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 THE

LAST OF THE FAIRIES;

Cl)ri0tma0 STale.

BY G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ.
AUTHOR OF
THE CONVICT," "MARGARET GRAHAM," "RUSSELL," "THE CASTLE OF EHRENSTHIN,'
"
BEAUCHAMP," "HEIDELBERG," ETC., ETC.

HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,

82 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK.

1848.
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES,

CHAPTER I. a pleasant scene to look upon, and these

were merry sounds to hear.
THERE was an old house near "Wor- About ten of the clock, a horseman,
cester on the very highest part of the followed by two or three others, spurred
hill, which is not very high after all. It up from the bank of the Severn, towards
was not a gentleman's house, nor a farm- that house upon the hill. He came gaily
house, nor a cottage. Heaven knows along at a good quick canter, and his
what it had been in former years. It horse was a fine one, and well capari-
was nothing at all in A. D. 1651, but a soned. His bearing, too, was firm and
moderate sized brick building, lined with soldier-like but when one saw his face
:

old wainscot, with broken windows and nearer, although he could not have
latchless doors, and one portion of it a counted more than five or six and thirty
great deal taller than the other. years, there seemed to be traces of
There were eyes in the upper room many cares arid anxieties upon his coun-
of the tallest part of the old house and tenance, as well, perhaps, as a certain
;

to them was exposed an exceedingly degree of constitutional melancholy, not

beautiful scene, such as is rarely beheld, to say gloom. It was a very grave face

except in the vale of the Severn. Wor- very grave, indeed, yet high and no-
cester, with its walls, and gates, and ble in expression, with a tall straight
churches, and sunny fields, and pleasant forehead, somewhat broader, perhaps, at
places round ;
and the wide valley stud- the top of the temples than over the
ded with little knolls, and monticules brow.
covered with turf still green, and plumed Some servants came round from the
with feathery trees. It was a pleasant back of the house as he approached, and
and a cheerful sight, a sort of fairy ran to hold his horse and his stirrup.
scene and indeed the rings left by the
; He sprang lightly to the ground, and
feet of the Good People, in their
merry walked into the house, saying, " Take
moonlight dances, attested their frequent the basket from Matthews there behind
revels in the meadows and under the me, and bring it up. Take care that
trees.
you don't break the wine bottles, for
But there were other objects besides there is but little to be had at Worces-
those which nature's hand had formed ter. The Puritans have drank it all up
that gave additional cheerfulness to the in a very godly manner;" and mounting
scene. On both banks of the Severn, the old stairs as he spoke, he ran rather
the eyes gazing from that high window than walked up to the higher chamber.
could discern colours flaunting in the There was an embrace for each of the
light wind, banners tossed about, and two persons it contained a lady of
plumes, and gay dresses, and glittering seven or eight and twenty years of age,
arms; so that in that part of the land- still in her full loveliness, and a little
scape, as a cloud or two passed over the girl of nine or ten, exceedingly beautiful,
sun, the effect was like that of rapid and very like her mother, their faces
light and shade sweeping across a gar- were full of affection towards him who
den of flowers. And merry notes were came; but yet there oould not be a
there too: the fife, and the drum, and greater contrast than between the ex-
the clarion, rUtfig up from below, soft- pression of his countenance and theirs.
ened arid entendered by the air and the Cheerful hope and glad expectation was
distance. The bells of the cathedral upon the face of the girl arid her moth-
chimed cheerfully, and altogether it was er, and melancholy thought upon his.
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
" Here is some breakfast for you, Lil- Cromwell is in sight Hark! you can
" and for
la, dear," he said, little my hear his trumpets !"
Kate too. I was resolved to come up The gentleman he addressed instant-
for half an hour, and take it with you, ly started to the window and looked out,
for Heaven knows where our next meal while his young visitor, with a slight af-
may be." fectation of manhood, patted the little
upon the head, saying, "Ah! my
44
Will there be a battle to-day, fa- irl

ther?" said the little girl; "and will arling Kate, drinking wine at ten in
the King win 1 Oh yes, I am sure the ! the morning. That's to make you a fit
King will win." wife for a dashing cavalier. I hope
" I trust he our ladyship is well this morning. You
will," replied the soldier, )
" if there is a will soon see some warm work down
battle, my Kate but of ;

that I begin to doubt, for the Round- below ;

but I trust before night we shall
heads have a long march before them, have one-half of the Roundheads in the
and cannot get here very early." Severn, and the rest in the gaol."
" Then we had better come back into A slight cloud came over the lady's
the town," said the lady, looking to face, and she was answering, with a
" I trust
her husband inquiringly, while two of sigh, so," when her husband
the servants laid a napkin in one of the turned round from the window, saying,
broad, open window-seats, for table I must to horse, dear ones. Remem-
there was none. " I should not like
ber, you must ride to Pershore, as
Cromwell's people to cut us off." soon as you have seen them upon the
"
No, my Lilla," answered h'er hus- ground. Come, Denzil, we must away."
come into the town " Do
band, you must not you see them, Charles, do you
again. There is much confusion there ;
see them 1" asked the lady, clinging to
and as soon as the enemy appear, you his arm.
had better " Not their whole
retire with the servants to force," replied her
where you will have speedy husband, those trees there hide them
*
lYrsliore, ;

tidings of what follows. If we have to buf I caught a glance of steel caps

stand a siege, or repel an assault, it
through the brake; and if you listen
would be a pain and a burden to me to for a moment you will hear. There !

have all I love pent up within those old there !"

and crumbling walls." The distant sounds of a trumpet ros
There was a look of remonstrance upon tbe air; and with one brief em-
came upon the lady's face, but her hus- brace he tore himself away, ran down
band interrupted her with a smile, say- the stairs, followed by his young friend,
"
ing, Come to breakfast to break- mounted his horse, and galloped back
!

fast for I must soon get back.

!
What, to Worcester.
not a chair to sit down upon Well, The lady's eyes were full of tears
!

we must make the best of our campaign- when she gazed forth from the window,
ing;" and standing by the side of the first marking the course of her husband
window-scat, he proceeded to distribute towards the town, and then turning an
the homely breakfast he had brought up anxious look over the distant wooded
from Worcester ate a small portion, landscape, where the forces of the Par-
;

but not much, himself; and gazed with liament were advancing towards the
a look of thoughtful delight upon his in- fatal field of Worcester. In a few min-
nocent child, as she seemed to partake utes she beheld a dark moving mass
of the meal with double zest, from the with catches of light here and there
rude and hasty way in which it was upon breast-plate or steel cap come
served. forth from behind one clump of trees

Perhaps five minutes had elapsed and disappear again behind a little
while they were thus employed, when a wood. Another, and another body
quick light foot was heard coming up passed, foot and horse in very equal
the stairs, and a lad some seventeen or numbers; but regiment after regiment,
eighteen years of age, richly dressed and troop after troop, till the lady's heart
accoutred, with his long dark hair flow- sunk at the conviction of the great su-
ing down over his laced collar to his periority of their numbers and
her eyes ;

shoulders, entered the room in haste, turned to the royal army below.
exclaiming, Lord Eustace
*'
My lord A good deal of bustle was then ob-
! !
 THE LAST OF THE
servable and, by the aid of fancy, she
;
thought she could discover her husband,
End the King, and Leslie, and Middle-
ton, and Hamilton, and Derby.
Long and anxious was her watch, till
passing in and out, now seen, now lost
FAIRIES.
seen through the clouds of sulphurous
vapour, the flashes of the musketry, the
gleam of waving swords, and the slow
movements of some bands of pikemen
were caught indistinctly from time to
time but all that the lady and her child
;

as before, the army of the Common- could gather as to the result of these
wealth, growing more and more distinct movements was, that the Parliamentary
in all its parts as it advanced, swept on army was pressing down steadily and
halted for a moment marched for- strongly upon Worcester, and that the
ward again, and assumed its
position as waves of battle rolled nearer and nearer
if for taking possession of the
battle, to the town.

slope of the very hill on which she stood, It was a sight that made her heart
and interposing between herself and the sink, and her eye ran along the course
town. of the river, towards a spot where she
Her heart sank a little, and she gazed knew
that a large body of the Royalist
down upon her child but then a look
; cavalry had been posted. She saw them
of high resolution came into her face, there all firm and in array upon the op-
and putting her arm round the fair del- posite bank, but a little further on she
icate form of the little girl, she said, saw what they could not see, on ac-
"We will see it out, Kate ; we will see count of a thick copse and a wooded
it out." hill, which screened the operations of
" Oh two regiments of Parlia-
yes, mother, let us see it out," the enemy
!

answered the child " do not let us run mentary horse galloping rapidly towards
;

away while my father is fighting." a ford, where the stream took a sharp
"
Never," answered the lady and turn. She clasped her hands together,
;

there they stood, while the servants and pressed them tight. What would
gathered themselves together at another she have given at that moment for wings
window, and gazed forth likewise. to fly and bear her friends intelligence
All seemed tranquil for about half-an- of the manoeuvre she had detected and
hour. An occasional horseman galloped understood right well. But it was all
along the line, trumpets sounded from in vain. The enemy reached the ford,
time to time, a slight movement took dashed in, gained the meadows on the
place amongst the infantry, some strag- other side, re-formed, and taking ground
glers were seen moving about upon the a little to the left, became suddenly ap-
rear of the Parliamentary army, and a parent to the King's cavalry.
stout heavy man, with ten or twelve An instant movement was observable
other horsemen following him, moved amongst the latter two gentlemen drew ;

slowly for a little distance up the hill. out a little way from the rest, gazed at
Then halting, he gazed over the plain, the squadrons which had so suddenly
and over the town, for a moment or appeared, and rode to the opposite ex-
two, Bpoke a few words to one of those tremes of their own line. A slight
near him, and instantly a horseman change of disposition immediately fol-
dashed away, taking his course towards lowed. The right of the Royalists was
the left. A large body of cavalry de- somewhat extended, the left was brought
tached itself at once, and rode along the a little forward at a slow pace, and then
bank of the river a fire of musketry there came a temporary pause. The
;

began from the centre of the line, and a sound of trumpets was heard the mo-
cloud of smoke spread over the scene. ment after and both parties dashed for-
;

It inteiTupted the sight sadly, but the ward against each other with furious

lady saw several large squadrons of speed. They met in full career, while
horse put into a charge, and they whirl- a fierce and wild hurrah rose up into
ed down like a bolt from a cross-bow the air and reached the lady's ears as
against the Royalist troops on the near- she gazed upon the struggling mass,
est side of the river. now all mingled and confused. Her
From that moment all was confusion, hands pressed tighter and tighter to-
to eyes unaccustomed to seek out and gether as she saw masterless horses
judge the events of a field of battle. break away from the line and gallop
Large bodies of men riding fast, were across the plain, and knew that some
6 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
one, as loved and dear to others as he
whom she loved best was to herself, had
CHAPTER II.

fallen beneath the chargers' feet in the IT was night dark night.' There
midst of that fierce conflict. were stars out but no moon, and across
"
They give way, mother, they give many parts of the sky long lines of dull
way," cried the little girl, touching the grey clouds were drawn, hiding the
" the
lady's arm, Roundheads are routed twinklers of the heavens. The clocks
See, they fly, they fly !" of Worcester had struck nine, and the
It was true. The temporary success dull vibration of the great bell was
!

of Middleton and the Duke of Hamilton sounding, as if with pulses, through the
for an instant promised to change the heavy feverish air. The scene around
fate of the day. Cromwell's cavalry the city lay wrapt up in shadows, while
did give way, the Royalists pursued the fugitives sped far away from the
fiercely and drove them back fighting, field of their defeat, and the pursuers
almost to the very ford. But at that with hot spur hurried after. The dead
moment a small group was seen to sep- in their last rest lay in the meadows
arate itself from the rear of the King's round three thousand as gallant gen-
soldiers, and the lady could distinguish tlemen as ever drew a sword. The
two or three troopers supporting a gen- wounded untended shared the couch of
tleman upon his horse. " That looks the dead, and lost part of their own
like the Duke," she murmured "
; No, sufferings in the sense of their royal
it must be Middleton." master's disaster. Here and there was
Another group detached itself, but a light upon the field, sometimes seen
these were on foot dismounted soldiers wandering about, sometimes stationary ;

bearing a dead or wounded man in their and the low creaking of rude cart-
arms. Then the uncertain tide of bat- wheels could be heard seeking for the
tle turned. The Parliamentary forces less dangerously wounded, or for those
rallied, charged again, the Royalists prisoners who had not yet been taken
were beaten back over the ground they into the town of Worcester.
had just traversed, broken, scattered, Near a low wood, broken and irreg-
and flying hither and thither in parties ular in its external form, stood two or
of ten and twelve. three Parliamentary musketeers, with a
The lady clasped the child's hand in group of some seven or eight prisoners,
her own tight, very tight; and the lit- disarmed and tied.
A torch was stuck
tle girl wept. They turned their eyes into a hole in the ground, casting its red
to the part of the field immediately be- unwholesome glare around, over the
low them. A terrible change had come rough stern features of Cromwell's sol-
over the scene. The Royalist forces diers, and the sad countenances of the
were not to be discovered unless, in- captives, and the green branches of the
deed, the fragments might be distin- trees, and the turf dabbled with blood,
guished in those small bodies of horse and the corpses of five or six gallant
that were seen galloping away over the companions fallen for the spot was one
;

distant fields. The troops of the Par- where a fierce and last effort at resist-
liament were at the gates of Worcester. ance had been made.
Pardon, my lady, but it is time for
**
The armed soldiers were standing,
you to go," said an old servant, ap- resting on their guns the captives were
;

proaching from the other window "the generally seated, though some who had
;

day is lost. You had better betake received wounds were stretched out
yourself to Pershore, as my lord di- upon the grass. Few of them spoke,
rected. The horses are all ready." but one man, a Scotchman, in the garb
The lady raised her eyes to heaven of a Royalist foot-soldier, who was upon
for an instant, and seemed to ask his feet, nearest to the musketeers, seem-
"
strength from above. No," she said, ed anxious to ascertain the fate reserved
" we will hide in the
at length, wood, for them. He had put several questions
Isaac. I will not quit this ground till I without receiving an answer; but, at
know his fate. Come, Kate, we may length, one of the men, seemingly irri-
help your dear father yet. God give us tated by his pertinacity, replied in a
courage and success !" loud harsh tone, " If you want to know
what is to become of you, Scot, I wiH
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
tell you, though methinks you would The soldier gazed at her for an in-
learn soon enough : you are to be sold stant, as the light of the torch, some-
for slaves into the plantations." ,vhat softened by the distance, fell upon
The poor Scotchman hung his head, ler fair countenance and her rich dress;
and sat down dejected by his fellows. and he shook his head with a look not
"
At the same moment a heavy cart came altogether unfeeling, replying, Ah,
grating along towards them, and one of Door child your father is not
! here ;

"
the soldiers said, Come, get up, get we have none of your gay gallanta
up ;
here is
your conveyance." amongst us ; your ruffling cavaliers and
The cart had not yet indeed become dashing lords have all been taken into
visible, but the next instant the faint the town ; we have got none but the
outline thereof was descried wending poor foot-soldiers, who have been led
slowly forward, and there seemed two ike sheep to the slaughter by
thoso
or three people with it. The soldiers, as who should know better."
" But I am sure he is
they looked forward, thought they per- here, living or
ceived a woman's garments, and in about dead," said the little girl in reply;
a minute after, they saw a child also. one of our servants saw him here just
That sight was seen by another like- after the battle, and he told me where
wise, and it told to a heart
oppressed to find him; pray let me look for him
with grief and despair, the sweet con- by the torch ;" and she
light of the ,

soling tale of love and devotion true to clasped her fair small hands togeth-
the last. He raised himself a little from er with the gesture of earnest entrea-
the grass, and the light of the torch fell ty-
more strongly than before upon his fine " I am am
here, my child, I here, my
form and noble countenance. The ex- Kate," cried a voice ; for, although it

pression was still the same, and any was ruin to all his plans,
the captive
close observer could not have doubted could resist no longer; and the child
that there was a man of noble lineage, darted forward unopposed, for the
and of gentle breeding, although his soldiers had not the heart to restrain
gay and plumed hat was cast away, and her under the impulse of filial affection.
the coat that he now wore was that of a The poor captive tried to rise from
common foot-soldier. the ground to press her to his heart as
Slowly the cart rolled on, but when it she sprang towards him but his hands ;

came nigh, though the child still ap-
peared, young, and fair, and graceful,
the woman's form was no longer seen
It seemed to have dissolved into thin
air, or as if the darkness had swallowed
it up, even as she came forward. So
were tied, and before he could effect
that purpose, the child had cast herself
upon his bosom with one arm round his
neck, covering his face with kisses.
The stern soldiers looked on much
moved but the captive was surprised
;

suddenly and completely did it disap- to find that while with her left arm she

pear, that one of the soldiers took two clung closely to him, the right sought
or three steps forward to meet the cart out the bonds upon his hands, and some-
bending his eyes fixedly upon the ob- thing cold, like steel, glided down his
scurity before him and when he
;
wrist. The next instant the cord was
reached the little group walking to- severed, and his hands were free and ;

gether at the horse's head, he de- the child's mouth pressed close to his
" Was there low but " There's
manded, sharply, not a ear, whispered, clear,
woman with you ?" a horse at the corner of the wood.
" "
No," replied the carter, there has Mount, father, and away!"
been no woman here, unless you call His brain seemed to turn giddy for
this babe a woman." a moment, and the pulsations of his
" And what does she want here 1" de- heart to stop. But the child unclasped
manded the stern voice of the soldier ;
her arm from his neck, and whispered
"this is no place for children, or women once more, " Away !"
either." It was the only chance for safety.
" I am father, sir," said The concealment he had hoped for was
seeking my
the sweet low voice of the little girl no longer possible. The bloody axfl
" I am sure
you will help mo to find which had struck so many of his noble
father." friends was the only fate before him
my ;
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
and, springing suddenly on his he end appearance, to a good-looking coun-
feet,
darted away into the gloom. try youth of two or three and twenty
As his tall figure disappeared, how- years of age, as they stood together
ever, the stern soldiers, with a fierce upon the green sward beneath an old
cry of indignation, raised their muskets castle wall.
to their shoulders, and fired in the di- Many a strong fortified house had
rection he had taken. A shrill scream been besieged and ruined by the can-
burst from the darkness, at the very non of one or the other of the contend-
ame instant that the sound of a horse's ing parties in the great civil war, but
hoofs at the full gallop reached the spot the dilapidation of this building dated
where they stood. from a period long anterior, and the ivy
" He is
down, he is down !" cried had grown thickly over even the frag-
ome of the men, rushing forward, ments which had fallen from the walls,
while two of their comrades remained marking that centuries had passed. Yet
with the prisoners. But they found no these walls were very thick and strong,
one, though they searched diligently arid one could not suppose, to look upon
around and still the quick beating of them, that the hand of time alone had
;

the horse's hoofs was heard, growing broken them as they now appeared. It
fainter and fainter in the distance. was evident, in short, that some of man's
When they returned to the spot where desolating devices had overthrown the
the captives were, they found the child ly- place of strength before its time when,
ing prone upon the ground, pale as mon- I know not perhaps during the con-
umental marble nor did she recover tentions of York and Lancaster; but
;

from the swoon into which she had fall- however, there it stood, a ruin. The
en, till the prisoners had been all placed most perfect part of the building was
in the cart, and the
party were about to the old gateway, with its two tall machi-
proceed upon their way. The soldiers colated towers, and guard-room over the
threatened and reproached ;
but they arch but yet, guard-room and towers
;

had not the heart to hurt her and one were both unroofed, and the wind whis-
;

of them, who was a father himself, took tled through the empty window- frames
her by the hand, and led her into Wor- thevoice of desolation callingto the drai.
cester. He said he must take her be- From either side of this gateway
fore the Lord General, but she besought stretched forth walls, with other tow-
and prayed him to let her seek shelter ers, surrounding perhaps an acre and a
in the house of an old servant, and when half of and the court within
ground ;

he left her at the door, he said to him- showed many a fragment of feudal
" If I
elf, should be ever in such a case, times in the crumbling masonry of the
may my child do as she has done." late keep, and the broken tracery of
the chapel windows. A seedling ash
" How the hours fleet Be tree had planted itself here and there
away !

they dull and heavy-footed, overbur- amongst the ruins, and three tall elms
dened with sorrow be they winged in a group stretched their wide branch-
with joy and mirth be they even-paced es over the well in the castle court.
and tranquil in the path of life, still they That well had once been covered by
go, they go ;
and when they are gone an arch of richly wrought stone-work ;

they diminish into a mere speck. Nine but some forty years before the period
years have passed away and it seems of which I speak, the mortar having
but a span and yet if I come to think, fallen out and some of the stones drop-
;

my hair, which is now white, was then ped into the water, which was the finest,
just turning grey, and my eyes, that are the clearest, and the best in the whole
dim now, were as clear as an eagle's. neighbourhood, the inhabitants of the
But come out of the way, lad, come out adjacent village, who loved the well
of the way. There's a stranger riding with a degree of almost superstitious
down the hill, and I have not liked the affection, cleared away the ruined frag-
sight of a stranger for many a long year." ments from around it, and left it nearly
Such were the words of an old man, as nature had formed it, with no cover-
dressed in a black coat, with a broad- ing but the branches of the three elma
ended handkerchief round his neck, and of which I have spoken.
bearing a respectable and even rever- The castle well was in fact a spring
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
of very beautiful water which issued as ever the eye fell upon and, whether ;

bountifully from the turf in the castle- in sunshine or in shade, under the blue
!

