Master Clough punished me for what he was pleased to call my idle
behaviour, during the time of the breaking of the images, by making me
copy out the whole of a long letter he wrote to Sir Thomas Gresham,
giving an account of the affair. He acknowledged that the mob, although
he called them ruffianly rascals, had evidently been influenced by one
sole motive, that was--to do away with all the symbols of Popery; that
neither man nor woman had been in the slightest degree injured, nor a
single article (great as was the value of many of them) appropriated by
the image-breakers.
Shortly after this we were as usual seated at our desks working away,
for Master Clough kept us well employed, when a courier entered the
office. He brought the information that Sir Thomas Gresham had landed
at Ostend two days before from England, accompanied by a lady, and that
he hoped to arrive the following day at Antwerp. Preparations were
instantly made for his reception. A'Dale and I were not a little
interested in trying to guess who the lady could be. We
cross-questioned the courier, but all we could learn from him was that
the lady was not Lady Anne Gresham; indeed, he had supposed, from the
way Sir Thomas treated her, that she must be his daughter. She was
also, we discovered, young and fair. I had some hesitation in asking
the man these questions. Her name he did not know. I strongly
suspected that she must be Aveline Radford.
Madam Clough, however, at all events seemed to know all about her, and
was preparing a room, though I must own that I did not venture to
inquire of that lady. I have said very little about Madam Clough
hitherto. She was a very good woman, but, in our estimation, not to be
compared to Lady Anne. She demanded far more attention and respect as
her due, and never allowed us the slightest approach to intimacy;
indeed, she seemed to consider that we were in all respects her
inferiors. Still she was, as I have said, a worthy woman, and knew how
to do her duty. She was inclined to be charitable, as far as helping
those who came to her in distress; and I have no doubt that in her own
place at Plasclough, in Denbighshire, where she and her husband resided
when making holiday, she acted the Lady Bountiful to perfection.
It must be confessed that, after the news we had received, I felt a
strange trepidation at my heart, and made a variety of mistakes in the
letters I was inditing, for which I received due verbal castigation from
Master Clough. What other young lady could be coming besides Aveline?
A'Dale, I rather suspect, hoped, for his own sake, that she might be
some stranger; for though he admired Aveline, yet he was aware of my
feelings with regard to her, and he was too true a friend to wish to
interfere in the matter.
I slept very little, it must be owned, that night. I was thinking of
Aveline--how she would appear; how she would treat me: whether, in the
light of an old friend, or, after having seen so many great and wealthy
people, be inclined to look upon me as her inferior. I kept twisting
and turning the subject in every possible way, till I made myself
perfectly miserable; and it was not till at last I thought that perhaps,
after all, the lady who was expected might not be Aveline, that I
dropped to sleep.
A bright idea occurred to me in the morning. It would be but respectful
if A'Dale and I were to ride out to meet Sir Thomas Gresham as he
approached Antwerp. I suggested the same to Master Clough, and, having
got through all the work he required of us at an early hour, we were
perfectly ready to set forth. He threw no objection in the way. We
therefore ordered our horses, and as soon as we could with decency leave
the office, we rode forth by the northern gate from the city. We, I
must confess, had calculated, from the information gained from the
courier, that Sir Thomas would not arrive for at least two or three
hours after that time. We should thus have an opportunity of meeting
him and his companions at some distance from the city, and enjoy the
pleasure of riding back with them. We rode on for some distance, till
at length we began to hope that we might soon fall in with the expected
travellers. Every cloud of dust which appeared rising ahead of us gave
us hopes that they were coming. As we drew nearer, and figures appeared
through the cloud of dust, my heart beat quicker. A few minutes more
showed us a party of travelling merchants, with their packs on led
horses.
"That must be them!" exclaimed A'Dale, as another cloud rose in front of
us.
We pushed on eagerly. They were a band of a dozen or more horsemen.
The serviceable swords, with the hilts ready to their hands, which they
wore at their sides, the pistols in their belts, and the arquebuses
slung across their saddles, gave them a somewhat suspicious appearance.
They eyed us narrowly, but we put on a bold and independent look. It
struck me that the traders we had passed a short time before would not
have been well pleased to have fallen in with them, nor would, I
suspect, Sir Thomas Gresham and his companions. Thus we were doomed
several times to disappointment. At length we rode on for some distance
without meeting any one. The day was advancing, and we began to fear
that Sir Thomas had for some reason stopped on the way.
