The Knight of the Golden Melice / A Historical Romance

dew, my owne

her red

to the gree

a banis

t-Brow

oor, exonerated him from no other part of his sentence, was to see Prudence; but his late experience of the wiles of Spikeman, altho

lt contributed, in no small degree, the fact that he had never joined the congregation, and sometimes indulged in a freedom of speech on interdicted topics, which was unpalatable to those around him. Hence it happened that slight offences, which were at first overlooked in consideration of his usefulness, were no longer passed by when that usefulness was no longer prized, and there were even some who were disposed to visit him with punishment for transgressions of the kind, of years previous. Spikeman, who by his wealth and cunning, had lately succeeded in getting himself for the first time elevated to the dignity of an Assistant

uent glances at the windows. It was in vain, however; and fearful of attracting an attention which he desired to shun, he started at last for the forest, through which he was obliged to pass on his way to the knight's place. Wearily he dragged his steps along, for the confinement he had suffered, and the irons he had worn, had diminished his strength and chafed his limbs. Pondering sadly his unfortunate fate, he was slowly advancing, and had only just entered the wood, when he was saluted by a well-known voice, that made him start with a joyful

ted; at any rate the soldier so understood it, and clasping her again in his arms, refused to release her till her l

hilip, "and it can do them no harm to take a lesson," a

hurry back, or I shall be missed, and I want, first, to hear

his trial and condemnation, and the occurrences at the prison. Some tears pretty Prudence let fall over parts of his story, while a

em to doubt about the wickedness of this bad man, who is tryin

of the soldier at

" he swore, "I will drive my

put his threat into execution, but the girl

aid. "We must find other means to punish him. Beside

the villain deserve the warmest place in Beelzebub's dominions w

ke care of her but me? If mistress Eveline were to hear thy speech, she woul

at is not my desire. But art

not half as much afraid of him as I am of thee." And as she uttered the

gay cloak which she had thrown around her person, and not seeming to pay much

ll be able to turn thee to some good

aidens also may be useful. But hast never a message from mistress Eveline to Master Arundel, should I chance to se

udence, tossing her head, "but an' thou dost see the gentleman, thou may

ather is warm, else would poor Master Arundel

is gentle born, and less presumptuous than thou; thou mayest therefore say, rathe

ny spirit is going to be satisfied with an errand that runs like a stream of cold water dow

lant know all she thinks about him? He ought to be ravished to believe that she does not hat

because having had some experience in the nature of women, I know they mean more than they say. So I will e

ere is not in America nor in dear old Devonshire a modester or properer young lady. O dear, how glad I should be just to step into the grand cathedral

country for such talk. The reverend elders have long ears, and fo

cast a frightened glance at these words int

your account. But I would have you to know that I am no more a Puritan, Philip Joy, than thyself, if I do wear a close-fitting cap, which is none of the most bec

, Prudence, and were it not that thy pretty person might come to harm, I would desire no better front rank man

ce the girl of the interest he felt for her; but she needed no such supplementary proof. It had the effe

lip, for my mistress' s

too," interrupt

remble lest you should do or say something again that these dreadful solemn folk, who look sour enough to curdle mi

rrel not to jump from bough to bough. It is our nature, and you cannot change a squirrel into an owl, or a man into a block. B

had already wronged thee enough for a few innocent words-an

d plans. My jealous pate at first could think only of thee; but now I begin to fancy he may have designs upon pretty mistress Eveline as well as upon thyself. Nay, never bite your sweet lips till they bleed, nor dart the sparks out of thine eyes, or you may singe my do

ed Prudence. "O, the weary magistrates a

ding people from England to replenish the stock, and they will get tired of coming when they hear how things are goin

at her lover, and gently retu

was then a fiery youth, for all he can look so grave at times now. He hath some credit, for it was by his intercession with the Governor that my imprisonment was shortened. I will hie me to h

e a good deed, and heaven

le do thou have thine eyes like those in a peacock's tail, all around thee, for thi

oing back, for I would not abuse the liberty the kind heart

e, when perhaps you may not see me

welcome a ship from England. Be content, Sir Malapert, w

ier; then raising his voice, he called after her, "Prudence, P

is voice retraced her step

did omit to put my seal to our covenant;" and before Pr

ox upon the ear, "and I warrant it will be as red as

ly she flew through the green bushes. "If I ever have the luck to get her, I shall have a dame strong enough to carry her part of our bundle. Well, go thy w

clothing, and he inspired the reviving morning air. It seemed to him he could not drink deep enough draughts of the woodland scents, which flowed so deliciously through his lungs, as almost to compensate for the suffering which he had endured. His unexpec

see. The whole temper of his spirit was at once changed. The peace which, like a stream of perfumes, had been flowing into his soul, was checked, and the atmosphere became hot and suffocating around him.

pikeman noticed the desire,-for it was too marked not to be observed; and in a new country, even strangers are not in the habit of passing one

and shaking off the hand roughly, requested the As

eman. "Methinks this is c

id the soldier. "I de

"Surely, to confer a favor on the unth

ilip, "to cease thine abuse. I am no longer

he trusted by his ingenuity to dispel it; but if he had been betrayed, it was important that he should know it. The Assistant, moreover, was curious to learn from the soldier himself, why he had not broken jail as advised. He concluded that the soldier had not; for had he done so, the escape would p

and yet have I not always approved myself thy friend, even jeopardizing my pos

that I am at liberty, not because I did by thy advice knock out the b

as necessary to effect thy purpose; b

ble Knight of the Golden Melice, a man as m

ut as the Archangel Michael returned not a railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke, thee, Satan, so say I unto thee. Truly, I comprehend thy game. Thou art wear

the villainy of the other, was touched at

wherefore advise me to break jail, and thus expose myself to be hunted

ncied cause may be left for thy base suspicions. Shortly, then, I knew not of Gov. Winthrop's intention, for when I did entreat him in thy behal

e communication of Prudence rankled in his mind, and though disposed to acquit the Assistant of treachery against himself, he could not forgive the treatment of the girl. He

hing I like not," h

ay thy wisdom hav

e magistrate to try to cozen serva

himself, while his sallow cheek looked still more yellow. But the escape of the girl's name, even wi

tempted to do that

open breach, or continue his system of deception. The craft of his

the sentence which I begun. I did desire to know whether Prudence, whom, that thou dost affect, I have for some time known, (nay, nev

r me! Go to, thou wert

I will confess to one impropriety, if it be thy pleasure to call it so, though I meant it not, and whereof thou art in some sense the cause. Knowing thy regard for her, I did s

staken, and have converted a mere compliment into an insult, so contrary appeared, the intimations which she had made to what was to be expected from the

y suspected thee, I crave pardon. There may be something

nown many a one who, by confinement, hath irretrievably lost his

d, since I have an

ries, severe will be thy punishment. Attempt not for Prudence's sake, or any cause, t

r extended

n, that I will not soon conceive suspicion of thee again

n took

tes his enemy, although this latter part should not be so. Thou art journeying, I see, to the knight's place. Mayst

the soldier, as he l

u art ignorant that the knight and I