none but people of his own over strict principles, I fancied there could be no gr. at harm in acting the part of a Puritan hand-maiden of your ladysh p's." "But if Jabez Sneed should happen to make the discovery, he will not tail to inform his master of it."

" I am aware of that, my lady," answered Maup, "and for that reason I always contrive to look as demure as possible w henever I am in his presence. The old man likes me not, I know, but as he don't suspect anything at piesent; I think it will not be difficult to keep him in the dark as long as he is suffered to remain in this house," " Which will not be long, I thiak, after Sir Walter returns home." " That is to say if he will be convinced that his accounts have been f&lsely kept," observed Maud. " How can he help being convinced of it when we have his own hand-writing to prove the facts against him 1" " Your ladyship will of course take care that Jahez Sneed don't get the accounts out of your possession?" " They will remain locked up in this room till Sir Walter's return " answered Lady Amyot.

" I Bhall then show them to him with the remarks I have made upon some of the items, and jt will then be for my husband to say how much longer he will sufferthatman to remain under his roof," " May I be so bold as to ask when S?r Walter is expected to return home V asked Maud. "At present it is quite uncertain how long he will be required upon the service that called him away from use,'* answered her ladyship. "Some say that his troops have already scattered a body of royalists who had collected together under the command of my brother, Lord Arden ; and if there be truth in the rumour, we may hourly ex pect the return of Sir Welter Amyot." " And if my Lord Arden should have the mis fortune to fall into the hands of hisenemies, he will meet with the same fate that has befallen so many of the loyal friends of our exiled king."

"That is what I am afraid of," sighed Lady Eveline, "for nay brother has always been amongst the most zealous in advocating the cau se, ■ ■ - — - — - -•" ■' '-' CAVALIER AND THE ROUNDHEAD. 3 " How is he to injure me in the eyes of Sir j Walter?" asked her ladyship. " 't may take some little trouble before he succeeds," she replied ; "hut when bad people are determined to carry out a purpose, they will try scheme after scheme till they at length suc.eed. I Now I have no wish to injure Jabez Sneed, so j aft-r the caution I have thought it righ~ to give, ! your ladyship will of course act as you nray think best 'o guard yourself against any plots that he may invent." " I shall certainly keep a watch upon his actions," answered Lady Eveline; "and, if it should appear to be necessary for my own safely, shall in term my husband of his steward's antipathy to me."

" So far, that will be all very well," exclaimed Maud; " but, begging your ladj ship's pardon for venturing to give an opinion, 1 should think it nothing more thaa right to tell Sir Walter of the glaring errors that you have discovered in the accounts of his steward." " What explanation can he give ?" " He will say that all people are liable to errors ; and that is so reasonable an excuse tbat Sir "Walter will overlook the first offence on condition that the fault is not repeated." " In that case, your ladyship, I am afraid Jabez will try to do you all th. injury in his power." " So he may, but strong in conscious innocence I can still defy the mischief he may attempt. My husband will not believe the idle tales of a man who has conmitled himself as Jabez Sneed bas done, and I shall triumph over all the evil reports he may raite against me.

Nay, more, what can he saya^ainst bis mistress which will prejudice her in the sight of an affectionate hus band ?" "Oh, my lady," exclaimed Maud, "you have indeed every reason lo be certain of an impartial consideration from Sir Walter, who, though I don't like bis puritanical * ays, is as good a man as is to be found from one end of England to the other. Under any common circumstances he would not injure you even by listening to any of the tales Jabez may relate to him but tben the old man may repeat them so often and throw such an appearance of truth into them, that I am almost afraid to think of what the consequences may be." ' Do you imagine, then," asked Lady Eveline, "that my husband would take the word of his steward in preference to mine?'' " It's impessib'e to tay bow that may he," an swered Maud, "for unfortunately, this Jabez Sneed is such acrafty, insinuating villain, Hut — " A slight scream of alarm from the girl aa she started back, roused the attention of Lany Evelina Amyot, who, turning in tbe direction lowards wnich hei attendant was looking, perceived the subject of their discourse standing within a few yards of them.

