John Enderby | Page 7

heard you not that last
night I led a dozen gentlemen to the rescue of the King?"
"'Twas said in the village that his Majesty would remove his interdict
and make you a baron, sir, if you met his levy for the knighthood."
"That I shall never do. Answer me, my son, do you stand with the King
or with your father in this?"
"I am an Enderby," answered the youth, moodily, "and I stand with the
head of our house."
That night as candles were being lighted, three score of the King's men,
headed by Lord Rippingdale, placed themselves before the house, and
an officer was sent forward to summon forth John Enderby.
Enderby had gathered his men together, and they were posted for
defence at the doorways and entrances, and along the battlements. The
windows were all heavily shuttered and barred.
The young officer commissioned to demand an interview with Enderby

came forward and knocked at the great entrance door. It opened
presently and showed within the hallway a dozen men well armed.
Enderby came forward to meet him.
"I am Sir Richard Mowbray," said the newcomer. "I am sent by Lord
Rippingdale, who arrives on a mission from his Majesty."
Enderby, recognising his visitor, was mild in his reply.
"Sir Richard Mowbray, I pray you tell Lord Rippingdale that he is
welcome--as commissioner of the King."
Mowbray smiled and bowed.
"My lord begs me to ask that you will come forth and speak with him,
Sir John?"
"My compliments to Lord Rippingdale, Sir Richard, and say that I can
better entertain his Majesty's commissioner within my own house."
"And all who wait with him?" asked the young officer, with a dry sort
of smile.
"My lord, and his officers and gentlemen, but not his troopers."
Mowbray bowed, and as he lifted his head again he saw the face of
Mistress Felicity looking through the doorway of the library. Their eyes
met. On a sudden a new impulse came to his thoughts.
"Sir John Enderby," said he, "I know how honourable a man you are,
and I think I know the way you feel. But, as one gentleman to another,
permit me a word of counsel. 'Twere better to humour my Lord
Rippingdale, and to yield up to the King's demands, than to lose all.
Lack of money and estate--that is hard enough on a single man like me,
but with a gentleman who has the care of a daughter, perhaps"--his look
again met the young lady's face--"the case is harder. A little yielding on
your part--"
"I will not yield," was Enderby's reply.
Mowbray bowed once more, and retired without more speaking.
In a few moments he returned, Lord Rippingdale with him. The
entrance doors were once more opened, and my lord, in a temper, at
once began:
"You press your courtesies too far, Sir John Enderby."
"Less strenuously than the gentlemen of the road pressed their
discourtesies upon his Majesty and yourself last night, my lord."
"I am come upon that business. For your bravery and loyalty, if you
will accept the knighthood, and pay the sum set as the courtesy of the

accolade, his Majesty will welcome you at Court, and raise you to a
barony. But his Majesty must see that his dignity be not injured."
"The King may have my life and all my goods as a gift, but I will not
give either by these indirect means. It does not lie in a poor squire like
me to offend the King's dignity."
"You are resolved?"
"I am resolved," answered Enderby, stubbornly. "Then you must bear
the consequences, and yield up your estates and person into my hands.
Yourself and your family are under arrest, to be dealt with hereafter as
his Majesty sees fit."
"I will not yield up my estates, nor my person, nor my son and daughter,
of my free will."
With an incredulous smile, Rippingdale was about to leave and enter
upon a siege of the house, when he saw young Enderby and caught a
strange look in his face.
"Young gentleman," said he, "are you a cipher in this game? A barony
hangs on this. Are you as stubborn and unruly as the head of your
house?"
Garrett Enderby made no reply, but turned and walked into the library,
his father's and sister's eyes following him in doubt and dismay, for the
chance was his at that moment to prove himself.
A moment afterwards Lord Rippingdale was placing his men to attack
the house, disposing of some to secure a timber to batter in the door,
and of some to make assaults upon the rear of the building. Enderby
had placed his men advantageously to resist attack, giving the defence
of the rear of the house to his son. Mistress