court. Old hands long gone had dug a sky or the cloud, there was something
little reservoir for the waters of this of homely peace and
spring about three feet deep, and of
the same width, with a length of about
four feet it might be five, but I never
measured it. The sides of this reser-
voir were lined with flat stones, to pre-
vent the earth from falling in and a
;
semi-circular piece cut out of the slab
at the west side, suffered the superfluous
water to flow away into a little conduit
underneath the castle wall, and so over
the side of the hill down to the stream
in the valley. From the distance of
more than a mile, people would come
to fill the pitcher at this well and, in-
;
deed, so limpid was the water, that
tranquillity about
it which had a tendency to soothe the
mind of the beholder, and call up im-
ages of a calmer and happier kind than
the heart was ordinarily conversant with
in those days of strife and faction.
The village had fared well, too, in
many respects. At some distance from
any of the channels through which the
tide of war had flowed, few of those
pertinacious heart-burnings had been
engendered in it which had sprung up
in most parts of England, from the
struggle of parties in the civil war. The
old clergyman of the place, it is true,
had been dispossessed and a Presby-
;

although at most times the smooth sur- terian minister occupied his place ; but
face reflected the leaves and branches good Doctor Aldover was a very meek,
of the trees above, yet through these peaceful, timid man, and he had made
transparent coloured images one could no struggle to retain what the powers
see the little pebbles at the bottom as were thought fit to take away from
that
distinctly as if no medium but thin air him, having been scared almost out of
had been interposed indeed, it only his senses by being apprehended as a
:

seemed to render them brighter, as if malignant, while on a visit to a neigh-

encasing them in polished crystal. All boring town, and examined by a party
around, the turf was short and thick of Parliamentary Commissioners.
;
He
and the elms and the well they shaded promised them on that occasion, with all
were so placed as to be clearly seen the sincerity of terror, to conform as
through the archway of the great gates, much as in him lay to their good will
by any one who was standing on the and pleasure, and, consequently, resign-
castle-green in front. ed his benefice, without a word, at the
I have been obliged to dwell upon very first summons. He had studied
these facts particularly ; for the reader medicine early, as a means of benefit-
must remark and remember them as ting his parishioners and now, as was
;

necessary to the due understanding of frequently the case with dispossessed

1

this tale. It may be also as well to
point out that the castle stood alone, on
what may be called the step of a hill,
occupying a position about half way up
the ascent, which was long but not steep.
This step was a flat piece of some twenty
or thirty acres and upon it, at the dis-
;
tance of three or four hundred yards
from the old castle, were built several
neat cottages. Below them again, on
both sides of the road, which, after
crossing the castle-green in its descent,
wound gently down to the bottom of the
valley, appeared the village, following
all the sinuosities of the path, and so
clergymen in their days, he studied the
healing art more deeply, for the purpose
of maintaining himself. He acquired
skill and reputation, too, and, at the
time I speak of, was the only physician
or surgeon in the place. It can not be
said that, though he bore his fate so
meekly, he looked at his Presbyterian-
rival at first with any great affection r
but it so happened that the minister,
though somewhat starch and caustic in-
his manner, was a good man and a kind,
at heart ;
and when he discovered all
the high qualities of his predecessor, he
felt half inclined to be sorry that he had

closely embowered in trees, that from been the means of depriving him of his
the old gates nothing could be perceived cure. He made sundry attempts to win
but a roof or a chimney here and there, the friendship of good old Dr. Aldover,
and the tower of the church rising up which, though shyly viewed at first, were
from below. rendered successful in the end by various
It was as pretty a rural scene, indeed, accidental circumstances which tended
10 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
to bring them together and now they
; ioii, and free grace. He met with no
would not urifrequently sit in the parlour and very little dissent from
imposition
of the one or the other, drinking a mod- lis doctrines, and he did not at all want
erate glass of good ale, and conversing o be disturbed in the exercise of func-
learnedly of this or of that, sometimes ions which worked so easily by Bap-
with much simple shrewdness, when the ;ists, Anabaptists, Independents, or Fifth
topic was one with which their studies Monarchy men.
had rendered them familiar, and some- Doctor Aldover had still greater ob-
times very nonsensically when they ven- ections to any interruptions of the qui-
tured upon ground of which they had jtutlc of the place and he it was, to say
;

no experience. the truth, who, standing before the cas-

Such was the state of the village on tle gate, with a youth, the son of one of
the day I speak of. lis
patients, was struck with so much
I know not whether the poet intend- terror at the sight of a
stranger, and hur-
ed it as the most perfect picture of hu- ried away so precipitately towards his
man felicity when he described a man own house in the village.
" the
as world forgetting, by the world In the mean time, the horseman whom
forgot," but certainly, dear reader, such lie had perceived coming down the hill,
is to many men, and to all men under descended
slowly; and it would appear
certain circumstances, a very blissful that his quiet pace was the effect, more
mode or condition of life. We all know of
curiosity in regard to the country,
that in this great world that we inhabit, than of apprehension for his 1

there are a great number of jealousies, knees, for he stopped altogether more
fears, animosities, hatreds, strifes, confu- than once, and seemed to gaze over the
sions, riots, massacres, crimes that men surrounding scene. He took no notice
in the world pick each other's pockets whatsoever of the two who turned away
of their purses, their snuff-boxes, their at his approach and, at length, he
;

handkerchiefs, their reputation, their reached the step in the hill which I have
honour, their peace and we all know,
; described, and drew in his rein In-fore
moreover, that there are certain times the castle gates. Whether it was tho
stormy times in the world, party times beauty of the scene that attracted him,
when the winds of faction blow high, or some personal interest in the spot, I
and the clouds of rancour gather over cannot tell; but, after looking mimd
the state, and men see in the fanciful him for a moment, he dismounted,
vapours, strange images of patriotism threw the heavy stirrups across th<
and freedom, and devotion and renown, die, and leading his horse under the
which after all turn out shapes formed shadow of the old walls at the northern
of mist, that change with every puff of angle, where the grass was luxuriant
prevailing gale; we all know, I say, but somewhat rank, he left him to feed,
that there are such times, and that then as if there was a perfect understanding
the devil is exceedingly busy in stirring between man and beast, as to their pil-
up the confused caldron of human pas- grimage together through this world.
sions and bringing hatred, malice, and Then, coming round to the western side
all uncharitableness to the surface. himself, on which the declining sun was
Surely, at such epochs as these, a man beginning to shine, he seated himself in
"
may well wish to live, the world for- the shadow of the arch-way, crossed his

getting, by the world forgot." But it is arms upon hia chest, and fell into a fit

not very often that he can find such a of meditation.

state in its completeness as might have Now, whether meditation always ends
been done time I speak of, in the in a conviction of its own inutility, and
at the

village that I have mentioned. The men, before it has gone on long, come
Presbyterian minister was at the height to the conclusion of one of the best of
of his ambition. There was nothing our mocking-bird poets, that
more for him to have or to desire. He "Thinking is nothing but a waste of thought.
had dispossessed an Episcopalian of his And nought is everything, and everything is
church and benefice, he had sat himself nought :"
down amongst a knot of his co-religion- or whether there be something of a re-
ists, to whom he could hold forth con- tro-active mesmerism in the very opera-

tinually upon predestination, and elec- tion of thinking, which sends the thinker
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 11

asleep, as potently as the communica- tle well,and gazing apparently towards

tion of his thoughts sometimes sends the setting sun. She was clothed alto-
others ;
certain it is that reveries,
espe- gether in white, and though the shadow
cially after a long ride, are very apt at of the trees fell over her, yet there was
least it is so with myself to end in a at that moment a sort of airy lustre upon
nap. The traveller, if one might judge her face and person, which spread, as it
by his dress, which was very dusty7 had seemed, through the atmosphere round
come that day somewhat more than a her, catching even upon the rugged
good morning's march and his medi- trunks of the elms and the leaves im-
;

tations, after having continued profound- mediately over her head, very much after
ly for about five minutes, concluded in the fashion of the glory round the fig-
the abandonment of all meditations. ures of saints in pictures of the second
His eyes closed, his head leaned back or third epoch of art. She was slight
against the angle of the masonry, and and small of stature but it seemed to
;

his hat pressed off, formed an indiffer- the dazzled and surprised eyes of the
ent pillow, while his dark brown hair traveller, that never in mortal form had
escaping from beneath, refuted without he beheld so much symmetry and grace.
words the famous tract upon " The un- He could hardly believe that he was
Joveliness of Lovelocks." awake and yet everything was clear
;

In short, he was a very handsome and palpable around him: the old cas-
young man, of some seven or eight and tle and its grey walls, and the green
twenty and the bright glossy curls of ivy, the yard, the chapel, the castle-
;

his long abundant hair, suited his face

green, the horse which had borne him
much better than the short crop of the so far. But still he almost fancied that
parliamentary soldier, or the sleek he was sleeping, for the being before
straight cut hair of the puritanical him, dressed in a fashion different from
preacher. that of the day, looked so much like the
He slept there undisturbed for nearly creature of some brilliant dream, that
half an hour and whether he dreamed he could hardly imagine it reality.
;
He
at all, or did not dream, whether his took a step or two towards her; and
slumbers were sweet and balmy, or was convinced that he was waking, by
troubled and restless, none knew so well seeing the reflection of the same figure
as his horse for the animal, after hav- in the limpid waters of the well nenr
;

ing cropped the grass for about a quar- which she stood. The next instant,
ter of an hour, came quietly up to his another sense was called upon to bear
master, and looked at him with a pen- testimony to the truth of what his eyes
sive seriousness, very edifying to behold, avouched, for a sweet and musical voice,
as if he were reasoning upon the quali- though somewhat melancholy in tone
ty of sleep, or wondering what the mis- withal, pronounced three times the
chief his master could be about. At word " Back !" But as he still advanced,
the end of the time I have mentioned, the figure retreated step by step before
however, the horse gave a sudden start, him, seeming to become thinner, lesa
and a stamp with his foot and the trav- substantial, more shadowy; first losing
;

eller springing on his feet, found the its peculiar radiance, then becoming
sun upon the very verge of the hori- dimmer in outline, and then being but
zon, pouring a 'rich stream of purple faintly seen, as it entered the dark shad-
light straight through the great gates ows cast by the old chapel, still keeping,
and over the green turf of the castle- however, its face towards him.
yard. He was one riot easily daunted, and
As was very natural with a horse, he exclaimed aloud, " Lady lady ! !

after having been ridden throughout a grant me one word of direction, for I
dusty day, the beast's nose was extended am not sure of my way." At the same
straight towards the well in the castle- moment he sprang across the old well,
yard and the young gentleman, turn- bending down his eyes for a single in-
;

ing his eyes in that direction likewise,
beheld, with a strange peculiar feeling
which he could not account for, a female
form of exquisite beauty and grace
standing on the opposite side of the lit-
stant tomake sure of his leap. When
he raised them again, the figure was
gone, and he stood gazing upon the
chapel like one bewildered.
In passing from the castle to the
12 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.

higher part of the village, there was a side of the table, seated on a settle, was
little lane between two trimmed hedge- the Presbyterian minister a thin, worn,
rows, with gardens on either side, filled ascetic-looking personage, of fifty-six or
not only with fruit-bearing trees, but fifty-seven years of age, whose somewhat
with several broad oaks and long-armed hard features and fallen cheeks gave an
beeches, and here a poplar towering up j
expression of sourness and implacability
and looking, in the shadowy evening, by to his countenance, except at those mo-
no means unlike a cypress. The edge ments when an accidental smile played
on the left ended in a neat paling, de- upon his lips, serving as a better inter-
fending from the encroachment of dogs preter to his heart.
and urchins a small strip of flower-gar- The good clerical doctor dismissed
den lying between the lane and a mod- the youth with an assurance that his
erate-sized house. As soon as you had father would do very well if he would
passed the house, you found yourself take the medicines ordered him. " You
upon a good wide piece of broken turf, see to it yourself, John Brownlow," he
" for I have a
flanking the sandy main road, and orna- said, great notion, my
mented with a row of elms and the eye
; man, that more of the potions go under
could range down the highway between the bed than into the mouth, and I'll call
houses and gardens and groups of trees upon him again to-morrow. I shall find
and broad patches of waste green, dot- out depend upon it."
ted with sundry geese gobbling the short " Then
you don't think he's bewitch-
grass, into the more populous part of ed, sir ?" said the young man, with a sly
the village, till, taking a gentle turn, its smile.
further course was lost, just when the " Bewitched1 befiddled !" exclaimed

church came in sight, with the wall of Doctor Aldover; "no such thing it's
the church-yard extending to the edge all nonsense get away with you."
of the road. The young man retired at his bidding ;

The house on the left of the lane I but the Rev. Gideon Samson .shook his
mean the house with the little strip of head with a grave and doubtful expres-
flower-garden was both neat and pic- sion of countenance, observing, " I hope,
turesque a combination not frequently my good and learned friend, your obser-
found. The lower story whether upon vation just now docs not extend to imply
the consideration that land was dear and a disbelief in the actual existen.
sky was cheap had been so constructed witches or in the apparition of the spirits
as to occupy considerably less space of the dead 1"
than the upper story, which projected '*
Nay, heaven forbid, reverend sir."
on every side nearly a foot and a half replied Doctor Aldover. " That witches
beyond the sub-structure, resting on have existed we know from the Bock of
massive beams, which were supported books; and that spirits have appeared
by the walls beneath. The roof was and do appear is rendered positively
thatched, but in the most perfect order certain by direct testimony which cannot
and repair, and the walls were nicely be gainsayed but whether these be
;

whitewashed, although an immense mere astral spirits, or really and truly

quantity of superfluous timber, forming the disembodied soul of a departed per-
a sort of curious pattern upon the front son, sometimes puzzles me sorely to de-
and sides, was still distinctly visible, termine."
" Astral
giving the whole building the appear- spirits !" exclaimed Mr. Gid-
ance of being covered with a damask eon Samson. " That is a mere fantastic
table-cloth. absurdity, Doctor Aldover, a mode of
Here lived good Doctor Aldover; explaining away facts which both Scrip
and towards the hour of sunset on the ture, common sense, and evidence re-
day I have mentioned, he was sitting, as quire us to believe. I suppose your
was not at all uncommon in those times, sceptical coxcombs would have it that
before his own door, with a table by his this fairy of the castle is an astral spirit
Bide, and a jug of ale upon it. forsooth but I will ever maintain that
;

Close to him, hat in hand, and ready it is purely and simply the reappearance
to depart, was the youth with whom we on this earth of a person long dead per-
have seen him speaking upon the green mitted, for some inscrutable purpose, to
before the old castle but upon the other revisit scenes once familiar. I suppose,
;
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 13

doctor, you do not think fit This reply seemed somewhat to

to disbelieve
in this apparition, at least, when it has soothe the worthy Presbyterian, who,
been seen by so many." as has been before explained, was not
" Heaven forbid that I should disbe-
by nature a harsh or unkind man,
lieve in the fairy,", answered Doctor Al- though, as is always the case with sects
dover meekly. " Have I not seen her claiming the utmost extent of free judg-
myself, which is better than all argu- ment, he
was somewhat intolerant of the
ment, my reverend friend I" opinions of others. His second reply,
" I don't know that," answered Mr. however, though couched in rather more
Samson, who was in a disputatious courteous terms than the first, was but
mood ;
there are some modes of argu- little more satisfactory to the stranger
'*
;

ment, Doctor Aldover, which are more for it only went to show him that there
convincing than even the evidence of our was but small chance of his obtaining
own senses." any accommodation in a place where,
A sly smile came upon the worthy
for some reason or another, he was de-
doctor's face, but the conversation was termined to remain.
cut short by the appearance of a third His face displayed the mortification
personage on the scene no other, in which he felt very clearly, and just as he
;

fact, than the young stranger, who had was turning away with an expression of

passed a portion of the evening in sleep- thanks for what little information he had
ing under the castle walls. He walked obtained,good Doctor Aldover, who
forward slowly and gravely in the twi- had been gazing at him with some in-
light, leading his horse by the bridle, as terest,but without speaking, came to
"
if, either weary with a long ride, or his relief,
saying, My dwelling is a
busy with deep meditations and, as he; very humble one, sir, but if you can
approached the spot where Doctor Al- content yourself with that, such accom-
dover and his companion were sitting, modation as it can afford is very much
he raised his eyes and looked at them at your service for the night."

steadily, and then, with a graceful salu- The young man's countenance bright-
tation, addressed the worthy physician, ened instantly; and after some faint

inquiring if he could direct him to an apologies for the trouble, et cetera, he

agreed to take up his abode with the
in n, or any place where he could obtain
" all that I
accommodation for his beast and him- doctor, saying, require, kind
self during the night. sir, is a hard bed, a crust of bread, and
" There are few inns or taverns in a
glass of water."
" Oh we can do better for you than
this neighbourhood, I thank God," said !

" we
Mr. Gideon Samson, taking the words that," replied the worthy old man ;
"
out of Dr. Aldover's mouth. " We have can give you
not here much to do with lewd travellers, The doctor did not conclude the sen-
and no habitual revellers of our own ;
tence as he had intended, for he stood
those are evils we are free from at least." in some awe of his Presbyterian friend,
The answer was certainly not civil, arid the catalogue of good things which
but yet the young stranger only heard he was about to enumerate being sus-
it with a smile.
" There
may be other pended on his lips,
" We
can give you,"
" "
he said, a cup of
travellers, my good sir," he said, be- as good ale as any in
sides those whom you designate by so 4he country, and a frugal supper it
harsh a name, and I trust I am one of may be of bread and cheese, or perhaps
them. There are travellers for business a rasher; and though my beds are not
as well as for pleasure and they needs
;
of down, yet they are soft enough to
must find some place of public enter- sleep upon, especially for a weary
tainment if they have no friends in the man."
part of the country where they may be. The invitation thus given and re-
Such is my case at present, and I shall ceived seemed the signal for worthy
think it somewhat hard, if with a weary Mr. Gideon Samson's departure; and
beast and tired limbs of my own, I am to say the truth, his going did not ap-
forced to journey many miles onward, pear at all unpleasant to Doctor Aldo-
because some people might make evil ver, whose face brightened at his de-
uses of an inn, were such a thing toler- parture. He let him be out of earshot,
ated in the village." however, before he made any comment,
14 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
talked to the stranger about stabling his rum was an evil spirit
in sugar, or that ;

horse, talked to himself as to what room except when he got too strong for a
he should lodge him in, and then, call- man. We will have a bowl of punch, I

ing loudly for a personage named declare, but with all moderation, for it
Joshua, declared repeatedly that he is
many a year since I took a ladle-full
was very happy indeed to have the with a a friend."
opportunity of showing his young guest By what free-masonry it was that he
some attention. discovered the stranger to be of the
The stranger received his civilities same party to which he himself had
calmly and gravely, waited with his formerly belonged whether by the
bridle in his hand till Joshua appeared long locks of curling hair, or by the
in a gardener's habit, and then, resign- cavalierish cut of his vest, or by the tie
ing the charge of his steed to him, of his cravat I cannot say, but certain
walked with his host into the house, it is, that
good Doctor Aldover felt a
and entered a little parlour, to which moral conviction that his guest had a
one descended by a single step. When great deal more of the Cavalier than
the door was closed, however, he too the Roundhead him and yet it was
in ;

began to smile and, taking the doctor's

;
a sort of timid, half-frightened assur-
hand as he welcomed him courteously, ance, which required some sort of con-
he said, " I rather imagine, my kind firmation from his own lips. Such,
friend, that your hospitality is shown to however, the stranger did not vouchsafe
one not altogether unknown to you, al- to give, but merely replied in a some-

though you have forgotten him. Time what thoughtful tone, " Punch is no bad
has changed you much too, but I can mixture, my reverend friend, \vhen both
not be mistaken in thinking that I am compounded and drank with due dis-
right in calling you Mr. Aldover."
cretion ;" and taking this admission as
" To be
sure, to be sure," answered confirmation of the judgment he had
" I will never formed, the
that clerical physician. worthy doctor hurried out
deny rny name; but in good sooth, to procure the ingredients for the fra-
young gentleman, yours I cannot tell grant bowl, while the stranger looked
;

and yet your face comes back upon my alter him for a moment with a slight
memory like a dream. I wish you smile, and then leaned his brow upon
would say where I have seen it." his hands, and closed his eyes with the
" It matters
not, my dear sir," replied air of a man exhausted by fatigue either
the " You saw
it of mind or body. The short .sleep
young gentleman.
last in terrible times, which were which he had obtained under the castle
it

safest both for to speak walls was all that his eyes had known
you and me not
of." for two whole days and nights, and he
Doctor Aldover looked all round the certainly still felt drowsy. He strug-
room with a timid glance, as if he ex- gled against it, however, for he was by
pected to see protruding from the wain- no means a sleepy-headed hero, and
scot the secret ears which walls are re- when he felt himself inclined to nod he
puted to have and he murmured in a looked up and gazed round the cham-
;

low voice, " Very true, very true it is ber, trying to find some object sufficient-
;

better not to talk of such things. They ly interesting to the eyes to keep them
are a severe and suspicious people from closing. The aspect of the whole
here, with very rank and hasty people place, however, was not very enliven-
amongst them. Lord love you my ing. It was a tolerable sized low-roof-
!

