"What! Ned Raymond ahoy! Heave to, lad. What! dost seek to give a
wide berth to an old friend? That once was not your wont. Ned Raymond
ahoy, I say!"
The slight dark moustache on the lip of the person addressed showed that
he had just reached the age of manhood. His raven hair hung in ringlets
from his head. A black velvet cloak thrown over one shoulder, and a
tightly-fitting dress of the same material and hue, set off his
well-made, active figure. His plumed cap and the sword by his side
showed that he claimed to belong to the upper rank of society. Indeed,
no one looking at the refined expression of his features and his
intelligent countenance could doubt that such was his right. He was
walking somewhat rapidly through the narrow and irregularly-built
streets of the seaport town of Plymouth, at that time one of the chief
ports of departure for the numerous naval expeditions which went forth
to the West and to the East in search of new lands, and of regions of
gold and diamonds and other precious stones.
It is worthy of remark that the people of Devonshire and Cornwall have
from the earliest days shown a strong propensity for naval adventure.
This arises not alone from their geographical position, but has
descended to them from their progenitors, who were, there can be but
little doubt, Phoenicians,--or their descendants the Carthaginians,
perhaps,--sailors, merchants, and others attracted from the northern
shores of Africa for the sake of the tin found in those counties. Even
at the present day many of their customs and the nautical terms they
employed are retained. The clotted cream of Devonshire and on the coast
of Barbary is the same, as is the mode in which the people manage their
farms. Caboose was the name of the temple carried by the
fire-worshipping Phoenicians on the decks of their vessels; the cook's
house on board ship is now so called. Davit in Arabic is a crooked
piece of wood; the same term we apply to the timbers by which boats are
hoisted up to the sides of ships. However, we are now talking of more
modern days, and must proceed.
Good Queen Bess sat on the throne of England, and ruled the realm as few
sovereigns have done before or since, greatly to the furtherance of
Britain's glory and wealth, and to the firm establishment of religion
and true liberty, for which let all honest Englishmen be grateful, and
talk not of her womanly weaknesses and failings.
The young gentleman, hearing his name called, stopped and looked
earnestly at the person who had addressed him, and who was following
rapidly in his footsteps. The costume of his pursuer was far more gay
and dashing than was his, being composed of bright-coloured velvet and
silks, with a golden chain round his neck, a plumed hat set jauntily on
his head, and a jewel-hilted sword by his side. He had a laughing blue
eye and light curling locks, and though his countenance was well
bronzed, and his voice strong and manly, his features still bore the
impress of early youth. Indeed, his hairless lip and beardless chin
showed that he had scarcely emerged from boyhood. He ran up to the
person of whom he was in pursuit, and frankly held out his hand.
"Really, sir, you have the advantage of me," said the elder gallant,
gravely drawing himself up.
On this the younger gave way to a merry peal of laughter, exclaiming,
"If I am changed, surely you are not, good coz. I see that. What!
Ned--Ned, most oblivious of mortals, don't you remember little Tony
Waymouth, whom you pulled out of the water just in time to prevent him
from becoming food for the fishes, at the risk of your far more valuable
life, and to whom you ever gave the best of advice, and set the best of
examples, neither of which, graceless vagabond that he was, is, and I
fear ever will be, he took or followed?"
There was no longer any hesitation on the part of the elder in seizing
the proffered hand, but he found his fingers wrung in so hearty a way,
and with so vice-like a grasp, that he could scarcely refrain from
crying out with pain.
The lad saw by the expression of his friend's countenance that in the
warmth of his affection he had really hurt him.
"Marry, pardon me, dear Ned, that my fingers have been thus heedless.
They have been so accustomed to haul at ropes, tug at the oar, and
dabble in the tar-bucket, that they have, like their owner, lost, I fear
me, all civilised habits and customs," he exclaimed, exhibiting his
horny-palmed, thoroughly-bronzed hand.
