Part 4 (1/2)
The Colonel turned his horse's head, and Roger rode forward on his nag to Langton Hall The squire received him in the kindest way possible
”As I cannot take one of h it may delay your arrival at Bristol for soht that the journey could be perforer
”So it can under ordinary circumstances,” answered Mr Battisob, ”but there may be interruptions, and we may have to tarry at the houses of friends; but I will talk to you er was always treated as a friend by the faht of hireed with theion, than as the nephew of the Cavalier Colonel Tregellen, hom they differed onthe whole family were astir to see the travellers start Mr Battisob took with hi horses Farewells were uttered, and they set out Leaving Ax green lanes, the hedges on either side rich with flowers of varied tints For some distance they met with few persons, for the labourers were out in the fields, and no travellers were journeying along those by-roads The first day's journey was but a short one, as Mr Battisob was unwilling to run the risk of knocking up his horses As there was no inn on the road, they stopped at the house of a friend of his, holding the saer took but little interest in the subjects they discussed over the decanters of beer which were placed on the table at supper, he was not sorry to be ordered off to bed
”If we do nottiht ”Had I been by o twice as far However, we shall see how much we can accomplish to-morrow”
As on the previous day, they started at early dawn, that, as Mr Battisob said, ”they ht”
They stopped at noon at a farm-house, with the owner of which Mr Battisob ell acquainted The fa down to dinner, and the travellers arh soh fare placed on the board At one end of the table sat the sturdy farhters; at the other were the farm-servants, ooden bowls and platters before them, their knives the only implements they possessed to help themselves to food
”We are about to make holiday this afternoon Mr Battisob,” said the farreat Duke of Monmouth, with a party of friends, has ridden down from London to pay us west country folks a visit, and is on his way to stop at White Lackington House, where Mr George Speke awaits to welco out to do him honour, and ish to show the affection we all feel for the champion of the Protestant faith”
”I had soo, and so tiht be able to pay my respects to our brave Duke,”
said Mr Battisob
As soon as dinner was over the farmer and his sons mounted their horses, and the whole party rode forward at a one on the previous day As they reached the high-road which was between Ilchester and Ilminster, they saw nu up fro thebaskets of flowers, the ayest costu!” when the young women hurried on and strewed the road with herbs and flowers, and as the Duke appeared, incessant shouts arose, ”God bless King Charles and the Protestant Duke!” No one could look on hiure, his handsoraceful manner, as he boith his plumed hat, now to one side, now to the other It was truly an exciting scene Banks lined with people in their gayest dresses, trees covered with boys who had climbed up to obtain a better view of the spectacle, banners with various devices waving everywhere, while the people bawled the their joyous welco those who rode forward to salute the Duke and then to fall into his train, which was rapidly increasing At last two thousand appeared in one body fro to pour in, till their numbers must have swelled to twenty thousand at least Mr Battisob met several friends and acquaintances, ho of the affability and condescension of the Duke Thus for several , till they reached the confines of White Lackington Park Mr Speke, the owner, who had been prepared for the Duke's co, rode out with a body of retainers to welcoht be no impediment to the entrance of the multitude who had arrived, he forthwith ordered several perches of the park paling to be taken down In front of the house stood a group of Spanish chestnut-trees, famed for their size and beauty; beneath them were placed tables abundantly spread with all varieties of refreshment, of which the Duke with his immediate attendants were invited to partake
Mr Speke no sooner observed Mr Battisob than, beckoning to him, he introduced hier was left by his The horseood view of the Duke, while those on foot pressed forward for the same purpose, and it was not without difficulty that they were prevented fro too near
No person, indeed, under royal rank had ever been received with the respect and honours now bestowed on the Duke So well accustomed, however, was he to be thus treated, that he took everything as a ratitude to his noble entertainers for the honour they were doing hi to Mr Battisob, his hand hanging carelessly over the side of the chair, when fro it, placed it on her head and face The Duke, apparently ood wo's evil, for which I have in vain applied all the reeons can prescribe,” she answered ”I have also travelled a score of ht be touched by the seventh son of a seventh son, though all with no effect; but now I am assured that I shall recover”
”I pray that you h I know not how far the power of curing resides in me What is your name?”
”Elizabeth Parcet”
”Here,” said the Duke, producing a coin from his pocket, ”this may help to console you should my touch fail to produce the desired effect” The wo all those present that she felt sure she should ere long recover
The Duke slept that night at White Lackington House, to which Mr Speke invited Mr Battisob and Roger, who had thus a further opportunity of seeing the Duke The next day the Duke set forth to visit Sir John Sydenham at Brampton House, where he was entertained with a splendid dinner In the evening he went on to Barrington Court, the seat of Sir William Strode, who had prepared another sumptuous entertainment to do him honour After dinner, attended by a multitude of people, he rode to Chard, at which town he was met and welco their welcoht he slept at Ford Abbey, where he was treated to a very splendid supper by the owner, Mr Edly have accoress, but he was compelled to proceed on his journey
He, however, received due notice of the entlehout Somersetshi+re and other parts in the west He received, too, notice of the perfect cure of Elizabeth Parcet, the docuned by Henry Clark, yman, and four others, which was forwarded to him before he reached Bristol
”This is wonderful!” he exclais, either that the Duke of Monination must have had a powerful influence on the poor woman, for it is here stated that in two days she was perfectly well”
”Is it not possible that there er, as clear-sighted and soood many people who desire to have it supposed that the Duke is the rightful heir to the throne of England, it is possible that the paper was a bold forgery, drawn up for the purpose of influencing the populace Either the woman may have been hired to play her part, and was not really a ht be worth while to inquire whether Mr Clark, the nature to the paper, or if such a person exists; such, I suspect, would be the opinion my uncle would have forer!” exclaih he confessed there was soer said