dear sir, a tavern is an abomination in ed room, panelled with dark oak, and
their eyes and because the boys and having on one side of it a range of pon-
;

girlsused to dance at the inn-door, they derous book-cases of the same mate-
called it a tabernacle for the devil, dis- rial, filled principally with large folios.
possessed the landlord, and shut up the There is a certain degree of sleepiness
house. I am very glad to see you, even in the very aspect of a great num-
nevertheless, and we will have we will ber of big books. They 'weigh upon
have a bowl of punch. There can be the imagination, and make the veiy
no harm in that surely. I never could mind feel drowsy by anticipation so ;

discover that there was any sin in a that side of the room would not do.
lemon, or the bitterness of malignancy He then looked to the other, but he was
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 15

almost worse off there. Each panel went down before him, he trampled upon
was surrounded by a wreath of carved them as he went on in the furious charge
flowers, each having been, to all appear- nothing could resist him, nothing stood
ance, cut out of the very piece of wood against him ; onward, onward he was
that formed the panel to which they hurried, as if some supernatural
power
were attached. They were by no gave him strength and command to smite
means badly executed, but yet there down every thing before him. The pike,
was a certain degree of stiffness about and the sword, and the musketoon, and
them, a drowsy immobility, which fell the flaming mouth of the artillery, had
oppressively upon the spirits; one would no fears for him victory was upon his
;

have given the world fo r a breath of air arm and triumph upon his brow, and he
It was worse still with
to stir them. thought but of success and conquest.
the different carved heads with which But yet he saw his fellows fall around
the room was thickly ornamented. him the fiery shot told amongst their
;

They all looked not alone as if they ranks, the keen sabre hewed them down,
were going to sleep, but as if they were they became thinner and more thin, till
sound asleep already. A grim lion at length he was left alone in the midst
seemed to nod at him here a sleepy- of the fight, still conquering wherever
;

looking cherub hung over another cor- he came, still seeing nothing stand be-
ner, as if its eyes, according to the boys' fore him. Onward, onward, through
phrase, were drawing straws and the the hoslile ranks he dashed, leaving a
;

devil himself, who was perched up in wide space cleft like a pathway through
the centre of the cornice with a fiddle in the heart of battalions bristling with
his hand, was the very picture of Mor- arms. Onward, onward, from the front
pheus. to the very rear, past their artillery,
As the stranger gazed the objects be- through their tents, till riot even a strag-
came indistinct; and leaning his head gler appeared before him. Then he
upon his hand, he gave himself up to strove to draw in his I'ein that he might
the influence, rousing himself only twice, turn again to the fight, but it was in vain
and at length bowed his head to his he did so. The horse's jaws seemed of
fate, and adding his other hand to sup- iron and, impelled by a power no hu-
;

port his brow likewise, enjoyed a few man strength could overcome or guide,
moments of perfect oblivion. forward he went at the same headlong
Oh where do its waters flow ] In pace, through the standing corn, over
!

what happy land, where the past is for- the fallow field, across the brown moor,
gotten, and the future all unknown ? and the high hill down into the valley,
Thirst for what he may in life, man through the marsh and the deep stream.
will often desire no other beverage so The forest impeded him not, the very
much as for a few drops from that dark rocks seemed to give way before him ;
tream, his breath was as free in rushing up the
M The mountain as in galloping across the
goddess dipped her mortal son in Styx,
A mortal mother would on Lethe fix." and miles, and miles, and miles,
plain ;

Sleep, however, is not always obliv- were left behind, as if the beast had
ion ;
and although, as I have said, the the wings of thought or hoofs of the
young wanderer enjoyed for a few mo- lightning.
ments that blissful immunity from rack- The day seemed to go down, thun-
ing thought, it lasted no longer. The der-clouds gathered upon the evening
vision came to renew the past, to paint sky the night came on ;.but still, in the
;

the future. He was in the saddle again, impervious darkness, forward rushed
but not as he had lately ridden. There the steed as fresh as the morning, as
were plumes in his hat, and steel upon unweary as the ever-wandering sun.
his breast, and weapons upon his side. The rider felt exhausted, fatigued his ;

He heard the clang of the trumpet, and limbs ached and lost their strength he ;

the word of command, and the clash of felt he could not sit his beast much
swords, and the rattle of the musketry, longer, when, in the faint grey light of
and the roar of the cannon. His horse the morning, he saw a wood and an old
seemed to bound beneath him, his hand abbey with its ruined arches and broken
to grasp the reins, his arm to wave the tracery, and there seemed thin and airy
bright and trenchant blade. The enemy figures on the walls and at the windows
16 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.

beckoning him with shadowy hands, as palatable. He permitted her to set them
if inviting him to enter. The reins down upon
the table, and make all thoa*
dropped from his hand, his head turnedarrangements upon which maid-
little

giddy, and he fell

upon the green sward, servants are so fond of spending more
at the foot of the trees, saying to himself, time than enough, without uttering a
**
Here shall I die ;" but suddenly a sweet word in reply to the worthy doctor's ob-
voice, the voice of a young girl, cried, servation; but when that was done, and
" the room once more clear, he laid his
Denzil, Denzil, rise up and listen !"
And, starting from his slumber, the hand upon his host's arm, saying, " My
wanderer found himself still sitting in dear sir, I was not talking to myself, and
Doctor Aldover's library. The twilight there is something that must be explain-
had faded away into night but yet it ed here. I was called by my name not
;

was not dark, for the moon had risen two minutes ago I answered, and re- ;

and was looking in at the window. He ceived a reply in return. All this in a
could see every object around him as place where 1 know no one am known
plainly as if it were day, but yet he to no one that I know of! Had it been
could not perceive whence that voice a man's voice, I might have understood
came. " It was in a dream," he thought it in
part at least but it was a woman'*
; ;

but the moment after he heard it again tongue, and the whole is incomprehen-
repeating, "Denzil, Denzil, wake up and sible."
" Pooh
listen." pooh !" said Doctor Aldover,
!

"Am I still dreaming?" he thought; " you have been dreaming, my good sir."
and, to assure himself that such was not "Dreaming I have been, certainly,"
the case, he rose from his seat, exclaim- replied the stranger " but this took
;
" Who is it that Where when had
ing, speaks 1
place I awakened from my
are you 1" dream."
" Near to "A change in the vision, that is all,"
you, yet far from you," re-
" where
plied the voice ; you can not answered the worthy clerical physician,
come to me yet, though in time you must who did not seem to like the subject al-
come." " it could be
together nothing else.
;

" What would

you, then 1" cried the When I looked at you half an hour
young man; "what would you with me ago, your hands were moving upon your
now V' face as if your thoughts were very busy,
" Come to the church at midnight," though sound asleep. Come, let us to
" and Here wo have
aid the voice, you shall hear." supper, my good friend.
"Why not now]" demandedthe got, I think, a young fowl boiled with
"
young man ;
not here ]"
why barley, and a leaf or two of taragon to
" Come alone to the church at mid-
give it good digestion, and there are
" and wait some slices of bacon boiled to give a
night," repeated the voice,
in the nave till you are called." relish to our punch sit
you down, my
;

" Who bids me do so 1" demanded

the traveller.
But before any answer could be given,
the door of the library opened, and good
Doctor Aldover himself appeared with
good sir nay, take an arm-chair."
The stranger did according to th
bidding of his entertainer, and Doctor
Aldover helped him liberally to the dish
before him but the young man's appe-
;

a light in his hand. tite seemed to fail, for ere he had eaten
" more than two or three mouthfuls, he
Why you are talking to" yourself,
my young friend," he said. Yet, after laid down his knife and fell into a deep
so quiet a sleep as you have had for the fit of thought.
" Mr.
last half hour, I should have thought you Aldover," he said, after this
might have chosen some other collocu- had continued for a minute or two, '
I
tor." cannot rest satisfied with this mysfeiy.
The young gentleman put his hand to I assure you I was awake, broad awake,
hisbrow and remained silent for a mo- and I received an injunction from the
ment or two, while a neat maid-servant voice that spoke to me, to go down to
brought into the room a large bowl of the church at midnight."
" Indeed !" exclaimed Doctor Aldo-
unch, together with several plates and
ishes loaded, if one might judge by the ver with a look of some surprise; "do
odour, with contents by no means un- you intend to go]"
 THE LAST O* T.IE FAI.CIES. 17
" I must have some further with or to follow her?" asked the stran-
insight
into the case before I determine, replied ger.
" Oh
the guest " and as this occurrence has
; yes!" answered Doctor Aldover;
" one
taken place in your house, I cannot help young fellow half drunk vowed he
thinking you can give me an explanation would have a dance with the fairy, and
if you will." went up to the castle for that purpose.
*'
Have you seen any one since your The fairy seemed not inclined to disap-
arrival whom you know 7" asked Doc- point him, for according to his story, he
" I mean before
tor Aldover ; you reach- saw her by the well within three min-
ed ray garden gate ; for it seems you do utes after he was there, and followed
know me." her across the great court, and suddenly
" No " I met he received a buffet from an unseea
one," replied his visitor ;
no one of any kind, except indeed one hand which laid him at full length upon

personage who puzzled me much,

a lady the grass."
in the castle-yard standing just on the The stranget smiled. " Somewhat
opposite side of the well. When I more substantial tn^n fairy favours usu-
sought to speak with her, she retreated ally are," he answered.
before me, and in the end seemed to " I see you arean unbeliever,"
Ay !

"
vanish away at least, I could discover replied Doctor Aldover. I, however,
no farther trace of her." believe what I nave seen, though you
" The
fairy of the castle well," said apparently doubt your own eyes, for
Doctor Aldover, in a low voice and in you admit that they were witnesses of
a very peculiar tone. " What was the this sight."
hourt" doubt not," answered the
"Nay, I
" Just as the sun was " I
setting," replied young gentleman ; only think it very
the young man. strange. I see no sufficient reason to
"
Ay, ay just the exact hour
! It is suppose either that there are not^many
!

very strange how rashly some people intermediate grades of beings between
judge. Now I hold this to be merely God and man, or that some of these be-
an astral spirit, but good Mr. Gideon ings may not become visible to us even
Samson and many of the inhabitants of on the earth. At the same time, my
this village maintain stoutly that it is dear sir, I entertain no dread of them ;
the spirit of some one dead permitted to for although every man has many sins
return for the purpose, doubtless, of to atone for, yet the atonement which
frightening their friends and relations." has been made is all-sufficient if we
The guest leaned his head upon his have but faith therein."
"
hand and thought, while Doctor Aldover Wisely and reasonably spoken," re-
" I feel the same.
proceeded to discuss very learnedly the plied Doctor Aldover.
difference between astral spirits and I acknowledge and entertain no appre-
what he termed Hammethim, or the hensions whatever; but the people of
spirits of the dead, and when
his worthy the place have very different feelings, so
entertainer paused for a moment he en- much so, that you find it very difficult to
"
quired, Pray, when did this spirit or persuade any of them to visit the church
fairy first
appear V or the castle either after night-fall."
" It some years ago now," answer- " I am determined to do the
is former,"
" " and must
ed Doctor Aldover, in the worst times replied the doctor's guest,
of a bad age. When
the thing was
first use your interest with the sexton to get
talked of, we thought it but the melan- the keys, which I suppose as rector you
cholic superstitions of the old women of can command at any time."
" Alas i
the place, for it was good Dame Debo- my young friend, I am rector
rah Higgins who first saw the appari- no more," replied the doctor; "I was
tion as she went to draw water at the dispossessed just after the battle of Wor-
well, just as the sun was setting, and cester. Nevertheless, I can get you the
left her pitcher there and came away in keys easily, for they are in the hands of
a gr^at fright. But several have seen one who is under some obligations to
the fairy, as they call her, since, and me, and I will walk down with you to
all their doubts have vanished in the his house, though k be somewhat far

place." off, and I am not fond of the evening

" Has
any effort been made to speak air. Let us finish our bowl first, how-
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
ever, for you will need all the courage belonged aped some of the usages of
that a stout heart and a good strong cup gentility and separated by a thick par-
can supply, to walk amidst those old tition that which to him was drawing-
aisles and ghostly-looking monuments at room, dining-room, and library, from the

midnight. There are strange stories offices, although round the latter there
about that church, and true ones I be- ran a sort of trellised portico, which we,
lieve." in the present day, should call verandah.
"
Pray, let me hear some of them," In on the same night
this parlour,
Baid his guest but Doctor Aldover said,
; during which, for the first time in,
"No, no, I never repeat them, though eight or nine years, Doctor Aldover con-
my good successor in the ministry is not sumed a bowl of punch with a guest,
a little fond of spreading them abroad, were seated two .persons of very differ-
tillthere is scarcely a child in the village ent age and appearance. We
will take
that does not go to bed with his knees the one in the arm-chair first. He was
shaking, or a girl that will open her a man of some sixty-eight years of age,
eyes for a moment after her candle is but looking a good deal more heavy,
out. Here, let me fill
your glass." stout, and venerable, but with a dull
The young man took his full share of sort of look, as if intellect, though not
the stout beverage very readily, and the altogether gone, were a little drowsy.
doctor remarked, not without some sat- His face was reddish about the nose
isfaction, that he looked grave and and on the cheeks, but rather pale in
thoughtful during the rest of the time the intervening spaces and his black
;

they remained in the house. Whether eye, though not so sparking as it once had
he really entertained any apprehensions been, had a good deal of sharp cunning
or not, however, he steadily maintained in it, perhaps natural, perhaps acquired
his resolution, and in half an hour set by long dealing with the world, that
out with his worthy host in search of the great whetstone of the faculties.
keys of the church. On the broad capacious hearth, al-
There was a nice cottage in thr
little though was summer time that is to
it

green lane that turned off from the high-
road, about a hundred yards before you
came to the castle green. The lane plough-
ed the side of the hill as with a deep furrow
and descended rapidly, passed the cot-
tage itself and a farm-house on the other
hand, and then took a considerable circuit
to reach the bank of the stream and the
lower end of the village, which it accom-
plished by four or five little paths stretch-
say, the later summer when evenings
get somewhat cold were two or three
lighted logs of wood, and over them the
old man bent in his arm-chair with his
hands outspread, as if the warm flame
cheered the icy blood of age.
Before I go farther, however, as I have
talked of a parlour and an arm-chair, and
a verandah, let me first explain what
room, what sort of chair, what
sort of

ing out like the fingers of an open hand. sort of verandah it is that I mean. Well
This lane avoided all the turnings and then, dearly beloved reader, the parlour
windings which were taken by the high- was floored with brick it was low in ;

road, for instead of circling round any the ceiling; and a great number of
obstruction which might come in its way beams, protruding far beyond the rest
of the plasterer's work overhead, af-
in the shape of a rise or fall in the ground,
it went straight over them all. The little forded convenient positions for driving
cottage I have spoken of was about half- in a nail or a screw to support a num-
way between the castle and the stream, ber of small articles and some large
a neat, tidy, though lowly building, con- ones, such as hams, sides of bacon, a
taining within itself more accommoda- powder-flask, a pouch or two of shot,
tion than the externals promised and besides several of these things for which
;

though it was somewhat lonely, yet in we acquire an affectionate regard in

the clear summer days it had a pleasant passing from youth to age things which
view both of the church and the castle, are as if they were friends to us, from
and a part of the village, and in the our long familiarity with them. The
winter a better view still, because the arm-chair, indeed, derived its name from
leaves were then oft* the trees. In the having two wooden arms, one on either
front towards the lane was a very neat side but if examined closely, it was
;

parlour for the personage to whom it found to be nothing more than a settle
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. Id

with appendages. The verandah was retire to rest. The domestic labors of
a sort of little rustic portico with a trel- John Brownlow being thus concluded,
lis-work of rough branches, which in he took down his tall, plain, steeple-
the summer evenings afforded shade to crowned hat from a peg on which it
the old man when he thought fit to sit out hung; and, approaching a door which
and drink his glass of ale in the free air. opened from the side of the room with-
The other tenant of the room, stand- in a few feet of the fire-place, said, in a
ing behind the first, with a yard or two low voice, " Alice, Alice, I am going
between them, and phial arid a cup in out for a while."
his hand, was no other than the young No answer was returned, and, after
man we have twice seen with Doctor waiting for a moment, the young man
Aldover, a good-looking, stout, well- quietly mounted the stairs and tapped
formed peasant youth of about six or at a door above. Still all was silent,
seven and twenty years of age, with nut- and murmuring, " How provoking she !

brown curly hair, a good deal of hardy has gone out !" he returned, and seated
color, a bright clear eye, and a look of himself in the parlour, and leaned his
shrewd and merry intelligence. He head upon his hand.
was in the present instance in the act of "Heaven knows when she will be
persuading his father to take the medi- back now," he said, in a murmur to him-
cine ordered for him by Doctor Aldo- self; " and Jane will be gone to bed
rer but the old man resisted stoutly.
; before I can get out. Then, all to-mor-
" " I'll take
No, John, no," he said row I shall have no time. Where can.
;

BO more of it. What's the use, John ? she be gone to now, I wonder; she knew
I'm bewitched, boy there's not a doubt I was anxious to go."
;

of it and I am sure old Martha Unwin

;
did it, because I took her chamber converse with himself, evidently not very
clock for rent."
"
Pooh, pooh, father," answered the
son, "you are not bewitched at all:
Doctor Aldover says so, and he is both
a divine and a physician, so he must
know. As to Martha, she is a very
good old woman, and would not hurt any
one for the whole world. She thought
He continued in this sort of vein to
well satisfied with the absence of the
person he called Alice, till, at the end
of about half an hour, some one knock-
ed hard at the door, and John Brown-
low exclaimed, sharply, " Come in."
Before the words were spoken, how-
Doctor Aldover and his young
ever,
companion were in the room and the ;

you bewitched for being so hard upon
her, but she never bewitched you."
" Then how came I to
bring two tin
tacks off my stomach ]" asked the old
man, as if that argument were conclu-
" with a respectful air, "he has been in
sive ; you saw it yourself."
" Because half a dozen of
you put
former at once began upon the business
which brought him, saying, " I want the
keys of the church, John. Has your
father gone to bed ]"
"
Yes, sir," answered the young man,
bed this half hour or more but if he
;

them between your teeth, when you were up, I don't think he has got the
were mending the old coffer," answered keys himself, for Alice always keeps
" I saw
his son ; that, too, myself; and them now, and she's out, I don't know
if six went in, only four came out of your where."
" Wherever she
mouth. Come, father, take the medi- is, she is in the right
make you quite well the " and she
cine; it will place," said Doctor Aldover,
good doctor says." won't be long, I dare say ; so we will
It required much persuasion, however, wait till she comes back, John."
before the medicine was taken, and it " I was
waiting for her, too, sir," said
tad certainly not been down three min- the young man ; " for Betty, the girl, has
mtes when old Roger Brownlow, as he gone to see her father at Crofton, and I
was called in the village, remarked, in a did n't like to go out and leave my old
discontented tone, " I'm no better, John." father in the house alone for fear any-
"If v->u you soon thing should happen, though I wanted
go to bed, father,
will b ,"
the end to go out for a while very much too;
replied his son ;
and at
of an argument of five or ten minutes but if you are going to stop, doctor, till
mov the old gentleman was persuaded Alice comes back, there will be no need
;

to iollow this piece of good advice and of my remaining."