"Say not a word, Tony," answered Raymond. "Far rather would I feel the
grasp of thy honest fist than the gingerly touch of the soft-palmed
courtier. But tell me, lad, where hast thou been these long years since
we parted at school, where I fear me, Tony, there was not much knowledge
packed away in that then small head of thine? I have heard rumours of
your existence, and that is all."
"Wandering over the ocean, and battling with the elements and
strong-armed men," answered young Waymouth. "But the spectacle of two
such gay gallants as we are in this quiet street has already attracted
attention. I see down there the Sign of the White Swan, a good
hostelrie, I know. Let us step in there; it is about the hour of
dinner, and I know full well that we shall find a cup of good sack to
wash down the viands. While discussing it I will tell you briefly of my
doings and listen gladly to yours. I long to hear of your past life and
future prospects."
"Agreed," said Raymond; "but before we enter let me advise you, Tony, to
take but one cup; the second is apt to do harm."
"An' it be a jolly big one, then," answered Waymouth, as they entered
the inn. "We rovers of the sea get so much salt water down our throats
that we require a fair portion of good liquor to correct its ill
effects."
"The same as of old," observed Raymond, as they took their seats in the
public room and waited till dinner was placed before them, preceded by
the promised sack. "And now, Tony, that your throat is washed, tell me
all that time will allow of yourself," he added, after Waymouth had
tasted and expressed his approbation of the sack.
"With all my heart, then, that I may the sooner come at yours, Ned, I'll
begin," said Waymouth, in his light, cheery tone. "You know that I
always had a fancy for a life at sea; not that I knew any thing about
it, but I thought I did, which comes to the same thing. Many of my
relatives followed the sea, both on my father's and mother's side, and
among them was as brave a gentleman as ever stepped--my worthy cousin,
Captain John Foster, of the good ship Primrose, belonging to the port of
London. I had frequently seen him and won his regards, and so at last I
told him my hopes and wishes. He promised to intercede for me, and kept
his word. My father gave his consent, and the next time he put to sea
he took me with him as cabin-boy. The Primrose was bound for Bilboa, on
the north coast of Spain, with bale goods. We had a quick run across
the Bay of Biscay, were politely received by the Spaniards, and soon
made arrangements to dispose of our cargo. To show his regard, the
chief magistrate of the district, the corregidor, sent word that he
would pay us a visit. He came off in a large boat, with a dozen or more
dons, highly respectable merchants, he told us, who wished to make our
acquaintance. The captain introduced me to the corregidor as a young
relative who had come to sea for the first time to try how he liked a
life on the ocean. The magistrate made a great deal of me, and patted
me on the head, and said all sorts of complimentary things which I
didn't understand; but there was a language in his eye which I did
understand, though, and I saw glances exchanged between him and the dark
eyes of his companions which still further aroused my suspicions. I
slipped out of the cabin and told the captain. `Good boy!' he remarked;
`I'm on the watch.'
"Dinner was brought in, and wine in abundance. The corregidor, after
sparingly partaking of some food and wine, departed with some of his
followers, leaving, however, live in the cabin, who at once made
themselves at home, laughing, and singing, and talking at their ease,
trying to make the captain and officers drink with them. I observed
that they did not swallow nearly as much as they pretended to take, and
that the flasks but slowly became empty. They kept on their cloaks, and
I caught sight of the scabbards of their swords and of a long dagger in
the belt of one of them. Still we mustered twenty-seven men, stout and
true, on board, so that we had nothing to fear from these five
Spaniards. As to purchasing the cargo, the object for which they said
that they had come, they were, it seemed, too much overcome with wine to
talk about the matter.
"Leaving them in the cabin, I went on deck, where I found that the
captain had served out arms to all the men, and loaded the guns ready
for action. Some of our people were sent below, others lounged about
the deck with their weapons concealed under their clothes. He had good
reason for this precaution, for as I looked over the side I saw two
boats pulling off towards us, one containing twenty or thirty men, the
other near a hundred, it seemed.
