good repute long resident in ----. Dying he left him, when scarcely at
man's estate, the benefit of a good name, besides a rich store of
substance, in the shape of broad pieces, together with lands and
livings. The sudden acquisition of so much loose wealth to one whose
utmost limit of spending money aforetime had been a penny at Easter
and a groat at Michaelmas, did seem like the first breaking forth of
a mighty torrent, pent up for past ages, forming its own wild and
wilful channel, in despite of all bounds and impediments. His
education had been none of the most liberal or extensive; and,
astonished at his own aggrandisement, he found himself at once
elevated into an object of importance ere he could estimate his own
relative insignificance in the great world around him. Thus he became
an easy prey to the hordes of idlers and braggarts with whom he
associated. He had been to town, kept company with some of the leading
cut-and-thrust bullies of the day; but Nature had denied him the
headstrong boldness, the desperate recklessness of disposition,
requisite for this amiable occupation. His infirmity had consequently
often led him to play the coward. At the same time it probably was the
means of restraining him from many of those evils into which his
lavish and simple disposition might have been enticed, and he was now
settling down quietly in the character of a good-natured,
well-furnished simpleton. Fond of dress and a gaudy outside, he aimed
at ladies' hearts through the medium of silken cloaks and ponderous
shoe-buckles;--designing to conquer not a few of the fair dames with
whom he associated. But, alas! the perversity of woman had hitherto
rendered his efforts unavailing; still an overweening opinion of his
own pretensions to their favour prevented him from giving up the
pursuit, every succeeding mishap in no wise hindering him from
following the allurements of the next fair object that fluttered
across his path. He had heard of the wit and beauty of Kate Anderton,
only daughter to Justice Anderton of Lostock Hall, a bluff and honest
squire who spent his mornings in the chase and his evenings in the
revel incident thereto; a man well looked upon by his less
distinguished neighbours, being of a benevolent disposition, and much
given to hospitality. Kate's disposition was fiery and impetuous, but
tempered withal so pleasantly by the sweetness of a naturally tender
and affectionate spirit, that you loved her the better for these sharp
and wayward ingredients, which prevented that sweetness from cloying.
Master Anthony, hearing of this goodly maiden, found himself, after
secretly beholding her, moved to the exploit of winning and wearing in
his bosom so precious a gem, which many a high-flown gallant had
essayed to appropriate. He began the siege by consulting the most
approved oracles and authorities of the time for the construction of
love-billets. The cut and fashion of the paper, too, were matters of
deep and anxious consideration. Folded and perfumed, the missile was
despatched, and the result was such as we have just seen.
Upon this memorable day, it then drawing on towards eventide, Anthony,
full of solicitude and musing on the fate of his billet, was spreading
himself out, like a newly-feathered peacock, in the trim garden behind
his dwelling. A richly-embroidered Genoa silk waistcoat and
amber-coloured velvet coat glittered in the declining sun, like the
church weathercock perched just above him at a short distance from the
house.
The mansion of Squire Anderton lay a few miles off; yet there had been
sufficient time for the return of his trusty valet, who was the bearer
of this love-billet. Several times had he paced the long straight
gravel walk stretching from the terrace to the Chinese temple, and as
often had he mounted the terrace itself to look out for the well-known
figure of Hodge, ere the hind was descried through a cloud of hot
dust, urging on his steed to the extremity of a short but laborious
trot. Needless were it to dwell upon the anxiety and foreboding with
which he awaited the nearer approach of this leaden-heeled Mercury. To
lovers the detail would be unnecessary, and to others description
would fail to convey our meaning.
"I ha't, measter."
"What hast thou brought, Hodge?"
"A letter."
"Quick--quick, fellow. Canst not give it me?"
"Ay, i' fackens; but where is it?"
Great was the consternation depicted in the flat and vapid face of the
boor as he fumbled in his pocket, turned out the lining, and groped
down incontinently "five fathom deep," into his nether appendages; but
still no letter was forthcoming.
"She gi'ed me one, though; an' where it is----I'se sure it waur here,
an'----Bodikins if those de'ilments hanna twitched it out o'
my----Thoose gigglin' wenches i' th' buttery took it when I waur but
putting my nose to the mug the last time, for a lift i' the stirrup."
Terrible was the wrath and disapprobation evinced by Master Anthony at
this disaster. He had nigh despoiled the curls of his new wig, which
were become twisted and awry with choler.
Patiently to endure was the business of Hodge; and his master's fury
having "sweeled" down into the socket, a few hasty flashes just
glimmered out from the ignited mass, ere it was extinguished.
