John Deane of Nottingham | Page 5

especial regard.
"Well, Jack, what scrape have you last got into, or out of rather, I
should say?" said Cousin Nat, "for I am told it is seldom you have not
something of the sort on hand. However, you do not look the worse for
that or for your studies either, boy, though I should be glad to hear that
you had determined to follow some steady pursuit, instead of running
your head into other people's quarrels, without any benefit to yourself."
"That is the very thing I have been thinking of," answered Jack, as he
returned his respected cousin's greeting, "but I have no fancy for sitting
at a desk, nor for any other indoor work. Jasper is more suited for that
than I am."
He glanced as he spoke towards the slight figure of his brother, who
presented a considerable contrast to himself. The elder had handsome
features, with a somewhat sickly hue in his countenance, such as is
often produced by study and thought. His manner was refined, and the
expression of his countenance denoted an amiable and gentle
disposition.
"We will not attempt to make an MD of you, at all events," answered
Cousin Nat. "Perhaps you would rather take to breaking men's bones
than attempting to cure them of their ailments, as I try to do, and as
your brother Jasper hopes to do also."
"Not especially," answered Jack: "I should like to see the world, but I
have not a fancy for knocking men on the head, and could never

understand the amusement some people find in it; but I have no
objection to stand up and defend my own if I am attacked, or to draw
my sword in the defence of a friend or a right cause."
Dr Nathaniel smiled at his young kinsman's remark. "You will not have
to wait long then, lad, before you find sufficient excuse for drawing
your sword, and fighting away with as hearty good-will as any of old
Noll's Ironsides ever did."
Just at this juncture dinner was announced, and the guests being
marshalled according to the strictest rules of precedence, took their
places round the well-covered table, on which the summer's sun, flaring
through the three tall windows, lighted up the goodly array of silver
tankards and pewter dishes, and a great store of blue oriental china. Mrs
Deane's duties were of no ordinary kind, every joint being placed
before her in succession, that she might employ her well-skilled hands
in carving it, the duty of passing the bottles in quick succession being
left to the host at the foot of the table.
The quiet, though far from retiring-mannered Jasper had enjoyed the
honour of handing down the fair Alethea, and had dexterously managed
to place himself by her side. Jack, who sat opposite, observed that she
listened attentively to his conversation, which, although he could not
catch the substance of it, he saw was of an interesting character. Dr
Nathaniel Deane, however, took upon himself the entertainment of a
larger portion of the guests, Mrs Deane occasionally keeping up the
ball of conversation by a hearty joke and a jovial laugh, while Mr
Deane, with more gravity of manner than his spouse, threw in a remark
here and there as occasion required.
Nottingham was at this time, as its inhabitants asserted, the most
genteel town in the midland counties, a distinction it owed in some
measure to the noble palace, built by the Duke of Newcastle as his
family residence, on the site of the old fortified castle that had been
identified with nearly all the chief periods of English history, from the
time of Isabella and Mortimer, who made it their stronghold, to that
when Cromwell, riding back towards London, the Civil War being over,
saw the greater part of the walls pulled down. On that occasion he told

Colonel Hutchinson, who had so bravely defended those stout walls for
the Parliament, that he was heartily vexed at it. The Colonel replied that
he had procured it to be done, and believed it to be his duty to ease the
people of charge when there was no more need for it. Some of the
tower? and walls, however, still stood conspicuous among the newer
parts of the edifice with which they had been incorporated by the
architect. In the market-place, as has been observed, there were a
number of fine old mansions belonging to the country families who
were accustomed to spend their winters in the town. There were also a
good many other handsome places in the immediate neighbourhood.
None, however, could be compared for beauty of situation with the
castle which crowns the rock rising abruptly from the Trent valley, with
its stream at the bottom, which, after coming down from the Yorkshire