THE PRINCE'S INTERVIEW WITH MRS. BUTLER AND THE TWO DAMSELS.
As the young Chevalier approached Mrs. Butler's residence, he chanced
to cast his eye into the garden--the gate of which, as we have said,
was standing wide open--and the charming group formed by the two
beautiful girls and the invalid lady attracted his attention.
Standing close beside them, he perceived Sir Richard Rawcliffe, whom
he had seen at Preston the day before.
On beholding the young Chevalier, Mrs. Butler rose from her chair, and
stepping forward, made him a profound obeisance.
Something in the earnest look fixed upon him by the invalid lady
interested the prince, and he could not resist the impulse that
prompted him to speak to her.
Accordingly he signified his intention to the Marquis of Tullibardine;
a halt was immediately called, the pipers ceased playing, while the
prince stepped out of the line, followed by that nobleman, and entered
the garden.
Nothing could exceed the surprise and delight caused by this gracious
act, not only to the object of it, but to the two fair damsels who
stood beside her. It may be thought that these lovely girls would have
attracted the prince to the garden rather than an elderly dame, but he
seemed scarcely aware of their presence till he was close beside them.
Instantly divining the prince's intention, Sir Richard Rawcliffe
presented his sister. Charles could not prevent her from kneeling, but
he immediately raised her, and remarking that she looked very faint,
conducted her, with much solicitude, to a seat.
He then turned to the two fair damsels, who were likewise presented to
him by Sir Richard, and received them with much grace and dignity.
Not till this moment did he become aware of Constance's surpassing
beauty, and he then remarked to her father:
"I was told that you had a lovely daughter, Sir Richard, but I did not
imagine she was so beautiful as I find her."
"Such praise coming from your royal highness will make her vain," said
the baronet.
"Nay, I meant not to call blushes to her cheek, though they do not
spoil it," said Charles. "But Miss Rawcliffe has another great merit
in my eyes besides her personal attractions. If I am not misinformed,
she is devoted to the royal cause."
"Heart and soul!" cried Constance, enthusiastically. "Your royal
highness has not a more zealous adherent than myself."
"I cannot doubt it. But I hoped you have proved your zeal by bringing
me a hundred swords."
"I have brought you one," she replied--"but it is worth a hundred."
"Ah! to whom does it belong?" inquired the prince, smiling.
"To a brave young man, whose name must be utterly unknown to your
royal highness--Mr. Atherton Legh."
"There you are mistaken. His name has been mentioned to me by Colonel
Townley, who described him--I have no doubt quite correctly--as the
finest young man in Manchester. Mr. Atherton Legh shall have a
commission on your recommendation, Miss Rawcliffe. You will present
him to me, Sir Richard."
"It will be better, perhaps, that Colonel Townley should present him
to your royal highness," said Sir Richard.
The reluctance displayed by the baronet did not escape the prince,
whose perceptions were very acute, but a glance at Constance served
partly to explain matters to him, and he remarked with apparent
indifference:
"Be it so;" adding significantly, "I shall not forget that I am
indebted to you, Miss Rawcliffe, for this brave young recruit."
It was now Jemmy Dawson's turn to be presented, and he had no cause to
complain of his reception. The few words said to him by the prince
were calculated to rouse his zeal, while they highly gratified Monica.
"I can claim as much credit as my cousin Constance," she said. "Each
of us has brought a recruit; and we both feel equally sure your royal
highness will be well served."
By this time Mrs. Butler had recovered from her faintness, and
perceiving that her gaze was anxiously fixed upon him, the prince went
to speak to her.
"You have something to say to me, madam, methinks?" he observed.
"I only desire to tell you, prince, that I have prayed daily for the
restoration of your royal house. You will therefore understand what my
feelings must be when I behold you at the head of an army determined
to wrest the crown of this kingdom from the usurper who now wears it.
May Heaven strengthen your arm, and fight for you, so that you may
regain your own, and the rights and liberties of your faithful
subjects may be preserved, and the old religion be restored!"
"I have come to win a kingdom for my royal father, or to perish in the
attempt," said Charles Edward, energetically.
"Victory awaits you, prince," she cried. "I feel assured of it. The
tidings of your triumph will efface my sad recollections of the former
ill-starred attempt, and I shall die content."
"My sister lost one who was very dear to her, in the fatal affair of
'15," remarked Sir Richard.
"I cannot wonder then that she should have sad memories connected with
that unfortunate struggle," said the prince, in a tone of profound
sympathy. "Farewell, madam. I hope you will have no more to mourn--but
many to greet as victors."
He then addressed the two fair damsels, expressing a hope that he
might see them again during his brief stay in Manchester; after which,
with a graceful inclination of his person towards the party, he
stepped back, and resumed his place in the line of march.
Before, however, the troops could be put in motion, another slight
interruption occurred. It was caused by the Rev. Mr. Clayton, the
chaplain of the collegiate church.
Mr. Clayton, as will be conjectured from what we are about to narrate,
was a Jacobite and a Nonjuror.
Taking advantage of the halt, he threw himself at the prince's feet,
and in most fervent tones implored the Divine blessing on his
head--praying that the enterprise on which he was engaged might prove
successful.
As the chaplain was in full canonicals the incident caused a great
sensation, and was particularly gratifying to the prince.
When the benediction was concluded, and Mr. Clayton had retired, the
word was given, the pipers began to play as loudly as before, and the
march was resumed.
Shortly afterwards, Prince Charles Edward crossed the bridge, and,
amid loud acclamations, entered Manchester.