20 THE LAST OF TH**, FAIRIES
" Ah Jane Unwin, Jane Unwin
! !" possible portion of the black, dark hair,
said Doctor Aldover.
" I know where bide or diminish the beauty of the face
you are going, just as well as if you told beneath. The young stranger, at least,
me, John ; and you are two silly young thought it the fairest face he had ever
people, for your father will never con- seen, and while Doctor Aldover advan-
I am quite sure of that. "
eont. Well, ced and took her hand, saying, Ah,
with it 'B no use trying Alice my dear cousin told
go along you; !
child, your
to make youth wise. Nature makes us us you were out, and we have been
fools,experience whips us into scholars, waiting your return. I thought you
and then death takes us just as we are could not be playing truant at this hour
getting the last lesson by heart. Go of night."
" I have but this moment
along with you, go along with you. I come back,
will stay till Alice comes." sir," answered Alice Brownlow, "and,
The young man was not slow in tak- thinking I heard some one speaking, I
ing advantage of the permission he came down to see who it was, or if
my
thus received, and without further cere- uncle wanted anything."
" He is
mony or excuses, he put on his hat again "
gone to bed," said Doctor
and walked out of the door which had Aldover, so John tells me but what ;

given admission to his two visitors.
" He 's a
good lad," said Doctor Al-
" he 's a
dover, as soon as he was gone ;
good lad as any in the parish, but his
father is a nasty old curmudgeon, whose
whole soul has been devoted to scraping
money together all his life. The young
man is in love too, like a fool, with a
pretty little penniless thing whom his
father will never consent to his marry-
ing; so the poor boy is in a perilous
way, as old Shakspere calls it. I know
not what will come of it, I am sure, and
we want, my dear child, are tho keys
of the church, which are in your fail-
possession, I find. This gentleman i&
Eroing to see if he can find a ghost or a
fairy."
" He must go upto the castle for the
fairy," said the beautiful girl, turning
her eyes upon the young stranger, who
then, for the first time, perceived that
those eyes were deep bluo; and, to say
the truth, he gazed into them so earnest-
ly, that the colour came a good deal into
her cheek as she proceeded " but I do
;

sometimes think it almost a sin to pro-
long the old man's life, for it is a plague
to himself and no good to any one. It
isnot my business, indeed, and God will
take him when he thinks fit."
There was a slight rustle as the old
not think he would find any fairy there
either. I have never seen one, at least/'
"Ah! you are a little sceptic," said
Doctor Aldover. " Do not let
your
friend, Gideon Samson, hear you, or
he will put you to penance for your in-

gentleman spoke, and turning sharply credulity."

round, as did also his young companion, The girl laughed, as ifshe did not
they saw, coming down the stairs, the much fear such a result, but merely re-
" I will
foot of which was visible through the plying, go and fetch the keys
door which John Brownlow had left directly," she ran the stairs
away up
open, the form of a young girl of seven- again, leaving one at least of the party
teen or eighteen years of age, which in wonder and admiration.
well deserved their attention, and that " She is
marvellously beautiful," he
of the reader also. It had all the light- said, as soon as be thought she was out
ness of youth, and those graces which, of earshot.
" And not less beautiful than
given by nature to a very early period good,"
of life, are but too frequently obliterated said Doctor Aldov^r; "but there is a
in the poorer classes of society by the; very cold heart unJhr that bright face
labours and the toils to which poverty is at least so say the youths of the vil-

exposed. In Alice Brownlow, however,
not one of those graces had been effaced,
and the perfect symmetry of every limb
Was only the more displayed by every
movement that she inade. Not even
the prim and unbecoming dress of the
day could in the least conceal it, nor the
the smallest
plain mob-cap, showing
lage, I know not with what truth. She
may be cold to love, but she is not cold
to charity, that I can vouch for; for she
goes about healing the wounds her uncle
makes, and they are a good many. That
old man was once the sexton here, and
he has somehow contrived to amass
sufficient wealth to make himself master
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 21

of half the cottages in the village ; but suspicions he might conceive. I must
here she conies again with her foot of even trust you, I suppose."
" Trust is
light. So here are the keys, my dear ; always best," said the fair
but you must tell us which is which, for girl beside him ; ** I have found it so,
there seems a score of them." and it will be so to the end. My cousin
Alice Brownlow smiled ; " I will go John will not be home for an hour or
with you and show you, sir," she said, more, but if the gentleman will then,
"if you like." come down, I will show him the way
"He is not going now," answered the to the church and open the doors for
good doctor, "but at an hour when even him. The way back he must find him-
you, Alice, would be afraid to go." self, I fear, for I cannot stay, and he
"
Oh, no !" replied the girl, I have can put the keys in the shed by the
'

no fears at any time." door."

"
What, at midnight ?" asked the "Farewell, then, for the present,"
stranger. said Doctor Aldover ; and thus the con-
"
Oh yes or at any time/' she an- versation ended, with the exception of a
!

swered. " I do not know why people few words of very little interest to the
should be more afraid at midnight than reader, though of more to the young
any other hour, if they have good con- stranger.
" Has
sciences." your uncle let the two rooms
" Then if T' asked the good physician.
you will, you shall be my above " Not
guide," said the young gentleman some- yet," replied Alice.
what eagerly but Doctor Aldover " Nor ever
; will," said Doctor- Al-
looked a little grave, saying, " It is dover ; "he asks too much for them,
hardly fit, I think. What will your my dear."
uncle say, Alice V The young stranger thought that he
"
Nothing," replied the girl, looking should very much like to .make the
up with" a frank smile in Doctor Aldover's worthy doctor's words prove false. It
face. He leaves me to do as I please was a rash, bold fancy that he took to
in all things, and he knows I do not use hire those two rooms, and he revolved
my liberty amiss. Do you think I do, the subject in his mind all the way
kind Doctor Aldover 1" back, not forgetting, however, to re-
" Heaven forbid !" exclaimed
the old mark every turning of the road, that
man ; " but this gentleman is nearly a he might find his way to the cottage
stranger to me, Alice. I beg your par- again at the appointed time.
don, sir," he continued, turning to the
"
stranger, but I look upon this dear The moon's short-lived reign was
girl almost as my own child." over, and the night was dark. There
" She is
perfectly safe with me," re- were many stars indeed in the zenith,
plied the stranger, warmly ; "I trust twinkling bright and clear, but round
the day will never come when the the horizon on every side there were
very thought of injuring or insulting heavy mists, not exactly amounting to
one like her could even enter into my clouds, but which shut out all the lesser
mind." lights of heaven. There were many
" I am
quite certain of it," said Alice trees over the road too, so that it was
Brownlow ; " I never met with insult only now and then that Orion or the
from any one yet, and I do not think Bear could be seen ; and the stranger
this gentleman would be the first. and Alice Brownlow walked on almost
" Not The whole world was
for aught on earth," he an- in darkness.
swered " but as your kind friend here silent around, except when from a
;

is still afraid, I see, though it may be a great distance the baying of a

dog was
trespass on his time, why should he not heard through the clear stillness of the
come with us 1" night. There was a strong odour in
" That
must not be, I am afraid," re- the air too, as if the flowers were giving
"
plied Doctor Aldover. My good friend out their perfume more liberally to the
Gideon is somewhat jealous, and were cool night air than to the warm and
he to hear that I, his dispossessed pre- eager day; but yet there was a kind
decessor, were visiting the church at of faint sensation crept over the frame
midnight, there is no knowing what under the overpowering sweetness
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
which seemed to breathe from the thoughts seemed to oppress him. He
flowers and shrubs, a languor tend- asked himself if he were going to turn
ing to fanciful imaginings, to which the coward and be afraid and, certainly, a
;

absence of all sight and sound con- degree of awe, such as he had never
tributed also. felt before, crept over him, and he felt
The stranger felt it gain upon him cold and chilled. He thought conversa-
;

the stories he had heard told and well tion might dissipate such sensations, and
"
authenticated came back to his mind ; breaking the long silence, he said, You
and many a curious question suggested are sceptical about ghosts and spirits, I
itself as he walked on. To say that he find. Do you not believe in the exist-
was superstitious would not be correct, ence of such beings at all ?"
for in regard to beings beyond or above
"
Certainly I do," replied the girl,
the earth, he believed rather less than with her sweet plaintive voice " it is a
;

more than the great majority of people belief cherish and am fond of. I not
I
in his day; but yet he could not hi-Ip only know that they exist, but I know

feeling that, in reasoning analogically, that they appear but that is very differ-
;

there was every cause for believing, first, ent from fearing them."
" Then have
that the interval between the All-creat- you ever seen one 1"
ing Spirit and the first of corporeal asked the stranger.
" "
creatures was not an unfilled gap that Nay," she said, I did not come to
the upper world, if I may so term it, tell you ghost stories. You will see
was tenanted, like the inferior world in enough, perhaps, to-night to convince
which we dwell, by innumerable class- you, if you doubt or misbelieve ; for
es, infinite gradations of spiritual beings; many of the hard and incredulous have
rnd he then asked himself, " Is it to be learned, in the very church-yard to which
supposed that an impassable bar is placed we are going, to know that there are
against all communion between the pure- other things worthy of men's thoughts
ly spiritual and the next link in the great besides the mere seeking after gain, the
chain of creation ?" strife of ambition, or the empty toys
Reason instantly answered, "No;" with which grown children amuso the
and, whether he looked to the evidence busy infancy of this life."
of Scripture, or history, or the testimony "You are a strange being," said the
of living men, he found an infinity of stranger, " and seem to have busied
recorded facts to bear out the conclusion yourself with things very different from
that communications of various kinds those which usually occupy girls of your
could and did take place, between the age and station."
" I " Left an
free spirit, detached from all earthly have," she answered.
bonds, and the immortal essence prison- orphan at a very early age, my own
ed in the clay. He thought of all the thoughts have been my companions, and
bold and daring carelessness with which some old books, which, if they were
he regarded such subjects at ordinary more read, might render men and wo-
times, and again he asked himself, if it men wiser than they are. But yonder
was not the daily round of business, the is the church-yard. Pray, remember, sir,
turmoil, and hurry of the strife of life, that those who are good have nought to
the worldliness of our whole existence, fear from either worse or better spirits.
that withdrew us from a sense, a con- A free conscience and a bold heart
sciousness, a conviction that we were need dread nothing on this earth or be-
ever in the presence of multitudes of yond it."
fellow-spirits unseen, unknown, but who She spoke in a low and solemn tone,
might, if we wore less absorbed in the and certainly her words <Jid serve to
dull things of earth, manifest themselves cheer, though they seemed intended to
to us in some mode, to warn, to encour- encourage. The stranger looked for-
age, or to uphold "? ward on the path which they were fol-
Busied with these thoughts, he almost lowing; but the darkness was too pro-
forgot his fair companion for some time, found for him to see any thing but tho
as she walked on beside him, in her grey rounded forms of some large old trees,
dress, and with a black silk scarf shroud- with the dark tower of the church rising
ing her head, shadowy almost as his above them. In another minute he
imaginations. At length, however, his stood beneath the wooden sbedded
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
in the
portico of the church-yard, where, step retreating in the deep silence of
service of the Church of England, the the night, and then all was still again;
clergyman first meets the corpse and;
and he stood before the open door of the
he could see the low crumbling wall church alone. He felt a hesitation he
that surrounded the cemetery stretching asked himself if it were not folly to go
away far on either side. on at a summons so strangely given;
"It seems very extensive," he but something impelled him forward,
said,
in a low voice. and he stretched out his hand to push
"It had need," replied his guide, the door farther back. At that very
**
for there are many dead lie here the :instant there was a loud clang that
great and the humble side by side, the made him start, as with a slow, swing-
good and the bad, the oppressor and ing, wave-like sound the great clock
the oppressed, the young and the old began to strike the hour of midnight.
;

the dust mingling with the dust through He felt ashamed of his sensations,
far-back centuries; the spirits to their ashamed of having started and with a ;

several tasks as God shall appoint determined step he entered.

them." All was dark within, and he had to
As she spoke she unlocked the outer feel his way. The first thing his hand
gate, and led the way on as if so famil- touched was one of the small narrow
iar with the place that she could not pillars of a cluster-column, feeling cold
miss her way ;
but her companion as and death-like; and then came an iron
he followed stumbled more than once railing round a grave. That guided
over the little mounds of earth cast up him on some way but then putting
;

upon the breasts of the dead. They forth his right arm, he suddenly laid his
passed through the tall old trees which hand upon the icy fingers of a statue,
nearly encircled the church-yard, and and the first impulse was to draw back
then the young stranger could see dark as if he had touched a corpse. The
masses of the building itself through the stillness was overpowering, too ; it
dim faint air. It was a large and seemed more profound, more death-

heavy pile, with many a projecting but- like than without. In the free air,
tress, and many a tall narrow window, there had been a light rustle amongst
while high up in air rose the large the trees the very sigh of the night-
;

square tower, solemn and mysterious in wind had taken away from the solemni-
its look. ty of the silence. Here, everything was
" What is that V asked the traveller hushed and
9

mournfully quiet, not a

as they came near ; " there seems a breath of air moved through the gloomy
light there a faint small light." aisles, and there was a chilly sensation
"
Nothing but a glow-worm on a in the place, a close clinging coldness,
" the
grave," replied the girl ; image of that depressed the heart and filled the
fame after death ;" and she walked imagination with gloomy images. The
quietly on till she stood beneath the low grave and the worm, and the icy chill
projecting porch. It was evident that of death, and the everlasting silence,
the place and the hour had their im- and the slow corruption, presented
pression with her if not of fear, still of themselves involuntarily to the mind,
awe and with hasty hand she sought and he wondered if the disembodied
;

the key of the church in the large bunch spirit could be permitted to see, and
she carried, and applied it to the key- trace day by day the awful changes of
hole in the heavy door. that corporeal frame in the powers and
Before she turned it she asked al- beauty of which it perhaps once glori-
most in a whisper, " Is your heart still fied itself. His thoughts were very
strong." dark, and his heart heavy, as he reached
Yes," replied her companion; and the spot as the transept by which ho
11

she opened the door. entered joined the nave. He turned to

" Take caro how
you go," said the the right and to the left, endeavouring
" for the chancel is full of tombs to see the objects around, but at first
girl, ;

and remember to shut the doors after nothing was perceptible but the tall
you and lock them. I must now leave windows on either side, looking at him
you like dim strange-shaped eyes, as the lea*
For a moment he heard her light intense darkness without them gave
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
norne relief from the black obscurity of good deal, but he had no time to ques-
all the rest. The next moment, how- tion with himself, for the voice repeated
over, something white, of the size and from the other end of the church, Den- '

in the form of a human figure, seemed
to gleam upon him at the farther end of
the nave as he gazed towards it he
;
could see it more distinctly. It moved
riot,but remained without any apparent
zil, Denzil, follow, follow !" and with a
strong resolution, and a quick step, he
hurried on, guidpd by the voice. The
church had been stripped of many of
its monuments, the rich screen had been

change in ono spot ; and clasping the torn down between the choir and the
fingers of his left hand round the sheath nave, the seats of sculptured oak had
of his sword, he took a step or two to- lighted the fires of the Puritans, and all
wards it. The figure was now more was free and open from one end to the
defined, apparently that of a woman, other. But just beyond the northern
habited in a long white robe; but still wing of the transept, Denzil could see
it was
perfectly motionless and the ;
the spot from which the light seemed to
"
young stranger said in a low voice, I issue, still faint but stronger there than
am here what do you want with me 1" anywhere else and as he approached,
! ;

There was no answer, and with a it appeared to him to rise frt-m. the
hasty determination, advancing straight ground. step or two farther bhowed A
towards the object he beheld, he found him a large flat stone, like the covering
that it was a figure of white marble of a vault raised high, and the gleam
upon a low sepulchral monument. coming up from beneath and when he ;

" Can I have been the

sport of my reached the edge of the aperture, he
own fancy ?" the young man asked him- could perceive the first steps of a stone
self; "can I have been still dreaming stair-case, descending apparently into
as the good old man said when I thought
the vaults or the crypt of the church.
I heard this voice calling me ? no, no ; He hesitated for an instant as to whether
that is impossible !" and turning towards he should descend, but the voice again
the other end of the church, he repeated called him by name, and repeated "Fol-
" I am here who is it sent for low, follow !"
aloud, !

" I
me?" will," murmured the stranger to
There was a momentary silence, and himself, " whatever be the consequence;"
then came a low, sweet, beautiful strain and with a feeling of awe, for I will not
of music, solemn and sad, but exquis- venture to call it fear, he leaped down
and the young traveller to the top, or landing-place, of the small
itely touching ;
" I.
stood listening in silent delight. But stair-case, and began the descent.
yet there was something unearthly about shall soon see whence this light comes,"
it too. Now it seemed far off, now it he said ; but he was mistaken, for be
swelled nearer to the ear, now rose into found the faint rays still gleaming up,
the high treble, now sunk muttering casting a long shadow behind him as he
down in the bass. Suddenly it ceased, went down. Near the top the steps
and the same sweet tongue which had seemed new and fresh, at least compared
"
spoken to him before said, Denzil, with those below for although they were ;

Denzil, follow, follow!" somewhat stained and green as if no foot

" Where ?" asked the had trod them for many years, yet they
stranger.
" To the were sharp-cut and firmly set in tho
grave," said the voice.
4 *
To mine ]" demanded the young mortar. After the first ten or twelve,
man. however, they became rough, broken
"
To the grave of one who loved you and irregular, slippery with cold damp,
in boyhood," replied the voice again. and with many a foul insect crawling
41
Denzil, Denzil, follow, follow !" over them. large toad, bloated and A
**
I will," he replied ;
"show me
the swollen, crept slowly across almost un-
way." der the wanderer's feet, eyeing him in
The moment he spoke a faint light the unaccustomed light, with his large
gleamed through the church, and he brilliant eyes, as if wondering what he
could see dimly around him the gloomy did there ; and numerous bats hanging
aisles, and the tall columns, and the nu- together in clusters from the mildewed
merous tombs, with the sculptured me- walls, took flight at his approach, and
morials of the dead. His heart beat a skimmed away upon their filmy wings.
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 26

The descent was long, at least fifty groan and a scream. The light was be-
steps, turning upon a common centre, fore him still, and he could now see a
led him down, as if towards the very small pale bluish white flame moving
heart of the earth, and still the light re- onward at a distance, but could distin-
ceded before him, seeming as far off at guish no hand that bore it.
"
the bottom as the beginning of the de- Follow, Deuzil, follow !" said a voice
scent, till at length a small round arched which came sweetly, almost in a whis-
door appeared at the foot of the stair- per, along the passage, and the next in-
case, and he saw the faint rays, gleam- stant there was a sound like the baying
ing as before amidst innumerable low of a large dog, while another voice ex-
pillars and intersecting lines of mason- claimed, "Down, fiend, down!"
ry. At the same moment the voice said Silently the young man drew his sword
" out of the sheath, and paused for an in-
again, Follow, Denzil, follow !" but to
obey was somewhat difficult, for the stant, but immediately the voice he had
" Fear
ground was obstructed, not only by first heard said, not, Denzil, fol-
loose scattered stones and fragments of low nothing living has ever cowed you ;
!

falling masonry, but by the rolled up fear not the dead."

bones of the dead. Skulls with their "I fear not," answered the young
grinning white teeth, and wide staring, man, aloud ; but yet, if the truth must
eyeless sockets, lay upon the path, and be told, he felt cold and chill, and his
more than once he felt the bones of heart beat quicker than was its wont.
beings like himself cranch and crumble Onward, onward, he went for nearly a
under his tread as he marched along. quarter of a mile, the light still preced-
It made his blood run cold to think that ing him, casting a bright glare upon the
his steps were upon the ruined relics of yellow brown damp that hung about the
mortal men, and he strove to see where walls, and the drops of moisture that
he set his foot, but the light receding every here and there percolated through
fast, left him in a sort of semi-darkness, the stones of the vault overhead. At
while a hooting owl napped past him on length the passage seemed to open out,
its downy wings, and stirred the
damp- and he caught a faint sight of what
smelling air around. seemed a large octagonal chamber with
Smothering his repugnance, he strode something that looked at first view like an
on hastily, perplexed and bewildered by altar in the midst, and the moment after
the numerous arches and the low col- the light was suddenly extinguished, and
umns that supported them, and unable he stood in total darkness.
to perceive in what precise direction the "
Twenty steps farther," said die voice,
" then ask what
light was carried, while a low murmur- questions you will, and
ing sound, as if of a multitude of voices they shall be answered."
talking at a distance, met his ear, and a With his sword still in his hand, the
cool fresh air came and waved about young man strode on till nineteen steps
the curls around his brow. were measured, and as he took the
" This is indeed
strange," he thought, twentieth the blade of his weapon struck
" I know not whether I am
dreaming or against some hard substance, and pro-
awake. What can be the object of duced a ringing sound around him.
bringing me hither ! Yet it is vain to " have I been brought hither
Why V
think of retreating now," and on he he said aloud.
went till suddenly he came to what " To receive advice which
may lead
seemed the cold face of a rock, roughly you to fortune," answered a deep stern
hewn and fashioned, into what the old voice.
architects called rustic- work, with a small " I must know the
giver of the advice
narrow archway through which the light before I take it," said the young man ;
still streamed,
though it was partly ob- "yet let me hear it."
structed by a heavy stone door, left half "It is written down," replied the
open. The young stranger pushed it same tongue which had before spoken.
" Those who
back, using all his strength, but it rolled give it, know what you
easily on the pivot which supported it, know not, see what you see not, under-
and striking against the masonry which stand what you do not understand. They
lined the passage beyond, produced a are with you, but not of you they have ;

hollow sound and a sharp clang like a guided you, and will guide you, they
 1HE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
have watched over you from youth to tomb of her who guarded your youth,
manhood they would fain see that
;
and was a mother to you when your
manhood great and good, but your fate mother was laid in the grave. Then
must be of your own shaping, they can take up the paper, begone, and obey."
but help." The young man knelt by the tomb,
" Where shall I find this
writing ?" catching sight of one name inscribed
asked the young man. upon it as he did so, and bending his
" Will
you obey the words that you head, with the tears streaming from his
shall find written 1" demanded the voice. eyes, upon the cold gray stone, he pray-
"That will depend upon what they ed for an instant as fervently as he had
" I will do
are," was the answer. nought ever prayed in life. Then, rising, he
against my country, or the cause which stretched out his hand and took the pa-
I have always served." per, and the moment he had done so all
41
If you would free your country from was darkness.
a yoke more burdensome than that of Denzil Norman stood bewildered for
the bloodiest tyrant that ever ruled, if a moment or two beside the tomb, with
you would render triumphant the great his thoughts all troubled and his heart
cause in which you have fought and beating fast.
" Stretch forth
bled if you would raise yourself high your hand," said the
in honour, and merit gratitude and re- deeper voice of the two which he had
nown, you will follow the advice given, heard, and without reply he obeyed.
unquestioning and unhesitating." The moment he did so, his fingers were
" If I understand
you right," answer- clasped tight in the grasp of another
ed the young man, " I will do so but hand but it was not a hand of flesh and
; ;

tell me who and what you aro I would blood.