There was a malignant scowl u on the countenance of the old a an, but this quickly changed as he perceived that his pre sence in tbe room was known, and assuming a look of calm indifference, te said — " Your lad j ship will, I hope, pardon this intrusion, but knowing that you have been examining my accounts, I ventured here to ask if you are satisfied with them." " Will it not be better to leave my husband to detect che wilful errors as 1 have done ?" "Anything that yi ur ladyship does will no doubt be rght," answered Maud ; "but if I may venture to give an opinion, I should say tnat the conduct of Jabez Sneed ought not to be concealed for a moment. As far as pity goes, be deserves none, lor he has been base enough to rob the master who has placed all hid confidence in him." " I believe you are right, Maud !" exclaimed ber mistress; "and if I wished to conceal the dishonesty of thii old man, it was in order to spare him the shame of a public exposure."

" And yet he deserves not your pity." " You think then he ought to be immediately dismissed V " A poor dependant like me has no right to give an opinion," answered Maud; " but, since your lady-hip is not offended at my freedom, 1 mu t needs say that I can see no reason why Jabez Sneed should be pitied after the scandalous rohberies he has been guilty of." " Perhaps he may be able to explain away a great deal of that which at first sight appears to be so much against him." " Then by all means let Sir Walter Amyot ha the judge of how far he has been wronged by his steward." " I suppose you have been listening longenough to know that I am by no means sati:fied with them?" answtred her ladyship coldly. " Indeed I came not here to listen," exclaimed the steward, with assuir.ed humility. " but finding tbat you were engaged in couveisation witb your attendant, I remained where 1 was till an oppor tunity presented itself io enter upon my own affairs."

" And I hope you have been gratified -by all you have heard since you came into the room?" observed the girl, tartly. " I know not that I have heard anything to fill me either with anger or alarm," replied the steward. "It may be true that her ladyship is not satisfied with my accounts; but conscious of rr y own rectitude, I can wait with perfect calm ness for the less prejudiced opision of my master. when he returns home, which, happily for me, may be expected in the course of a few hours-." " May I look for Sir Walter's return so soon ?" demanded Lady Eveline. " A messenger has just reached the hall for the purpose of bringing you that happy news,* an swered Jabez Sneed, " and I have lost no time in coming to announce that which I know would afford your ladyship the most lively satisfaction.* " That of course be will do on looking over his accounts," answered Lady Eveline, " and there fore I can see the less necessity for me to interfere in a matter that 1 would rather have nothing to do with.

That the old man bears me ro good willis certain, and, to confess the truth, I (eel somewhat alarmed lest he should afierwards eu deavour to injure me in retaliation for exposing h:s conduct to Sir Walter.* "So he would, I have no doubt," returned Maud'; " but I would take car. to watch him so narrowly that no opportunity should be offered him to carry out any of his vindictive projects. Beside;, Sir Walter has always placed the fullest confidents in your ladyship, and it would be strange, indeed, if he were to listen to the false representations of a mischief-making old man." "But ycu forgot that Sir Walter fas always placed the utmost reliance in the steward, who bas been so long in his service." " I know he has, my lady," replied Maud, " but he will not disbelieve the evidence of bisoun senses.

The figures in the accounts you have been looking over, speak for themselves, and they afford a proof that even the cunning of Jabez Sneed cannot get over.* ■* Ay," answered Lady Eveline, "hut Sir Walter has always held so high an opinion of his steward that he will accept of any explanation that may be given of the affair." " Did the messenger say that he was on his way home ?" " He left him within thirty miles of home, and Sir Walter would have arrived here before now, but that the roads are in such a dreadful state THE WIPE'S SECRET; OR, THE 4 come near the ball. Nay, I am in hopes that before now he has succeeded in reaching a coun ry where he r.eed fear no more from the malice of vindictive and blood-thirsty enemies." " You must not expect tbat he is going to es cape quite so easily as that," exclaimed Jabtz Sneed, with a grim smile of satisfaction, " for the troops have been ordered to wa'ch the coast all round England, and not a vessel will be allowed to depart till she has been searched for any rebels that may be on board.