"Well, then, all we have to do is to turn our horses and ride back
again," said A'Dale.
As he spoke, however, I thought I saw another light cloud of dust. I
pointed it out to him.
"We will go on for ten minutes more, and then, if Sir Thomas does not
appear, we will do as you propose," I said.
As we rode on, I more than once stood up in my stirrups, eagerly looking
forward, for I felt convinced that another party of travellers were
approaching. I was not mistaken. The cloud of dust rose higher and
higher above the horizon, and beneath it, at length, horses and riders
were seen. We pushed on with more confidence. As we advanced, we could
distinguish a tall cavalier on a stout horse, and a lady riding a
palfrey by his side. About that there was no doubt. We felt sure it
must be Sir Thomas and his expected female companion. I thought I could
distinguish another female behind the first, and several other horsemen
and baggage animals. All doubts were set at rest directly afterwards,
as we distinguished the well-known features of our patron; but with
regard to the lady we were not so certain, as her face was concealed by
the veil which she wore to guard her from the dust. As we approached,
however, and saluted Sir Thomas Gresham, she drew it aside, and I beheld
a lovely face, though somewhat pale, which, I felt sure, from the
expression, must be that of Aveline. Of this she gave me assurance, as
she replied to my salutation, and a gentle blush came over her features.
In truth, I had no reason to be dissatisfied with the way she received
me. But I was grieved to find that she was not in the enjoyment of her
usual health. Of this also, Sir Thomas informed me, by observing that
she had accompanied him, by the invitation of Madam Clough, who had long
wished her to pay a visit to Antwerp, in the hope that the change of air
and scenery might benefit her.
"Alas! however," observed Sir Thomas, "such a change has not always
proved as beneficial as we might have desired."
I knew by his remark that he was thinking of his son Richard. I was
glad when Sir Thomas addressed A'Dale, who rode by his side, leaving me
to drop behind him with Aveline. We had much to speak about. She
assured me with a smile that there was no cause for alarm about her
health, but that she had been anxious to accept Madam Clough's
invitation, and that Lady Anne had kindly consented to spare her for a
few months.
"I have brought over a new waiting-woman," she observed. "You remember
her, though. She is the daughter of Farmer Hadden, whose hospitality
you enjoyed when driven back on your voyage from Ipswich, of which you
have often told me. Her father and mother are dead, and she applied to
Lady Anne for employment as waiting-woman. She is very faithful and
loving, and, better still, is a true Christian."
Among many private matters, interesting chiefly to ourselves, Aveline
described the improvements at Osterley which Sir Thomas had lately made,
as also the beautiful appearance of the Bourse, which was now nearly
completed. I, of course, had much to tell her, in return, of the events
which had lately occurred at Antwerp, especially of the image-breaking,
and the destruction of the beautiful interiors of so many of the
churches.
"They were savage hands which performed the work," she observed; "yet we
should not regret the overthrow of idols, for idols they are, although
in appearance full of grace and beauty. I pray that nothing worse may
happen; but I fear much, that when King Philip hears of these doings, he
will take vengeance on the unhappy people who perpetrated them. I
cannot but grieve also that so much rich carving and beautiful
decoration should have been destroyed."
I agreed with Aveline in that respect; at the same time I echoed her
remark with regard to the idols which had been pulled down. So quickly
passed the time, that the shades of evening stole on us unawares, and we
were quite surprised when we saw the towers and stout walls of Antwerp
looming through the gloom. It was almost dusk as we rode under the deep
gateway, on either side of which was the entrance to the narrow passage
between the two walls surrounding the city. The streets were more
crowded than usual, and we passed numerous groups of men talking eagerly
together. News had arrived, we found, that the example set in Antwerp
had been followed in many other cities; but of that I will speak anon.
I was well pleased with the reception which Madam Clough gave Aveline.
Master Clough was thankful also to see Sir Thomas, for the difficulty of
obtaining money at that time was very great; and he knew that the
Queen's agent would be better able personally to make the required
arrangements than he could himself. One thing Sir Thomas saw--that
Antwerp would no longer be the city it formerly was for commerce with
England; and I may here remark, that he shortly afterwards wrote home,
advising that in such brabbling times as these were, some other city
should be fixed on, to which British manufactures might be sent.