;
The hardest-working artisan in
fain see you face to face." all the world never had a hand like
" Him 1

you cannot see,' said the that cold as that of the dead, and hard
sweeter voice which he had first heard. and stiff as adamant. He would have
" Denzil
Norman, ask not what is not withdrawn his fingers from those that
clutched them, but he could not; and
permitted." "
" But
you, you," said the young man the voice said, Follow, follow !"
" I have already On he as the cold hand guided,
eagerly ; you, I think, went,
seen; show yourself now." slowly and silently for though the
;

" So be
it," replied the voice, and in- young gentleman spoke twice, he re-

stantly a light shone through the old

ceived no answer. The way seemed
interminable in the darkness and the
place, again displaying the octagon stone
chamber, with its vaulted roof, and silence, and there was an oppressive
niches as if for statues, all around. Ex- feeling in the air which showed him
actly in the centre was a plain stone
that he was still in the vault. At length,
tomb with an inscription on the slab of however, a gust of fresh night wind
free-stone on the top, and over it were came upon the young man's check, and
scattered a profusion of fresh flowers, in the moment after he perceived a low
the midst of which lay a small roll of door open before him, with the faint
external light just marking it out in the
paper. One object, however, attracted
the whole of the young man's attention. darkness. He turned quickly in the
One of the large niches, some five or hope of seeing who was his guide, but
six feet from the ground, seemed open at the same moment the hand relaxed
like a Gothic arch, and filled with light, its grasp, and the voice said, "For-
in the midst of which stood the same ward!"
beautiful figure he had beheld by the Three steps more brought him upon
castle well, clothed as before entirely inthe green grass of the church-yard, and
|

white from head to foot, with long rich the instant he had passed through the
!

curls of glossy, light brown hair, fallingarchway the door banged to with a
!

over her neck, and breast, and shoulders. loud clang, which made the whole of
i

He paused in deep silence and amaze- the old building echo with the sound.
!

ment, and then, stretching out his hands At day-break Denzil Norman sat in
towards the figure, he was about to his room at Doctor Aldover's alone with
j

speak, when the sweet voice said, the dove-coloured light of dawn stream-
I

through the window, and

**
Pray for an instant by the side of the ing
]
in falli
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 27

upon a table before him, on which was
stretched a scroll covered with charac-
ters written in very black ink. The pa-
per was yellow as if with age, and part of
the writing, at least, was in a tongue or
a cypher which the eyes that looked
upon it were unacquainted with. A him as to what he had seen, in a tone
few lines at the top and at the bottom
of the page were in the ordinary En-
glish hand and language, though there
was something cramped and stiff in the
formation of the letters, which gave
them a strange and antique look. The
young gentleman gazed on the paper
with a thoughtful air, and repeated in a
low voice, u Stay here a week, and then
Doctor Aldover himself, no longer un-
der the exhilarating influence of a good
glass of punch, had been exceedingly
shy of the subject. Not so Alice Brown-
low, however, for she not only spoke
freely of his expedition, but questioned
so light and gay as to form a strange
contrast with her demeanour on the pre-
ceding night.
Denzil Norman found it somewhat
difficult to parry her quick inquiries,
and only succeeded in doing so by as-
suming the same tone himself. A little
gallantry certainly mingled in his man-
ner too, whether he would or not for ;

journey as a messenger to the north ! he thought her even more beautiful by

Well, it matters not where I stay or daylight than he had done on the pre-
or whither I go. In all places there ceding evening, and the sparkling grace
are dangers ;
in all places there is a of her whole manner, in this more
Providence. I will obey these strange cheerful mood, seemed to render her
more engaging. " I
commands but where can I find lodg-
; only the think,"
ing in this place without an inn ] I he said, " that you the
I shall call fairy
cannot trespass longer on the hospitality of the cottage, as we have got a
fairy
of this good old man." of the castle on the hill above."
He then remembered the conversa- "I wish I were a fairy," said the girl
tion between Doctor Aldover and Alice with a sigh " I could do many things
;

Brownlow, just before they parted, re- then, that I cannot do now."
garding the rooms her uncle had to let, As may be supposed, Denzil Nor-
and his resolution was soon taken. Ere man did not let slip the occasion of in-
mid-day he was installed the tenant of quiring howshe would exercise her
Roger Browiilow's lodgings and the
; fairy powers she possessed them ; and
if
old man acknowledged, with the sim- she answered, " In healing wounds, in
plicity which not unfrequently accom- making the good and the wise happy,
panies a single passion, especially that when an adverse fortune dooms them
of avarice, that he did not know which too frequently in this life to sorrow and
had done him most good the having disappointment."
let his rooms, or Doctor Aldover's last "Nay," replied the young man, "that,
dose. according to the old legends, is more
Alice, who was present, smiled gaily, the function of one of the nine orders
and the good doctor laughed, saying, of angels than of an inferior being like
" The But have you no one in par-
money, Roger the money that
; ! a fairy.
is your disease and medicine too. But you would benefit ?"
ticular
come, Roger, the young gentleman has "Oh, to be sure!" replied Alice
given you two gold twenty-shilling Brownlow, with a gay smile; "every
pieces, out of which you owe him ten ; one has somebody whom they would
go and get him a couple of fresh Olivers wish to serve."
oat of your coffer, or you may forget "And who would be this favoured one
that he has not had his change." with you ]" asked Denzil Norman, not
" I'll " It
go, I'll go," answered the old quite well satisfied with the reply.
man " but just let me have a word is perhaps a bold question to ask a fair
;

with you, doctor, before you go;" and lady like yourself."
away he walked, taking Doctor Aldo- The girl laughed. " How curious
ver with him. Left alone with his fair men are !" she said. " The lions are
guide of the night before, Denzil Nor- the painters, and they have represented
man took the opportunity of thanking women as all curiosity, while in truth it
her; for he had remarked that not only is man's peculiar vice but you shall ;

no word of his visit to the church in old not be disappointed, noble sir. Some
Roger Brovvalow's presence, but that day I will show you the person I would
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
wish to benefit, but it must be after lon- guest that his horse should be well
ger acquaintance." cared for at his stable, and that his sad-
The young gentleman, as may be dle-bags should be sent down immedi-
supposed, pressed hard for speedier ately.
knowledge, although, to say the truth, The rest of the day passed very pleas-
he had many doubts whether that antly to Denzil Norman ; for although
knowledge would be pleasing to him ;
wandered forth for a short time, yet,
for since the day when Adam ate of the as had been previously arranged, he re-
fruit of the forbidden tree, down to this urned to take a homely meal with the
present time, an insatiable thirst has "amily of his host, and sat long, to say
been upon the mortal lip for knowledge, sooth, in the parlour of the cottage, con-
knowledge, knowledge not only of versing with the fair Alice; while the
good but of evil it is knowledge that
;
old man nodded in his chair hard by,
we want, whether it be a curse or a and left his lodger and his niece to
blessing, and the devil has ever, as amuse themselves as best they might.
then, an excuse ready for our seek- Denzil found that that conversation was
ing it. not without its peril but there are some
;

"I would men fond of standing on the brink of a

know," said the young
fain
man to himself, "whether her heart is
given to any one, and to whom. I feel
she might be a dangerous companion in
this secluded place, and if I find her
love has been won, I shall be sufficient-
ly armed against the peril. It is strange
that I, who have moved amid the bright-
est and the fairest, in courts and cities
throughout one half of Europe, should
never see one who seemed to me so fair
and bright as the cottage girl but it is
nonsense thinking of such things Denzil
Norman in love with the niece of Roger
Brownlow That is out of the ques-
!
precipice, and though he felt a little
Bpddy, yet he would not withdraw. It
might be asked, what they talked of?
but to be answered by another question,
what did they not talk of 1 for, although
he was evidently a high-bred cavalier,
and she a country girl, she led him to a
thousand themes, and through a thousand
courses of thought, which her mind
seemed to tread with ease when his had
;
almost lost its way. Sometimes it seem-
ed to him like the course of a butterfly,
sporting from flower to flower, and rest-
ing but a moment on each sometimes
;

tion. I would give a great deal to see like some through which
brilliant dance,
her lover, and I will, please Heaven the feet of imagination played sparkling-
some mere boor, I dare say ;" and he all wild and uncontrolled,
ly, seeming
continued to press her on the subject, and yet with a form and plan in every
till she answered, in the same
gay tone movement.
in which she had hitherto spoken, At length, however, she started up,
" " I must
Well, well, you shall be satisfied
sir, saying, away, I have an errand
if you will take a walk forth with me to perform ;" and passing through the
this evening quietly and secretly, re- door which has been mentioned,
on the
member, inasmuch as my good uncle left of the fire-place, she ascended the
must not know anything of the matter stairs, as it seemed, to her own apart-
;
'
for thereby hangs a tale.'
"
ment. A moment or two after, howev-
The answer was not pleasant to him er, while Denzil was looking at the old
He almost wished that he had refrained. man, who was just rousing himself from
He fancied he caught a fluttering blush his slumber, he saw a wimple and hood
upon her cheek that he detected a pass the window of the cottage and ;

slight embarrassment in her manner, taking his hat,

he issued forth and look-
gay and cheerful as it was and yet he ed for the fair wearer. She was no-
;

was determined to carry the inquiry to where to be seen, however; but that
the end, for, let sceptics say what they was not at all wonderful, for the mani-
will, uncertainty is the most painfu" fold lanes and alleys, and their thick
state of life. hedge-rows, rendered it very easy to
" Give me some lose sight of any object of pursuit.
he said For
sign, then,"
but before he could finish, or Alice some time he wandered about in the
could reply, Doctor Aldover returnee hope of discovering which way sho had
with old Roger Brownlow, and soon taken and then giving up the chase, ;

after took his leave, promising his late bent his steps towards the castle, the
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.

grey towers of which he could perceive
rising high over the trees.
" I will think no more of this fair
" I
young creature," he said to himself;
have thought of her too much already ;"
and with a habit which he had acquired
in perilous times, and many painful cir-
cumstances, he strove to force his mind
away from the thoughts that would en-
gross it, and fix them upon those calm
external objects of nature's handy-work,
from which it is difficult even for the
perverse heart of man to extract any-
"How
thing that is evil or dangerous.
beautiful the scene is !" he continued, in
thought ;
" if I can find
my way to the
which he had come in late inquired
what way the stranger had directed his
steps in his walk.
"
By a small road to the eastward,
which leads under the castle-walls/' re-
plied Denzil Norman.
" Then you must have met
the sol-
diers, I suppose," replied John Brown-
" I
low. passed them on that road about
an hour ago."
Denzil gazed at him steadily for an
instant, and then replied in a calm tone,
"
No, I met no soldiers. What troops
are they, pray ?"
"
They are Lambert's men," answer-
ed the other " marching towards the
;

top of yon little hill, I shall get the best north, they told me."
" Then
view of the castle, I fancy;" and follow- they do not remain here," said
ing a path which seemed to lead thither, Denzil Norman, with the same uncon-
he was brought round under the old cerned manner.
"
towei^, at the distance of about a quar- No," replied John Brownlow, "they
ter of a mile. The way was steep, and must go five miles farther before night;
walking quickly, as all men do who but we are to have a company quarter-
strive to fly from thought, he paused ed upon us in a few days, I am told.*'
after a while to take breath, and looked As he spoke, he fixed his eyes upon his

up to the ivy-covered walls. As he did father's lodger; and when he had drank
so, he suddenly beheld a form appear off his horn of beer, he rose, saying,
" Have
upon the battlements of the highest you seen our garden, sir ? It is
tower. It was the same he had seen very pretty ;" and he took a step or two
the evening before at the well the same towards the door of the kitchen, through
;

that he had seen in the vaults. The which was the only exit to the back of
white garments, the flowing hair, the the house. Denzil Norman followed,
light and airy form, which to the eye of saying he should like to walk through,
fancy seemed almost transparent, were the garden with him but as soon as
;

there, with the full light of the sun, not they had issued forth, and walked some
yet declined four hours, shining full
upon them and with a rapid, fearless
; which surrounded the apple trees, John
step, she passed along upon the very
edge of the crumbling walls, and amidst
the tottering pinnacles, till she reached
the top of a small watch-turret, overhang-
ing the path which he was ascending,
and there pausing, as if suspended in
the air, with a grave and warning ges-
ture ehe waved him back.
The young man paused and hesitated
and three times she repeated the sign,
then suddenly disappeared from his
sight, as if shehad sunk at once through
little way amidst the quaint flower-beds
Brownlow stopped, and said, in a lovr
" I
voice, think, sir, you had better keep
yourself to the house till these men are
gone on."
"What makes you think I have any
cause to fear them t" asked Denzil Nor-
man.
" Your
hair, your French boots, and
; your hiked sword," answered John
gilt
Brownlow. " I know not what may be
done in London, but here we do not see
such things often and, depend upon it,
;

the tower. Denzil Norman gazed down
upon the ground for a moment or two,
then turned upon his steps, and found
his way back to the cottage.
He found the old man with his son
beside him and John Brownlow, who
;
some of the officers would, inquire who
you are, and what brought you here.
You, of course, know best your own bus-
iness, but I have given you my advice
honestly."
"
And I will take it," answered Den-

seemed to have been informed of all that zil Norman. " But how shall I know
had taken place during his absence in when they are gone T'
41
the morning, eyed the stranger not un- 1 will let you know," replied the
" You had better
civilly ; and while finishing the meal to other. say nothing to
30 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
sit in your own room, will favour me again with her
my father, Uut just presence
and pretend to be busy writing." when I have got a companion with me
fairer than herself."
The evening sun was just setting upon Alice turned and gazed at him for a
" Do
Landleigh Castle and village, when Den- moment with a grave look. not
zil Norman once more walked up the speak lightly," she replied,
" of
fairy fa-
hill with Alice Brownlow by his side. vours, nor ever pretend to doubt wher-
Their way lay through the shady lanes, ever you do not I will go with you to
;

athwart which the level sunbeams glan- the castle, if you please, with all
my
ced, tinged with a rosy hue ;
as the sun heart, but it will be of little use, for we
sunk down to rest, and as they caught here know right well
that the fairy never
upon her beautiful figure and sweet face,
appears but once in the day to any one."
" Indeed "
they seemed to the eyes of her compan- !" replied Denzil, she is
ion to draw forth strange graces and very regular in her habits, then I ;

new charms, and his contemplation end- thought fairies were more capricious.
ed with a sigh. It might be fancy, but Nevertheless, I should like to look
he could not help thinking that there through the castle with you, for fair
was something strange about her alto- scenes are ever fairer when we see them
gether a power, a captivating influ- with one who can appreciate their beau-
ence, which no one seemed able to re- ty."
sist. He had seen her that evening with Alice looked in his face with a faint
her uncle and her cousin, and they seem- smile.
" It is the return of
thought for
ed to feel the spell as much as he did. " which
thought," she said, brings forth
The old man was tame in her presence, the treasures of the mind and the heart.
strove to conceal before her even the ill What would the light be without the
qualities he was vain of, and yielded to shade 1 and even an inferior mind may
her lightest word like a child. The often, by the contrasts it affords, give
young man, though frank and straight- greater brightness to the rays of a high-
forward, still sprang to do her slightest er one. We have little of such inter-
bidding as if her commands were his change of thought here/' she added with
law but yet, there was a something in
;
a sigh " but here we are at the castle
;

his whole manner to her, and in hers to walls, and we can go in by this small
him, which swept away at once the sus- gate as well as by the greater one."
picion which had crossed the mind of They went in, and passing through
Denzil Norman that her cousin might what seemed to have been a narrow
be her lover. outer court, soon found themselves in
She had been very gay and cheerful the larger open space with the old cas-
throughout the day, but now, when they tle well before them. The sun was
were alone together in those green lanes, shining straight through the arch upon
the graver spirit had fallen over her the crystal water and the green trees
again and he found deep and strong above it, but no fairy form was there,
;

thoughts, powerful often from their very and Alice stood by the side of the well,
simplicity, mingling in every answer and gazed up thoughtfully at the old
which she made him, though from time towers. " Here reigned the bright and
to time a touch of sparkling lightness noble in the days long gone," she said ;
would cross the whole, like the sun- " and all have passed away. Their very
beams darting through the shade as they memories are like a faint echo amongst
passed along. He strove to keep pace the hills of words spoken once aloud,
with the variations of her mood, and as and repeated farther and farther distant
she had heard of the arrival and halt for till they became indistinct. Thus per-
an hour of the soldiers in the village, ishes man and his memories I won-
!

Denzil told her, in gay and jesting strain, der how many kings and warriors, now
of his pursuit of her fair self some hours forgotten, once thought that they should
before, and the cause which had indu- live for ever in the minds of men."
ced him to turn back. "I must be " All
things pass away, and all things
strangely favoured by this fairy," he are renewed, fair Alice," answered Den-
laid " and as we seem passing near the zil Norman.
" We have at least I have
;

castle, I should like to turn in at the seen all our institutions swept to the

gate for a moment, and see whether she wind, kings proscribed and slain, princea
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 31
" She would not have taken a penny
banished, lords done away, parliaments
reduced to a mere name, laws used to for the world, Alice," replied the girl,
destroy laws, and injustice of every kind looking up from her work, and plying
perpetrated in the name of justice. Yet her fingers still. " Should the poor be
from all this, as when the earth is plough- hard upon the poor ?"
ed with the deep share, and harrowed " Heaven said Alice Brown-
forbid,"
low " but
with the rough harrow, will, I doubt ; you seem very busy here,
not, spring up the same institutions as Jane. Who
is it for]"
those which went before." "
Partly for us, partly for them," an-
" " but
No, not the same," she answered ; swered the girl ; you see, Alice,
"
things very much resembling past we have got the clock again. We
found
things, but not the same. I'll tell you the
money in the window on Tuesday
how the course of the world seems to morning last. Granny would scarcely
me to go," she continued, laying her use it, for she said it was fairy gold, and
band familiarly on his arm. " A
simple it might turn to leaves or straws when
figure is always the best and the clear- old Roger Brownlow had got it."
Did you ever tend a garden I If " He would not take
est. anything that
you did, you will know that each flow- was not full weight and tale," answered
er and each tree, if you take the seed Alice ; " be you sure of that, Jane. It
thereof and sow it, will produce things is a good fairy, not a bad one and if she
;

of the same kind, but not exactly the ever brings me anything, I shall have
same. Gather the seed of a tulip or a no fears about it."
poppy, and put it in the ground; you Some further conversation passed,
will have tulips and poppies spring up and then Alice and her companion took
the next year, but varied from those their way homeward. " You have seen,"
which went before. Thus, methinks, she said, looking up in Denzil's face
with worldly institutions ;
even when with a smile of some meaning, " those
they perish they leave seed, but that for whose sake I wish I was a fairy."
"
seed never reproduces the same. Come, They seem kind, good people," said
let us not stand speculating here. We Denzil Norman, a little confused with
are amongst dead things 1 have living the memory of his own doubts.
ones to show you ;" and turning to the " The old woman tends the sick
poor,"
great gate she passed out then took said Alice, in a slow and feeling tone,
;

her way to the outskirts of the village, " when they have no one to tend them ;
and followed oy Denzil Norman enter- and the girl works cheerfully from dawn
ed a cottage, the door of which stood till night to support her grandmother
open. Within they found a woman in and herself. She will one day become
extreme old age, yet hale and healthy John Brownlow's wife ; but that day is
for her time of life, and by her side, afar, and I could wish to be a fairy, to
busily spinning, as fast as her fingers abridge the long hours of expectation for
could go, as beautiful a country girl as them. Now, do you understand me V*
"I
ever mortal eyes fell upon. do, at length, entirely," answered
Dame Unwin!" "I "
"Ah, said Alice, Denzil Norman, warmly ; but such a
am glad to see you back I hope poor heart as yours may not be easy to un-
;

Bridget is better." derstand at once."

