Peveril of the Peak | Page 6

passes the
window of his mistress--the moment when the epicure hears the
dinner-bell,-- is that into which is crowded the whole interest of the day;
the hours which precede it are spent in anticipation; the hours which
follow, in reflection on what has passed; and fancy dwelling on each
brief circumstance, gives to seconds the duration of minutes, to minutes
that of hours. Thus seated in his lonely chair, Bridgenorth could catch
at a distance the stately step of Sir Geoffrey, or the heavy tramp of his
war-horse, Black Hastings, which had borne him in many an action; he
could hear the hum of "The King shall enjoy his own again," or the
habitual whistle of "Cuckolds and Roundheads," die unto reverential
silence, as the Knight approached the mansion of affliction; and then
came the strong hale voice of the huntsman soldier with its usual
greeting.
By degrees the communication became something more protracted, as
Major Bridgenorth's grief, like all human feelings, lost its
overwhelming violence, and permitted him to attend, in some degree,
to what passed around him, to discharge various duties which pressed
upon him, and to give a share of attention to the situation of the country,
distracted as it was by the contending factions, whose strife only
terminated in the Restoration. Still, however, though slowly recovering
from the effects of the shock which he had sustained, Major
Bridgenorth felt himself as yet unable to make up his mind to the effort

necessary to see his infant; and though separated by so short a distance
from the being in whose existence he was more interested than in
anything the world afforded, he only made himself acquainted with the
windows of the apartment where little Alice was lodged, and was often
observed to watch them from the terrace, as they brightened in the
evening under the influence of the setting sun. In truth, though a
strong-minded man in most respects, he was unable to lay aside the
gloomy impression that this remaining pledge of affection was soon to
be conveyed to that grave which had already devoured all besides that
was dear to him; and he awaited in miserable suspense the moment
when he should hear that symptoms of the fatal malady had begun to
show themselves.
The voice of Peveril continued to be that of a comforter until the month
of April 1660, when it suddenly assumed a new and different tone.
"The King shall enjoy his own again," far from ceasing, as the hasty
tread of Black Hastings came up the avenue, bore burden to the clatter
of his hoofs on the paved courtyard, as Sir Geoffrey sprang from his
great war-saddle, now once more garnished with pistols of two feet in
length, and, armed with steel-cap, back and breast, and a truncheon in
his hand, he rushed into the apartment of the astonished Major, with his
eyes sparkling, and his cheek inflamed, while he called out, "Up! up,
neighbour! No time now to mope in the chimney- corner! Where is
your buff-coat and broadsword, man? Take the true side once in your
life, and mend past mistakes. The King is all lenity, man--all royal
nature and mercy. I will get your full pardon."
"What means all this?" said Bridgenorth--"Is all well with you--all well
at Martindale Castle, Sir Geoffrey?"
"Well as you could wish them, Alice, and Julian, and all. But I have
news worth twenty of that--Monk has declared at London against those
stinking scoundrels the Rump. Fairfax is up in Yorkshire--for the King
--for the King, man! Churchmen, Presbyterians, and all, are in buff and
bandoleer for King Charles. I have a letter from Fairfax to secure Derby
and Chesterfield with all the men I can make. D--n him, fine that I
should take orders from him! But never mind that--all are friends now,

and you and I, good neighbour, will charge abreast, as good neighbours
should. See there! read--read--read--and then boot and saddle in an
instant.
'Hey for cavaliers--ho for cavaliers, Pray for cavaliers, Dub-a-dub,
dub-a-dub, Have at old Beelzebub, Oliver shakes in his bier!'"
After thundering forth this elegant effusion of loyal enthusiasm, the
sturdy Cavalier's heart became too full. He threw himself on a seat, and
exclaiming, "Did ever I think to live to see this happy day!" he wept, to
his own surprise, as much as to that of Bridgenorth.
Upon considering the crisis in which the country was placed, it
appeared to Major Bridgenorth, as it had done to Fairfax, and other
leaders of the Presbyterian party, that their frank embracing of the royal
interest was the wisest and most patriotic measure which they could
adopt in the circumstances, when all ranks and classes of men were
seeking refuge from the uncertainty and varied oppression attending the
repeated contests between