The secret foe; an historical novel

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Chapter I

"Ami the horses ready 1" asked Captain Fitzmaurice, turning anWptly from the window at which he bad been standing to question his servant, who entered the room at the moment.

"-No, sir; the old church clock hath but just strock eleven, and you did '.not order the horses till half an hour later." t

"Ah! yes; time enough," observed bis master quickly, a little confused, as it seemed, at this conviction of impatience. " Bat I thought you entered to announce them : my head has been running on other things."

■* I came at the bidding of Master Tales, the landlord, to know if it would please you to dine at the Lord General's to-day."

** No — yea. I may dine here— at SalUbqry— •ojwhere, or nowhere ; I have not decided ; but he need not provide a dinner, if that is why he would know— I am not particular," replied Captain Fitzmaurice, assuming an air of indufyence to veil his fmseraevment at the question, altering the position of the sling which supported bis right arm as he

• Shall I assist you air !" asked bis servant respectfully ; but at the same time with a slight compree- «oo*fcfifce lips, and a scarcely perceptible twinkle in hAwl gray eyes, which somewhat belied this moreTHb usually gTjfjewdemeanor.

" I can dispense *t^^»ltogether ; my arm is so Bach better," repIietJ|^Boung soldier.

"As you please flQnurse, sir; but it wants a whole week of the time when Doctor Bates, my Lord General Cromwell's own doctor, said you might leave it off with safety.''

M Pooh ! Doctors must make the worst of things. My arm is quite strong again now, and the wound well healed ; look that I do not prove its strength oo thee, knave, if thou thwartest me," answered his master with a good humoured smile, that forbade all fear of Uie accomplishment otatych a threat.

** The gallant who goes to visit a fair lady should wear no frown on bis brow ; and Mistress Edith Ellmlie ia wondrous fair, if tongues tell truth, sir," replied David Frovfen/Qe shrewd serving man of tas young and apirited 'soldier.

" Who has presumed to talk of that lady? and woo told you that I was going to pay her a visit 1" qoesiioned Fitxmaurice quickly, a slight feeling of sags* at what bo thought might be meant for imperalence mingling with the pleasure derived from the praise bestowed on Mistress Edith Ellerslie,

A furtive glance told David Frewen these contending feelings, and his speech was skilfully framed to meet the circumstance.

" You bade me make inquiries, sir, as to the residence and temper of Squire Warren, of Bulford House ; and at the first question every tongue was wagged in praise of his niece's beauty and goodness, many adding the wish that she were mated with some gallant gentleman of equal worth."

" According to your gossips it would be difficult to find the lady's equal, or one worthy of her hand," replied Fitzmaurice with a cleared brow through heightened colour, yet carefully abstaining from an admission of any personal -knowledge of her perfections. " Are they equally profuse in their praise of Mr. Warren!"

" Not so, sir ; he is a gentleman of whom they aay but little."

" But what is that little ?" demanded1 Fitzmaurice impatiently, observing in his serving man a disinclination to speak till questioned minutely, though lip and eye gave hint* that he knew much. " Is he courteous, or uncourteous 1"

« Middling, sir.'?',.

«* Is be generous, or thrifty 1°

-Middling, sir." ;•*

" Is he farliamejflarian, or royalist 1"

•» Middling, .sir/F

" Is be rich or poor 1"

«* Middling; sir."

M Out upon you with these middling, tell-nothing answers!" exclaimed Fitzmaurice, losing all patience. 14 If yeu know aught tell it out boldly ; or be honest and confess your ignoraVte. Provoke me not, lest you learn the strength 'of my arm aa I threatened before, though then oiaJUn jest"

"I humbly crave your pardon," began David Frewen with an appearance of servile humility little pleasing to bis master, who generous, frank, and open aa day himself, detested any thing that wore the appearance of assumption.

uuy^| by your* honesty. What have you hearu^^rCpeak briefly ; and to the point"

*' Little more than what I have said, sir. Squire Warren, of Bulford, ia nothing particular. He is a very prudent gentleman ; never interferes, let the world wsg as it will— never quarrels with any one,

«r. makes friends neither lest it should bring him o trouble; sntLif there is ale and meat in plenty in parlour and hall be keeps the tenants well up to paying their ienta, and makes no show to bring eyes upon him."

