Part 21
“Young man,” said the governor in a kind tone, “you would forgive me if you knew all. I have, since the death of Sir John, learned with inexpressible regret, that the evidence which I gave against him had been artfully arranged, so that I might be deceived. I have often declared his innocence. And, General Cromwell, if you will listen to the prayers of a Royalist, and one whose life he has attempted--for which offence you have condemned him; oh! grant him a pardon, and his life! It was but natural, nay, it was praiseworthy to seek my life!”
Cromwell shook his head.
“It cannot be. Discipline must be enforced. I saw the maiden of this youth’s affection and troth. She is a very Rebecca, beautiful and discreet. I promised to avenge her father’s death. Yet my oath of safety to you has been pledged;--and woe be to him who attempts to make a word of mine of non-effect! Captain Birch, order five of the musketeers to load; and bring out the troops in the front of the castle. I give you half an hour.”
The captain, as he went out, frequently turned round to see whether Cromwell might not relent, and forbid such a stern order from being carried into effect--but no!--
“Not for my own sake,” pled Montressor, “but for that of the orphan, do I ask my life. For my own services in a just cause, I esteem them as nothing; but to die such a death, seems a poor recompense even for a faithful dog. General, grant me life for Mary Evelyn’s sake!”
He knelt,--and along with him the governor and all his officers.
“It cannot be,” was the decisive reply. “But, young man, you shall have writing materials, if you have anything to charge to the living. Let them be brought.”
Montressor, with a trembling hand, wrote a letter to Mary Evelyn, and as he finished it, the drum was heard without.
“To whom can I assign my last duty?”
“To me,” replied the governor. “Trust me, that if I can make any reparation for the past, I shall.”
“It is well,” remarked Cromwell, in cold-hearted cruelty,--“If any man wrong another, let him return good, fourfold.”
Montressor, after this, was firm and collected. But for the slight quiver on his lips, it could not have been known that he was going to his death.
“Sir Governor,” he once more asked, “wilt thou be kind to her? Hast thou a daughter, to love her as a sister?”
“No--I have but a son, and he--”
“Cannot, cannot comfort her,” interrupted Montressor with some bitterness.
“Yet I know a knight,” returned the governor, “whose daughters are well known for kindness and charity. Sarah and Madeline Bradley, on knowing her history, will find her a home with them.”
“A home! Poor Mary, her best home will be the grave! There is my letter. Were it not that the sight would be horrible, I should die with this letter in my hand, and you would send to her, that she might receive it from myself! Farewell! I entered this room, a few minutes ago, with the intention of taking your life, and now I leave it to lose mine own!”
Cromwell opened the door.
“There is your way. Young man, I trust to your honour, therefore you remain unshackled to die.”
Already the soldiers were drawn out before the castle. The five musketeers who were commissioned to carry the sentence into execution stood in advance, their muskets in hand. Montressor took his place.
“Kneel,” said Cromwell.
“Yes, to heaven,” was the reply.
“Stay,” exclaimed the general, as he rushed forth in a burst of tenderness. The condemned youth started joyfully up. Hope was kindled.
“Young man, I love thee as a son. Take my embrace,” and he threw his arms around Montressor. “Look--for no other but you, a dying man, must see Cromwell weep!--Look at these tears. Now, my son. Yes, my very son, farewell!”
Montressor sunk upon his knees in despair. He waved his hand to the musketeers, and soon their duty was performed.
Cromwell himself raised the lifeless body, and sternly said to the soldiers,
“Let all, let each beware! Justice and duty are unrelenting, even to the brave and the beloved!”
* * * * *
Well did the governor perform his pledge. The fatal news were communicated to Mary Evelyn by Madeline Bradley, who, heart-broken herself, knew how to feel for a sister sufferer. Sir Robert’s mansion was the orphan’s home. She and Madeline took short walks together, sat together in the same easy chair, and slept together. Hand in hand they were bound for the tomb, and the foot of the one seemed not to be before that of the other.
The governor, every day, (for he had no longer the charge of the castle,) came, and conversed with her, whose father he had been the innocent cause of betraying to death. His son attached himself to the company of Sarah Bradley. The heart-broken sufferers, saw their mutual affection, and kindly fostered it. Often too, did the worthy miller and his wife make their appearance, and they were always welcome.
It was near midnight, and Madeline and Mary were alone in their apartment. They lay in each other’s arms, gazing, at times, involuntarily upon the white counterpane, on which the moonshine fell. They spoke not, but the gentle and low breathing assured them, that they had pined away together, and were now almost spent, and ready to go.
“Madeline, sweet Madeline,” said Mary, “Sarah will be a bride, in a month--we shall both be brides in a few hours, nay, in a few minutes. Let us be calm, for soon we meet our lovers.”
“Yes, my Mary, kiss me! We need not call for my father and Sarah. We are very happy alone. Another sigh, and all will be over. Kiss me again.”
“Yes, Madeline,” and a gentle breeze came in at the casement, and a sweet ray of the moon came to these gentler and sweeter faces--but the maidens were no more!
We may mention, that, in a few days after the siege, Cromwell left Lancaster Castle in the charge of a part of his troops. Soon, however, it was recaptured by the exertions of the gallant Earl of Derby.
* * * * *
_R. Cocker, Printer, Market-place, Wigan._
The Publisher, when the foregoing preface was in type, and when, in the midst of active preparations to commence another volume, received a communication from the Author to the effect, that his pen was of no more service. How it has been taken away from him it can do the public no good to explain:--suffice it for the Publisher to assert that circumstances have been forced on, which are infinitely more painful than a want of ability, or material in the author; a want of encouragement from a kind and numerous public; or a want of determination on his own part to continue and extend the work.
The Author had intended, as will be seen in the preface, to write a series of historical scenes,--scenes of surpassing interest:--the Subscribers, numerous at the very first, were continually increasing, especially among the higher classes:--the Publisher was opening new agencies, receiving new congratulations, and employing new resources, when an event occured totally unexpected, which compels him, most reluctantly, to withdraw the pledge so often given, that other Legends were to issue from his press.
_Wigan, May 22, 1841._
Transcriber’s Notes:
Page numbers 273 and 274 were used twice by the printer. The first set of pages is left unnumbered in this eBook.
Missing and extra punctuation probably introduced at printing corrected. Period punctuation, spelling and inconsistent hyphenation retained.
On page 30, “strange” changed to “stranger” (health and safety of the stranger)
On page 53, missing hyphen added (not to-night; the air is chill.)
On page 59, missing hyphen added (changed parties to-day)
On page 107, capitalization corrected (discourse last Sunday)
On page 136, “dissaude” changed to “dissuade” (tried all her arts to dissuade)
On page 156, “mischievions” changed to “mischievous” (the mischievous girl)
On page 247, capitalization corrected (pensive eye of Lady Mabel)
On page 261, “Hs” changed to “He” (He was a noble boy)
On page 264, “frighful” changed to “frightful” (into that frightful gallery)
On page 285, missing space added (beside his lady, his sword drawn)
On page 286, extra word “the” removed (instantly the door was secured)
On page 294, “siezed” changed to “seized” (seized by two armed men)
On page 295, missing word “of” added (the charge of one of the guards)
On page 299, extra word “as” removed (exposed as I am)
On page 316, “Montresser” changed to “Montressor” (said Montressor above, and he gently disengaged)
On page 348, missing hyphen added (He might perish to-morrow)