We had lately had a somewhat dull time in Master Clough's house. He was
out of spirits at the turn affairs were taking, not knowing what might
next happen, although, England and Spain, having hitherto been on
friendly terms, he was under no apprehension that the English would
suffer personally. We had occasionally official banquets, but they were
very dull compared to those to which we had formerly been accustomed,
while no maskers or mummers were allowed to present themselves. As may
be supposed, the arrival of Sir Thomas Gresham and Aveline Radford
produced a very pleasant change. As Aveline had been advised to take
horse exercise, she rode out, by the desire of Sir Thomas, every day;
and A'Dale and I were her constant attendants, Madam Clough occasionally
accompanying her, while Mistress Margery was always her companion.
One bright morning Madam Clough had been tempted to ride forth; Sir
Thomas and Master Clough, having business of importance to transact,
deputed A'Dale and me as usual to escort the ladies. We had two
attendants, well-armed, while A'Dale and I carried pistols in our
holsters. We were both of us adepts in the use of the sword. A'Dale
was able to encounter any trooper, however skilful, with his favourite
weapon. Madam Clough was a good horsewoman, having learned the art in
Wales, where she had been accustomed to ride over her native mountains,
and on the summits of the dizzy precipices. She generally took the
lead, Aveline and I riding side by side. Margery often fell to the
share of A'Dale, for the damsel was in no way inclined to associate with
the serving-men, nor would she have been could she have understood their
language; indeed, she was in all respects superior to an ordinary
tire-woman. We had gone for some distance along the Mechlin road; soon
after passing the village of Berchem it was proposed that we should turn
off to the right, where we might enjoy a gallop over the open ground, it
being there higher and drier than the surrounding country. The fresh
air gave us all spirits, and we rode on rapidly, little thinking of the
distance we were going. I was not sorry when Madam Clough took the
lead, sitting her horse with an upright figure and stately air,
apparently regardless of Aveline and me, who followed out of ear-shot.
The rest of the party were still farther off. I enjoyed more than ever
being alone with Aveline; and she did not, so it seemed to me, object to
my society. There were many things we had to talk of, but I could not
yet bring myself to speak of one subject which was at my heart. I felt
myself still a dependant on the bounty of Sir Thomas Gresham. He
supported me, and supplied me liberally with the wherewithal to pay for
my clothes and other expenses, and to leave me an ample supply of
pocket-money. But as yet he had never spoken of paying me a fixed
salary; and with the possession of that alone should I feel justified in
proposing to marry Aveline. She was much in the same condition, for
although Lady Anne had carefully preserved the document given to me by
her mother, as yet it did not appear that she would benefit thereby.
Still I did not despair. I knew that Sir Thomas was generous, and that
he had a true regard both for Aveline and for me; and I hoped that, if I
put the matter before him, he would enable me to carry out my wishes.
Several times during this ride I was on the point of speaking to
Aveline, and asking her whether she could make up her mind to marry me;
but as often as the words rose to my lips, I let them fall back again
into my heart without utterance. There they remained, preventing me for
some minutes afterwards from again speaking. On each occasion Aveline
looked at me with an inquiring glance, wondering what had thus tied my
tongue. Perhaps she suspected the truth, when at length, growing
bolder, I approached nearer and nearer the subject, for I saw, or
fancied I saw, a blush suffuse her countenance. This gave me yet
further boldness, and summoning all my resolution, I was on the point of
telling her the wishes of my heart, when a cry from Madam Clough made us
hurry forward towards her.
She had at that instant turned the corner of a wood. She pointed to a
spot a short distance from where she had reined in her horse, when we
saw spread out before us a large concourse of people. They were
surrounding a rough platform raised to the height of their heads. On it
stood a man, who, with arms stretched out, one hand holding a book, from
which he occasionally read, and the other at times lifted towards
heaven, was earnestly addressing them. The words did not reach us; but
so absorbed were the congregation in them, that for some time our
approach was not observed. At length several horsemen, with arquebuses
in their hands, galloped towards us. We without difficulty explained
who we were, and the horsemen, turning round, accompanied us. The rest
of our party coming up, we collected in the outer circle of the vast
multitude who were listening to the preacher. He was, we found, an
enthusiastic Protestant--Herman Modet by name. He was setting forth, in
clear and forcible language, the great truths of Christianity, as
opposed to the false teaching of Rome. He showed how the one must, when
received, elevate and ennoble the human mind; while the other was
calculated in every way to lower and debase it. He then, in eloquent
language, called upon his countrymen to unite in overthrowing that
fearful system, supported by the Pope and his cardinals, to which King
Philip had completely subjected himself. "He who is a slave to such a
system is unfit to rule his fellow-men!" he exclaimed. "Already he and
his father have brought the most fearful miseries upon our country.