"But thou hadst a letter--dolt--ass!"
"Ay, master, as sure as I am virtuous and well-favoured."
"Then is the lady kindly affected towards my suit? But oh, thou
gull--thou dunderpate--thou losel knave, to lose one line moved by her
sweet fingers. Get in; I'll not defile my rapier with beating of thee.
Thanks to the lady thou hast just left; her condescension so affecteth
my softer nature that I could not speak an angry word without weeping.
March, rascal, and come not into my presence until thou art bidden,
lest I make a thrust at thee with my weapon. O Katherine! my life--my
love,--'my polar star, my axle; where all desire, all thought, all
passions turn, and have their consequence!'"
Anthony had picked up this scrap from the players, with whom he had
smoked, and committed the usual delinquencies, not peculiar to that
age of folly and licentiousness.
"I'll go dream of thee where there be a bank of flowers. Here let me
lose myself in a delirium of sweets."
Choosing a fair position, he squatted down upon a ripe strawberry bed,
and great was the dismay with which he beheld the entire ruin of his
best puce-coloured breeches. So sudden was the dissipation of his
complacency, that he determined to beat Hodge forthwith; to which
thrifty employment we commend him, whilst we address ourselves to the
further development of our story.
Near to the lower extremity of the village dwelt a maiden whose bloom
had been wasted, and whose matchless hopes were always frustrated ere
their accomplishment. Many a simpering look had she cast towards the
goodly raiment of Master Anthony, and some incipient notion was
entertained that the indweller at the big house was not averse to a
peep, now and then, more tender than usual, at the window of Mrs
Bridget Allport. When a boy, Anthony had been a sort of spoiled pet of
the maiden, who was then opening into bloom, and the bud of promise
breaking forth in all its pride and loveliness. While Anthony's legs
were getting rounder, and his face and figure more plump and
capacious, the person of Mistress Bridget was, alas! proceeding,
unluckily, in a manner quite the reverse. Anthony's love had not
quickened into fruition with his growth: but the lady kept a quick
and wary eye upon his movements, and many a pang had his flattering
favours caused in her too susceptible heart.
Distantly related to the family, she sometimes visited Lostock Hall;
and at the period when our narrative begins she was located therein.
Kate had long been aware of her likings and mishaps, and was no
stranger to her predilection for Master Anthony Hardcastle.
The first overt act of mischief resulting from the plots of Kate and
her maid was a smart tap at the door of Mistress Bridget, her
bed-chamber, where she was indulging in reverie and romance; but the
day being hot, she had fallen asleep, and was dreaming of "hearts,
darts, and love's fires." She started from this mockery of bliss at
the summons.
"Prithee, Marian, what is it?"
"A billet from--I don't care to tell who!"
"A billet, sayest thou?--eh!--who can it be? What! It is--go away, my
good Marian; I cannot--oh! when will my poor heart----'_Waft a cargo
of love to thy bosom._' '_Melt in the furnace._' Dear, delightful
passion! How pure! Just like mine own, I declare. '_Harder than
adamant._' Nay, thou wrongest me. Prithee, Marian, who--where is he?"
"A trusty messenger is below." She dropped a handsome curtsy.
"Give me my tablets and my writing-stool. O Marian! little did I think
of this yesterday. When I was telling thee of--of--oh, I am
distraught!"
She commenced a score of times ere something in the shape of a
communication could be despatched.
"There--there; let it be conveyed quick. Nay, I will see him myself.
Lead me to him, girl. I will say how--and yet, this may look too bold
and unmaidenly. Take it, good girl, and say--what thou thinkest best."
Lightly did the laughing maiden trip through the great hall into the
buttery, where Hodge was ambushed along with a huge pie, fast
lessening under his inspection. Her intention was not to have given
him the billet, but she was suddenly alarmed at the approach of
Mistress Bridget. Fearful lest the deception might be discovered, she
hastily gave Hodge the precious deposit, trusting to some favourable
opportunity when she might extract the letter from his pouch. An
occasion shortly occurred, and Hodge was despatched, as we have seen,
billetless, and unconscious of his loss.
The lover was sore puzzled how to proceed. It was possible--nay, more
than probable--that the message might have appointed a meeting; or
twenty other matters, which he was utterly unable to conjecture,
woman's brain being so fertile in expedients; and if he obeyed not her
injunctions it might be construed amiss, and unavoidably prove
detrimental to his suit. Should he send back the messenger? She would
perhaps laugh at him for his pains; and he was too much afraid of her
caprice to peril his adventure on this issue. A happy thought crossed
his brain; he capered about his little chamber; and could hardly
govern himself as the brilliant conception blazed forth on his
imagination. This bright phantasy was to be embodied in the shape of a
serenade. It would be more in the romantic way of making love--would
stimulate her passions--powerfully enlist her feelings in his favour,
and doubtless bring on something like an appointment, or a permission,
at any rate, to use a freer intercourse.