THE SECRET FOE.

asked Fitzmaurice in a tone which he intended to appear indifferent.

*« A maiden sister, sir— Mistress Martha Warren."

" Doth she resemble her brother ?"

M 80 folks say, air."

* Hath be any other relative with him now X* questioned Fitzmaurice, >efranging the folds of his cloak aa he spoke, instead of keeping his eye on the speaker aa he had done before.

" His niece, air."

" What niece t Give me not the trouble to ask so many questions, nor drawl as though you were mocking good Master Truefit in his discourse, as I heard you irreverently doing the other day, when you had picked up some wild royalist companions."

A slight flash came into the serving man's cheek at this reproof, and his speech, as ordered, grew quicker a1 nd more copious ; but whether from fear, or penitence, or malice, (a common observer might have found it difficult to determine which, for there Was no sharpness in his tone,) his intelligence, from accident or design, was exactly that most calculated to fret his hearer.

"His niece, Mist re*s Edith Ellerslie, sir, as I thought I had told you before ; but if folks say true, she will neither abide with her uncle, nor be Mistress Edith Ellerslie much longer."

« Why ? Is the lady unkindly used ?" questioned Fitzmaurice impetuously, looking ready to break a hundred lances in her defence, whilst his fopt stamped impatiently on the uncarpeted floor.

" 8he hath not been so heretofore, and is less likely to be, so now, when she smiles on a suitor handsome enough to please the lady herself, and rich enough to content her uncle and guardian, who they say would never consent. to her wedding a gallant gentleman, however pleasing to his niece, unless of high birth, and good fortune; and the lady's worth, it is thought, deserves all this."

"It is false!" exclaimed Fitzmaurice with fiery impetuosity, and a glance airtfre speaker that would have frightened many into silence. , " Like enough, sir, as you say ; /for tto tongues of the wicked are sharper than swords; and their words fly swiftly to spread evil. Doubtless the lady, having been blessed with a pious training, cares not for the riches of this world, that make themselves wings and flee away ; and they were slanderous babes of the ifttt one, who assert that she smiles on a godless-cavalier, though be be handsome and quick-witted, and knowetb, it is said, how to win maidens' hearts. We should rather credit the saying of Mistress Sarah Hurst, who maintains that the lady cares not a silver pfn for Captain Tooker, despite hia vows and his gold, her heart being set on another." Jb

« And who may this Mistress SsraaMfH be, who knoweth the lady's mind so well ?"^|Qtioned Fitzmaurice with a brighter eye, and a more joyous tone.

M So please you, sir, Mistress 8arah Hurst is the goodly serving maiden of Mistress Yates, the thrifty hostess of this commodious hostel, now bearing mk worthy name of « The Lord General/ which it haW borne since the time of my Lord Essex, though Master Yates maintains most sturdily that the sign swinging above hia door beareth a striking jresemblance to his Excellency the Lord Gencrajfoftnwell, and thia notwithstandiag there be some of his neighbors who can remember — "

" What care I for master Yates's assertions, or the remembrance of his neighbors?" exclaimed Fitzmaurice impatiently, interrupting the tedious discourse of hia serving man, "or what should the chamber maiden of a paltry hostel know of the mind of s high-born damsel?" he added indignantly and contemptuously.

"Mistress Sarah 'Hurst ia a discreet and pious maiden, and a most truthful one ; and moreover, she is sister's child to the nurse of Mistress Edith Ellerslie, whose daughter, Mistress Mary Love, is that lady's favorite tire-woman ; and it was but yesterday, aa I understand, that ahe held discourse with her cousin touching her young lady and this new suitor."

" And what did they say ofAim V

u0hy the damsels, damssw like, an it please you, lauded his handsome person, his winning tongue, his riches, and his readiness to give, for womankind, alas! sinsje the days of their first mother, have ever- befcA won by flattering words, a goodly face, and a rfcady hand. 8och creature gauds have ever power to lead astray weak minded females, who yield to the temptation of the wicked one."

