Peveril of the Peak

a challenge, s

is an inviting

and N

common of life, after he had reason to suppose he would be no longer liable to such mutations of fortune. The piety of Mr. Solsgrace was sincere; and if he had many of the uncharitable prejudices against other sects, which polemical controversy had generated, and the Civil War brought to a head, he had also that deep sense of duty, by which enthusiasm is so often dignified, and held his very life little, if called upon to lay it down in attestation of the doctrines in which he believed. But he was soon to prepare for leaving the district which Heaven, he conceived, had assigned to him as his corner of the

measure was understood to be impending, and there existed a general opinion among the Presbyterians, that in no hands was it likely to be more strictly enforced, than in those of Peveril of the Peak. Solsgrace himself considered not only his personal danger as being conside

th testified, morning and evening, like the watchman upon the tower, against Popery, Prelacy, and the tyrant of the Peak - for me to abide here, were but to bring the sword of bloody vengeance amongst you, that the shepherd might be smitten, and the sheep scattered. The shedders of blood have already assailed me, even within that ground

the hand of fellowship to the Amalekite woman, whereby he reminded him, "He had been rendered her slave and bondsman for a season, like Samson, betrayed by Delilah, and might have remained longer in the house of Dagon, had not Heaven pointed to

d to take shame to himself for his own sinful compliance in that matter; for to the vengeance justly due for that unhappy dinner at Martindale Castle (which was, he said, a crying of peace when there was no peace, and a dwelling i

gain, by a pastor whom he so much respected, and who was now a confessor in the cause of their joint faith, he began to look back with disapproval on his own conduct, and to suspect that he had permitted himself to be sed

tticed window, a posture which, by natural association, recalled to him the memory of former times, and the feelings with which he was wont to expect the recurring visit of Si

point of his history, replied -"When God caused Elijah to be fed by ravens, while hiding at the brook Cherith, we hear

ed prophet, like the tread of his horse in mine. The ravens, doubtless, resumed their nature when the season was pa

house and courtyard were awakened by the tr

, a tall gentleman on the farther side of middle life, whose vest and cloak, long hair, slouched hat and drooping feather, announced him as a Cavalier. He bowed formally, but courteously, to both gentlemen, and said, that he was "Sir Jasper Cranbourne, charged wi

to me," said Major Bridgenorth, "may be told instantl

in the world most to be desired," said Sir Jasper, after a moment's hesitation,

d Bridgenorth, "nor do I desire to have any,

w, may be well enough chosen, for your divines (always under your favour

gravely; "and I pray you to be seated, un

ir Geoffrey Peveril, Master Bridgenorth, hath carefully considered with himself the unhappy circumstances which at present separate you as neighbours. And he remembers many passages in former times - I speak his very words - which incline him to

plaints of Sir Geoffrey - I have required no submission from him - I am about to leave this co

north hath had enough of trafficking with the ungodly,

ir Geoffrey's hand, and, in particular, when he pulled you from your horse at or near Hartley-nick. Now, Sir Geoffrey thinks so well of you, as to believe, that, were it not for the wide difference betwixt his descent and rank and your own, you would have sought to bring this matter to a gentleman-like arbitrament, as the only mode whereby your stain may be honourably wiped away. Whe

l tempt my friend to accept of so bloodthirsty a proposal, would be the

nnaturally, may determine you to be more anxious about your patron's life than about h

n led to doubt whether the shedding human blood by the hand of a fellow-creature be in any respect justifiable. And although this rule appears to me to be scarcely applicable to our state in this stage of trial, seeing that such non-resistance, if general, would surrender our civil and religious rights into the hands of whatsoever daring tyrants might usurp the same; yet I am, and have been, inclined to limit the use of carnal arms to the case of necessary self-defence, whether such reg

thereby giving you some chance to stop its wounds, Sir Geoffrey has been moved by a tender sense of your condition, and an earnest wish to redeem your dishonour. And it will be but the crossing of your blade with his honoured sword for the space of some few minutes, and you wi

e emphatically, by way of commenting on this speech, whi

specially as I think this affair very little concerns you; and I entreat that you

nce more, and literally at sword point, gracefully tendered it to Major Bridgenorth who again waved it aside, though colouring dee

letter, and read it to you, that I may fully acquit myself of the charge entrusted to me, and make

other purpose than you have intimated, methinks farther ceremony

er, "it is fitting that I read to you the letter of my

lph Bridgenorth, Esquire, o

he Worshipful Sir Jasper Cranbou

minded that this proceeds only from modesty, arising out of the distinction of our degree, and from no lack of that courage which you have heretofore displayed, I would I could say in a good cause. Wherefore I am purposed to give you, by my friend, Sir Jasper Cranbourne, a meeting, for the sake of doing that which doubtless you entirely long for. Sir Jasper will deliver you the length of my weapon, and appoint circumstances and an hour for our meeting;

Peveril of

rtindale Castle, this same __ o

is own wilful aggression towards me; and that though I wish to be in charity with all mankind, I am not so wedded to his friendship as to break the laws of God, and run the risk of

e pronounced, or even remembered, by a man of honour. In the meanwhile, in return for your uncivil advice, be pleased to accept of mine; n

voy of Sir Geoffrey put his hat on his head, replaced his rapier in its belt, and left the apar

en the sound was heard no more. "He carries this answer to Martindale Castle," he said. "Men will hereafter think of me as a whipped,

nd to make sacrifice of our worldly affections. What avails it to say that we have but secreted a little matter, if the slightest remnant of the accursed thing remain hidden in our tent? Would it be a defence in thy prayers to say, I have not murdered this man for the lucre of gain, like a robber - nor for the acquisition of power, like a tyrant - nor for the gratification of revenge, like a da

hich ordains him to suffer shame, than that which bids him to do valiantly for the truth. But happy am I that my path through the wilderness of

of Sir Jasper Cranbourne's visit, that worthy knight greatly excited the surprise of

a two hours' sermon, and let them howl a psalm to a tune that is worse than the cries of a flogged hound, and the villains will lay on like threshers; but for a calm, cool, gentleman-like turn upon the sod, hand to hand, in a neighbourly way, they have not honour enough to undertake it. But enough of our crop-eared cur of a neighbou

and that the peril is over. She could not, indeed, but marvel in her own mind at the singular path of reconciliation with his neighbour which her husband had, with so much confidence, and in the actual sincerity of his goodwill to Mr. Bridgenorth, attempted to open; and she blessed G

riod so little matter worth of mark occurred at Martindale, that we mu