"To-morrow night," said he, rubbing his hands and stroking his soft
round chin, for be it understood, gentle reader, the youth was of a
tender and fair complexion, with little beard, save a slight blush on
his upper lip. He was not ill-favoured, but there was altogether
something boyish and effeminate throughout his appearance, which
seemed not of the hue to win a lady's love. He could twang the guitar,
and had at times made scraps of verse, which he trolled to many a
damsel's ear, but to little purpose hitherto.
On the morrow he watched the sun creep lazily up the sky, and more
lazily down again. The old dial seemed equally dilatory and unwilling
to move. He had sorted out his best and most ardent love sonnet, and
strummed as many jangling tunes as would have served a company of
morris-dancers and pipers for a May festival. Twilight came on apace.
The moon was fast mounting to her zenith. No chance of its being dark;
so much the better--it would enable the lovers to distinguish each
other the more easily.
Hodge had long been ready, and the steeds duly caparisoned. At length,
reckoning that his arrival would take place about the time the lady
had retired to her chamber, he set forth, accompanied by his trusty
esquire. The road lay for some distance over a long high tract of
moorland, while beautifully did the bright stars appear to shoot up
from the black, bleak, level horizon. The moon seemed to smile
suspiciously upon them, and even Hodge grew eloquent beneath her
glance.
"It's brave riding to-night, master; one might see to pick up a tester
if 'twere but i' the way. Well, I does like moonlight, ever since
Margery came a-living at the parson's."
"Peace, sirrah!" Anthony was conning inwardly, and humming the soft
ditty by which he proposed to excite his mistress' ear. "I think thou
art mine evil destiny, doomed everlastingly to be my plague and
annoyance."
"Body o' me, but you're grown woundily humoursome of a sudden,"
muttered the other at the lower end of his voice. "I waur but saying
as how Margery"----
Hodge here received another interruption. A stray ass, turned out to
browse on the common, seemingly actuated thereto by sympathy or
proximity of either man or beast, burst into one of those hysterical,
though exquisite cadences, which defy all imitation, and at the same
time produce an extraordinary and irresistible effect on the animal
economy.
"That is all along of thy prating," said the meditative lover, when
the "_strain_" was concluded. "It bodes no good; and I'd as lief see a
magpie, and hear a screech-owl, as one of those silly beasts. The
salutation of an ass by night is ever held a sound of ill-omen; and
lo! there be two of ye, reckoning thine own ugly voice."
"Then may two bode good, if one bode ill, as the maids say of the
magpies," replied the indefatigable attendant.
"I'll cudgel thine infirmity out o' thee. Hold thy tongue! Hadst thou
not been left me by my father, a precious bequest, I had sent thee a
packing, long ere thou hadst worn a badge in my service."
The rest of their journey was accomplished in comparative silence,
until a short ascent brought them to a steep ridge, down which the
road wound into the valley. It was a scene of rich and varied beauty,
now lighted by a bright summer moon. A narrow thread of light might be
seen twining through the ground below them, broken at short intervals,
then abruptly gliding into the mist which hung upon the horizon.
Lights were yet twinkling about, where toil or festivity held on
their career unmitigated. A mile or two beyond the hill they were now
preparing to descend lay a dark wood, extending to the shallow margin
of the adjacent brook. Above this rose the square low tower of Lostock
Hall; clusters of long chimneys, irregularly marked out in the broad
moonlight, showed one curl of smoke only, just perceptible above the
dark trees, intimating that some of the indwellers were yet awake. Ere
long a bypath brought them round to a fence of low brushwood, where a
little wicket communicated with the gardens and offices behind.
"Here stay with the beasts until I return," said Anthony, deliberately
untying the cover wherein reposed his musical accompaniment.
"And how long may we kick our heels and snuff the hungry wind for
supper, master?"
"Until my business be accomplished," was the reply.
Master Anthony commenced tuning, which aroused the inquiries of
several well-ordered and decently-disposed rooks who were not given to
disturb their neighbours at untimely hours, and were just at the
soundest part of their night's nap.
"These villainous bipeds do fearfully exorbitate mine ear," said the
agonised musician. "'Tis not in the power of aught human to harmonise
the strings."