So you see Lord Arden will have but an idifferent chance, even if he has been lucky enough to elude the pursuit of your husband." " My husband wiU not hunt to death the brother whom his wife so fondly loves.* " Perhaps he might show him some favour If he were not compelled to do his duty," answered the steward. " He has, however^he wa'chful eyes of Oliver Cromwell upon him, and, favouri e as he is of the Protector's, be must not knowingly permit the escape of Lord Arden, were he twenty times your brother." " There is no doubt Sir Walter will do his duty well and fearlessly," answered Lady Eveline. " Indeed, the fugitive knows that be has not the slightest favour to expect from him, and therefore it will be his chief care not to cross his path. A few days concealment will be enough ; and as soon as the search after him begins to relax, he may find a vessel ready to transport him to the land where so many other faithful loyalists are wa ting the opportunity when they may seat their king upon the throne from which he has been driven." as. er ihe late rains.

Besides be is still looking after Lord Arden, your ladyship's brother, who is supposed tobe concealing himself somewhere upon this part of the sea coast.* ■ Surely — uTely," cried her ladyship in despair, " he will not hunt to death one who is so dear to me?" ■ My master never neglects bis duly," answered the steward, " and when a rebel is to be taken he will follow in pursuit of him even though that person may be the brother of his wife." " It may be all very well to say so," exclaimed Maud; "but Lord A den will be aware of bis danger, no doubi, aud it is to be hoped he will either find some place to conceal himself 'n or get over to France, where he will be safe till the time comes for him to return here with a better chance of succeeding in his designs." " Are you aware, girl," excl. imed the old m^n sternly, "that you are wishing for the escape of a traitor to his country?"

"Jabez Sneed," returned his mistress, " I ask if you recollect that it is of my brother you are speaking?* "It natters li tie to me who or what he may be," answered the steward, "for all are alike when we speak of an enemy that has appeared in arms against his country. Sir Walter Amyot, too. Is not likely to be influenced even though a rebel m«y claim close affinity to his wife ; and I believe before long we shall hear that the fugitive has been either taken or slain." " And wouldn't you afford him assistance if it were in your power to rio so ?" asked Maud. " By no means, girl," he rfp'iied. " Am I not threatened because a few items of my accounts cannot be satisfactorily explained at a moment's notice, and has her ladyship — who has threatened me witb dismissal— any right to expect a favour from me?* " Have a care, my lady 1" exclaimed Jabez, " for words 1 ke these, if spoken in any other presence than m ire. might lead to the most unpleasant con sequences to yourself."

" I know what you mean, but defy you to do your worst 1" " What meaning do you put upon my words!" ''The true one, X have no doubt," resumed Lady Eveline. " You know that it is in my power to report unfavourably of you to Sir Walter on his return home, and those words have been uttered only to intimidate me from such a purpose. Now, however, I know you for an enemy, and you may leave me, Jabez Sneed, with a perfect conviction that I am not to be deterred from tbe performance of a duty by any threats that you may utter." '* Very well!" exclaimed the steward, " I shall expect the worst then ; but 1 suppose your lad) ship will have no objection to let me have tho accounts to look over again 2* " Why do you wish to look over them ?" " To see if I can rectify any of the errors yeu speak of." " No," she replied, " such as they were when you placed them in my hands, so will I give them to Sir Walter on his return home.* " Then it is your wish to injuie me ?"

" Indeed I bave no such desire, but I would see justice done between your master and ) ourself. Let him be the judge of whether your accounts have been rendered fairly or not, and for my own part I will not even hint my own susp cioas unless cause is given me by any misconduct of your own." " That may all be very well, " he replied, " but I see no reason why I should not be allowed to look over my accounts again." " Be content," she exclaimed, " with the decision you have already heard, for nothing will ever induce me to alter it. Enough, too, has been said l°,'„ iuflt r up?n thi8 u"Pl«"»nt subject, and you will therefore leave me, Jabez, for I am n no humour to argue with you any longer upon a mat" m_ i ' "■,■""" be arian«ed "" «he return of your Thi, ™0.I*HU.,eU memay be "'""'J' «Wed" Ibis was said in a tone of sufficient command to prove that either reply or .emonstrance would be useless , and after glancing at the accoun™ »hich " If you had been listening long enough,*' an swered the girl, " you would have heard her lady ship declare that she would not even mention the circumstance on Sir Walter's return home."

