It was getting late in the afternoon when a party of horsemen, numbering
about two hundred, commenced the ascent of Cat's Hill, going in the
direction of Ruardean.
Soldiers they were, in scarlet doublets, elaborately laced; their
standard flag, with the Royal arms in its field, and a crown upon the
peak of its staff, proclaiming them in the service of the king.
That it was no common cavalry troop could be told by other distinctive
symbols. Beside the three or four subalterns in their places along the
line, half a score other officers were at its head; in gorgeous
uniforms, and with hats grandly plumed, as on the personal staff of a
general. And such were they; the rank and file rearward being his
escort. No ordinary general either, but the commander-in-chief of the
King's armies--Prince Rupert himself.
His own garb in splendour outshone all; a blaze of jewels and gold, from
the _aigrette_ in his hat to the spurs upon his heels--costume more
befitting court than camp.
But he was not now on any war expedition; instead, on the way to seek
conquest of other kind than by the sword.
It was the day succeeding that night of revelry at his quarters in
Bristol; and the words there exchanged between him and Colonel Lunsford
will explain his presence on the Cat's Hill, with face turned towards
Ruardean. For in that direction also lay Hollymead House whither he was
proceeding.
Quick work and a rapid ride had he made of it; evincing the strong
passion of fancy with which the "bit of saucy sweetness" had inspired
him.
Lunsford was with him, by his side; the two some lengths in the lead,
and apart from the others, conversing as they rode on.
"You think, _mein_ Colonel," said the Prince, interrogatively, "we shall
find the _frauleins_ at home this time!"
"Pretty sure of it, your Highness. Since the Goodrich ferryman heard of
their being at Hollymead yesterday, it's scarcely probable they can have
taken departure since."
"But the news from Monmouth will have reached them. How about that?"
"It will affect them somewhat, I dare say. Still, Master Powell is not
a man to be easily frightened. As your Highness will be aware, Ruardean
is not under the Monmouth Commissioners. Sir John Wintour on the
Gloucester side, is the one Powell has most reason to apprehend a visit
from. And as he will know of Sir John's being held in check by Massey,
he won't be much alarmed, just yet. Still, no doubt, he'll be for
moving back again to Gloucester; though not in such hot haste, but that
your Highness will have an opportunity of holding speech with him."
"_Gott_! Sir Thomas; that should be the reverse of pleasant, from what
you've told me about the old Roundhead's tongue. He may give it me as
he did yourself."
"No fear of that, your Highness."
"Why not, pray?"
"The circumstances are quite different. He had backings about him
then--these ugly fores fellows, five to our one. Besides a Royal
Prince--Puritan though he be--he'll have respect for that. But what
matters it about his prating? Your Highness intends laying him by the
heels."
"That will depend on circumstances. We must try the _suaviter_ before
the _fortiter_. If fair words fail, then--the extremities."
"Our present visit to the Master of Hollymead is to be of a friendly
character then? Is that your Highness's intention!"
"Ceremoniously so; all the politeness to be observed by every one of our
escort. You will see to that, Colonel?"
"It shall be seen to. But does your Highness propose taking them all to
the house? It might be convenient to leave some at the village, to wait
your coming back."
"_Nein, nein_!" impatiently exclaimed the Prince. "All go on with me."
Astute schemer as was Lunsford himself, he was not aware of certain
motives actuating his master. Anything but an Adonis was the son of the
Elector Palatinate. Yet such he dreamed himself, with a confidence in
his power of fascinating the fair sex almost illimitable. The type and
boast of Cavalierism, he wielded sway uncontrolled wherever he went, or
the Royal cause was triumphant; women, as men, either willingly
submitting to his caprices, or not daring to oppose them. Many a
conquest had he made over weak creatures consenting. For the
achievement of such he well knew the advantage of stately show and regal
surroundings, nowhere more effective than in the country he was defiling
with his presence. Even at this day as then, where the proverbial
indemnity for the wrong-doing of kings is extended to princes and
princelets, their social backslidings gaining them credit, rather than
blame, under the facetious title, geniality.
No man better than Rupert knew woman's weakness in this regard. Hence
the shining retinue he had summoned to attend him in this ride through
the Forest of Dean--one of the pleasure excursions he was accustomed to
make under the plea of a military reconnaissance. For, although the
future pirate of the West Indian seas was quite indifferent to English
public opinion, there were reasons then for him not too openly outraging
it. By his defeats and failures he had lost the countenance of the
court, and intrigue was there busy against him.
"In that case, your Highness," rejoined Lunsford, "there's no necessity
for our going through the village. A path leads through the woods by
which it can be avoided."
"Is it a roundabout?"
"Not much, if any. It comes back into this again, near Hollymead Park
gates. If we pass through the village your Highness's escort will gain
a large accession of strength, which may not be agreeable to you."
"Gott, yes! Something in that, Sir Thomas. Let us take the other way,
then. Where does it branch off?"
"There, your Highness"; and he pointed to the embouchure of a wood road
some paces ahead on the right.
Without further speech they turned into it, and rode on beneath the
shadow of trees, whose branches, arcading over, hindered sight of the
sun. For, though October, these were still in full foliage, the leaves
falling late in the Forest of Dean. But green no more; save those of
the yew, holly, and frost-defying bramble, with the mistletoe and its
pearl-like pellucid berries. All others showed hues and tints varied,
and almost as vivid as those of the tropical forests so much extolled by
travellers.
A winding path it was, by reason of the steep incline; and as in silence
the glittering cohort, forced into single file by its narrowness, slowly
followed the sinuosities upward, it might have been likened to a
gigantic serpent in crawl towards unsuspecting prey.
This similitude in more ways than one; for at the head of that glancing
line there were serpents, though in human shape, making approach to what
they intended as victims.