Peveril of the Peak

y raised, 'mid

of their rig

she-capta

acle of

e to the m

'd her ca

AM S.

a person of great trust in the family, and who assumed much authority in her mistress's absence, laid her orders upon Deborah, the governante, immediately to carry the children to their airing in the park, and not to let any one enter the gilded chamber, which was usually their sporti

of the preceding evening, she had danced till midnight with Lance Outram the park-keeper; but how far the seeing him just pass the window in his woodland trim, with a feather in his hat, and a crossbow under his arm, influenced the discrepancy of the opinions Mistress Deborah formed concerning the weather, we are far from presuming to guess. It is enough for us, that, so soon as Mistr

g with stamped Spanish leather, curiously gilded, representing, in a manner now obsolete, but far from unpleasing, a series of tilts and combats betwixt the Saracens of Grenada, and the

timid child chose to become tired of remaining an inactive spectator of his boisterous sport; when, on a sudden, he observed one of the panelled compartments of the leather hangings slide apart, so as to show a fair hand, with its fingers resting upon its edge, prepared, it would seem, to push it still farther back. Julian was much surprised, and som

ill retained traces of great beauty, although the predominant character both of her features and person was an air of almost royal dignity. After pausing a moment on the threshold of the portal which she had thus unexpectedly disclosed, and looking with some surprise at the children, whom she had n

vanced to him, and said, "Are

e feeling of that rule of chivalry which forbade any one to diso

o to your mother's room, and tell her

said the l

t you do but follow the fashion of the time. Why will you

s the lady advanced on him, but still holding by the hand Alice Bridgenorth, who, to

st, while she asked the child once more, "What are you afraid of, my

irmly, "if I go, little Alic

, "and will not disgrace your blood, whic

from the figure of the lady to that of her companion and protector, and at length, infected by a portion of the fear which the latter's magnanimous efforts could not entirely conceal, she flew

rior class of gentlewomen; but her black hair was very long, and, several locks having escaped from under her hood, hung down dishevelled on her neck and shoulders. Her eyes were deep black, keen, and piercing, and her features had something of a foreign expression. When she spoke, her language was marked by a slig

persons entered almost at the same instant, but from different doors, w

pose of assuring her that the preceding day of tumult had passed in every respect agreeably to his friends, and without any of those alarming consequences which might have been apprehended from a collision betwixt the parties. But when it is considered how severely he had been agitated by apprehensions for his c

nd, snatching the child up in his arms, endeavoured, by a thousand caresses, to stifle the screams which burst yet more violently from th

the appearance of this second intruder, was frightened into resignation of every more manly

e Alice, extricating herself from the grasp of her father, ran towards her protectress, and when she had once taken hold of her skirts, not only became silent, but turned her large blue eyes, in which the tears were still glistening, with a look of wonder

made, as she gazed on her unexpected guest, as if dubious whether she did, or did not recognise, in her still beaut

of hesitation, for she said in that heart-th

hat every mirror tells me - yet methinks, Margaret Stan

the present case she threw herself on her knees in a rapture of mingled joy and

f Derby - the royal queen in Man - could I doubt your voi

ne accustomed from early birth to receive homage and to grant protection. She kissed the La

y and timid maiden to a sage and comely matron. But my own memory, which I once he

ly, madam," said Lady Peveril

the Countess of Derby, "whe

Castle - at the house of Margaret Stanley, where you have suc

s a rare character - but it was our pleasure," she added, with a smile, "to travel incognito - and

hould you have kept secret a visit which would, if made, have augmented

now, you know, and on a broader scale; you must excuse her - she had my positive order to lodge me in the most secret part of

he lady, "and therefore was totally igno

ren in the apartment where I thought I heard you moving. Our Ellesmere has become silly -

ter a moment's recollection, "undoubtedly to seek the perso

the Countess, looking at the children.

oriel window. He was well aware that the ordinary rules of courtesy would have rendered it proper that he should withdraw entirely, or at least offer to do so; but he was not a man of ceremonious politeness, and he had a particular interest in the subjects on which the Countess's discourse was likely to turn, which induced him to dispense

Julian, "and the park-keeper is to

r my soldier, then,

rs," said the boy, loo

ith the insolent varlets of mankind, and shows itself so soon as they are out of their long cl

d how the Queen of Man defended it six weeks against thre

Countess, "not I, my little soldier - Hadst thou been

e boy, "for mamma would not tou

ther; "there I was for certain, but

"you nursed our hospital, and mad

a come to help y

rince's standards appearing on the hill - and how you took every high-crested captain you saw for Peveril of the Peak, that had been your partner three months before at the Queen's mask? Nay, never blush for the thought of it - it was an honest affection - and though it was the music of tru

d the Lady Peveril, "in blessing

deep sigh; "while mine, alas! sealed with his blood his

d at Bolton-on-the-Moors, after having been mad

dy Peveril; "how had that brave and noble Earl rejoi

on Lady Peveril with

e very monarch for whom he had laid down his noble life on the scaffold at Bolton-le-Moor, should make it his first act of restore

