It was only to Oswald that Edward made known what had occurred; he knew
that he was to be trusted. The next day Edward resumed his forester's
dress, while another one was preparing for him, and went over to the
cottage; where, with the consent of the Intendant, he proposed remaining
for a few days. Of course Edward had not failed to acquaint the
Intendant with his proposed plans relative to Chaloner and Grenville,
and received his consent; at the same time advising that they should
gain the other side of the Channel as soon as they possibly could.
Edward found them all very anxious for his arrival. Humphrey and Pablo
had been to the cottage, which they had found undisturbed since the
capture of the robbers, and made everything ready for the reception of
the two Cavaliers, as on their first journey they took with them a
cart-load of what they knew would be necessary. Chaloner and Grenville
appeared to be quite at home already, and not very willing to shift
their quarters. They, of course, still retained their troopers'
clothes, as they had no other to wear until they could be procured from
Lymington; but, as we have before mentioned, they were in no want of
money. They, had been amusing the girls and Humphrey with a description
of what had occurred during the campaign, and Edward found that he had
but little to tell them, as Chaloner had commenced his narrative with an
account of his first meeting with Edward when he had been attacked by
the highwaymen. As soon as he could get away, Edward went out with
Humphrey to have some conversation with him.
"Now, Humphrey, as you have pretty well heard all my adventures since
our separation, let me hear what you have been doing."
"I have no such tales of stirring interest to narrate as Chaloner has
been doing as your deputy, Edward," replied Humphrey. "All I can say
is, that we have had no visitors--that we have longed for your return--
and that we have not been idle since you quitted us."
"What horses were those in the stable," said Edward, "that you turned
out to make room for ours when we arrived?"
Humphrey laughed, and then informed Edward of the manner in which they
had succeeded in capturing them.
"Well, you really deserve credit, Humphrey, and certainly were not born
to be secluded in this forest."
"I rather think that I have found that I was born for it," replied
Humphrey, "although, I must confess, that since you have quitted us I
have not felt so contented here as I did before. You have returned, and
you have no idea what an alteration I see in you since you have mixed
with the world, and have been a party in such stirring scenes."
"Perhaps so, Humphrey," replied Edward; "and yet do you know that,
although I so ardently wished to mix with the world, and to follow the
wars, I am anything but satisfied with what I have seen of it; and so
far from feeling any inclination to return to it I rather feel more
inclined to remain here, and remain in quiet and in peace. I have been
disappointed, that is the truth. There is a great difference between
the world such as we fancy it when we are pining for it, and the world
when we actually are placed within the vortex, and perceive the secret
springs of men's actions. I have gained a lesson, but not a
satisfactory one, Humphrey; it may be told in a very few words. It is a
most deceitful and hollow world! And that is all there is to be said."
"What very agreeable, pleasant young men are Masters Chaloner and
Grenville," observed Humphrey.
"Chaloner I know well," replied Edward; "he is to be trusted, and he is
the only one in whom I have been able to place confidence, and therefore
I was most fortunate in falling in with him as I did on my first
starting. Grenville I know little about; we met often, it is true, but
it was in the presence of the king, being both of us on his staff; at
the same time, I must acknowledge that I know nothing against him; and
this I do know, which is, that he is brave."
Edward then narrated what had passed between the Intendant and himself
since his return; and how well satisfied the Intendant had been with his
_ruse_ in returning to him in the dress of a trooper.
"Talking about that, Edward, do you not think it likely that we shall
have the troopers down here in search of the king?"
"I wonder you have not had them already," replied Edward.
"And what shall we do if they arrive?"
"That is all prepared for," replied Edward; "although, till you
mentioned it, I had quite forgotten it. The Intendant was talking with
me on the subject last night, and here is an appointment for you as
verderer, signed by him, which you are to use as you may find necessary;
and here is another missive, ordering you to receive into your house two
of the troopers who may be sent down here, and find them quarters and
victuals, but not to be compelled to receive more. Until the search is
over, Chaloner and Grenville must retain their accoutrements and remain
with us: And, Humphrey, if you have not made any use of the clothes
which I left here--I mean the first dress I had made when I was
appointed secretary, and which I thought rather too faded to wear any
longer--I will put it on now, as, should any military come here as
scouters to the Intendant, I shall have some authority over them."
"It is in your chest, where you left it, Edward. The girls did propose
to make two josephs out of it for winter wear; but they never have
thought of it since, or have not had time. By the bye, you have not
told me what you think of Alice and Edith after your long absence."
"I think they are both very much grown and very much improved," replied
Edward, "but I must confess to you that I think it is high time that
they were, if possible, removed from their present homely occupations,
and instructed as young ladies should be."
"But how, Edward, is that to be?"
"That I cannot yet tell, and it grieves me that I cannot; but still I
see the necessity of it, if ever we are to return to our position in
society."
"And are we ever to return?"
"I don't know. I thought little of it before I went away and mixed in
society; but since I have been in the world I have been compelled to
feel that my dear sisters are not in their sphere, and I have resolved
upon trying if I cannot find a more suitable position for them. Had we
been successful I should have had no difficulty: but now I hardly know
what to do."
"I have not inquired about Mrs Patience, brother; how is she?"
"She is as good and as handsome as ever, and very much grown; indeed,
she is becoming quite womanly."
"And Clara?"
"Oh, I do not perceive any difference in her: I think she is grown, but
I hardly observed her. Here comes Chaloner; we will tell him of our
arrangements in case we are disturbed by the military parties."