«• Not all, by your own ahowing," observed his master interrupting him. " Mistress Edith Ellerslie, if we may credit thee and her tire-woman, is not to be won by the creature gauds of this vain world."

" Her tire-wornan aaith so."

" And do you doubt her tire- woman 1"

f< Not in the matter of a wooing, sir. When was a woman at'/ault there? If a maiden twist and turn like en adder in the grass, be sure that another maiden Will follow every twist and turn, and find her out at last"

'* " You might be more respectful in your comparisons." remarked Fitzmaurice quickly. " And so this serving damsel and her cousin aver that Gapt. Tooker will win no favor *y his wooing "

" 80 they maintain, air."

"And how came you they take you into their

*' Can a woman keep hath a tongue and knows rs rrofcv rle^T?

Did is knowle I?"

et, when a man who to use it, hath a mind to learn it?" answered David Frewen, with a look of great assurance. " They are but weak vessel*, sir ; and their secrtWje>ozo out whether they will or no, if you can hit their taste with honied words."

" You seem quick at this work, and must hold honied words at command, since you came but yesterday, and yet know all to-day."

44 Sapping jttAanining, sir, do not so weH with a woman as a flfowus assault Come upon her with a glittering of steel, and ^thundering of trumpets, and drums, and she bath m> heart to say thee — nay. Take my advice in these matters, sir; I know what maidens are." ♦"

" When I need thy counsel in such matters I will ask it," replied Fitzmaurice' gravely, displea^fl at the forward manner of his servant. " Heard you where Captain Tooker is abiding V

** With his uncte at the Manor House, al dirrgton, a village some rew miles across the downs, sir, as I understand " replied David more humbly, he

VI

I

?HB BECtlTVOl.

t»«ng om to mark the slightest variation of the wind, and then direct his course accordingly.

M Fob have karat much in a brief space. How etna you to ask of Mistress Edith EUerslie, and Captain Tooker!"

-1 thought, sir, that you would be pleased to know all 700 could of the lady, and her rich suitor 1"

u Take heed that too much thinking, and Um> him ; ox at least go alone to-day. Yet, no ; he bath been only hired for a month, till my own faithful Robin hath got over the ague ;— and what if. he gness or know my purpose in this visit 1 Let all the world behold my love for the beautiful Edith— I care not ! there is no shame in such a love. I hate that fellow's gloaing tongue, and prying look ! Paha! the very atmosphere is heavy with his" nock questioning do not bring thee into trouble," 1 knavery—- 1 must have sir," and approaching the

window he threw open the casement. u Her uncle's vacillating character, regard for wealth, and mean subserviency, bode me no good; and should he really be a royalist at heart, he may oppose my hopes, for his lair niece is one in speech as well as mind, from birth and connection, though judging some of those who tske the other side may act from principles as pure and high. Ah ! birth and connections*—and I have neither— and no wealth to buy a crest or an escutcheon. I stand alone— a beggar foundling ! — a poor captain, with poor pay, and not a mind to win a fortune, but with honor. No mother cradled me in her fond arms, toothing my childish sorrows with her loving words ;— no father danced me on bis knee, training my youthful spirit to heroic deeds by tales of valor and high daring;— no brother held me in a long embrace when I departed— no sister hung around my neck when I returned. I have no household ties— not even a bare name; but stand alone in the wide world— nameless and homeless! — friendless and pennyloss! a thing east off— disowned by all! Yet, no ; not friendless— cot cast off by all,"— he added after a moment's pause, the dark cloud that overshadowed bis usually bright mood, passing away aa his buoyant spirit broke forth again, chasing the gloom of fell despair. " Not friendless— scarcely homeless. 8ir Edward Ferringbsm hath been to me as father, mother, kindred. He gave me shelter and a name, When those, who should have cherished me/ careless and worse than careless, thrust me forth into the wide world to live or die, ss it might chance ; whilst in his son I found a brother, willing Jo share his father's heart and fortune wish the. >ontcast. And friends too— -have I not friends beside ? Hath not even the Lord General Cromwell looked to my advancement, though weighty matters pressed upon his mind. And Edith— beautiful Bdilh ! — doth she not love me, poor as I am in birth and wealth ! Poor!— I am rich— richer than all .the fabled monarchs of the east : they had but gold— I have affection !— the tried regard of noble minded men !— the love of pure, high-hearted woman ! 8bame on me Jfar a moment's gloomy doubt !— an instant's dark despondency. There may be obstacles— there may be difficulties— but these, with Heaven's good will, shallJiLbe overcome. He who raised up a friend w^s^Hhost needed one — He who has kept me in my^^mnful year?, turning my ill to good, will keep the end, if I abide His chastening with a observed his master warningly, "and let nothing that beareth the shadow of disrespect towards Mistreat Edith EUerslie be heard from thy mouth, or the mouths of the mixed company, with which it is thy woat to keep fellowship ;— that lady is no nV tiog subject for idle jest, or toper's comment I bear her a message from her relatives in Worcestershire, but I never bade thee prate of her thoughts and doings with serving men, and serving women."

