Roger Willoughby | Page 5

Eversden
he had no means remaining for his support. The hope, which he
probably entertained, that his son Roger would be Colonel Tregellen's
heir, was somewhat damped when Mistress Alice was adopted as his
daughter--not that he felt any jealousy of her in consequence,--indeed,
he might possibly have entertained the idea that she would marry Roger,
and that, should she become the Colonel's heiress, the property would
thus be restored to the family. Had the subject, however, been spoken
of to him, he would very likely have replied that he did not wish his
thoughts to dwell on such sublunary matters, that, all being ordered for
the best, he would leave them in the hands of Providence, without
attempting to interfere. Still, as Alice grew up into a sweet and
engaging girl, he could not help wishing, as he looked at her, that she
would some day become his son's wife. It is certain, however, that such

thought had never for a moment crossed Roger's mind, nor that of the
young lady either. She would have laughed heartily if the subject had
been mentioned to her, and declared that she should as soon have
thought of marrying old Mr Willoughby himself, whom she always
called her uncle. Fortunately no one had ever been silly enough to talk
to her about the matter, and she and Roger had never had what might
prove a barrier to their friendship placed between them.
Roger's thoughts were generally occupied with his grand idea to go
abroad to the Indies, or to America, or to the plantations, to make a
fortune, and to restore the family to its former position. He did not
consider that his father was dependent on the Colonel, but he saw that
the latter himself had but limited means; for the estate, although of
considerable extent, yielded but a poor income. Its owner had nothing
else to depend on, so that he was unable to repair the house or to make
improvements on the land. The King on his Restoration had promised
to give him a lucrative post as soon as he could find one suited to his
talents, but year after year passed by, and he received no appointment;
at length he went up to London--a journey not easily performed in
those days,--and after waiting for a considerable time, through the
interest of an old friend he obtained an interview with the Merry
Monarch.
"Gadzooks, man!" exclaimed the King, when he saw him, "I remember
you well,--a loyal, sturdy supporter of our cause. We have had so many
loyal gentlemen applying for posts that we fear all have been filled up,
but depend on it we will not forget you. Go back to Eversden, and wait
with such patience as may be vouchsafed you. In due course of time
you will receive notice of the appointment to which we shall have the
satisfaction of naming you."
Colonel Tregellen took his leave and returned to Eversden, but he was
too old a soldier to have his hopes raised high, and from that time to the
present he had received no further communication on the subject--
indeed, he had reason to believe that the King had forgotten all about
him. Though he did not in consequence of this waver in his loyalty, it
did not increase his affection for the King, and made him criticise the

monarch's proceeding with more minuteness than might otherwise have
been the case. He had ever been a firm Protestant, and he had become
still more attached to the Reformed principles, and more enlightened,
from the example set him by his wife, and also from the instruction he
received from her. He was sufficiently acquainted with political affairs
to know that the King was more than suspected of leaning to
Romanism, while the Duke of York--the heir to the throne--was a
professed Romanist. His love, therefore, for the family for whom he
had fought and expended his fortune had greatly waned of late years,
and he therefore agreed more nearly with the opinions of his
brother-in-law than formerly. This change of sentiment permitted him
willingly to receive young Battiscombe, who was of a Puritan family,
at his house, though at one time he would not have admitted him within
his doors. He also lived on friendly terms with other neighbours
holding the same opinion as the owner of Langton Hall. Still, the
Colonel did not altogether abandon his Cavalier habits and notions,
which, without intending it perhaps, he instilled into the mind of his
young nephew, who, although his father had been a supporter of
Cromwell, was ready enough to acknowledge Charles as the rightful
king of England. He and Stephen often had discussions on the subject,
but as neither held his opinions with much obstinacy, they never fell