Part 37 (1/2)
”I expected to hear you say that, but I shall soon be older; and, though I am only a boy, I could be useful to you in a hundred ways. I suppose I am too young to fight.”
”Yes, yes; of course.”
”Well, others could do the fighting. Couldn't you make me something-- your esquire?”
”Knights do not have esquires now, my boy,” said Sir G.o.dfrey, with a smile; ”but--”
He stopped short, while his son gazed at him eagerly, waiting for the end of his speech.
”Yes, father--but--?” said Scarlett, after waiting some time.
”I was only thinking, my son, as to which was my duty--to bid you watch over your mother and sister here, or to devote you to the service of your king.”
”Devote me to the service of my king, father,” cried Scarlett, proudly.
”No, no, my boy,” cried Lady Markham. ”Don't try to stop me, mother,”
said Scarlett. ”You know I should have to stay here in peace to take care of you who are not in danger; but ought you not rather wish to have me trying to watch over him who will be in the war?”
Lady Markham bowed her head. She could not trust herself to speak, for her son's words had set his going in a new light. But she still hesitated, clinging first to father, then to son, and ending by exclaiming--
”Heaven's will be done! I can say no more.”
”No, mother. Let me go, and I will do all I can to protect my father.”
She gazed piteously at him through her tears, and then cast herself sobbing upon his breast, while Sir G.o.dfrey gravely set his daughter by her mother's side, and laid his hand upon her head.
”Scarlett is right, dearest. He can do more good by embracing his father's profession at once. He will learn to be a soldier, and-- perhaps--he may be able to protect me. Who can tell!”
Lady Markham took and kissed her husband's hand, and then once more embraced her son, ending by taking her daughter to her heart, and weeping over her silently, while Sir G.o.dfrey paced the room.
”Yes, my boy?” he said suddenly, as he caught his son's eye.
”When shall you start, father?”
”To-morrow at the latest. Quite early in the morning, if we can get away.”
”So soon?”
”Yes. Have you begun to repent already?”
”Oh no, father; but I thought that I should like to go over to the Manor to say good-bye.”
Sir G.o.dfrey held up his hand.
”Impossible, my boy. By the same despatch I learned that Colonel Forrester--unhappy man!--has cast in his lot with the Roundheads. I am told, too, that he has been harbouring one of the enemy's generals, who has been about the country organising revolt against his majesty, under the name of Captain Miles. Scarlett, my boy, the Forresters are the enemies of the king, and therefore ours.”
”Poor Fred!” said Scarlett, half aloud.
”Ay, poor Fred!” said Sir G.o.dfrey. ”Do you think it possible that you could save him from this fate by bringing him over to us? He is your friend, Scarlett?”