Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/370

. About an hour elapsed, during which time the two ladies sat in a trembling state of anxiety and apprehension. At length a heavy tread announced the return of the besiegers. Their voices were raised as if in deep altercation ; as they approached near the saloon, it sunk into audible murmurs, accompanied by muttered threats and imprecations. The leader of the band re-entered the apartment, and said, " we find that we have been mistaken, lady ; but beware that you do not harbor any traitor, for you would sorely repent your rashness."

The man then quitted the room, and commanding the soldiers to follow him, the portal once more closed upon the unwelcome visitants. The Baroness having assured herself that peace was restored, hastened to that part of the Castle where she had secured the unfortunate stranger. As she trod along the spacious apartments, she often paused to listen, and in imagination, thought she could hear the dreadful imprecations that had escaped the soldiers ; but all was still, and she reached the door of the captive Knight. Great was the Cavalier's joy at beholding her, and profusely did he pour forth his expressions of thankfulness to his deliverer. They continued to converse upon what had passed for some time after they had reached the saloon. The Baroness posted two of her domestics in the great hall for the night in case of a second alarm ; and her guest entreated permission to watch with them, but this his kind hostess would not consent to. They now separated for the night.

The next morning, when they met at the breakfast table, they recapitulated the events of the preceding night, and a general thanksgiving was offered to that Power which had protected them. If the Baroness and her young friend had been charmed with the elegant deportment of the Cavalier on the previous evening, they were now not less delighted at the graceful polish of his manners, and the refined intelligence that pervaded his conversation. When breakfast was over he proposed to depart ; but the Baroness so warmly urged the necessity of his remaining until his pursuers had quitted the precincts of the Castle, and so strongly animadverted upon the probability that some secret emissary might be lying in wait for him, that he consented to remain for a few days.

The time passed uninterruptedly in agreeable and interesting discourse, which was occasionally varied by the sweet tones of the lyre, to which Annette sung in a strain of touching melody, and at the request of the stranger would frequently repeat her lay. It was on the fifth day of the Knight's sojourn at the Castle. The Baroness, Annette, and the Cavalier were all seated in the saloon, watching the shades of evening closing around them.

" To-morrow, my kind friends, I must depart," exclaimed the Knight ; "by dawn of day my steed must be in readiness ; and," continued he, addressing the Baroness, at the same time unclasping from his neck a gold chain of exquisite workmanship, "let me present you with this, and remember that you may claim every thing at my hands, for my debt to you cannot easily be repaid." Saying this, he imprinted a kiss on the hand that was extended toward him. On the following morning, at dawn of day, Morden was in the court-yard, holding the bridle-rein of the noble charger. In an instant the Knight had vaulted in his saddle ; the old porter presented the stirrup-cup, then gave the parting benediction. The Knight gave one glance at a window, where stood the Baroness and Annette, who had both risen at that early hour in compliment to their guest ; thrice he saluted the fair inmates in another minute the horse and his rider had disappeared. It was on the twentieth of May, 1661, that the Baroness and her friend were seated by an open window in the spacious library ; the castle clock had tolled the hour of noon-then the accustomed dinner-hour for all persons of quality. " We must begin our journey to-morrow, dear Annette," exclaimed the Baroness, " for I would behold our beloved Monarch's triumphal entry to the throne of his ancestors ; and who knows," continued she, as she gazed anxiously upon her young friend's pallid countenance-" who knows but we may see him who once sought shelter within these walls ; such an event would, I know, give my dear friend pleasure." Annette spoke not ; but a pale blush overspread her fine features ; still she remained silent. The remainder of the day was spent in making preparations for their departure. On the following morning, the two friends, attended by a train of domestics, set out for the metropolis ; and at the expiration of a week, during which nothing particular happened, arrived at the entrance of the vast city. It was on the very day that the populace were assembling to welcome their sovereign. Triumphal arches, decorated with flowers and interspersed with oak-boughs were raised across the road, and at intervals through every street. The windows in all the houses were adorned with garlands, or hung with costly drapery ; the bells of the neighboring churches were sending forth a joyous peal, while drums and trumpets resounded from every quarter. An îmmense multitude, both in carriage and on foot, thronged every avenue. The Baroness commanded her coachman to drive up one side, as a deafening shout rent the air, intimating the monarch's approach. Another shout-and another ascended from the people ; all eyes were turned to one individual. Mounted on a milk-white charger, his head uncovered, and repeatedly bowing to the multitude, sat- Charles II! The Baroness's attention was suddenly called to her young friend. She, too, had looked that way ; but