"Lady Eveline Am) ot may have aaid so," he replied bitterly, " but sbe had one at hand who was ready enough to persuade her to do that which would terminate in my being dismissed from this house with the character of a dishonest steward. So much I know to a certainty, Maud, and it ia now my turn to warn you that your tenure of office will not last much longer if I have any power or influence with my master." " Sir Walter," answered her ladyship, " neither engages nor dismisses those dome&tics who belong solely to myself. With Maud he has nothing to do ; and in order to put him on his guard against any evil reports that you may whisper to him, I shall take an early opportunity of informing him of the threat you just now uttered." " Am I then to have no protection against the insolence ot the girl who shields herself under your protection !* " Insolence I" exclaimed Maud ; " of a verity I think all tbe insolence bas come from your own side, for you have dared even to tbreaten our mistress for no other reason than that she has been the means of discovering the system of robbery that you have been carrying on."

" 5'a0 6a)rs I have ever wronged my master 1" i our own accounts prove it." "So says prejudice," he replied; "but Sir Walter will treat the accusation with the scorn it deserves, when be has carefully gone over the items that have been disputed. The charge has only been got up to ruin me. and yet I am ex pected to favour her lad) ship's brother if he should happen to fall in my way." "I will not a_k you the same favour again." answered Lady Eveline,' " for, upon further con sideration, ir. is not likely that te will venture to CAVALIER AND THE ROUNDHEAD. 5 were still lying upon the table, though he durst not touch them, he left the room, grumbling within himself as the reception that be bad met with. " That man has mischief in his mind or I am very much deceived," exclaimed Man das soon as he was gone.

" I have kept my eye upon him ever since I first discovered his presence bere, and as sure as your ladyship is alive, he'll never be satisfied till he has paid c if some of the scores that he fanc'es he owes." given to him he would rather assist in the escape than the capture cf Lord Arden." "I am sure he would," answered her mistress; " but unfortunately, he has no alternative when so many jealous eyes are directed towards him every moment. My brother is well aware of the difficulty, and for that reason I am in hopes he will direct his flight towards any part of the country rather than to this." " And yet what part of England is he so likely to go to as to the place where his sister might be able to assist him?" " You think he meditates mischief against me, I suppose ?* " I feel almost certain about it, my lady.* 11 Then all I can say about it is, tbat I care not for anything he may plot agairst me," answered Lady Eveline.

" He knows well that my husband is not to be easily led away by any falsehoods that he may invent, and I have therefore nothing to apprehend from the ro align acy of a man who_e revengeful feelings have already begun to show themselves." "Alas!" cried Eveline, "glad as I should be to afford him my assistance, how can I do so when bis presence here must be immediately discovered ? My husband, too, is expected to return, and should he learn that an enemy of the commonwealth was lurking about the neighbourhood, he would consider it an act of duty to surrender him into tbe hands of his enemies, even though it might be his wish to afford him shelter and protection. Tbe steward, too, will be more than usually vigilant when he thinks there is mischief to be done, and especially so !f be knows tbat the blow would fall heavily upon me."

"Ay, my lady," exclaimed Maud, "I am glad to find tbat you are not afraid of him ; and yet I should like you to he more upon your guard again,' t a person who is governed only by the worst of principles." " What do you think he intends to do?" "Tbat is more than I can tell, but I can fancy that tor one thing he means to lie in wait for Lord Arden; and if he should happen to come into this neighbourhood, I am afraid he would bave but a very poor chance of making his escape." " But my brother, I hope, will not be so imprudent as to trust himself where he is almost sure to be seen." "Well, then/" exclaimed Maud, " under all tbe circumstances, it is to be hoped bis lordship will not think of venturing here. Not that I think it impossible to harbour bim for a short time without a discovery taking place, but that I would not give a chance to old Jabez, to gratify the malignancy of his hear t. However, tbere can he no coubt that Lord Arden will weigh In bis mind the perils he would have tr» encounter in the neighbourhood of Amyot Hall; and in order to avoid ihe risk of being taken by his pursuers, he will take some other route when the search is not goin? on with as much activity."