The clamour increased with every effort, until the whole community
were in an uproar, driving the incensed wooer fairly off the field.
Trusting that he should be able to eke out the tune in spite of these
interruptions, he hastened immediately to his destination. He crossed
a narrow bridge and passed through a gap into the garden, taking his
station on one side of the house, where he commenced a low prelude by
way of ascertaining if the lady were within hearing, and likewise the
situation of her chamber. To his inexpressible delight a window,
nearly opposite the tree under which he stood, was gently opened, and
he could distinguish a figure in white moving gently behind the
drapery. He now determined to try the full power of his instrument,
and warbled, with no inconsiderable share of skill and pathos, the
following ditty:--
"Fair as the moonbeam,
Bright as the running stream,
Sparkling, yet cold;
In Love's tiny fingers
A shaft yet there lingers,
"And he creeps to thy bosom, and smiles, lady.
Soon his soft wings will cherish
A flame round thine heart,
And ere it may perish
Thy peace shall depart.
Oh listen, listen, lady gay;
Love doth not always sue;
The brightest flame will oft decay,
The fondest lover rue, lady!
The fondest lover rue, lady!"
At the conclusion he saw a hand, presently an arm, stretched out
through the casement. Something fell from it, which glistened with a
snowy whiteness in the clear moonlight. He ran to seize the
treasure--a scrap of paper neatly folded--which, after a thankful and
comely obeisance towards the window, he deposited in his bosom. The
casement was suddenly closed. The lover, eager to read his billet,
made all imaginable haste to regain the road, where, mounting his
steed, he arrived in a brief space, almost breathless with
anticipation and impatience, at his own door. The contents of the
despatch were quickly revealed in manner following:--
"I know thine impatience; but faith must have its test. Send a
message to my father; win his consent to thy suit; but as thou
holdest my favour in thine esteem come not near the house
thyself ere one month have elapsed. Ask not why; 'tis
sufficient that I have willed it. Shouldst thou not obey, I
renounce thee for ever.
"This shall be the test of thy fidelity.
KATHERINE."
He kissed the writing again and again; he skipped round the chamber
like unto one demented; and when the old housekeeper, who was in a
sore ill-temper at being deprived of her accustomed allowance of rest,
came in to know his intentions about supper, he bade her go dream of
love and give supper to the hogs.
The morning found Anthony early at his studies. A letter, painfully
elaborated, was despatched in due form "To Master Roger Anderton,
these;" and the lover began to ruminate on his good fortune. The terms
were hard, to be sure, and the time was long; but women, and other
like superior intelligences, will not bear to be thwarted; at least,
so thought Master Anthony Hardcastle, as he threw his taper legs over
the opposite chair, screwing his forbearance to the test.
The same day an answer was received, briefly as follows:--
"Though thy person and qualifications be unknown to me, yet
have I not been ignorant of the respect and esteem which thy
father enjoyed. Shouldst thou win my daughter's favour, thou
shall not lack my consent, if thou art as deserving as he whose
substance thou hast inherited."
Leaving to Anthony the irksome task of minuting down the roll of time
for one unlucky month, turn we to another personage with whom it is
high time the reader should be acquainted. At Turton Tower, a few
miles distant, dwelt a cavalier of high birth, whose pedigree was
somewhat longer than his rent-roll. To this proud patrician Kate's
father had long borne a bitter grudge, arising out of some sporting
quarrel, and omitted no opportunity by which to manifest his
resentment. Dying recently, he had left an only son, then upon his
travels, heir to the inheritance and the feud with Anderton.
Shortly after his return, Kate, being on a visit in the neighbourhood,
saw him; and as nothing is more likely to excite love than the
beholding of some forbidden object, unwittingly, in the first
instance, she began to sigh; and with each sigh came such a warm gush
of feeling from the heart as did not fail to create a crowd of
sensations altogether new and unaccountable. On his part the feeling
was not less ardent, though less inexplicable, at least to himself,
and a few more glances fixed them desperately and unalterably in love.
Hopeless though it might be, yet did the lovers find a sad and
mournful solace in their regrets, the only sentiment they could
indulge. They had met, and in vows of secrecy had often pledged
unintermitting attachment.
Love at times had prompted some stratagem to accomplish their union,
for which the capricious and unforgiving disposition of the old
gentleman seemed to afford a fair excuse. It is a most ingenious and
subtle equivocator that same idle boy, and hath ever at hand
palliatives, and even justifications, in respect to all crimes done
and committed for the aiding and comforting of his sworn lieges. And
thus it fell out, Kate's wits were now at work to make Anthony's suit
in some way or another subservient to this object. Once committed to a
purpose of such duplicity, no wonder that contrivances and plots not
altogether justifiable should ensue; and Kate's natural archness and
vivacity, coupled with the mischievous temper of her maid, gave their
proceedings a more ludicrous character than the dignity of the passion
would otherwise have allowed.