What further trials is he not preparing for us? I would urge peace,
forbearance, and long-suffering; and yet I cannot believe that we are
called upon to submit without resistance to the horrible tyrannies to
which we have been subjected for so many years."
After a time, one of the hymns of Marot, translated into Flemish, was
sung with wonderful enthusiasm. I thought that Madam Clough was warmed
up by it; I know Aveline and I were, and joined in it with all our
hearts. Margery, although she could not understand the words, was
carried away by the air, and still more so when A'Dale translated them
to her.
Again the preacher continued his address. I would willingly have
remained to hear more of it; but Madam Clough, who did not understand
Flemish perfectly, made a sign to us to continue our ride.
We soon left the camp-meeting far behind, continuing our course in the
direction we had previously been pursuing. I do not know whether the
discourse we had heard made any impression on Madam Clough, for she did
not allude to it; indeed, she went on in front as she had before been
doing, leaving Aveline and me to follow. A'Dale, I conclude, found the
conversation of Mistress Margery very much to his taste. Sometimes they
laughed long and loudly together, but at other times they spoke in a
more serious tone, as far as I could judge by the words I heard when we
were together.
The two serving-men brought up the rear, wondering perhaps at the
unusually long ride their mistress was taking. At length I thought it
would be proper to advise her to return, for, looking behind me, I
observed that the horizon was already dark with a bank of clouds which
came rapidly rising out of the distant ocean. As, however, the sun
continued shining brightly, Madam Clough was not aware of the
approaching storm. As soon as I saw what was likely to occur, I pushed
on, and, overtaking her, pointed out the rising clouds. She seemed
somewhat astonished.
"You should have told me of this before," she observed.
I replied that I myself had not remarked the state of the sky, or I
would have done so.
"Well, we shall perhaps be able to get back before it breaks," she
remarked, turning her horse round.
I doubted this very much; however, there was no help for it, so putting
spurs to our steeds, we galloped back, in the hopes of regaining the
high road, in the neighbourhood of which we might possibly find shelter.
Where we then were, we could see no house or building of any sort which
would protect us from the fury of the storm. We had soon cause for
anxiety, for the bank of clouds rose higher and higher every instant,
and the sun became obscured, as it swept round towards the west. And
now it appeared directly overhead. The wind, before soft and balmy,
began to blow from the north, increasing every instant in strength, till
we found a chill and furious blast in our faces. It rapidly increased
in strength. The wind might be endured, but the air grew damper, and
more and more chilling. I dreaded the effect on Aveline, to whom such
air as was then blowing was especially dangerous. I again looked round
in vain for shelter, and in a few minutes the expected storm burst, and
the water rushed down from the clouds in heavy sheets. I took off my
own cloak, and placed it round Aveline, though she entreated me to wear
it. I replied that that would be impossible while she was exposed to so
pelting a storm, and that neither the wetting nor cold would have any
effect on me. Madam Clough was tolerably well guarded, so that I did
not concern myself about her; and I let A'Dale look after Mistress
Margery.
The wind blew more furiously; the rain descended in torrents.
Notwithstanding the protection my cloak afforded Aveline, I was sure
that she would be wet through in a few minutes.
As we were pushing on, I thought I saw on the side of a slight mound of
earth, at a little distance, the roof of a cottage: I pointed it out to
Madam Clough, and we pushed towards it. On a nearer approach, I saw
that the roof rose a very little way above the ground--that it was, in
fact, the covering of a sort of cave or hollow in the side of the hill,
such as perhaps some shepherd or cattle-keeper might have formed to
obtain protection during a similar storm to that which had overtaken us.