* I pray your pardon, sir, for misjudging your wishes, and going^kond your bidding; butaUAaght disrespectful was drought or said of the lady in my bearing; Sarah Hurst .and her cousin only maintuning what they hold t©y>er honour, that Mistress Edith EUeraue was not to bo won by a gloziug tongue, or lavish hand ; holding, as her damsels thought, another in higher favour."

44 Said they whom!" questioned Fitzmaurice, abruptly, forgetful for the instant of the lecture which he had just been reading hia prying servant, Uu a slight twitching of the mouth of the politic David, recalled him to a sense of bis own inconsistency.

"They named no name, sir; doubtless from being ignorant on that point ; but both agreed that their lady's heart bad been touched by some gallant cavalier, during her stay in Worcestershire some few months since. Bless you, sir ! why she will sit and sigh by the hour together, and look aj*a, faded orange knot till the team come into her bright- eyes ; sad then will she start up aa it were from maijen thame, and take suddenly to her embroidery," in* pace ap and down the garden walks like one who doth not wish to be remarked on." £Bgng the horses out on the instant," exclaim* ed^fl^Qfica impetuously, taming away with a oVmSeflsf isttflfSav flashe^wcek.

" It shall be

• I do mistrust tflESavid Frewen ;" said Fitsmaarice to himself, awhis serving; man quitted the apartment ; " you guess or leamall things, but tell only ss much a* will suit your purpose, whether that purpose he to cajole, qeaaasn, or annoy. There is enough of conning in theeto make thee dreaded ; and enough of mischief to make thee hated. Thou irt above a serving man in words, and below him la courage, if I mistake not ; shrewd and worldly ; wishing to hold, but not darfesy* grasp; seeking to rule by art, and only fisilingsjojtso from irtabili ty to bide thy venouw I like thee little, and will not trust thee ; so loot to tnyself if thou meddlest ia my concerns ; I make not my paid domestic my guide or confidant. &o she frowns on this rich and aaodsoine cavalier, but sighs and weeps over an farange knot; and this consorts with her cousin!ej |hy( parting words, which bade me hope ; and more thaVpri* hope. And yet that wily knave would have kept ^k this, had bo not deemed it politia to bribe me sCgoad humor I have half a mind tojdischarge humble spirit, and look to Him as my deliverer."

The reverential air of the young soldier, ss these thoughts pessed through his mind, proved him no ' ypocrite — his clouded brow grew calm and openbright eye danced in light— a hopeful smile played round his chiselled lip, and forgetful of his late wound, his right hand rested for a moment on the hilt of his sword, not as if in defiance of an

TBE 8ECIIT FOE.

enemy, but merely as an involuntary motion, showing hi* readinees to act. A finer picture of youthful, trusting energy could not haws been imagined ; poet or painter might have wished to fix him at he was, till be could be transferred to picture or to poem.

