Part 36 (1/2)

”O ay!” returned the knight, with unmitigated rigour of resentment- ”profess-profess-Ay, that is the new phrase of a.s.severation, instead of the profane adjuration of courtiers and cavaliers-Oh, sir, profess less and practise more-and so good day to you. Master Kerneguy, you will find beverage in my apartment.”

While Phoebe stood gaping in admiration at the sudden quarrel which had arisen, Colonel Everard's vexation and resentment was not a little increased by the nonchalance of the young Scotsman, who, with his hands thrust into his pockets, (with a courtly affectation of the time,) had thrown himself into one of the antique chairs, and, though habitually too polite to laugh aloud, and possessing that art of internal laughter by which men of the world learn to indulge their mirth without incurring quarrels, or giving direct offence, was at no particular pains to conceal that he was exceedingly amused by the result of the Colonel's visit to Woodstock. Colonel Everard's patience, however, had reached bounds which it was very likely to surpa.s.s; for, though differing widely in politics, there was a resemblance betwixt the temper of the uncle and nephew.

”d.a.m.nation” exclaimed the Colonel, in a tone which became a puritan as little as did the exclamation itself.

”Amen!” said Louis Kerneguy, but in a tone so soft and gentle, that the e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n seemed rather to escape him than to be designedly uttered. ”Sir!” said Everard, striding towards him in that sort of humour, when a man, full of resentment, would not unwillingly find an object on which to discharge it.

”Plait-il?” said the page, in the most equable tone, looking up in his face with the most unconscious innocence.

”I wish to know, sir,” retorted Everard, ”the meaning of that which you said just now?”

”Only a pouring out of the spirit, worthy sir,” returned Kerneguy-”a small skiff dispatched to Heaven on my own account, to keep company with your holy pet.i.tion just now expressed.”

”Sir, I have known a merry gentleman's bones broke for such a smile as you wear just now,” replied Everard.

”There, look you now” answered the malicious page, who could not weigh even the thoughts of his safety against the enjoyment of his jest-”If you had stuck to your professions, worthy sir, you must have choked by this time; but your round execration bolted like a cork from a bottle of cider, and now allows your wrath to come foaming out after it, in the honest unbaptized language of common ruffians.”

”For Heaven's sake, Master Girnegy,” said Phoebe, ”forbear giving the Colonel these bitter words! And do you, good Colonel Markham, scorn to take offence at his hands-he is but a boy.”

”If the Colonel or you choose, Mistress Phoebe, you shall find me a man-I think the gentleman can say something to the purpose already.- Probably he may recommend to you the part of the Lady in Comus; and I only hope his own admiration of John Milton will not induce him to undertake the part of Samson Agonistes, and blow up this old house with execration, or pull it down in wrath about our ears.”

”Young man,” said the Colonel, still in towering pa.s.sion, ”if you respect my principles for nothing else, be grateful to the protection which, but for them, you would not easily attain.”

”Nay, then,” said the attendant, ”I must fetch those who have more influence with you than I have,” and away tripped Phoebe; while Kerneguy answered Everard in the same provoking tone of calm indifference,- ”Before you menace me with a thing so formidable as your resentment, you ought to be certain whether I may not be compelled by circ.u.mstances to deny you the opportunity you seem to point at.”

At this moment Alice, summoned no doubt by her attendant, entered the hall hastily.

”Master Kerneguy,” she said, ”my father requests to see you in Victor Lee's apartment.”

Kerneguy arose and bowed, but seemed determined to remain till Everard's departure, so as to prevent any explanation betwixt the cousins. ”Markham,” said Alice, hurriedly-”Cousin Everard-I have but a moment to remain here-for G.o.d's sake, do you instantly begone!-be cautious and patient-but do not tarry here-my father is fearfully incensed.”

”I have had my uncle's word for that, madam,” replied Everard, ”as well as his injunction to depart, which I will obey without delay. I was not aware that you would have seconded so harsh an order quite so willingly; but I go, madam, sensible I leave those behind whose company is more agreeable.”

”Unjust-ungenerous-ungrateful!” said Alice; but fearful her words might reach ears for which they were not designed, she spoke them in a voice so feeble, that her cousin, for whom they were intended, lost the consolation they were calculated to convey.

He bowed coldly to Alice, as taking leave, and said, with an air of that constrained courtesy which sometimes covers, among men of condition, the most deadly hatred, ”I believe, Master Kerneguy, that I must make it convenient at present to suppress my own peculiar opinions on the matter which we have hinted at in our conversation, in which case I will send a gentleman, who, I hope, may be able to conquer yours.”

The supposed Scotsman made him a stately, and at the same time a condescending bow, said he should expect the honour of his commands, offered his hand to Mistress Alice, to conduct her back to her father's apartment, and took a triumphant leave of his rival.

Everard, on the other hand, stung beyond his patience, and, from the grace and composed a.s.surance of the youth's carriage, still conceiving him to be either Wilmot, or some of his compeers in rank and profligacy, returned to the town of Woodstock, determined not to be outbearded, even though he should seek redress by means which his principles forbade him to consider as justifiable.

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH.

Boundless intemperance In nature is a tyranny-it hath been The untimely emptying of many a throne, And fall of many kings.

MACBETH.

While Colonel Everard retreated in high indignation from the little refection, which Sir Henry Lee had in his good-humour offered, and withdrawn under the circ.u.mstances of provocation which we have detailed, the good old knight, scarce recovered from his fit of pa.s.sion, partook of it with his daughter and guest, and shortly after, recollecting some silvan task, (for, though to little efficient purpose, he still regularly attended to his duties as Ranger,) he called Bevis, and went out, leaving the two young people together.

”Now,” said the amorous Prince to himself, ”that Alice is left without her lion, it remains to see whether she is herself of a tigress breed.- So, Sir Bevis has left his charge,” he said loud; ”I thought the knights of old, those stern guardians of which he is so fit a representative, were more rigorous in maintaining a vigilant guard.”

”Bevis,” said Alice, ”knows that his attendance on me is totally needless; and, moreover, he has other duties to perform, which every true knight prefers to dangling the whole morning by a lady's sleeve.”