"She is better than any of -us, my
" for she
dear," replied the old woman, It was still dark, although there svas
is in heaven. The good doctor did all a faint grey streak upon the edge of the
that man could to save her, for her poor eastern sky, and Denzil Norman's h ecd
husband's sake, and I did what little I was on the pillow, dreaming of IceA
could do, but it was of no avail, poor Brownlow. He had been at Landletgh
thing. God had called her to himself, six days, and more than once he iiad
and she went. The minister has taken dreamed of her, both sleeping and
two of the babes home to his house, waking, and each time the vision had
and the doctor put the other one out to become brighter. Suddenly, however,
nurse, so the poor man's cares are light the dream was dispelled, and the sleep
ened." broken. There was some one knock-
" I fear he could not
repay you, gran ing at the door, and starting up, ho ex-
" Come in !"
ny," said Alice. claimed,
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
The next moment John Brownlow I but I shall never forget the hours I have
44
entered, with a light in his hand. Up passed here."
44
and away, sir, as fast as possible," he Stay not to speak of such things,"
A "
answered Alice every moment is
*
company of Lambert's troops
4
said. ;

are in the place, and they were reading precious for flight."
'
last night, where the officers are quar- I must stay to give you three com-
4

tered, a proclamation, ordering the ap- missions," replied the young gentleman:
"
prehension of several persons, amongst first, give that gold Carolus to your
whom was named one stated to be uncle. I promised him something for
passing under the name of Denzil attendance. Is it
enough ?"
Norman." 44
Too much," answered Alice.
"
4
Passing under my own name, Next, there are five for good Dame
" I am
then," said the young gentleman, with Unwin," he continued, rapidly;
a smile. poor, or I would send her more. Will
" But not all
your names, sir," re- you give them to her for me t"
44 44
plied the young man, or else they are 1 will," answered the beautiful girl,
mistaken for some one mentioned your with an anxious look; " what is the
;

being in the village, and they are to be third 1 speak quickly."

here at day-break to take you out of Denzil Norman still held her hand in
your bed." his, and his fingers clasped more warm-
Well, leave me then, good John," ly round it, while he gazed in her beau-
4

" and I will rise and

replied Denzil, go. tiful face with a look of strong affection.
I have been in worse perils than this 41 The last is," he said, " love me, as 1
before now, and shall be in worse still will you, till we meet again."
before they make me lose heart. It is Alice made no reply, but a warm
hard to be hunted thus like a hare be- glow, like that of the rising sun, sprung
fore the hounds but still we must abide over her cheek and brow.
:

our fate. Run up to Doctor AldoverX " Will

you do that, too 1" asked Den-
if you would serve me, and have my zil, in a low and agitated voice.
41
horse ready." It were soon promised," replied
" That is cared " for in a week
for," answered John Alice ; you will forget
Brownlow 4< the horse is at the end of the cottage girl."
;

our garden. I will go ont in the front "

Never," he replied eagerly; "never
and watch till you are ready. Alice is while I have life. Perhaps there has
below." been a struggle, Alice, between preju-
Denzil Norman rose in haste and dice and love; but the struggle is over
dressed himself; placed all his small for ever, and if I escape if I live, I
portion of worldly goods in his saddle- will return to ask this dear hand. Oh !
bags, and was about to descend, when, give me hope to cheer me by the way."
by the growing light, he saw a paper
44
Go, go," said Alice, turning away
lying on the window seat. He could her face " every moment brings you
;

not remember having left any there ;into danger."

and, on taking it up and looking at it Before he could answer, John Brown-
closely, he perceived that it was in the low hurried into the cottage and locked
same hand-writing as that which had the door behind him. " This way this !

been given him in the vaults. He had way!" he cried; "they are coming
lio tiriiij to examine it further, but hasti- down the hill. Quick, quick !" and ho
ly concealing it in a pocket between his caught Denzil's arm and drew him to-
Vea. and his shirt, he threw the saddle- wards the door, which led through the
bags over his arm, and went down to kitchen to the garden behind. Alice,
the room below. as if by an impulse she could not resist,
Tho cottage windows were still started forward and laid her hand on
"closed but Alice Brownlow was stand- that of the young fugitive.
;
Denzil cast
ing beside a table, on which was a light, his arms round her, and pressed his lips
with a grave and thoughtful face. She upon her cheek. "Be true j," she whis-
did not move when he entered but pered "and you shall find me true."
; ;

Denzil sulvanced towards her at once, The next instant he was in the gar-
and took her hand, saying, " Alice, I den, and he could distinctly hear the
must away, and that with all speed measured tramp of marching men. The
;
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 33

ground sloped down on that side of the diers sent against it have declared for
bouse wards the river and the valley,
i the Parliament, that the tnmps in Lon-
and ti> thick apple-trees afforded a don have done the same, that La\vson
compL screen from the road to almost
.
and the fleet will abandon tho fanatics,
all the h le paths which had been form- and that Desborough's force is safe but ;

ed in the garden. Through these John above all, let him know that Fairfax
Brownlow led his companion with a holds York, and that ho mny trust in
quick step, till they reached a hedge him. Stir not from Corbridgo till you
with a little gate in it, within fifty yards see him."
" These are
of the stream. strange directions,"
To the gate was fastened Denzil thought Denzil Norman '* but yet I ;

Norman's horse ; the saddle-bags were will follow them, although I doubt tho
soon fastened to the saddle and putting accuracy of the tidings. Who can this
:

his foot in the stirrup, the young gentle- short dark man be 1"
man held out his hand to his compan- His reverie was interrupted by tho
ion, saying, "Farewell, John, with many, distant blast of a trumpet, and spring-
many thanks. We shall meet again, I ing on his horse again, he was soon onco
trust, in happier days, when I can thank more upon his way northward, nor stop-
you better." ped till he had put the distance of forty
44
God bless you, my lord," replied miles between himself and Landleigh.
John Brownlow. " Hark there is Still the journey before him was long;
!

some one running down the hill Away, difficulties and obstacles interposed :
away Over the turf, that they may not now he found himself in tho neighbour-
!

hear you." hood of some of Lambert's forces, and

Denzil was in tho saddle in a mo- was obliged to take a circuit of several
ment; his horse was fresh and full of miles now his horse cast a shoe, and
;

fire and bounding forward over the no blacksmith was found to replace it;
;

turf by the river side, he soon bore his now he was impeded by finding no boat
rider beyond pursuit. at a ferry; and thus eight days elapsed
For two hours Denzil Norman rode before he reached tho fair banks of the
on without drawing a rein ; but often Tyne.
directing his course to the top of any It was late in the evening when, after

high hill he came near, in order to ex-
amine the country he had passed, and
ascertain if any one followed. He could
see no signs of pursuit, however, and at
length he halted in a meadow by a little
stream, to let his horse drink and crop a
mouthful of the green grass. His first
thoughts were of Alice but there were;
others that came soon and pressed for
" I will to
attention. the north," he said
to himself, " but now for this other pa-
per ;" and drawing it forth he examined
it more
minutely than he had been able
to do before. It was all legible enough,
and he read tho following directions,
evidently intended for himself, although
the paper bore neither address nor su-
perscription.
" Go with all
speed towards Newcas-
" but avoid
tle," so ran the writing ;
Lambert's posts. In the village of Cor-
bridge, stable your horse at the inn call-
ed the Hart. You will meet there a
short, stout, dark man, whom
you shall
ask if his name be Gideon. If he reply.
Yea,' then tell him that Portsmouth examined him well. He was somewhat
fcoldsout against the army, that the sol* above the middle age, a .stout man, and
C
descending tho river for some fifteen or
sixteen miles, he inquired for tho village
of Corbridge, and was told that it lay
about a mile before him. Slackening
his pace, then, that he might enter the
place with the appearance of a mere
traveller journeying leisurely on his way,
he reached the inn door just as the sun
was setting, and carefully attended to hig
horse before he entered the room of
general reception. He found it entire-
ly vacant, and a host without much cus-
tom anxious to show all attention to aq
unexpected guest. The best of every-
thing was soon placed before him, and
his meal was just finished, when he
heard the sound of horses before the
door. Some time elapsed without any
one appearing, and expectation began
to fade away, when he heard a voice
without giving some orders, apparently
to a servant. Tho next instant the door
opened, and a stranger en to red, who
eyed him for a moment and then sat
down at a distance. Denzil Norman
 34 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
" I
a dark one, hut he could hardly he call- have," replied Denzil Norman,
ed short, although he was not so tall as somewhat drily, for he was not alto-
the young cavalier himself. The ex- gether pleased at the tone of authority
pression of liis countenance was some- which the other assumed. "Here it
what grave and stern ; hut after the first and he laid it down upon the tablo
is ;"

look, he took no notice of his compan- before him without taking the trouble of
ion in the ropm until the landlord had rising to deliver it. The other man
served him a frugal supper, and a black smiled, rose from his seat, crossed the
jug full of some drink. As the latter room, and took the pnpet, examined the
was put upon the table, the stranger cypher by the light, and seemed to read
asked a question in a low voice and ;
it >ver attentively ; his brow grew in-
when the room was again cleared, he stantly dark, however, and he demanded
turned his head towards Denzil Nor- sternly,
'
Do
you know the contents of
man, and said, with a less surly expres- this paper, young man t"
sion of face, " The landlord tells me, sir,
" The
part which is written in En-
you come from the side of Carlisle. Is glish I do know," answered Denzil Nor-
man. " Of the rest I comprehend not
there anything stirring in those parts 1"
" Ho mistaken, sir," answered one word."
is
Denzil Norman, " I have not been near "
Happy "for you, you do not," said
Carlisle ; my journey has been from the the other ; happy for you that your
southward." want of reverence makes me believe
"Ay, indeed," said the stranger, and that it is BO, for, were it otherwise, I
he proceeded with his supper. would have hanged you on the tree be-
41
.Perhaps, if you belong to this part fore the door. Nevertheless, you shall
of the country," said Denzil, after a ho taken care of; and as you would va-
short pause, " you can inform me, sir, lue your life, take care how you use your
where I can find a person who calls tongun with those people in whose hands
himself Gideon." I piace you. Ho! without there bring!

" There
might be more difficult things up"a guard."
than that," said the stranger. Yes, my Lord General," answered
" Is a?id the next moment several
your own name Gideon 1" de- a voice ;

manded the young gentleman. soldiers appeared at the door.

" " You have- As may
Yea," replied the other. easily be conceived, the feel-
Hews for me it seems.
1
'

,I^SL ings of Denzil Norman were of no very

" 1 but there was about the
have," replied Denzil and he pro-
; pleasant kind ;

ceeded to repeat to him the cavaliers of that period an assumption

'precja^ty
information which had been contained of indifference to the evils of life which:
in the paper. As he did so, he watcl^d was not of the best school of philosophy,
bis companion's countenance; and, but which affected even those of higher
Al-
though he could see that the intelligence toned mind and character. " I should
"
he conveyed was not without effect, yet remonstrate, sir," he said, upon being
the indications were too slight for him subjected to inconvenience for having
to judge whether that effect was pleas- very civilly borne you a message, the
urable or otherwise. import of which I did not understand,
" When did
you set out 1" demanded if remonstrance were likely to be of
the stranger, after the detail was con- any avail but having lived long in a
;

cluded and, on being informed, he re- country where neither law nor reason
;
" Methinks the fairies must have are
plied, very available, 1 think it best to holt*
given you this information even before my tongue."
the events happened." " You do
wisely," replied the other;
*'
They did," replied Denzil Norman. drily ; and then addetT, addressing the
"At least I know no other source whence officer of the guard, " Remove him."
the intelligence came." " Shall we search his person or ex-
Indeed !*' eaid the other.
' '
You are amine his papers, my Lord General ?'*
a good messenger to bring tidings with- demanded the officer.
out knowing whence they come. But 44
You do at your peril any thing
will
mcthinks you should have some paper more than the strict letter of my com-
for me, young gentleman ; have you it mands," answered the other, "which are,
about you 1" to remove him, and keep him under
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES,

arrest, with all due civility, till 1 make no examination took place of hfo small
further inquiries. Send Mr. Clarges baggage, which was always carefully
hither." placed in the same room with himself:
"One question before I go, sir," said and had it not been for the guard at his
Denzil Norman. " May I ask at whose door, and the occasional changes which
command I am to be subjected to im- occurred in his treatment, he should
prisonment, for amongst all the Lord have thought that Monk had entirely
Generals whom wo have lately heard forgotten him. At length, on a wintry
of, I am unacquainted with the name of and inclement evening, the army ap-
9
General Gideon V proached York, and the well-remem-
" He was a famous bered cathedral appearing in the grey
man, too, in his
day," replied the other, with a faint light, showed Denzil Norman that ho
" and a was coming near a city where he was
smile, great general ; but my
name is Monk." known to many, and threw him into
"Oh! very well," replied Denzil, meditation in regard to the chances
with a mind a good deal relieved, and of effecting his escape by their aid and
without farther comment or resistance assistance.
he followed the officer of the guard out A little however, induced
reflection,
cf the room. him to refrain from attempting it.
The life of Denzil Norman for some There was something he could not
time was a very unpleasant one, for it help thinking very peculiar in Monk's
was a life of uncertainty and of confine- conduct towards him. Perhaps, in-
ment. The general prevalent belief deed, he was influenced in this vievir
that Monk was favourable to the royal of the case by the treatment ho had
cause of course had its effect in reliev- lately received ; for, since the army
ing his mind from any serious apprehen- reached Durham, his fare and his
sions for his personal safety but yet to quarters had been very superior to
;

be in the midst of scenes where the those which he had met with before.
great game of poliqy was playing with- However that might be, he was in-
out knowing any of the moves, and clined to imagine that the general wu
without the
power to take any part, un- not so harshly disposed towards him as
certain of his own fate, or the fate of his demeanour at first might have in-
bis country and friends, was at once duced him to believe; and in the end
" I wonder what
painful and exciting. Rumours he could ho asked himself,
not but hear, movements he could not effect perfect frankness will have upon
but see ; but the truth of the one, and this man 1"
the causes of the other, he could not in The opportunity of trying was soon
any degree divine. He was treated afforded to him, for as he was riding
with general civility, and gradually had with a trooper by his side, Monk him-
more liberty allowed him than at first self passed by on horseback, gave him
;

but still he was obliged to consider him- what seemed to be a casual glance, and
self as a pr aer, and seemed more the rode on to the head of the army. In
sport of caprice than the object of just about ten minutes, however, a young
precaution. At one time he was per- officer appeared, and' informed the
mitted to go out for an hour or two on prisoner that he would be permitted
parole at another was strictly confined to choose his own lodging in the town,
;

in whatever place the army might be. upon the condition that he presented
Sometimes he fared well in his prison, himself every morning at the general'f
sometimes had little more allowed him quarters.
than mere bread and water. " Give
my humble"~ duty to" the Lord
From the small town where he had General," replied ^nzil, and tell
been captured, he was removed to Ber- him that, for parties reasons, I can-
wick, then to Edinburgh, then to Cold- not avail myself of I permission till' I
stream, and then advanced with the have spoken with him or a moment."
army into England in the midst of a
41
Ride on with ' V?n," said tho
severe winter. But that which struck young officer; "but y' *nust be quick,
him as most unaccountable was, that for he is going forward into the town."
Hot the slightest inquiry was made with Monk was soon overtaken, however,
regard to his name, station, or quality for he had stopped to converse with
;
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
" was perfectly ignorant of the con-
Bomo of his principal officers, and the I
" not
message of his prisoner was delivered tents," replied Denzil, being learn-
to him ns soon as a pause took place. ed Arabic, or whatever tongue they
in
He looked at Drnzil for a moment, were written in."
from under his bent and somewhat '
You knew who sent them at all
Monk " and
shaggy eyebrows, and then beckoning events," replied General ;

him up, as he rode on, he asked him that was sufficient."

" Not
abruptly, "What is the meaning of so," answered Denzil Nor-
man " I was as
this? Is your money expended ?'* ; ignorant of one as the
" Not Denzil
so, sir," answered ;
other."
" but "
you cautioned me to be careful Strange enough!" replied Monk.
" But to the
of what I said and did, making me point I will give you, as
:

I have said, all reasonable freedom upon

imagine that you would rather I should
have no communication, public or pri- conditions, which are, first, that you ac-
vate, with any of my friends. I have company me soberly and quietly to
now to tell you that I have more than London, presenting yourself at my
one acquaintance in York and its neigh- quarters every morning; secondly, that
bourhood, with whom I shall most likely no one who or what
you mention to
be brought into communication if I am you are and ; you make no
thirdly, that
at liberty in the city." attempt whatsoever in favour of persons
Monk mused, " It were well to avoid who may be your friends without com-
it," he suid at last. "Who do you municating with me."
know at York 1" Denzil marked with very emo-
strong
." I know the Lord Fairfax,*' replied tions the last phrase in Monk's address.
" and several others in the In difficult
Denzil, times, and circumstances
town." most perilous to himself, he bad learned
" I will
consider," answered Monk. from very small indications to puess at,
" Retire for the
present :" arid without if not divine, men's feelings and inten-
another word he rode on, leaving his tions, and with a heart greatly relieved,
" I
prisoner in custody of the trooper. ho replied, accept all the terms, my
That night he was lodged at the quar- Lord General, and you shall iind that I
ters of the general, and remained two adhere to them punctually. Perhaps,
days a close prisoner. He was sitting when you find that I do so, you may
at ao early hour on the third morning, grant me permission to absent myself

feeling some mortification at the result for a short time, as I am anxious, on

of his frankness for though, according many personal accounts, to visit once
to the old copy-line, " virtue is its own more the place from which I brought
reward," yel we are seldom inclined to those letters you have mentioned."
be satisfied with that sort of recompense " All in
Rood time, all in good time,"
when the door opened, and, with his answered Monk " but now, remember,
;

elpw step and sedate carriage. Monk should you havo occasion to speak with
himself entered the room and sat down. me, or any information to give, affecting
'*
You are discreet, young gentle- tho good of the state, say it not rashly,
man," he said, "and honest rare qual- even should I seem alone for there be ;