"It is a most excellent arrangement," said Chaloner, when Edward had
made the communication; "and it was a lucky day when I first fell in
with you, Beverley."
"Not Beverley, I pray you; that name is to be forgotten; it was only
revived for the occasion."
"Very true; then, Master Secretary Armitage, I think the arrangement
excellent: the only point will be to find out what troops are sent down
in this direction, as we must of course belong to some other regiment,
and have been pursued from the field of battle. I should think that
Lambert's squadrons will not be this way."
"We will soon ascertain that; let your horses be saddled and accoutred,
so that should any of them make their appearance the horses may be at
the door. It is my opinion that they will be here some time to-day."
"I fear that it will be almost impossible for the king to escape,"
observed Chaloner.
"I hardly know what to think of his leaving us in that way."
"I have reflected upon it," replied Edward, "and I think it was perhaps
prudent: some were to be trusted, and some not; it was impossible to
know who were and who were not--he therefore trusted nobody. Besides,
his chance of escape, if quite alone, is greater than if in company."
"And yet I feel a little mortified that he did not trust me," continued
Edward; "my life was at his service."
"He could no more read your heart than he could mine or others,"
observed Chaloner; "and any selection would have been invidious: on the
whole, I think he acted wisely, and I trust that it will prove so. One
thing is certain, which is, that all is over now, and that for a long
while--we may let our swords rest in their scabbards. Indeed, I am
sickened with it, after what I have seen, and would gladly live here
with you, and help to till the land--away from the world and all its
vexations. What say you, Edward; will you and your brother take me as a
labourer after all is quiet again?"
"You would soon tire of it, Chaloner; you were made for active exertion
and bustling in the world."
"Nevertheless, I think, under two such amiable and pretty mistresses, I
could stay well contented here: it is almost Arcadian. But still it is
selfish for me to talk in this way; indeed, my feelings are contrary to
my words."
"How do you mean, Chaloner?"
"To be candid with you, Edward, I was thinking what a pity it is that
two such sweet girls as your sisters should be employed here in domestic
drudgery, and remain in such an uncultivated state--if I may be pardoned
for speaking so freely--but I do so because I am convinced that, if in
proper hands, they would grace a court; and you must feel that I am
right."
"Do you not think that the same feelings have passed in my mind,
Chaloner? Indeed, Humphrey will tell you that we were speaking on the
same subject but an hour ago. You must, however, be aware of the
difficulty I am in: were I in possession of Arnwood and its domain, then
indeed--but that is all over now, and I presume I shall shortly see my
own property, whose woods are now in sight of me, made over to some
Roundhead, for good services against the Cavaliers at Worcester."
"Edward," replied Chaloner, "I have this to say to you, and I can say it
because you know that I am indebted to you for my life, and that is a
debt that nothing can cancel: If at any time you determine upon removing
your sisters from this, recollect my maiden aunts at Portlake. They
cannot be in better hands, and they cannot be in the hands of any person
who will more religiously do their duty towards them, and be pleased
with the trust confided to them. They are rich, in spite of exactions;
but in these times women are not fined and plundered as men are, and
they have been well able to afford all that has been taken from them,
and all that they have voluntarily given to the assistance of our party.
They are alone, and I really believe that nothing would make them more
happy than to have the care of the two sisters of Edward Beverley--be
sure of that. But I will be more sure of it, if you will find means of
sending to them a letter, which I shall write to them. I tell you that
you will do them a favour, and that if you do not accept the offer, you
will sacrifice your sisters' welfare to your own pride,--which I do not
think you would do."
"Most certainly I will not do that," replied Edward; "and I am fully
sensible of your kind offer; but I can say no more until I hear what
your good aunts may reply to your letter. You mistake me much,
Chaloner, if you think that any sense of obligation would prevent me
from seeing my sisters removed from a position so unworthy of them, but
which circumstances have driven them to. That we are paupers is
undeniable; but I never shall forget that my sisters are the daughters
of Colonel Beverley."
"I am delighted with your reply, Edward, and I fear not that of my good
aunts. It will be a great happiness to me when I am wandering abroad to
know that your sisters are under their roof, and are being educated as
they ought to be."
"What's the matter, Pablo?" said Humphrey to the former, who came
running, out of breath.
"Soldiers," said Pablo; "plenty of them, gallop this way--gallop every
way."
"Now, Chaloner, we must get ourselves out of this scrape; and I trust
that afterwards all will be well," said Edward. "Bring the horses out
to the door; and, Chaloner, you and Grenville must wait within: bring my
horse out also, as it will appear as if I had just ridden over. I must
in to change my dress. Humphrey, keep a look-out and let us know when
they come."
Chaloner and Edward went in, and Edward put on his dress of secretary.
Shortly afterwards a party of cavalry were seen galloping towards the
cottage. They soon arrived there, and pulled up their horses. An
officer who headed them addressed Humphrey in a haughty tone, and asked
him who he was.
"I am one of the verderers of the forest, sir," replied Humphrey
respectfully.
"And whose cottage is that? And who have you there?"
"The cottage is mine, sir; two of the horses at the door belong to two
troopers who have come in quest of those who fled from Worcester; the
other horse belongs to the secretary of the Intendant of the forest, Mr
Heatherstone, who has come over with directions from the Intendant as to
the capture of the rebels."
At this moment Edward came out and saluted the officer.
"This is the secretary, sir, Master Armitage," said Humphrey, falling
back.