"The corregidor, in the smaller boat, was the first to come alongside
and to step on board with all imaginable frankness and cordiality. He
had brought with him some dozen or more Biscayan merchants, who were
desirous of trading with their friends the English.
"`If these are Biscayan merchants, they have a very martial look about
them,' observed the captain to one of our officers. `Now, Senhor
Corregidor,' he continued, `you'll understand that no more of those
gentry come up the side; they crowd our decks and incommode the men in
their duties.'
"The corregidor with many a grin agreed to this, but still the boats
remained alongside. Our captain on this was about to order them off,
when Senhor Corregidor whips out a white wand of office, and cries out
in a loud voice, `Yield, for you are our prisoners,' while the seeming
merchants draw their daggers and swords and present them at the
captain's breast.
"`We are betrayed, lads!' he shouts, knocking up the weapons with a
handspike.
"At the same moment a drum beats in the big boat, and the Spaniards,
soldiers in disguise, begin to climb up the sides. I run aft and clap
the hatch over the cabin, so as to keep the five gentlemen there quiet,
while our men, drawing out their weapons, begin to lay about them with a
will which astonishes the dons. Some run to the guns and point them
down at the boats; others, with axes, force back the men who are
climbing the sides. Our decks are slippery with blood. Several of our
men are wounded. A shot strikes a shipmate standing in front of me,
and, falling dead, he knocks me over. It saves my life, for a Spaniard
is making a cut at me, which misses, and our captain cuts him down.
Still we fight on against fearful odds. Our enemies gain the deck, but
it is only to add to the heap of the slain. At last the corregidor
cries out, and begs our captain to order his men to cease fighting.
"`Marry, very likely!' says the captain, in the sort of Spanish lingo he
spoke. `Why, my fellows are such fire-eating dogs that they would kill
me if I was to make such a proposal. Is it the Inquisition, with a turn
at the thumb-screws, the rack, and the stake, or liberty and Old
England, you look for, my brave lads?' continues the captain, turning to
the men.
"`Liberty and Old England!' shout all our company.
"`Then let us trundle these treacherous scoundrels overboard, cut our
cable, and make sail,' he exclaims in return.
"Scarce a minute passed and it was done; some were thrown into the hold,
and the rest overboard, and a strong breeze coming off the land, the
cable was cut, the sails filled, and away we glided out ahead of a dozen
boats which came off in pursuit. We plied them well with our ordnance,
till, like baffled hounds, they turned tail and went back to their
kennel.
"Clear of the land, we turned to examine our prisoners. The five caged
in the cabin had whole skins, the rest were wounded. Among them was the
smooth-spoken corregidor, now woefully crestfallen. We dressed his and
the other people's hurts as well as we could, seeing that we had no
leech aboard, and with a fair wind stood across the Bay of Biscay. The
captain, whose kindness seemed to touch the feelings of the don, at last
asked him what made him act so treacherous a part. On this out of his
pocket he pulls a paper, which was just an order from King Philip to
seize every ship of Holland, Zealand, Easterland, and England, in his
ports, letting none escape, that he might increase his own fleet, by
which he proposed to strike a blow to overwhelm Old England and all
Protestant countries together.
"`Ah! is that so, Senhor Don? Then our gracious sovereign lady shall
know all about it, an' my name be John Foster,' exclaimed the captain;
and you may be sure that, favoured by fine weather, we carried all sail
night and day until we arrived safely in the Thames.
"The captain, taking me with him, hurried up to London with our
prisoners, strongly guarded. We got audience of the queen and of the
great Lord Burleigh; and the captain, albeit not much of a courtier, did
his devoir right courteously to her majesty, who took the paper with her
own gracious hand, and ordered a gentleman standing by to read it to
her. When she heard its contents her whole countenance changed.
"`We'll be on the watch for you, cousin Philip,' she exclaimed; but I
heard no more, for her majesty turned to my Lord Burleigh and other
noblemen and gentlemen to hold secret converse with them.