ities in the world. 1 can trust you, men full of doubts and jealousies, who
which is what I can say to few men." have not even scrupled, in this very town
He paused for a moment or two, and of York, to bore a hole through ray
Denzil asked himself what this pream- chamber-door in order to gain a hearing
blo was to lead to. Tbo I warn
stop was so of my private conversation.
long, however, that he had almost: come one who will take a warning, I think ;
to the conclusion that Monk had deliv- and I will
beg you to remember, young
ered himself of all he had to
say, when man, that there is a certain name, which
that officer resumed, *' Under these cir- it is an offence to mention in the ears of
cumstances, and upon the assurance of many people in this land with whom I
Lord Fairfax, I have resolved to give am at present compelled to deal, and
you
:ill
personal freedom, notwithstand- therefm-c it must never bo uttered be-
boldness in bringing me letters tween
ing your you and me."
"
containing matter little short of hih May" I know, Lord General," said
trcaion." Denzil, how I am to contrive to obtain
 THE LAST OF THE
private audience of you, should itbe quently cheate:! by their own rogueries,
needful]" and Colonel Okey doubtless believed
" when you come to
Merely say, me," himself a fanatic in religion, and a re-
*'
replied Monk, that it is your wish to
cpeak with me in private, and I will find
the means. Be ready at my call, how-
ever, whenever I may want you ;" and
%hus saying, he left the room.
The thoughts of Denzil Norman,
when Monk was gone, were of Alice and glancing
Brownlow, and they were sweet.
It was a bright morning in the month
of May, 1660, and the light and shade
were skipping over the fair village of
Landleigh, bringing out a thousand dif-
ferent beauties in their passage, when
the sound of drum and trumpet was
heard upon the castle green, and a small
body of horse rode in and formed in lino
nearly opposite to the great gates. The
smallest event has its rumour, and it is
therefore no wonder that a full hour at
least before the entrance of the soldiers,
the tidings of their approach had reach-
ed Landleigh. Thus, although those
were times of doubt and suspicion, and
the sober citizens and peasantry, even
when fanatically inclined themselves,
looked upon the military hypocrites of
the day with much awe and trepidation,
a number of the inhabitants of Land-
leigh, amongst whom was many a stout
young peasant and buxom country girl,
were assembled on the castle green to
see the arrival of the soldiers. The man
at their head was no very favourable
specimen of the class to which he be-
longed, either internally or externally.
Though not absolutely ugly, his counte-
nance was anything but prepossessing;
and, though tall, and in reality strong,
there was a shambling, ungainly look
about his limbs which gave one no great
idea of his corporeal vigour. His char-
acter was one not unfrequently met with
in every age, but which was peculiarly
developed by the times of which I speak.
Excitable, sensual, and worldly, he had
cunning enough to discover that his pas-
sions could be best served, and his inter-
ests advanced by an assumption of zeal
for the predominant tenets of the day.
He had pursued this course cunningly
for many years, and there are few minds
so incapable of enthusiasm, as not to ob-
tain by long habit a tincture of the views
they affect. As a man is sometimes de-
ceived by his own lies, so are men fre-
FAIRIES.
publican in policy.
But a truce to description. We have
to do with a fo\v of the man's actions, the.
springs of which will be easily under-
stood by those who have at all studied
the times. After marshalling his men
his eyes round the villagers
with a look which, when it rested upon
the female part of the assembly, betoken-
ed no very unearthly feelings, he ha-
rangued his men with the common-place
cant of the wilder and more enthusiastic
sectaries, who then struggled to retain
that power and predominance which
they had for many years enjoyed and
misused in the land, wresting texts of
Scripture from their original meaning,
and applying them in the most forced
and extraordinary manner to the events
of the times. With all the rest he min-
gled a confusion of commands and direc-
tions, which none but those accustomed
to such strange oratory could at all com-
prehend, and from which the villagers,
habituated to the homely, but intelligible
preaching of Mr. Gideon Samson, could
only make out that General Lambert
was in arms for the repose and domina-
tion of the saints, and that the soldiers
were exhorted to denounce every one
wherever they met with him, who could
even be suspected of favouring the ma-
lignant proceedings of Papists, Prela-
tists, and Presbyterians. He ended by
a call upon the inhabitants of the place,
under the most fearful denunciations of
wrath, to give up without delay all per-
sons who might harbour or conceal them-
selves in the village from the wrath of
God and man ; and then, dismissing his
troopers to their quarters, rode slowly
into the village himself, followed by one
or two of hia officers, after having com-
manded a muster of the troop at the same
place, at the hour of five in the evening.
He took his way straight down the high
road, going at a slow pace, and examin-
ing the different houses as he went with
the eye of one seeking a comfortable
lodging, but it would seem that he had
previously received some information
concerning the characters and opinions
of the inhabitants, for lie at length fixed
upon by no means the best house in the
place, but one inhabited by a man after
his own heart the grocer, or, as we
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
should call him, the chandler of the vil- stood gazing in the officer's face, strongly
to knock him down on the
lage, whoso notions of predestination, tempted spot,
saintly freedom, sufficiency of grace, and yet dreading the consequences to all
other dogmas were held in high detesta- whom he loved.
tion by Mr. Gideon Samson, whose own With a swaggering and supercilious
doctrines were uniformly pronounced air, often assumed to cover confusion,
cold, comfortless, and carnal by the more Colonel Okey turned to the door and
enthusiastic Mr. Culpoper. After feed- quitted the cottage without saying a
ing liberally, and drinking somewhat word ; and in an hour or so after, ho
deep, considering the early hour in the was once more pouring forth the rapid
morning, Colonel Okey held a long pri- strain of hypocrisy and cant, with which
vate conference with his worthy host, at he was wont to delight the ears of his
the end of which he walked out into the fanatical soldiers.
village, and visited several of the houses
The following morning the troops
and cottages, amongst which was that of marched out of the village, and the in-
Roger Brownlow, where he remained habitants rejoiced in the thoughts of hav-
for some time in private conference with ing got rid of their unwelcome guests;
the ci-devant sexton. It might seem, in- but John Brownlow remembered the
deed, that the subject matter of their hint that Colonel Okey had given of
conversation was of no great moment, his intentions to return, and with a de-
for when they issued forth from the room gree of vigour, determination, and good
formerly tenanted by Denzil Norman, sense which his fellow villagers had not
John Brownlow, who was below, heard expected of him, he took the first steps
with consternation his worthy father as- towards preparing the people of Laml-
suring Colonel Okey that he had been leigh for resisting, in case of need, tho
bewitched by the old hag, under which aggressions of the insolent soldiery.
denomination the young man naturally Presbyterians and Churchmen for once
concluded was meant poor old Martha united together to make common cause
Unvvin. against those who were enemies of both,
44
Well, Master Brownlow," said the and, with the exception of Mr. Culpep-
" I will visit and
Colonel, interrogate er and a few of his particular associates,
her this very day, and on my return will all the inhabitants of the place prepared
proceed in her case and all others to put themselves, determined to resist to th
down the kingdom of Satan, and estab- last. But, alas! profession of resistance
lish the roign of the Saints upon earth." in peaceable men are not much to bo
Thus saying, the worthy Colonel quit- depended on, and when, two nights aft-
ted the cottage, and a somewhat sharp er, a corporal's guard entered the village
dispute took place between father and bringing intelligence that the Colonel
son, in regard to the reputation of Dame and his men would be there early on the
Umvin. But the Colonel's last words following morning, the scene of conster-
implied a hint not lost to the ears of John nation that ensued amongst those who
Brownlow, who, as soon as the angry dis- had been so bold but a few hours beforo
cussion was over with his father, hurried was both ludicrous and lamentable. Ru-
away into the cottage of the poor old mours crept among them, whether spread
woman, to warn her of the officer's by the soldiery or not I cannot tell, that
friendly intentions towards her. As he the Lord General Lambert was in the
approached the house, he thought he immediate neighbourhood with a largo
fecard the voice of his fair Jane raised force ; that he had defeated the troops
in higher and less gentle tones than usu- of the hew Parliament, and proclaimed
al; and, lifting the latch, he pushed the a pure and perfect Republic, the whole
door sharply open. It struck with a vi- affairs of which were to be carried on by
olent clatter upon the steel back-piece a committee of twelve saints. The peo-
of Colonel Okey, who was holding both ple of Landleigh, it would appear, wero
Jane's hands tight in his own, and ad- in a very ungodly state, for they seemed
dressing words to her pure car, which to dread nothing so much as this saintly
made the blond boil in the veins of her domination. Some were actually pre-
lover. The hypocrite let go his hold paring to run away, but a mere hint from
and started back, and, placing himself a single soldier was quite sufficient to
by Jane Umvia'a side, John Brownlow make the most forward of them skulk
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 30

back to their houses ; and early the nex of trumpet against sundry malignant en-
morning, the report was spread through emies of the state and common wealth of
the village that both good Doctor Aldo England, amongst whom the principal
ver arid Mr. Gideon Samson had beci person was Charles Brook, Lord Eus-
apprehended in their beds without war tace, reported to be harbouring in or near
rant. the village of Landleigh. But the pa-
By the grey daylight, John Brownlou rado of the troops passed over, and the
was at the door of good Dame Unwind soldiers returned to their quarters. Noth-
cottage, and he was not kept long wait ing was extracted from Mr. Gideon Sam-
ing, as it was opened for him. A hur son but fiery abuse of Anabaptists, and
ried consultation ensued as to what was fanatics, and Fifth-monarchy men, or
best to ba done, and at length it was de from Doctor Aldover but meekness and
termined that Jane and the gornl dame submission. Dame Unwin and her
tth:>:ild take
refuge in a part of the ruin: grand-daughter were not found and at;

of the castle, where John Brownlow as the nims of Lord Eustace, the villa-
sured them that they might lin concealet gers shook their heads, and murmured
"
till the soldiers
departed. I will come that it would be long ere his enemies
to you at sun-set, dear Jane," he said found that good, kind lord, for he had
" and
bring you provisions, and all thai died at Worcester fight. The day, in
I can think of to make you comfortable*1 short, went by with less results of any
Jane seemed to entertain no appre- kind than had been expected and all ;

hensions ; but the old lady, all witch as seemed quiet in the village when tho sun
she was, entertained a great dread of touched the .edge of the horizon.
tho fairy, and it was not without mucli At that moment John Brownlow was
persuasion that she was induced to jj (1
standing under the arch of the castlo
forth with her grand-daughter to make gateway, loaded with many things to
abode near the spirit's well. Their little mako tho two poor fugitives as comfort-
journey was not without trepidation, for able as might be and after taking a cau-
;

Jane fancied she saw a soldier in every tious look round, he entered the tower
bush they passed in the lane leading t< on the left, and began ascending the di-
the castle green ; and by the time they lapidated stairs.
reached the end of it all three became Hardly had ho disappeared, when si-
convinced that they heard steps follow- lently and quietly four men came forth
ing. Quickening their pace to a run, from a part of the ruin on the right of
however, they passed the open space in the gate, showing the faces of Colonel
safety, darted through the old portal, and Okey himself and three of his soldiers;
were led by John Brownlow up a nar- and tho commander whispered, " After
row and tottering stair to a small cham- him, quick and noiselessly. You will
ber in one of the gate towers. find them all together if you go quietly."
" No one would
ever think of seeking The soldiers hurried on, and were lost
for you here," he said; "and as I
go to sight under tho low arched door of
down, I will take away one of the stone the stairs, while Colonel Okey himself
stops that are loose, so as to make it remained under the gateway. In less
seem more difficult than it is to get up. than a minute he caught the sound of
Don't be frightened, good Dame Mar- loud voices speaking above, and an un-
tha, for the fairy is a kind fairy, and one pleasant smile came upon his face.
soldier is worse than any that ever danc- Then descending steps were heard
ed upon the green." through the loop-holes, and in a few mo-
The good lady, however, made him Tients more poor John Brownlow, with
repeat over and over again his promise *ld Dame Unwin and Jane, appeared
to rejoin them at sun-set, and to sit
up nJ^r"
tho guard of tho soldiers.
with them till tho cock crowed in the Hove, bring them here !" cxclaiined
dawn. ho officer, taking a few steps into tho
There had bescn a parade of the troops reat court. " Let mo look at their
on the castle-green, and an examination aces. Here's u pretty one at least;"
of Mr. Gideon Samson and Doctor Al- ind ho put his hand under Jane Umvin'a
clover before Colonel Okey ; and there chin.
had been a search for old Dame Unvvin It was more than John Brownlow
and Jane, and a proclamation with sound could bear, and he was starting forward
40 THE LAST OF THE
with his fist clenched, when a voice ex-
claimed, "Forbear!" in a tone sweet
and musical, but loud and penetrating;
nnd all eyes turned towards the spot
whence the sound seemed to proceed.
There, standing as before, on the other
side of the well, appeared the same
beautiful figure, clothed in white, with
the sort of lustrous light upon her face
and garments which Denzil Norman had
seen when first he visited Landleigh.
"Forbear!" repeated the figure "bad ; a shadow."
man, forbear !"
Every one was silent for an instant;
but then, with an exclamation strangely
mingling blasphemy with fanaticism,
Colonel Okey darted forward towards
the well.
" It is the it is the fairy !" cried
fairy !
FAIRIES.
wall of which were still to be seen tho
fragments of a stone stair-case, which
formerly led up to the higher apartments
of the keep. She reached the foot of the
tower, and then began to ascend by the
broken steps, only supported on one side
by the old wall into which they were
built.
"
Forbear, Colonel, forbear !" shouted
one of the soldiers. *
Do not sacrifice
the life of one of the saints in pursuit of
But the officer hurried recklessly on,
and began to mount with a slower step,
when suddenly a black arm was thrust
through one of the loop-holes, and at a
single blow hurled the fanatic down into
the court below ; while at the same mo-
ment the female figure disappeared, van-

Jane Umvin. ishing apparently into the body of tho

" Were it Beelzebub, I would
bring tower.
" 1 knew
him into captivity," said Colonel Okey ; it, I knew it," cried one of
but the fairy receded before him, and, ere the soldiers. " It was written in the Book
he could run round the well, had reach- he should be so slain, even by tho
that
ed the same gloomy archway through powers of darkness ;" and at the samo
which she had disappeared when follow- moment he sprang forward toward the
ed by Denzil Norman. spot where the unhappy man had fallen.
" The two others were following, when
Keep them fast till I return," shout-
ed the officer, turning his head to speak they were reminded of their charge of
to the soldiers, and the next instant dis- the prisoners by a somewhat untimely
appearing in the gloom. movement of Dame Unvvin towards the
"Verily, he is rash to trust himself gate; and, unceremoniously drawing
with spiritual enemies," said one of the their swords, they commanded the un-
soldiers, gazing at the walls and towers willing captives to march on before them
" to the spot where their unsanctified com-
opposite. Mayhap she will lure him
to some perilous place, and there seek to mander lay. To the surprise of all, how-
destroy him." ever, on approaching, they found Colonel
His words seemed to be verified the Okey endeavouring to raise himself upon
moment they were spoken ; for hardly his arm. His escape might indeed have
were they uttered when, in the clear been considered miraculous in a fall from
evening twilight, the beautiful figure, in such a height, had it not been that some
its floating white garments, was seen thick and tangled bramble-bushes had

Walking with a step of light along the gathered roundthe foot of the tower, and
very edge of the crumbling battlements, had received him on his descent from
when the loose stones seemed hardly fit- above as on a soft, though somewhat
ted to support the very softest tread ; thorny, bed. Sorely bruised, indeed, he
and the next instant the head of Colonel was, and stunned, and confused with the
Okey protruded from a small door-way fall but the evil spirit was by no means
;

in a tower, looking upon that part of the driven out of him, and his first exclama-
curtain along which her course lay. The tion was an order to look well to the pris-
figure paused a moment, as if poised in oners. He remained some time upon
air; and a clear short laugh was heard, the ground unable to rise; but when,
followed by the words, "Come, on, come with the assistance of one of his troopers,
on ;" and instantly Colonel Okey sprang he succeeded in getting on his feet, ho
forward, several of the stones giving way poured forth long and bitter complaints
under his feet, and rolling into the court in regard to the misfortune which had
below. At the same time the figure he befallen him, savouring very little of
was pursuing resumed its rapid course saintly resignation. Indeed, the expres-
towards a round tower, in the western sions that he used were neither more
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 41

nor less than imprecations in another Mr. Culpeper as a place of

meeting for
form, and probably comforted him as himself and his fellows. A
table was
much as a volley of oaths would have stretched across the upper end of tho
solaced a habitual swearer. With these room, beyond which was placed an arm-
complaints over his bruised body, he chair. A
soldier, with an ink-horn ami
mingled orders for removing the three some paper, sat at one end of tho table;
prisoners to the house where he had and Colonel Okey himself, with his head
taken up his abode, and guarding them bound up and his arm in a sling, was
strictly till he should be well enough to seated in the chair of state. At a littlo
deal with them as he thought fit. This distance from the table stood old Martha
done, he limped away, grumbling every Unwin and her daughter, both as pale. a3
step he took ;
and was fain to call for death. Several of the villagers, umro
the assistance of Doctor Aid over to especially of the Culpeper faction, wero
soothe his hurts as best he might. between them ard the door and behind
;

Surely there is no faith to be found on all were a number of troopers, mostly

earth. We trust not, we hope not, as we with
grave faces aud arms crossed on tho
should trust and hope were we really and breast.
thoroughly convinced that there is an The room, indeed, had somewhat the
over-ruling Providence, a just Judge, a aspect of a court of justice and old
;

future state. We look to this world Roger Brownlow, who stood before tho
alone. If we trust, it is in our own table speaking, seemed acting the part
strength ; if we calculate, it is upon of a witness. The sight of his father in
worldly chances ; if we despair, it is be- such a capacity was no great consolation
cause this life is our all. to the young prisoner; nor were the first
The heart of John Brownlow burned words he heard at all calculated to re-
within him as he sat during the livelong lieve his anxiety.
" That is
night in a small garret-room, with a sol- quite sufficient," said Colonel
dier at the door, separated from his com- Okey, as he entered,
apparently address-
and every moment fancying her ing his father. " She shall have a full
panions,
he loved exposed to insult, and perhaps trial by water. Take her away, Heze-
to injury, from a brutal and licentious kiah
Strong-i'-the arm, and worthy Good-
It was in vain that he tried Conduct her
hypocrite. fight-lhe-faith Perkins.
to console himself; it was in vain that quietly to the river side at the
deepest
he looked around for help or hope. He part, and cast her in, taking care that she
trusted not, he thought not of trusting reach not the land on the same side, but
where trust only is sure ; and he pass- that if the fiend help her, she pass clearly
ed the whole hours of darkness in the over. If she succeed in doing so, we will
fever fits of cold despair and fiery indig- give her over to the fire ; for no witch
nation. He saw the day break at length must be suffered to dwell in our Israel."
without having closed an eye ; and the The old woman uttered not a word ;
soft light of the early
morning was per- for, to say the truth, her senses wero
haps more painful to him than the shad- quite benumbed by terror at the pros-
ows of the night. He heard people pect of a fate to the disgrace of tho
moving about, he heard voices speaking, land be it spoken not at all uncommon
he thought he could distinguish the tones in England at that period. Jane, how-
of his dear Jane ; and he would have ever, cast herself upon her knees before
given all that he possessed on earth for the brutal tyrant who threatened her
some intelligence of her fate. For many aged relation with the dreadful alterna-
hours, however, he was kept in the bit- tive of perishing by water or by fire, and
terness of suspense. No one came near poured forth wild entreaties for mercy,
him, no one spoke to him, except when mingled with appeals to the villagers
once he tried to open the door, and the present to give some testimony of tho
voice of the seminal without bade him acts of kindness and Christian
charity
keep quiet under the threat of the stra- which had so often been performed by
pado. At length, however, the door was her now brutally condemned.
thrown back, and he was hurried with a Okey gazed at her with a fiend-like
good deal of rude brutality into a large smile, and then beckoned to her to como
room a sort of hall, indeed, it might be round to the same side on which he was
called, which had been built by worthy sitting; but at that moment John Brown-
43 THE LAST OP THE FAIRIES.
low's indignation mastered all prudence, What causes that tumult at the door,
and starting forward through the crowd, and who is it thou halest
along so sturd-
"
lie caught Jane's arm, exclaiming, Go ily1"
"
not near him, Jane. He is a base, lewd Verily he is a captain whom wo
hypocrite, and you know it. Go not have taken, worthy colonel," replied tho
near him, my love. Ho dare not do corporal, to whom he addressed himself,
what he has threatened." speaking in a harsh, ruds voice. " I was
"
Ha, ha young viper's spawn !" ex-
!
hastening up with my men to relieve tho
claimed Okey. '
Dare not Do you
!
guard at the gutes of the castle, and 1
think that we have girded up our loins hurried my steps when 1 was upon tho
and ridden forth with our swords upon green, for methought I heard tho voices
our thigh for nothing 1 You shall soon of many men speaking loud and tumult-
learn what the saints of the Lord dare uously ; but, lo tho sentinel was walk-
!

when the spirit moves them. Have you
not aided to harhour and conceal that
malignant traitor Charles Brooke, called
of men Lord Eustace? Have you not
comforted him and abetted him after
ing calmly at his post, and he heard not
the sounds that were revealed to my
ears, when suddenly I beheld this youth
walking slowly towards the castle, and
I saw in him all the signs of the man of

proclamation made, and contrary to the Belial. Behold his love-locks and his
laws of this land of England 1 Have boots of French calf-skin, and his sword-
you not received rents for him, and of- knot of blue and white, and his G d-
ferings from dark-minded and perverse d mme hat, with a band of ostrich
men, who were once his tenants, but feather; and, meditating with myself, t
who now owe nothing to any one but said,
'
Woe
bo to the land when euch
the Commonwealth of England, and open day,' ami
things walk abroad in
those to whom it shall give a portion in therewith apprehended him, and
I
the marrow and fatness of the land? brought him hither. Stand forth, thou
Dare not to deny it, for thine own father man of Belial, and give an account of
is a witness
against thee, and against thyself." And he pulled roughly tho
himself also, if we choose to be extreme arm of a man, the principal part of u IIMSO
with him but, considering that he has face and figure was concealed by tho
;

given us a knowledge of these things, crowd which filled the lower part of tho
and how we may bring the most guilty room.
to justice, we will spare the old adder, " I will stand forth, if
you will mako
"
seeing that the poison is squeezed out way," replied a voice for, to tell you
;

of its fangs; but we will tread upon the the truth, my good friend, you have only
head of the young adder, lest it bite the brought mo where I was coming." And
heel of the saints. In less than one hour at the same time, putting tho soldier
shall the malignant Charles Brooke be- somewhat roughly aside, Dcnzil Nor-
come the captive of our bow and spear; man advanced into the little open spaco
for we have surrounded his hiding-place before the table, and took his placo by
with godly men, who will take care not the side of young John Brownlow.
to let him forth. In the mean time, how- " Who art
thou, bold boy ?" demand-
ever, we will smite his comforters arid ed Colonel Okey, gazing upon the young
adherents hip and thigh and thou and
; gentleman with some surprise, and not
the prelatic malignant Aldover, who altogether without apprehension, a* ho
consorted with thee in thy evil deeds, marked the calm and almost contemptu-
shall die within ten minutes from this ous smile with which the young cavalier
time, even upon the green before the looked at him. " Take off thy hat.
castle gates. Here, Obadiah Jason, take Knowest thou in whose presence thou
the young man away, and bring the old stamlest?"
man out of the prison where thou hast " Oh sir I am!
sorry to sec you here,"
imprisoned him; and see that they be said John Brownlow, with his fingers
both shot upon the green within ten of Jir.ie,
clasping tighter upon those
minutes, for which thou shalt have our whose hand ho held, and, unlike llio
warrant, according to the powers grant- generality of men, really feeling distress-
ed us by our commission under the seal ed to see a new companion destined tr>
of the Committee of Safety. What is it, share in his misfortunes ; but Dcnzil
Joshua Scroggs, thou man of valoui ? Norman, without noticing, replied to
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 43
"
Colonel Okey, I know well in whose ers of the seventh troop of Lilburn's
I stand, but, nevertheless, I regiment, by the same power and au-
presence
shall keep my hat upon my head, as I thority 1 command you to lay down your
have mi reverence for any ono I see be- anna, and every man to betake himself
fore me. You asked my name, air. It peacefully to the house where lie is
is Denzil Norman." quartered, to await the decision of tho
" Ha ha hast thou found me, mine
! ! commissioners in your case, giving you,
enemy ?" said Okey
*'
but now shalt;
at tho same time, to know that the com-
thou know what it is to be in the hands missions of Generals Flectwood and
of those who will not spare. Art thou, Lambert have been revoked by tho
I ask thee, that Denzil Norman, Lord council of state, and that, six days ago,
lint, who slew my nephew, my sis- the latter, who resisted tho authority of
ter's son, when thou wert but a boy at Parliament and the Council, was en-
Worcester t" countered near Davcntry by Colonels
" I and myself, his men
am," replied the young
1

cavalier, Streatcr, Ingoldsby,

without the slightest sign of emotion routed, and himself taken prisoner, to bo
;