A slight bustle beneath the window drew his attention. The casement of the best apartment in the best hostel, in the little town of Amesbury, at which he was standing, opened on a triangular •pace with the stocks set in the middle, and flanked by low and irregular houses ; for the " Lord General" (such was the name of the tavern) stood somewhere near the spot where now stands the "George," claiming, like its predecessor, to be the best house of entertainment in the small town in which it is situated. This triangular space, the scene of the yearly fairs before and since the time of which we write, namely, 1651, save when the Puritans held sway and fairs were abolished aa abominations, exhibited on most occasions but little worthy of at. teation, and little likely to attract the observation of a gallant soldier, who had seen and shared in daring deeds of arms, winning his portion of the glory won ; but there are moods and times when reason yielda to fancy — the real gives place to the ideal ; and the bold, strong mind, thai shrinks not — quails not at instant peril, watches some trifling contest with breathless, almost trembling anxiety, staking its weal or woe upon the petty struggle, and drawing omens ef success or failure, as of old, from the chance flight of birds, or trifles light as this.

Such was the mood, and such the thought of Maurice Fitzmaurice at this moment Excited by his recollections of the past — by his hopes for the future— and touched perhsps unconsciously, if not with the superstition, at least with some of the visionary enthusiasm of those whom he had mingled, his eyes and his rpind became fixed on the objects before him, and the fancy grew, till it amounted almost to a certainty, that his own fate waa symbolically working out under the semblance of a contest between two boys, each striving to. drag the other over a line drawn on the earth between them. The one was a large, stolid looking lad, the very picture of indolent dullness, with heavy limbs, and half-closed eyes ; the otherj though much smaller, was lithe and active in his form, with a bright, kindling eye, and resolute took. The contest was carried on in perfect good humor, but the occasional gluttonous glance* t>f the larger boy towards three rosy-cheeked apples held out by a laughing spectator, explained the spell that had roused his inert body into action :— the excitement of the struggle, and desire to overcome, were suffi-, clent to account for the boldness of the lesser boy; in encountering one so much his superior in size.

" Mind and body — talent and wealth — tha^pi ritual and the material ! Shall I be victor, tiKyiquished in life's struggle V was Maurice's tJflKt, aa his earnest gaze became more and more fflralon the youthful combatants, identifying himself and fortunes with the younger of the two.

For a time the issue of the contest waa doubtful.

the other. In a race, victory must have belonged to the latter, and hie superiority would have been apparent from the first; but here they swayed backwards and forwards, now one wavering, now the other; and so nearly seemed they matched, that Fitzmaurice scarcely breathed, so great — so intense became his anxiety. Some idle loiterers, attracted by the scuffle, cheered them on ; some siding with one— some siding with the other ; but Fitzmaurice, though more earnest than any, spoke not— cheered not. The strength of the younger and lesser boy seemed failing— his nostril grew of an ashy white, whiUt the veins on his temples swelled out like cords ; he wavered— he tottered — yielding to the superior strength of his opponent ; his body was bent far over the line— his left foot was in the air, suspended above the ground marked out as his adversary's, whilst the right foot, almost the only portion of his frame remaining on his side of the line, was unsteady and lightly placed on the hard earth. Another pull and he was conquered. Fitzmaorice sighed ; and the sigh was like aaroan. He spoke to hiniaejf upon the lolly ef stalHg his fate on the wrestling of two boys for an apple ; but it waa too late for such wisdom : it was longer a matter of reason-— it had became a question of feeling — of imagination : be had so staked his fortunes j and he must abide the issue.

14 Now little un ! now or never !" shouted one of the bystanders, half encouragingly, half jeeringry.

It was now or never, and the boy felt that it was. Mind for a time gained the rule over the body ; and mastering the pain caused by the strong grasp of his opponent, he collected his strength for one desperate effort.

That effort was successful ! — the larger bey, who had considered himself certain of victory, unprepared for this sudden energy, was dragged over the line to his own wonder, and that of those who hod backed him : and there he stood looking stupidly round, doubting his own defeat, whilst the victor, overcome by the struggle, fell to the ground, where he lay panting and heaving, but with the glow of triumph on his cheek— its thrill within his heart.