"But the captain was not the man to go away without fulfilling all his
intentions. He took me by the hand, and, presenting me to the queen,
told her that I had given him the first hint of the intentions of the
Spaniards, and confirmed the opinion he had formed, and he hoped that
her majesty would graciously keep me in mind.
"`Ah, ah! the little varlet, we'll not forget him,' was her majesty's
reply; nor, by my troth, did she. There's not an expedition of note,
nor an adventure which has promised honour or wealth, since undertaken,
in which I have not been engaged. I sailed with Admiral Sir Francis
Drake to the West Indies in the Sea Dragon, commanded by honest Harry
White. We did the Spaniards no small damage, burning their towns and
sinking their ships without number, and came back with our pockets lined
with doubloons, and six hundred thousand golden pounds, and brass
cannon, and jewels, and ornaments of all sorts on board. I served
aboard the Mary Rose, under the brave Captain Fenton, when the
Spaniards' Grand Armada entered the Channel; and, following them up, we
at length broke through their line, led by the admiral himself. Then we
engaged broadside to broadside a huge Spanish galleon, which we
compelled to strike, and carried into port. But I weary you, good coz,
with my adventures; I might go on talking till midnight, and yet not
tell thee half the things I have done and seen. I may well say, that,
since the time I made my first voyage in the Primrose, for not one
single month at a time has my foot rested on _terra firma_."
"Weary me, Tony!" exclaimed Raymond, who had been listening with the
deepest attention, and an expression of wonder in his countenance, to
every word his young companion had uttered. "Indeed you do not. If I
did not know you to have been as a boy the soul of honour, and incapable
of falsehood, I should only have been inclined to doubt that you had
gone through all the adventures you describe."
"Ah, that is because all these years you have been living quietly on
shore, as I suspect, where weeks and months pass by you scarcely know
how," answered Waymouth, in a tone of compassion. "But now that I have
told you somewhat about my worthless self, let me ask you how you have
passed the last few years of your mortal existence?"
"Briefly I will reply," said Raymond. "At school and college. The
learned University of Oxford is my _alma mater_, and even now I am
debating to what profession to devote my energies--the law, the Church,
or physic. Sometimes I fancy public life, or to seek my fortune at
court, where I have kindred who might aid me; but yet, in truth, I am
undecided."
"Ah, that's good," exclaimed Waymouth with animation. "The law--to
persuade your hearers that black is white, and to set men by the ears--
let that alone an' you value your soul."
It is not surprising that the young seaman should give expression to a
vulgar and ignorant prejudice against one of the most necessary of
professions.
"Physic! `Throw physic to the dogs, I'll none on't,' as Will
Shakespeare has it," continued Waymouth. "No, no, Ned, learn not to
murder thy friends and those that trust thee. As to the Church, I'll
say nothing against that if thou hast a calling to the ministry. To
care for the soul's welfare is a noble office, but if sought for the
sake of filthy lucre it's a mean, despicable trade, so we hold who
follow the sea. And then thou talkest of seeking thy fortune at court.
As well seek it on the slippery ice. No, no; listen to me, Ned. Seek
it with us. It's a secret as yet, and I cannot tell thee particulars;
but this much I may say. There is as bold an adventure even now
preparing as ever set forth from these shores. Hark, Ned: I know that
thou art trustworthy. It is for the far-off lands of India, Cathay, the
Spice Islands, and maybe the wide Pacific, where many a richly laden
galleon or Portugal ship may be fallen in with. Become an adventurer
with us. Our lists are not filled up. Think that in two or three short
years, at most, thou wilt become for certain a man of wealth, fit to wed
the proudest lady in the land. Then the wonders of those distant lands!
They make no more count of gold and silver, of diamonds and other
precious stones, than we do of tin and iron, and of pebbles from the
seaside. Come, come, Ned; say yes to my proposal."
