Part 5 (2/2)
”When does your provincial court hold its sessions?” inquired the Surveyor.
”In less than a month.”
”It should make sure work and speedy,” said Talbot. ”Master Fendall should find himself at the end of his tether at the first sitting.”
”Ay, and Coode too,” said one of the council: ”notwithstanding that the burgesses have stepped forward to protect him. The House guessed well of the temper against your Lords.h.i.+p in England, when they stood up so hardily, last month, in favour of Captain Coode, after your Lords.h.i.+p had commanded his expulsion. It was an unnatural contumacy.”
”In truth, we have never had peace in the province,” said another, ”since Fendall was allowed to return from his banishment. That man hath set on hotter, but not subtler spirits than his own. He has a quiet craftiness which never sleeps nor loses sight of his purpose of disturbance.”
”Alas!” said the Proprietary, ”he has not lacked material to work with.
The burgesses have been disaffected ever since my father's death. I know not in what point of kindness I have erred towards them. G.o.d knows I would cherish affection, not ill-will. My aim has ever been to do justice to all men.”
”Justice is not their aim, my Lord,” exclaimed Talbot. ”Oh, this zeal for church is a pretty weapon! and honest Captain Coode, a dainty champion to handle it! I would cut the spurs from that fowl, if I did it with a cleaver!”
”He is but the fool in the hands of his betters,” interposed Darnall.
”This discontent has a broad base. There are many in the province who, if they will not take an open part against us, will be slow to rebuke an outbreak--many who will counsel in secret who dare not show their faces to the sun.”
”These men have power to do us much harm,” said Lord Baltimore, ”and I would entreat you, gentlemen, consider, how, by concession to a moderate point, which may comport with our honour, we may allay these irritations. Leaving that question for your future advis.e.m.e.nt, I ask your attention to the letters. The King has commanded--for it is scarce less than a royal mandate.”
”Your Lords.h.i.+p,” said Talbot, sarcastically, ”has fallen under his Majesty's disfavour. You have, doubtless, failed somewhat in your courtesies to Nell Gwynn, or the gay d.u.c.h.ess; or have been wanting in some observance of respect to old Tom Killigrew, the King's fool. His Majesty is not wont to look so narrowly into state affairs.”
”Hold, Talbot!” interrupted the Proprietary. ”I would not hear you speak slightingly of the King. He hath been friendly to me, and I will not forget it. Though this mandate come in his name, King Charles, I apprehend, knows but little of the matter. He has an easy conscience for an importunate suitor. Oh, it grieves me to the heart, after all my father's care for the province--and surely mine has been no less--it grieves me to see this wayward fortune coming over our hopes like a chill winter, when we looked for springtide, with its happy and cheerful promises. I am not to be envied for my prerogative. Here, in this new world, I have made my bed, where I had no wish but to lie in it quietly: it has become a bed of thorns, and cannot bring rest to me, until I am mingled with its dust. Well, since rebellion is the order of the times, I must e'en myself turn rebel now against this order.”
”Wherein might it be obeyed, my Lord?” asked Darnall. ”You have already given all the rights of conscience which the freemen could ask, and the demand now is that you surrender your own. What servant would your Lords.h.i.+p displace? Look around you: is Anthony Warden so incapable, or so hurtful to your service that you might find plea to dismiss him?”
”There is no better man in the province than Anthony Warden,” replied the Proprietary, with warmth; ”a just man; a good man in whatever duty you scan him; an upright, faithful servant to his post. My Lords of the Ministry would not and could not, if they knew him, ask me to remove that man. I will write letters back to remonstrate against this injustice.”
”And say you will not displace a man, my Lord, come what may!”
exclaimed Talbot. ”This battle must be fought--and the sooner the better! Your Lords.h.i.+p will find your justification in the unanimous resolve of your council.”
This sentiment was echoed by all present, and by some of the more discreet an admonition was added, advising the Proprietary to handle the subject mildly with the ministry, in a tone of kind expostulation, which, as it accorded with Lord Baltimore's own feeling, met his ready acquiescence.
After despatching some business of less concern, the members of the council dispersed.
CHAPTER VII.
An old wors.h.i.+pful gentleman who had a great estate, That kept a brave old house at a bountiful rate.
THE OLD AND YOUNG COURTIER.
But who the countless charms can draw That grac'd his mistress true?
Such charms the old world seldom saw, Nor oft, I ween, the new.
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