|A GRAND dinner was given that day in the great banquet-ing-hall of
the castle, at which the prince and all the guests assisted with the
exception of her, whom the noble host would have preferred to all the
others. Being told by Lady Webb that her daughter was rather overcome by
the excitement of the morning, and deemed it best to keep her room, he
submitted to the disappointment with the best grace he could.
The dinner was magnificent, though little time had been allowed for its
preparation. Still with the resources at Lord Derwentwater's command, a
great deal can be accomplished. The prince sat on the right of the earl,
and on his lordship's left was placed Lady Webb. Next to her ladyship
was Colonel Oxburgh, and next to the prince on the right, was Sir John
Webb. Then came the Squire of Bamborough. We cannot record how the rest
of the company was placed, but we must mention that the fair Dorothy was
not very far from Charles Radclyffe, who sat at the foot of the table.
Undoubtedly, the party lacked its chief attraction--at least in the eyes
of Lord Derwentwater--but he was so much occupied by the prince that he
had not much time to think of the fair absentee; and besides, Lady Webb
assured him that there was not the slightest cause for uneasiness.
The Chevalier de Saint George was in high spirits. No contretemps of
any kind had occurred since his arrival at Dilston. All the guests were
devoted to his cause, and some of them were his warmest partisans. Of
the attachment of Sir John Webb and Colonel Oxburgh, he had no doubt.
Of Forster's loyalty he was not quite so sure, and he therefore paid him
particular attention. But he had a gracious word for every one, and not
a single person present could complain that the prince had over-looked
him.
Moreover, his highness took care to make it understood that he desired
his presence should be no restraint to the company.
The dinner therefore passed off admirably, and as the wine was not
stinted, and bumpers were quaffed according to the good old custom, the
enthusiasm of the guests rose to a very high pitch, and could scarcely
be repressed. But it soon found vent when the cloth was drawn, and
glasses were filled to the brim. The noble host arose and with him rose
every guest--save one--and the hall rang with shouts of “Long live King
James the Third.”
Lady Webb and Dorothy then disappeared, and all the servants having left
the room, except Newbeggin, whose discretion could be relied on, some
serious discussion took place.
As yet the prince had not made known his design of seeking an interview
with the queen, his sister; and it was now, at his highness's request,
disclosed by Lord Derwentwater. A deep silence ensued.
“It appears that you do not approve my plan, gentlemen,” remarked the
prince after a short pause.
“My liege,” replied Colonel Oxburgh, answering for the others, “we all
hoped and believed that you were come to call us to arms, and we cannot
conceal our disappointment when we find that, instead of making a
determined attempt to recover the throne, which we are persuaded would
be successful, your majesty is about to appeal to the queen, who has
no sympathy or affection for you, and is hostile to our religion. Rest
assured the attempt will be useless, if it does not lead to other ill
consequences. Abandon it, therefore, I pray you. On the other hand,
there is every reason to believe that an insurrection in your majesty's
favour would be attended with success. That we are fully prepared for
it, I will not assert. But a very short time will enable us to get ready
a sufficient force to march towards London, and we shall gather strength
as we go on. None can be better acquainted with the feeling of the
country than myself and my friends, who have visited the houses of half
the Jacobites and High Church Tories in the North of England, and I
can state positively that a rising would be hailed by many influential
persons with the greatest enthusiasm. Should your majesty decide on
leading the army in person--as I trust you will--thousands will flock
to your standard, and you will find yourself resistless as well from the
number of your followers as from the justice of your cause. That your
majesty is the rightful King of England cannot be denied. Why then allow
the crown to be kept from you--even for a day? Do not sue for it, but
demand it; and if it be refused, take it!”
The exclamations that arose from the company made it evident that
they all agreed with the speaker. But though stirred by the colonel's
energetic language, the prince was not to be turned from his purpose.
“I have already explained to Lord Derwentwater my reasons for the course
I am about to pursue,” he said. “Like yourselves he has endeavoured to
dissuade me from my design--but ineffectually. I propose to set out
for London to-morrow, or next day, at the latest--and his lordship will
accompany me.”
“Without an escort?” cried Colonel Oxburgh. “That must not be. Since
your majesty is resolved on this rash step, my friends and myself will
attend you. Do I not express your wishes, gentlemen?” he added to the
others.
“Most certainly,” replied Captain Wogan, answering for the rest. “We
shall be proud to escort his majesty, if he will permit us.”
“I accept your offer, gentlemen,” said the prince. “I did not calculate
on such good company.”
“We may be of use to your majesty on the journey,” remarked Captain
Wogan.
“I doubt it not,” said the prince. “Will you go with me?” he added to
Forster.
“I pray your majesty to excuse me,” replied the squire. “I must frankly
own I would rather not be engaged in the expedition.”
“As you please, sir,” said the prince, with affected indifference. “I
can do very well without you.”
“I see that I have not made myself understood, my liege,” said Forster.
“I am ready to fight for you, and if need be, die for you, but I will
not be instrumental in delivering you to your enemies.”
“Ah! I see I have done you an injustice,” said the prince.
The conversation then took another turn, and a good deal of curiosity
was manifested both by Sir John Webb and Colonel Oxburgh as to the
prince's future plans, but his highness displayed considerable reserve
on this point, and did not choose to gratify them. Indeed, he soon
afterwards retired, and Lord Derwentwater went with him, leaving Charles
Radclyffe to attend to the company.
Those were hard-drinking days, and the Jacobites were as fond of good
claret as their predecessors the Cavaliers. We are afraid to say how
many magnums were emptied on the occasion, but before the party broke
up, which it did not do till a late hour, a general resolution was come
to, that a more strenuous effort should be made on the morrow, to induce
his majesty to forego his ill-advised journey to London, and instead
of endangering his safety by such a senseless attempt, to set up his
standard, and summon all his adherents to join him. Then he might
proceed to London as soon as he pleased.
A loud shout, with which his majesty's name was coupled, concluded a
vehement harangue made by Colonel Oxburgh, and the party broke up.
Some of them retired to rest, but Tom Forster and two or three others
adjourned to a smaller room not far from the butler's pantry, where a
bowl of capital punch was provided for them by Newbiggin.