But Raymond did not say yes, and Waymouth continued in the same strain
for some considerable time longer. At length Raymond answered, while
the colour mantled on his cheeks--
"I would fain go with thee, good coz, but the truth is, there is one I
love here in England from whom I could not bear to be parted. We trust
to wed some day, and all my hopes of happiness on earth are bound up in
her."
"Ha! ha! I might have thought so," said Waymouth. "That comes of
living on shore. Now at sea we have no time for thinking of such
matters. I doubt not, however, that the fair one, whoever she may be,
is worthy of your love. Tell me, do I know her?"
"It is no secret--she is the Lady Beatrice Willoughby. Her grandfather
was that noble captain who perished in the attempt to discover a passage
to Cathay by the north-west. You have doubtless heard the tale--how he
and all his men were found frozen to death in the icy sea, the admiral
seated in his cabin, his pen in his hand, his journal before him."
"Ay, that have I, and reverence his name," said Waymouth with feeling.
"But what fortune hast thou, coz, to support a wife? They say these
ladies of fashion are not content unless they have their coach, their
running footmen, and their waiting-women, and I know not what else
beside."
Raymond sighed. "My fortune is to be made--I live on hope," he
answered.
"Such often maketh the heart sick and the body lean," replied the young
sailor. "Follow my advice. Go tell the Lady Beatrice the truth. Vow
eternal constancy, and comfort her with all the soothing speeches thou
canst make, and I'll warrant that, in three short years at furthest,
thou wilt return with wealth sufficient to support a wife as becomes
your family and hers."
There can be no doubt that Antony Waymouth spoke what he believed to be
the truth, and gave, as he fancied, excellent advice. It may appear
surprising, however, that Raymond, a scholar and a man of good parts and
judgment, should have been so strongly influenced as he was by the
arguments of a mere youth; but, as far as acquaintance with the world
was concerned, Waymouth was the oldest of the two. He had been left
since a child almost to work his own way in the world, helped onward by
the queen, and had mixed with every variety of men. This gave him a
confidence in himself and an independence of manner which Raymond had
had no opportunity of gaining.
While the young men were still eagerly talking, a clock from a
neighbouring tower struck the hour of one past noon. Waymouth started
up with an exclamation of astonishment, saying--
"The hours have sped faster than I thought. I should have been aboard
by this time to see how the artificers get on with their fittings. But
come, coz, you shall be my excuse, and I'll show thee as stout ships as
ever sailed the salt ocean."
"Agreed," was the answer, and the two friends set off. All the way
Antony plied his companion with the most glowing descriptions of the
wealth and fortune to be obtained in the distant East, not to speak of
the honour, and glory, and renown. Portugal ships and Spaniards without
number were sure to be taken, even should the land fail to, yield what
might be expected. And then the wonders to be seen--the curious
people--the palaces of silver and precious stones--the Great Mogul on
his throne of gold, and the Emperor of Cathay, with his robes of rubies
and diamonds--not to speak of the possibility of falling in with Prester
John, whose dominions were undoubtedly on that side of Africa; and then
the Spice Islands, which might be discerned by their fragrance even when
miles away!
Enlarging, as Waymouth did, with an eloquence which perfect confidence
in the truth of what he was saying gave him, and a strong desire to gain
over his friend, it is not surprising that Raymond yielded to such
seductive arguments, and began to grow eager to join the expedition as
an adventurer. Aboard the ships which were fitting in the harbour,
Waymouth introduced him to several other adventurers, who naturally
wished to obtain a gentleman of such good parts and family as a brother
in their company. Raymond had, he fancied, a small patrimony at his
command. Could he do better than risk it in so promising an adventure,
and in three short years come back and marry his beloved Beatrice?
Still he would do nothing rashly; he would make no engagement till he
had talked the matter over with her. Accordingly, leaving Waymouth on
board to attend to his nautical duties, early next morning he took horse
and set off for Exeter, in the neighbourhood of which city the Lady
Willoughby, with her daughter and the rest of her family, resided.