« He has conquered ! he is victor 1 I too shall overcome all obstacle*— subdue all foes, and win the prize I covet !" was the exalting thoeght WsJ tysurice Fitzmaurice, forgetting his so reeenlisfrJamatio'n at the folly of auch aikpey. '■*■

The announcement that ^■horses were ready broke in on a golden reverie-rrWRchly woven tissue of bright dreams. -» *

With a light e|bnd a joyous heart Fitzmaurice crossed the roornTiIe was loved— he would win glory, and her he l°vef_y There was no weight on his buoyant spirit now?ne had no doubt— no fear ; and yet as he passed a email mirror on his way he stayed for some moments to adjust his waving curia, and arrange the folds of bis riding cloak, colouring and leaving mud|sj|j|kunaiTanged as he caught the eye of his serva^HJp was holding open the door for his master. .. ^a

'* If I am a vain and footiw idiot, one, does not like to be told so by such a look as that," was his thought, as he descended the stairs and vaulted into his saddle, patting the arched neck of his gentle.

the weight and size of the one, in such a trial of Jut spirited steed ere be dashed up the narrow street fc strength, bearing hardly on the spirit and activity of 7a hand gallop.

« To my mind, yon is as goodly a gallant as one_ >uld wish to look upon," observed an old gi "~ headed hostler who had seen many changes,

THE SECRET FOB.

was no mean judge in the matter of goodly gallants, I antly amid the etonnf and breakers that beeet bia baring formerly served in the reyalist army, and | path, he was ever wont to look on the bright aide ; Men much of Buckingham, Wilmot, and other if trouble came, to meet it manfnlly— if difficulties courtiers, a fret which he was indiscreet enough at times to admit maugre the suggestions of prudence. u There may be little lace on his cloak, and no jewel in his hat ; but never a young lord, or boasting raffler about the court wore hat or cloak with a more princely air, or spoke more graciously to those beneath htm. One looks for a whole train of serving men to come after him." •

"Then we may look in vain, John, if we heed the worda of his only valet," remarked the landlord jestingly. " But he is in favor with the Lord General Cromwell it should seem ; and for the honor of my long-honored sign, I would pay the young gillant all respect He is held in high esteem as a soldier by the rulers of the Commonwealth too, as I understand ; andrfid good service in the late fight at Worcester, banjPlg, as it is said, with die man Charles Stuart himself."

"His honored sign! that hath stood for one king, and three lord generals, only changed in hair and eyea by a groat of paint ! The man Charlea Smart!— the King! — and he shall be king !" muttered the hostler, whose heart wss still with the royalists. "The youth is a goodly youth, and should have been a cavalier."

M A goodly and a godly youth," chimed in the landlady, and Sarah Hurst the serving damsel. » He bath a kindly word and smile for all ; and never pastes me without a ' Good day, fair dame,' and ' how go the times V It is a pity that he is not rich, being open-handed with what he hath."

The sagacious hostler was right. Maui ice Fitxmaurice ruled his horse, and wore cloak and hat with a princely grace and dignity that would have better suited one of noble birth, than a poor foundling without name, or lineage ; and aa he dashed up the narrow street ef Amesbury, and then, by an abrupt turning to the left, out towards the open down, this amid small town of Amesbury being situated somewhere near the centre of Salisbury rf$i. be Wat an object of admiration to all whom he nwmany turning back as he passed to gaze upon arm. It was jj^ so much the symmetry of bii figure), or the raMkRty of his features that attracted attention, asltya pleasing smile that played round his wail defined mouth, jfcd the energy of purpose exhibited in his fiaahnj^eye, and well, knit hmba, He waa the verr beau ideal of youth, bright, joyous, generous, fqpting, and undaunted youth ! — hoping and believing all things that could minister to ita full joy — a joy that overflowed in matches of old tunes, loved in his childhood, and in the caracoles to which he urgetUusapirited steed.