icon 0
icon TOP UP
rightIcon
icon Reading History
rightIcon
icon Log out
rightIcon
icon Get the APP
rightIcon

Oddsfish!

Chapter 3 No.3

Word Count: 4410    |    Released on: 30/11/2017

go to the tennis-court, was told that he might be half an hour yet, and that I might go there if I wished; so I went up from the river again, with a fellow they sent to guide

roper, who attended him when he rode out: these were in buff coats and cuirasses, very well mounted, and very gay with ribbons and velvet and gold lace and what not: and to each troop of these were attached a company of grenadiers with their grenades. Besides these were the Blues, also cavalry; and the dr

His face was as smooth as a girl's, though not at all effeminate; he had a high and merry look with him, and bore himself, with his two friends, like a prince; he had violet eyes and arched brows over them. It is piteous to me now to think of his end, and that it was against his uncle by blood (whom I was to see presently) that he rebelled later, and by his uncle that he was condemned; and it is yet more piteous to think how he met that end, cr

t a sight of the players. The Duke was in the court of the dédans when I first came in, so I could see no more

d his lip was shorter, and he wore no hair on his face. He had somewhat of a heavier look too in his face, without the fire that burne

her would be played, and then perhaps he would send for me. But a servant came up presently and told me I was to follow to the Stone Gallery, where the Duke would walk for a while before cha

arnest Protestant, but always at Court; but when he saw me he sent Sir Robert away and beckoned to me to come. So I went up to

lways in Charles that was not in James; for the Duke said nothing as to his re

e to England, Mr. Mallock. I h

very soon saw that His Royal Highness wanted nothing like wit from me: he was somewhat of a solemn man, and had great ideas of his

ntly of Cathol

e of both; for I never heard of any cause that could not. There is a feeling against us in many quart

I am rather to be at His Majesty's disposal-to fetch

swiftly; and I understood that he did n

creet than himself, especially when he most needed to be so). "It is useless to say that we ar

ready done so; but assured

is disloyalty, however much the Whigs may protest. They say they desire a k

was largely against his own succession that the disaffection was directed; nor that the Duke of Monmouth was his rival; but he told me enough to show that my own information was correct enough, and that in the political matters my weight, such as it was, must be thrown on to the side of the Tories-as the other party was nicknamed.

Whitbread, no doubt,"

y my homage first to His

once or tw

presently, I take it. You coul

off on

the man himse

n-shaven, of grave and kindly face, and resembled such a man as a lawyer or physician might be. He was dre

near, and made as if h

Mr. Whitbread!

ncovering as he did so. Then he came

oyal Highness," he said, "but

m Rome, who has letters to you. Thi

another; and I found his fa

but I hope His Highness is misinformed, and th

he must take you for his mentor, Dr. Whitbread, in these difficult times. Mr. Mallock see

himself in no sort of way to me. I am scarcely

he same thing," said Jam

ed soldier-they figh

already know; but I had perceived by now what kind of man he was-well intentioned, no doubt, as courageous as a lion, and as impatient of opposition, and not a little

however, he remembered to ask

ur cousin had the sense to put you there. Then

"if Your Royal Highness will permit. I came b

; and gave us h

d of anyone, nor any hint of criticism at His Royal Highness; yet he knew, and I knew that he knew, and he knew that again, that our Catholic champion was a shade disappointing; and that, not in his vices only-of which my Lady Southesk could have given an account-but in that which I am forced to

great many more: for indeed this Palace of Whitehall was liker a little town than

Mr. Mallock? with pantries and butteries and such like-good sound m

y, the Privy Garden, the Bowling Green and a great number of lodgings amongst which were those of the King and of his brother and Prince Rupert, and of the Queen too, as well as of their more immediate attendants-and this part contained what was left of the old York House; to the north was another court surrounded by lodgings, the Wood-Yard, the two courts called Scotland Yard, and the clock-house at the extremity,

*

r. Whitbread began to spea

r in England, Mr.

t been in the count

the Catholic Faith that they fear; and I cannot help thinking that some victims may be required again presently, though I do not know what they can allege against us. There is a deal of feeling, too, against the Queen; she has borne n

ether as I had not heard them put before; and he seemed to me altogether a shrewd kind of man who

d to the Duke himself in my hearing one day that an innocent woman should never suff

it had been carried there and set up with great rejoicing, after the Restoration. It was a great struct

uld pull it down to-morrow if they co

ould not come in. He said that he had no great desire

ury Lane-over the baker's shop-I shall be there, and Mr. Ireland also-all Fathers of our Society; an

s, and said I would be there;

*

oom that had been a council-chamber; and related to me all his own experiences with the King at great length; and how Charles had made to him some witty remarks which I think must have lost in the telling, for they were not witty at all when I heard them. It appeared that my cousin had spoken with the King three or four times, at City-banquets and such like; and he would know all that His Majesty had said to me. But much I would not tell him, and

lodgings very well: and we will ride afterwards as far as Waltham

gone to bed, and we sat over a couple of tankards of

on, telling of his own excellence and prudence, and even his own spirituality, while his eyes watered with the ale that he drank, and his face grew ever more red. And yet there was no true simplicity in the man; he had that kind of cunning that is eked out with winks and becks and nods that all the world could see. He talked of my Cousin

*

don," I heard, in Duke Street, near the arch-lest too much attention should be drawn to them if they were all together. They were pleasant quiet men, and received me very kindly-for my cousin who had forgot some matter he had to

d. Father Harcourt was seventy-but he was not there. They were in sober suits, such as a lawyer might wear, and carried swords. These were not all

should know better. For their talk was of nothing but of the most harmless and Christian matters, and of such simplicity that no man who heard them could doubt their sincerity. It is true that they spoke of such things as the conversion of England, and of the progress that the Faith was making; and they told many wonderful stories of the religion of the common people in country places, and how a

ally. There were hangings on the wall; and a press full of books and papers, and two or three tables; but

er," said Father Fenwick, when I s

ride to Waltham Cross w

dinner first at the c

in the

-morrow, then," said F

was called

hat I did not know how

ust. You had best be within call then, if he should send for you." (For I had told them all fr

m all; and it may be that our experience may be of use to you, to know whom to trust and of whom to beware. But the most safe rule in these days is, Trust no man till you know him, and not entirely even then. The

ing; and told him that I w

hat Mr. Jermyn is not excellent and sincere; for I know nothing of him except what you have told me yourself. But zeal without discretion is a very firebrand; and prudence without zeal may become something very like cowardice; and

*

I kneeled down and asked his blessing; for

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open