Raymond was welcomed as he always was, but he could not bring himself at
first to announce the object of his visit. He spoke, however, of his
meeting with Waymouth, and of his descriptions of the wonders of the
East, and the wealth to be speedily obtained in those distant seas. His
auditors were even more interested than he expected. It was but natural
that young Hugh Willoughby should be so, but so likewise was Hugh's
uncle, Sir John Jourdan, a brother of Lady Willoughby's, and guardian to
her children.
The early dinner over, Raymond and Beatrice wandered forth into the
grounds, for they were acknowledged lovers, and enjoyed a liberty which
would otherwise have been denied them. Raymond saw at once that
Beatrice was sad at heart. He felt tongue-tied. She spoke first.
"I know what has been passing in your mind, dear Edward. You long to
join these adventurers, and I know why--for the sake of the wealth you
hope to obtain."
She gazed tenderly at him, her blue eyes suffused with tears. Beatrice
was fair and graceful. Raymond thought her beauty faultless: so did
many others. How could he withstand such an appeal? He acknowledged
that she was right in her conjectures, but expressed himself ready to be
guided by her decision.
"Stay, then," she whispered. "Wealth I do not value. I would be
content to be your wife however humble your lot, but I have that
confidence in your steadiness, and perseverance, and love for me, that,
with the many honourable careers open to you at home, I feel sure that
you will ere long secure a sufficient competency to support me in that
station of life in which we have been born."
Raymond thanked her over and over again for this kind and encouraging
speech. In a moment all his dreams of adventure and the wealth he was
suddenly to acquire vanished into thin air. He promised to be worthy of
the high opinion she had formed of him, and to labour on bravely in
England, having the enjoyment and support of her society. They wandered
on through the grounds, beneath the shade of stately elms and sturdy
oaks, in the delightful feeling that they were not to be parted, and
regardless of all sublunary affairs but their own. Little, therefore,
were they prepared for the blow which was to fall on their heads on
their return to the hall in the evening.
It appeared as if both Sir John and Hugh had divined Raymond's thoughts
when he had arrived in the morning at the hall, for they immediately
commenced the subject of an adventure to Cathay, and inquired if he had
formed any plans for making one. Raymond did not like the tone in which
he was addressed, and replied simply that, had such an intention crossed
his mind, he had abandoned it. On this the knight looked glum, and Hugh
showed an inclination to fume; but no further words then passed.
It was not till the ladies had retired to their chambers that Sir John
again opened on the subject. He spoke very explicitly. He was the
guardian of his niece Beatrice, and as such had the undoubted disposal
of her hand. Love and poverty might do in theory, but were
objectionable in practice. He had a great respect for Master Raymond,
as he had for Sir Thomas his father, and for all his family, but the
interests of his ward must be his first consideration. Now he had
discovered, _imprimis_, that Master Raymond had much less fortune than
he had supposed; and, secondly, that his prospects of making a fortune,
or of pushing his way in the world, were much smaller than desirable,
and that, therefore, he was in duty bound to withhold the consent
previously given to his marriage to Beatrice till such times as he could
show that he possessed the means in fact, and not only in prospect, of
maintaining her as a gentlewoman.
Poor Raymond felt his heart sinking lower and lower while listening to
these remarks, till it seemed to have gone out of his bosom altogether.
What could he say? He stammered out, at length, that his love would
give him strength and courage to achieve any thing mortal man could do,
and that he was sure of success. But what sounded a very plausible
argument to his ears was so much prunella to those of the old knight.
"I'll tell thee what, lad: from thine own showing this morning, there is
a course open to thee by which thou mayst gain speedily both wealth and
honour, and all a gentleman of spirit can desire, and that I take thee
to be. Go, think about it on thy couch, and to-morrow I'll warrant that
thou wilt agree that I have given thee sound counsel and advice."