It was somewhat larger, however, than might have been expected for that
purpose; at all events, I welcomed the sight, as I was in hopes that the
ladies might find shelter within. As we got up to it, we saw that there
was a door to the hut, formed of rough planks. Helping the ladies from
their horses, we attempted to open it, but it resisted our efforts.
"Who is there, who comes to disturb me in my retreat?" said a voice from
within, in harsh, croaking accents.
It was that of a female, I thought.
"Good mother," I said, wishing to speak her fair, "there are delicate
females here exposed to this raging storm--they entreat you to give them
shelter."
"Let them go the way they came," answered the voice; "I shall treat
others as I myself have been treated. They would not allow me to enter
their gorgeous abodes; I now refuse them admittance into mine, albeit it
may not be of the most splendid character."
"That were cruel, mother," I answered; "we should return good for evil;
and those for whom I plead have never wronged you--of that I am
certain."
"Go away, go away, I tell you!" she again cried out; "you have had my
reply."
"This will never do!" I exclaimed to A'Dale, for every instant the rain
was coming down heavier and heavier.
The serving-men were holding our horses. Putting our shoulders against
the door, we gave a shove together, and it flew open. The hut was much
larger than we had expected to find it, and would afford, I saw at a
glance, not only shelter for the ladies but for all our party, and for
the horses also. At the farther end sat an old crone, her white locks
escaping from under her coif; and her bony arms, which were bare to the
elbow, extended over a large pan, beneath which were burning coals. She
glanced round at us with a look of anger.
"I pray thee, dame, be not offended," I said, approaching her, while the
ladies stood at a little distance. "We have entered your abode with
scant ceremony, but have no desire to treat you with disrespect; gladly
will we pay, too, for the injury we may have done your door, though we
could not remain outside exposed to the pelting storm when shelter was
at hand. Had you admitted us without parley, the latch would have
remained uninjured, and our tempers would not have been aroused."
To these remarks she made no reply, but seizing a wand, which lay by her
side, began to stir the contents of the pan. As our eyes got accustomed
to the gloom of the hut, numerous articles were seen about, which showed
us at once the character of the inmate.
"I wish that we had braved the storm rather than have come in here,"
whispered Madam Clough. "Perchance, indeed, it was summoned at the beck
of this old witch; and by her looks I fear she purposes to work us
evil."
Nothing, could be more forbidding than the aspect of the old dame.
Whether witch or not, that she wished to be thought so was very evident.
I did not myself share the terror of Madam Clough, nor, I think, did
Aveline; still, when I asked the old woman to allow the ladies to
approach her fire, in order that they might dry their wet garments, they
all drew back, evidently not wishing to be nearer than they were to the
witch. She looked up, and uttered a low, croaking laugh, as she saw
their terror.
"Ah! ah! ah!--your beauty and your wealth cannot guard you from the
power of a wretched old woman like me!" she cried out. "Well, well,
when the storm is over, you will ride away, and think no more of me; but
I can follow you wherever you go, and find out your thoughts, as I know
them now. You think, perhaps, that you are strangers to me--ah! ah!
ah!--but I know you well--whence you come, and your future fates. You
three fair dames were born in a foreign land, and so was one of you
gallant gentlemen, but the other first saw the light in this hapless
country. I speak true, do I not? answer me, lady!" she exclaimed,
looking towards Madam Clough.
"Yes, indeed you do," said the latter; "but you might have judged by our
tongues that we were not Flemings."
"Had you kept silence I should have known as well," said the old witch.
"And now would you like to know the future?"
"If you can tell it to us, there may be no harm in so doing," said Madam
Clough. "Can you tell me my fate?"
"Eh! that can I," answered the old woman. "Twice you have wedded, and
once been a widow; again a widow you will be, and once more wedded, till
the green turf on which you have been wont to trip so lightly lies heavy
above your head. Think of that as you step forth over the green sward,
when the air blows softly and the sun shines brightly--think what you
will ere long be."
I saw that Madam Clough did not at all like these remarks, and, willing
to relieve her, I asked if she could tell the fortunes of the rest of
the party.
"Ay! that will I," she answered, eyeing us keenly. "There are two fair
damsels here, who are ready to wed two bold youths; but danger and
trouble, and battle and tempest, will intervene ere their hopes will be
fulfilled. If their troubles are short, so may be their joys; but long
troubles may bring longer happiness. Choose you which you will, my
masters--I will read you a riddle; let me hear if you can answer it."
