Hayslope Grange / A Tale of the Civil War

was met by a crowd of people who were talking loudly and eagerly, so that Maud had but little difficulty in making out the words. "Down with all parliame

e drawing near, and beyond them marched a number of downcast-looking men, evidently prisoners. Could it be that they were already on their way to execution?-that the delivery of her papers would

VALIER

tered the ringing words, "On, Cavalier, on!" and instead of turning her back to the wall, called upon his men to halt, while Maud passed through their

s, the officer believing she came with orders from the King to those in charge of the prisoners. She heeded not the looks of the soldiers; indee

concerneth the prisoners," she

ondering whether she had been in time to save them after all. The papers had been sent to the residence of the general in command, and they were still halting, to know the result of his reading them; and Maud was detained, lest she should be wanted too. They had not to wait long. In a few minutes a soldier rode up with a note from

his exertions. To get back to Hayslope Grange, as she had at first intended, was therefore impossible, and she resolved to ask the hospitality of Mistress Stanhope for a few days. She hoped Master Drury was there, but of this she could not feel sure; but whether or no he was there, she mus

peared before Hayslope

smiling. "Nothing had happe

asked Master Drury. "Has anything happ

"I came as a messenger, to bring cert

ud," said Mary, "and tell us thou ar

hard to reach here in time, so hard that Cavalier hath fa

was proud to play the hostess to her old companion, and as soon as she had changed her dress, and had some refreshment, she insisted upon showing her new and fashionable house,

ng "Penseroso." Mary suddenly entering the room some time afterwards quite startled her, and the book slipped from her hand on to the floor. But Mary did not stay, she had only come for

But Maud knew that Harry's hand had traced those letters, and she wondered how it was he was at Oxfo

at?" asked the young matron

te this?"

ary; "but he had the grace to conc

t he wrote "friend"

he do this

patiently. "Nay, nay, you have not seen my father's misery since he hath been he

ld he do this

talking of the traitor rebel, Harry D

although she tried to appear unmoved as she a

ped Maud, who sat wit

e to save their

ters?" as

where the parliament messenger

coming up the stairs. The gaily dressed officer bowed to Maud as he

but reach Oxford in time, and if you had been an

ell me why?

ted rebels the less to fight against

ased?" asked Maud, with

pers, and they propose to exchange some of these for the handful we have here in our prison, and Harry Drury is s

thanksgiving to God for His great mercy; but by degrees the hope that she should soon see him gradually stole over her, until she recollected that Harry would scarcely venture to c

s, it was evident he had heard the news,

oon as they were left alone, "you heard that the King

th it been reta

, I would it had never existed," he s

the King's lett

gentleman. "The rebels have published some of hi

now what a just and gentle

is people to a foreign foe," groaned Master Drury. "All his doings with the Irish rebels, an

true," she said. "It would be unkingly-beneath the majesty of o

Maud, I have heard from those who knew all the King's matters t

been shot. "The King is false and untrue, the

not what you say, Maud;" but he did not speak as tho

rue and noble men are risking their lives

spoke Master Drury. "I will

you leave Oxford?" said Maud, a faint co

y, nay, I dare not see him. Mary Stanhope has spread the report that I have cast him off as a traitor rebel, a

the King false?" said Maud. "Ha

h. "Nay, nay, I cannot go so far as that,"

ong the rebels, and why they are so strong. It is not their hatred of oppression only, nor their wish to save England's liberties, as they sa

ian. But it was all in vain. Family honour demanded the sacrifice of principle-at least, so thought Master Drury-a