rl - you, Countess of Derby, and Queen in Man - you, who took on you even the character of a soldier, and seemed a man when so many men pro

ch has given others security, has placed me in danger - this change which relieved other Royalists, scarce less zealous, I pr

ion in arms - you have a right to command everything; but, alas! that you should need such assistance as I can render - forgive me, but it

o read it - the explanation hath been long since given - Put not your faith in princes

themselves the exclusive denomination of the honest party, and she felt some di

to the Countess, rising, as if in order to a

ot who hears my share of it. You remember - you must have heard, for I think Margaret Stanley would not be indifferent to my fate - that after my hus

other parts of Britain had submitted to them. My husband, Sir Geoffrey, designed at one time to have gone to your assistance with some

es and castles not one stone remained upon another - would I have defended against these villainous hypocritical rebels, my dear husband's hereditary dominion. The little kingdom of Man should have been yielded only when not an arm was left to wield a sword, not a finger to draw a trigger in its defence. But treachery did wh

on, which, however, rather surprised Lady Peveril, who was acquainted with her neighbour's general habits of indifference and apathy, and therefore the more surprised at his testifying

to me, amongst other instructions communicated in the last message I received from him, to continue my confidence in Christian's fidelity. I obeyed, although I never loved the man. He was cold and phlegmatic, and utterly devoid of that sacred fire which is the incentive to noble deeds, suspected, too, of leaning to the cold metaphysics of Cal

ue to the widow of their benefactor - she who had shared wit

heir revolt - that he, born a gentleman, and bred under my murdered Derby's own care in all that was chivalrous and noble - that he should have forgot a hundred benefits - why do I talk of benefits? - that he should have forgotten that kindly intercourse which binds man to man far more than the reciprocity of obligation - that he should hav

d," said the Lady Peveril, "

not endeavour to repossess my son in his father's rights. But they little knew the princely house from which I spring - and as little the royal house of Stanley which I uphold, who hoped to humble Charlotte of Tremouille into

ere hope seemed lost, induce them to be ge

give way to the storm. Even among the islanders at large, most had been disappointed in the effects which they expected from the change of power. They were loaded with exactions by their new masters, their privileges were abridged, and their immunities abolished, under the pretext of reducing them to the same condition with the other subjects of the pretended republic. When the news arrived of the changes which were cu

bitious spirit of the Countess, scarce anticipated the extremities to

son which felon never breaks

istening with an agony of interest which he was unable any

st you have

interrupted h

n the traitor a High Court of Justice, with all the formalities of the isle, as prescribed in its oldest records. The Court was held in the open air, before the Dempster and the Keys of the island, assembled under the vaulted cope of heaven, and seated on the terrace of the Zonwald Hill, where of old Druid an

executed?" said Lady Peveril, no

glish Court might have prompted their interference? No, wench - he passed from the judgment-seat to the place of execution, with no farther del

hands together, wrung th

firm and manly, becoming the general tenor of his life, which, but for that gross act of traitorous ingratitude, had been fair and honourable. But wha

lse!" said Bridgenorth, no lon

everil, much surprised. "What is this Christian to you, th

vedly paid with her own blood that of God's saints, which she, as well as her tyrant husband, had spilled like water! - Yes, cruel murderess!" he continued, addressing the Countess, "he whom thou hast butchered in thy insane vengeance, sacrificed for many a year the dictates of his own conscience to the interest of thy family, and did not desert it till thy frantic zeal for royalty had well-nigh brought to ut

ther urging this question. If in your grief you forget other restraints, I pray you to remember that the Countess is my guest and kinswoman, and is under such prot

up in the stinted gratification which Christian's death hath afforded. This man's rude and clamorous grief only proves that the retribution I have dealt has been more widely fel

rs to leave us upon my request, we will, if your ladyship lists, leave him, and retire

speak as a magistrate. She has confessed a murder in my presence - the murder too of my brother-inlaw - as a man, and as a magistrate, I cannot permit her to pass from hence, excepting under such custody as may prevent her farther flight. She

laws to do with my acts of justice and of government, within my son's hereditary kingdom? Am I not Queen in Man, as well as Countess of De

l his blood be spilled.' Think not the barbarous privileges of ancient feudal customs will avail to screen

rom your present purpose, I tell you that I neither dare, nor will, permit any

adam," said Bridgenorth, whose native obstinacy now came in aid of his

enorth, under the late usurping powers, I know well; but till I hear of your ha

, every man has title to arrest for murder against the terms of the indemn

plunder, of his father and of his loyal subjects. He may forgive them if he will, and count their deeds good service. What has that to do with this Christian's offence against me and mine? Born a Mankesman - bred and nursed in the

erence to him in this matter than her husband was likely to approve of, raised her voice, and called loudly on her steward, Whitaker. That alert person, who had heard high talking, and a fem

said the lady; "bring them into the anteroom