"We want no riddles, mother," said A'Dale; "but if you are a true
sorceress, tell us plainly what is about to happen."
"A true sorceress, indeed!" exclaimed the old woman. "If I was to tell
you what was about to occur, your hair would stand on end, and you would
rush forth shrieking with terror amid the raging tempest. The future I
see looming, and not far off. Bloodshed and destruction, fierce
conflagrations, war, famines and miseries unspeakable, the graveyard
overflowing, the country depopulated. All this, you Anabaptists, you
preachers of the new religion, you promulgators of strange doctrines,
are about to bring upon this country. Had matters been allowed to go on
as they were, had the Catholic faith been undisturbed, quiet, peace, and
prosperity would still have existed in the land."
"As to that, mother, you are speaking of the past, not foretelling the
future!" exclaimed A'Dale. "I will not bandy words with you; and as I
knew not the country during the happy times you speak of, I cannot reply
to you; but it seems to me as much as saying that the man who is asleep
can do no harm. Therefore, as long as the country submitted to the
priests, the priests were not inclined to find fault with them."
I must observe here that Margery did not understand a word that was
said; Aveline, indeed, scarcely comprehended the meaning of the old
woman's remarks. She, like most persons of her class, seeing two young
people together, at once pronounced them lovers. But I have an idea
that her words did not fall altogether unheeded on A'Dale's ears.
Whatever he might have been thinking of before, I suspected, from a
glance which I saw him give Mistress Margery, that from that time he
began to entertain affectionate feelings for her. The old woman had not
all this time offered us seats, or shown any inclination to treat us
with courtesy. It struck me, however, that the latter might probably be
purchased. I therefore, taking a piece of money from my leather purse,
approached her and said, "We must pay you, dame, for telling our
fortunes, or we cannot hope that they will come true. Let me cross your
palm with this piece of money, and we may have some expectation of
finding your predictions fulfilled."
The expression of the old woman's countenance immediately changed, and,
rising from her seat, she drew forth a bench and some stools, on which
she begged we would rest ourselves. I saw, as she moved about, that she
was far more active than her appearance betokened; and, after a little
time I could not help thinking that I had seen her before. Suddenly it
struck me that she was no other than Barbara Trond--the old woman who
used to sell tapers and other Popish trickeries in front of the
cathedral. If so, as she had frequently seen us, I had no doubt that
from the first she knew who we were. I immediately guessed that,
finding her old calling valueless, she had betaken herself to her
present mode of life, in the hopes of preying on the superstition and
credulity of her fellow-creatures. And I found that I was correct in my
suspicions.
The rain meantime continued pouring down with unabated violence, and we
began to fear that it would not hold up in time to allow us to return to
Antwerp before nightfall. Several times I went to the door of the hut
to look forth, but the heavens were still dark as at first, not a gleam
of light being visible in any direction. Finding the good effect of the
first piece of money, I bestowed a second of about the same value on the
old woman, telling her that, as we had occupied her abode so long, I
thought we were in duty bound to pay her rent. I saw that this second
gift had completely secured her services; and she now seemed as anxious
to please us as she had at first appeared surly and morose.
"Listen to me, young sir," she said; "for you seem to understand my
language better than the rest of the party. Do not trust to
appearances. You think that the Reformers have gained the upper hand.
I know King Philip and his advisers too well not to be sure that they
will wreak a bitter vengeance on the cities in which the churches of the
faith they hold have been desecrated. He may appear indifferent for a
time, for the sake of lulling the people to sleep; but, depend upon it,
he only bides his time, and he will speedily spring forth like a tiger
of the Far East, to crush with his mighty paws all who have ventured to
oppose him."
I was afraid the old woman spoke too truly, though it required no
prophet to say the same. Madam Clough seemed very little disposed to
talk with her, while Aveline could only partially understand what she
said. Thus the weight of the conversation fell on me; for A'Dale
thought fit to endeavour to entertain Mistress Margery, who, of course,
could not comprehend a single word that was spoken. I was very thankful
when at last the loud pattering sound, which had continued for so long,
ceased; and, looking forth, I found that it was no longer raining.
Wishing old Dame Trond farewell, we led the horses out of the hut, and,
quickly mounting, made the best of our way home.