The month was nigh spent when Hodge one morning entered the chamber of
his master, who sat there dribbling away the time over a treatise on
archery.
"How now, sirrah?"
"Please ye, master, Mistress Kate is to be wed on the feast of St
Crispin; an' I'm a-thinking I've no body-gear fitting for my
occupation."
"Married, sayest thou?--to whom?"
"Nay, master, an' ye know not, more's the pity if it be not to your
honour."
"To me, sayest thou?"
"They ha' so settled it, belike; and I thought, if it would please ye,
to order me new boots and a coat for the wedding."
"Peace!--where gattest thou the news?"
"At the smithy. I was but just getting the mare shoed, and a tooth
hammered into the garden rake."
"It is wondrous strange!" replied Anthony, musing; "but women are of a
subtle and unsearchable temper. She did appoint me a month's
abstinence. Sure enough, the feast thou hast named happeneth on the
very day of my release. She hath devised this plot for my surprise!
Excellent!--and so the rumour hath gotten abroad? Now, o' my troth,
but I like her the better for't. Go to; a new suit, with yellow
trimmings, and hose of the like colour, shall be thine: thou shalt be
chief servitor, too, at my wedding."
Anthony seemed raving wild with delight. He resolved that the jade
should know of his intelligence, and he would attack the citadel by a
counterplot of a most rare and excellent device. To this end he
resolved on going to the hall the night preceding his appointment; in
the meantime diligently maturing his scheme for the surprise and
delight of the cunning maiden.
With the evening of an unusually long and tedious day, whose minutes
had been spun to hours, and these hours into ages, did Master Anthony
Hardcastle, accompanied by his servant, set forth on this perilous
exploit. Upon a rich and comely suit, consisting of a light blue
embroidered vest, and a rich coat of peach-coloured velvet, with
bag-wig and ruffles, was thrown a dark cloak, partly intended as a
disguise, and partly to screen his gay habiliments from dust and
pollution.
They passed slowly on for an hour or two, dropping down to the little
wicket as aforetime, above which the crows were again ready with the
usual inquiries. The squires being left with the steeds, Master
Anthony once more scrambled over the garden hedge, and sustained his
person in a becoming attitude against the pear-tree whence he had so
successfully attacked and carried the citadel on his former visit. He
now beheld, with wonder, lights dancing about in the house, frisking
and frolicking through the long casements like so many
jack-o'-lanterns. Indeed, the greater part of the mansion seemed all
a-blaze, and of an appalling and suspicious brightness. Sounds,
moreover, of mirth and revelry approached his ear. He would instantly
have proceeded to ascertain the cause of this inauspicious
merry-making had not Kate's injunction kept him aloof. The noise of
minstrelsy was now heard--symptoms of the marriage-feast and the
banquet. More than once he suspected some witchery, some delusion of
the enemy to beguile him by enchantments. However, he resolved to be
quiet; and, for the purpose of a more extended vision, he climbed, or
rather stepped into, the low huge fork of the tree. From this tower of
observation he kept a wary eye, more particularly towards the window
whence the billet was thrown, expecting to behold some token of his
mistress's presence. But this chamber seemed to be the dullest and
darkest in the whole house; not a ray was visible. It seemed shut out,
impervious to the gladness which irradiated the bosom of its
neighbours.
A white cur now came snarling about the bushes; then, cautiously
smelling his way to the tree, suddenly set up a yell so deafening and
continuous that he roused some of the revellers within. Two men
staggered from the house, evidently a little the worse in their
articulation by reason of the potations they had taken.
"Quiet, Vick! Hang thy neck, what's a matter? Eh! the pear-tree? It's
the thief again--and before the fruit's ripe. Bodikins! but we'll
catch thee now, 'r lady. We'll have a thong out of his hide; split me,
if we ha'n't!"
The men approached as cautiously as their condition would permit;
while Anthony, overhearing the latter part of their dialogue, sat
somewhat insecurely on his perch.
"Dan, get th' big cudgel out o' t' barn. I see a some'at black like,
an' fearsome, i' th' tree."
Probably they had imbibed courage with their liquor, otherwise the
black "somewhat" in the tree might have indisposed them for this
daring attack.
"I'll have a blow at it, be't mon or devil, hang me."