Edward went to his couch, but not a wink did he sleep. His heart was
torn with a variety of conflicting emotions. He could not help owning
that there was truth in what Sir John had said, and yet he felt that he
had the power to win his way to fortune by honest labour with such a
being as Beatrice Willoughby at his side. Hot and feverish, he rose
early to take a turn in the park. He had not gone far when he heard
footsteps behind him. He turned, and saw Hugh Willoughby following him
at a rapid pace. There was a frown on the young man's brow, and his
lips were compressed in a way which showed that he was in no good
humour.
"Well met, this fine morning," he exclaimed in an angry tone. "I must
have a word or two with you, Master Edward Raymond. It seems, sir, that
you have been deceiving us--leading us to suppose that your fortune is
far greater than it turns out to be. I'll tell you, sir, that my sister
shall never wed a beggar while I have a sword with which to run that
beggar through the body who dares to wish it." Edward gasped for
breath--such bitter, taunting, cruel words, how could he abide them? He
had a sword by his side, but nothing should make him draw it on the
brother of his Beatrice. He took two or three turns up and down on the
greensward.
"Hugh," he exclaimed, "you wrong me cruelly. Your uncle knows more of
the state of my affairs than I do myself. My earnest desire has been to
obtain a fortune to support your sister as becomes her. But two days
ago the offer was made me to undertake such an expedition as that
proposed by your uncle. Not your taunts, not your threats, not your
anger, shall compel me to go; but I believe that I shall be doing right
in going. On one condition I will consent--that no force or restraint
be put on your sister's inclinations. If she cares no longer for me,
let her marry whom she will; but if she remains faithful to me--as I
know right well she will, and as I shall to her--then I have your word,
that, on my return with the wealth I may have won, I may claim her as my
bride."
"Fairly and right nobly spoken," exclaimed Hugh, who, though
hot-tempered, was of a generous disposition, and had been worked up to
act as he had done by his uncle. "Agreed--agreed; I'll tell Beatrice
what you have said, and, no doubt, she will see its wisdom."
In more friendly intercourse than from their first meeting might have
been expected, the two young men continued their walk, and returned to
such a breakfast as is seldom, in these degenerate days, seen on the
table.
Sorely against her judgment and inclination, Beatrice yielded to her
uncle's demands. Deep was her sorrow at parting from Edward, and
reiterated were their mutual vows of constancy; not that either had the
slightest doubt of each other's devoted love. It was more for the sake
of influencing others than themselves that vows were exchanged--that
they might say, "We have vowed; we cannot break our vows."
Edward had to return home to make his preparations. The old knight, his
father, heard of this his sudden resolve with a sorrowing heart. His
own health had given way sadly of late. He knew that the change which
no mortal can avoid must soon come upon him, and should his well-loved
son go away, even for a few years, he could scarcely hope that his eyes
would rest on him again on this side the grave. He was fully aware,
too, of the perils, great and innumerable, to which he must inevitably
be exposed. Still, though gentle and loving, he was stout of heart;
peril had never daunted him. If his son desired to go on this
adventure, he would not withhold his consent. Lady Raymond was no more;
but there was another member of his family, to part from whom cost
Edward a severe pang--his lovely sister Constance. She was not only
lovely, graceful, and good, but full of animation and spirit, combined
with a calm courage and determination which, when difficulties came in
her way, made her take pleasure in overcoming them. Few who observed
her gentle and quiet demeanour would have supposed her likely to perform
the deeds of devotion and courage of which she was capable.
"I wish that I were a man, that I, too, might take part in so gallant an
enterprise, and win for myself such a bride as is your Beatrice," she
exclaimed when her brother told her of his purpose; but she added, "and
yet, dear Edward, it grieves me sorely to part with you. I would go
myself, and yet I would not have you go; and yet, again, I cannot say
you nay. Go, go! It must be so, I see, and I will join my prayers with
those I know your sweet Beatrice will offer up night and day for your
safe return."
"The die is cast," said Edward with a sigh, and he wrote to Waymouth to
say he would join him. In the course of four days he set forth from
Exeter, with a couple of packhorses to carry his worldly goods, and a
serving-man, equipped for his projected voyage to the far East.