" but what of It dealt with according to law. Seo that

that, Master Okey 1
was hand to hand in fair fight, a man of you obey !To you, villagers if you
thirty against a lad of eighteen. He movo a hand or utter a word, Colonel
died fighting against his king ; I lived Okey, 1 blow your brains out on the
I have more joyful tidings to an-
to fight for king another day."
my spot
*'
That thou never do," answer- nounce. Your King is restored, bring-
shalt
ed Okey " for thou hast seen the last ing with him pardon and oblivion for all
;

Bun thou ever shalt seo. Take him offences, toleration for all religions, and
away, Obadiah Jason, and do him to peace and happiness to his subjects.
death with the rest." Neither have any foar of these misguid-
"
Nay, nay," answered Denzil Nor- ed men who have quartered themselves
man " not quite so fast, Master Okey. amongst you for know that tho castlo
; ;

A word or two more before we part." and tho church arc by this time in the
" Take him
away !" shouted Okey, by handj of my regiment, and that tho re-
no means well pleased at the young no- port of this pistol will fill this room in
bleman's bold bearing and tranquil ono minute with faithful subjects of his
" I know what he counts
smile. upon majesty. Long live King Charles !"
the nest of traitors and scorpions in " Hark !" cried a voice from
behind,
London, and the falso and deceitful "there is a drum."
Monk; but he shall find himself deceiv- As is usual in such cases, a moment-
ed, for were it the last day I had to live, ary hesitation had come over those per-
this hour shall he die. Take him away, sons who an instant before had felt tho
1 say !" greatest confidence in their own pow-
"
Nay, then," answered Denzil Nor- er and strength, when they perceived
man, putting his hand into his breast, that the chances were turning againrt
" if
you be so imperative, Master Okey, them. It was not, indeed, that they wcro
I must take another course," and draw- utterly dismayed, but their minds hung
ing forth a pistol, he levelled it across in the balance, as it were, as to what
the table at Okey's head, adding rapid- course they should pursue, and tho least
" the man that
ly, lays a hand upon me weight thrown into either of tho scales
signs your death-warrant. Bid them was certain to decide between tho most
hold back !" opposite courses. Tho sound of that
Hold back, hold back !'! cried Okey, Iriim had wclluigh given the preponder-
" hear
his face turning pale what the ance to tho more timid policy, but there
;

young man has to say." was more than one stout heart amongst
" It will be
soon said, Master Okey," Okcy's troopers, and the stoutest of
answered Denzil. " Listen, all men. them all, because the most fanatical, was
In virtue of a commission under the that of the corporal, Joshua Scroggs.
hand and seal of General Monk, com- "What!" ho exclaimed, starting for-
mander-in-chief of all the land forces of ward, while the rest stood round with
"
England, I hereby apprehend you, John looks of moody hesitation, do our hearts
Okey, for high treason, and I command wax faint because tho battlo ra^es strong
you instantly to surrender. You, troop- against us 1 Shall wo bo deprived of tho
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
retributive accidents which we so
captives of our bow and spear because the those
Amorites triumph in the hill country 1 often see occur, hit old Roger Brown,
Did not Barak, the son of Abinoam, low on tho temple, and laid him con-
coming out of Kadesh-Naphthali, go up vulsed and prostrate on the ground.
against the hosts of Jabin, King of Ca-
No further resistance was offered tho ;

naan, with few people, and did he not troops, who might now be called Royal-
prevail against him even by the side of ists, poured into the room, and although
the river Kishon ; and shall we be afraid the scene of confusion, of which I will
because the castle and the steeple-house not attempt to give the details, continued
are in the hands of the Philistines ? No, for about a quarter of an hour longer, all
'

verily, this young man shall die as thou was at length quieted, and Colonel Okey
hast said, and the other young man, and and his companions removed from tho
the old man with him, because they have room, leaving Denzil Norman with some
brought the abominable things into our of his officers and one or two of the vil-
Israel, even a king and a king's crown, lagers. Amongst the latter was John
which the land had spued forth." Brownlow, who, notwithstanding his
"
Beware, Colonel Okey, beware !" own deliverance from peril and imme-
cried Denzil Norman. diate death, felt too keenly for all joy,
11
Hark they are in the streets before not alone the sad fate which had befall-
!

the house," cried a young man from the en his father, but the treacherous course
window, looking out. which that father had pursued.
" Call them " Be comforted,
shouted the
up," young my good friend," said
cavalier ; and, instantly letting go Jane the young nobleman, after he had given
Un win's hand, John Brownlow started orders to remove the body to the old
towards the window. man's cottage. " This was an accident
One of the troopers, however, threw which but shortened his days by a very
himself in the way, and knocked him brief space, and, perhaps, it is better to
down with the hilt of his sword, when terminate life with one brief pang sud-
at once the confusion became general. denly over, than to endure prolonged
Some voices shouted, " Long live King suffering, or the wearisome
exhaustion
"
Charles," some Down with the men of of gradual decay."
Belial ;" the crowd in the room swayed John Brownlow was a simple and not
hither and thither as several strove to very well educated peasant. He affect-
push forward, and not a few to escape ed to be nothing more ; but there is
;

and, in the midst of the confusion, Joshua something in plain good sense superior
Scroggs threw himself upon the young to all education and to all talent, and he
Lord Blount, and endeavoured to pinion replied, I think, my lord, that every-
his arms ; but Denzil was as strong and thing must depend upon preparation;
more active, and turning the pistol from and it is with grief I ask myself, * Was
'

Okey towards the head of his assailant, he prepared 1*

he fired, and the man fell back, knock- Lord Blount felt rebuked, but it wa
ing down with his ponderous weight one done without the slightest assumption,
of the soldiers who was hurrying up to and he replied at once, " That is too
his assistance. A
loud rushing tramp true. Nevertheless, my good friend,
was heard from the door as of a multi- let us not, even in our thoughts, limit
tude of feet hurrying up the stairs, and God's mercy; but go home no\v, and
the next moment a number of steel caps tell your fair cousin that I shall be at
and grim faces appeared pouring in, and your house soon. I have many things
the voice of Denzil Norman shouted to deal with, but I will not be long ero
"
aloud, Arrest every man found in arms, I visit you."
and let the rest go. Quietly, quietly ; John Brownlow smiled " You
faintly.
we have had too much strife already." will not find Alice there," he said ;
" but
" Take that, at least, for thy part," cri- I will tell you more, my lord, when I
ed one of Okey's troopers, levelling a car- you. see She, too, has had duties to per-
bine towards him. A villager, however, form, and has performed them well but, ;

who stood near, struck the man a blow if I might advise you, your lordship-
on the nrm at the very moment he was would look to the safety of Lord Eus-
railing the trigger, and the shot, passing tace, he was your old friend,
I under-

Denzil Norman's head, with one of stand, and if these men have dared such
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 45

things hero, what may they not have at
tempted there ?"
44
My old friend !" replied the young
cavalier.
" He was more than a father
tome; but I fear not for him. They
had no power to injure him. Now leave
me, John. We will soon meet again."
An hour had passed, and while min-
ute after minute of that time crept by,
not less than a third part of the time had
been spent by Denzil Norman Lord
Blount in deep meditation, with his hands
covering his eyes, as he sat in the chair
so lately occupied by Colonel Okey.
His orders had been given, his arrange-
ments made, soldier after soldier
quitted the room, and no one remained
on that floor of the house but the guard
at the door. He was left all alone in
the hall, where one of those little trage-
dies had taken place which, though en-
ory. But if from tho fountain roso up
drops of bitterness, yet there \vas ono
sweet and balmy stream mingled with
the less refreshing waters, and seemed
to enrich and beautify the garden of the
future. It
sprang from the memories of
the place in which he then was. In a
humble cottage, with nothing to deco-
rate, to enrich, or to beautify, there ap-
peared to remembrance a form and a
face never to be forgotten. His ear still
seemed to hear the musical tones heard
many months before, his heart to thrill,
his imagination to take fire, with the high
thoughts presented to him by a simple
peasant girl. There was no hesitation,
had there was no doubt, as to his own con-
duct. He had learned a deep, a stern,
a wholesome lesson in adversity, and he
had not learned it in vain. Worth is let-
ter than wealth, goodness greater than no-
bility excellence brighter than distinction.
y

acted in a smaller space than the greater And, after that long pause of thought, he
dramas performed on the wide stage of rose, and putting on his hat again, fen no
the world, often afford a deeper and had removed it, as if to cool his heated
more concentrated interest. The hall brow while the furnace of thought work-
was large, as I have and looked
said, ed within, he went to the door, and de-
"
larger in its Benches and set-
vacancy. manded, Has the King been proclaim-
tles had been removed, and
naught re- ed in the village?"
mained upon the flu -r but the dark-red "
No, my lord," replied the man ;
staina of blood whe: " the soldier and "
you gave no orders."
Roger Brownlow had fallen. 41
Quick, order up my horse," replied
Twenty minutes may seem a long pe- the young nobleman, " and order the
riod for meditation, but who can tell how trumpeters to mount. Shame on mo
many were the different images which that I neglected it for a minute !"
presented themselves to his mind during Then descending to the door, where
that time, how wide was the
range of a number of the soldiers were waiting
thought, how discursive and how erratic for his pleasure, he gave various orders
was the course that it pursued. In for marching off the prisoners who had
those twenty minutes the present and been taken in the town, and for commu-
the past were revolved, and the future
nicating intelligence of all that had oc-
came in for its share of consideration curred both to Colonel Ingoldsby and
;

but memory, perhaps, was the most busy, to the Commander-in-Chief. He then
and the eight or nine years last past pre- mounted his horse, and with a small
sented a thousand objects to arrest the party of troops following, and three
mind. It was only wonderful that so trumpeters preceding him, he rode
much was crowded into so small a space. through the village, proclaiming the
Where did his thoughts wander 1 To King at every open space. His last
Worcester field, the flight, the pursuit, halt was before the castle, where the
the first battle he had ever seen, with its whole of the regiment which had ac-
fiery strife, and its thrilling interest, the companied him, drawn up in battle ar-
disastrous defeat, the breathless
gallop ray, occupied the right-hand side of the
for life and liberty, tho
long concealment, green, while the villagers, in a consider-
the passage to another land, the life of able number, stood with
every sijrn of
privation, adventure, and care, and all rejoicing beneath tho castle walls. A
that had succeeded, seemed like adream loud shout greeted his approach, and, in
:

painful, confused, irregular, yet full of answer to the proclamation, a hundred

dark and powerful emotions, and things voices shouted, " God save the
King!"
which could never bo blotted from mem- a sound which had not been heard in
1
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.

Landlcigh for many a year before. The
young lord looked around over the faces
of the country people, but he saw few
that he recognised ;
for neither Alice
Brownlow, nor her cousin, nor Jane,
nor good Dame Unwiii were present.
In the front, indeed, was the thin, spare
person of Mr. Gideon Samson, and spur-
ring his fiery horse up to him, the young
court, andgazed around him for a mo-
ment or two with an air in some degree
melancholy.
Some of the villagers, before they de-
parted, peeped in through the archway,
to see what the young commander was
about; but one by one they dropped
away, some of them saying to each oth-
er as they went, He is waiting to see
'

nobleman shook him kindly by the hand,
expressing regret that he had Buffered
imprisonment by the fanatics; adding,
" As it was for conscience
however,
sake, my dear sir, you will not, I am
sure, regret it."
Mr. Samson was about to reply, in
the fairy, I will warrant."
In the meantime, Denzil Norman took
out his watch, and communed with him-
self in a low murmur. " I should
like
to see," he said, with a slight smile, per-
"
haps at his own credulity, I should like
to see whether this sight \vill appear

perhaps a sourer strain than usual,

when again. It wants but half an hour to sun-
I will wait and watch, and go down
good Doctor Aldover stood forward, and set.
with tears in his eyes greeted his former to the cottage after night-fall. 1 1 is grow-
" Ah
guest. !
my dear young lord," he ing very sultry, methinks," and passing
" I remember
said, you now right well. through the arch again, he looked forth
How could I be so stupid as to forget over the sky. To the southward and
you though, lack a day, you are much eastward heavy clouds were rising up,
;

.changed but so, indeed, am I. 1 trust, and advancing with great rapidity, al-
however, that you will bo my guest though, as he stood there beneath the
again, and take up your quarters with ruined walls, not a breath of air fanned"
me while you stay." his cheek and walking round to the
;

Denzil Norman was answering kind- further side of the building, ho gazed out
ly,
and bending from his horse, with over the scene below, seeing the dark
Doctor Aldover'e hand in his, to speak shadow of tho clou Js sweeping up over
a few words more privately to his old the sunshiny land:, while a long black
friend, when an officer rode up, saying, fringe, stretching from the edge of the
" We have examined
every nook and cloud to the very ground, told that tho
cranny, my lord, but we can find noth- rain was descending in torrents not far

ing."" off. A dull flash passed before his

eyea
" That is he gazed, and turning back towards
strange," answered the young as
nobleman. " My information is positive, the gates of tho castle, he placed him-
but I shall probably receive further in- self under the heavy arch, and gazed to-

telligence soon. Let the matter pass wards the well. The sunshine which,
for the present, and be with me at eighf*
1

streaming through the portal, stretched

to-night. In the meanwhile, dismiss the out across the green grass of the court,
troops to their quarters,
but see that growing longer and longer as the sun
good order be strictly preserved, and declined, had just reached the margin
that the prisoners bo well treated." of the well, and the deep clouds, stretch-
As he spoke, Denzil Norman dis- ing far over tho sky, seemed to gather
mounted from his horse, and passing the whole light under their gloomy can-
along the line, addressed a few words to opy ; the rays, from the warm yellow,
the soldiers, brief but kind and energet- first assumed a violet colour, and then a
ic, and when he had done, and seeing rosied red, so that some fragments of
them begin to file off, he turned again to- glass in the old window frames seemed
wards the villagers, looking apparently actually to send forth flames. More than
for Doctor Aldover. The worthy phy- one flash had succeeded tho first which
eician, however, had disappeared, and Denzil Norman had seen, and one loud
telling the peasantry that if they would roll of the thunder hud been heard, when
meet him there on the following day at suddenly a broad blue glow spread over
twelve, he would treat them to as much the sky, and a thin line of zigzag light
beef and ale os they could lay into their darted rapidly down before his eyes, and
ekins in honour of the King's restoration, struck a pinnacle of the old keep which
Denzil walked slowly into the castle towered up on tho right-hand side. Ii
 THE LAST OP THE FAIRIES.

an instant a large mass of the stone-work She took a step back as she spoke,
was cast down, joining the crashing and, as she did so, another vivid flash of
noise of its fall with the deafening roar lightning blazed through the castle court.
of the thunder. Denzil Norman press- He could see the livid fire play around
ed his hands over his eyes, for the bright- the form before him, and, at the same
ness of the flash seemed almost to have moment, a loud crash was heard min-
deprived him of sight. When
he open- gling with the thunder, and one of the
ed them again, and looked towards the large elms, shivered by the lightning, fell
well, the same figure he had seen before in a slanting direction across the well,
was standing there, but now a portion brushing the garments of the young cav-
of the white garments was cast over the alier even as he started away.
" It must have fallen
bead, and the face was entirely veiled. upon her," ha
The young gentleman sprang forward, exclaimed, and, advancing rapidly, ha
but while ho was yet some fifteen or looked round in every direction, but the
twenty paces from the well, the figure, figure was no longer to be seen, and the
which had been perfectly motionless next instant the sun went down, the dark
before, raised one arm with a warning clouds stretched over the sky, and all
" Hold no was darkness.
motion, and a voice said, !

Through the thick shower of rain, witb

1 '
farther!
" Tell
me, then, extraordinary being, drenched garments and a somewhat dis-
what you are !" exclaimed Denzil Nor- appointed heart, Denzil Norman took
man, pausing in his advance. his way back from the cottage of John
'
That matters not to you," she said. Brownlow toward the house of good Doc-
Inquire not of things that concern you tor Aldover. He had found no one at the
"

not, but listen to words that may benefit cottage but the servant girl, and an old
you. You have followed counsel, and woman appointed to watch the body of
you have prospered. Follow it now, the dead man. Neither could he obtain
and you shall have better than prosperi- any information regarding Alice at all
ty peace All things shall undergo a satisfactory to himself.
! The girl said
change in this land. The old have pass- she had not been at home for three days,
ed away the new are coming. You and that she did not know where she
;

stand upon the limits of two great epochs, was, but that was all the young nobleman
with an impassable gulf between them. could extract from her; and let those
Men shall try to bring back that which who are younger than I am imagine the
bas gone by, and they shall fail. Strife disappointment which such tidings gave
and bloodshed will follow, and corrup- to one who, for months, had been dwell-
tion and wickedness shall reign but do ing in the thought of seeing her whom he
;

you mix in none of these things. Flee loved, and calling her his own. The
the court and the cities, and live amongst warm reception of good Doctor Aldover
your own people on your own lands. cheered him, it is true, and ho was still
Be a brother to some, a father to others, more cheered by the worthy man's as-
a friend to all, and suffer not yourself to surance that Alice Brownlow would soon
be tempted into places where kings re- be back again, and that she had only left
sort for in this day of all days it is dan- the place in fear of the Roundhead sol-
;

gerous, if not wicked. Hold yourself diery a term which the Doctor did not
aloof from every faction and every par- scruple to apply in the present instance,
ty, and let the gay and the light scoff' if although he would rather
have eaten his
they will, the sober and the steadfast will hand than have used it to the soldiers of
love and approve. This I am command- the Commonwealth a month before. As
ed to tell you will you obey as you be- soon as he had given this intelligence,,
:

fore obeyed ? If you do, you shall be however, Doctor Aldover thought fit to
"
rewarded." put on a grave look, and add, I am not
" Most Den-
assuredly I will," replied sure, my good lord, that I ought not to
zil Norman
"
for, in truth, such was my send word to Alice that she had better
;

determination ere you spoke. Now one remain away, for I do not half like a no-
word more " ble lord taking such particular interest in
"
Enough !" said the figure, waving a cottage girl."
its hand
" You shall find him " If
enough
; !
you do, I shall not easily forgive
*'
you &eek before this night be over." you," answered Denzil Norman ; but
 TFJE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
" You will know
bo tinder no fear, my good doctor. I the touch of it right
can act as a man of honour to a woman as well," said Lord Eustace, stretching 'hia
well as to a man. I will now send for my right arm from beneath the cloak, and
luggage, and change my dress, for I am grasping Denzil's hand.
Bumcwliat travel-stained arid very wet." The young nobleman started back, ex-
*'
You will find all your luggage in claiming, " Good heaven What is this ?
!

your room, my lord," replied Doctor Al- It "is cold as iron !"
" I took the Because it is iron," answered Lord
tlover. liberty of telling
no- Eustace. " On the bitterest
youi' people that you should quarter day of all
where else while you were here. I will my life, Denzil, wounded in this right
Jight you up, and when you have done arm, and a prisoner on the field of battle,
wo will have another howl of punch to- my escape was purchased at the dearest
gether, and drink the King's health with price that ever was paid for human safe-
a worthy friend of mine who is anxious ty at a price which I call honour to
to ho well acquainted with you." witness I would not willingly have paid
"What! Mr. Gideon Samson ?" said for a thousand years of the brightest ex-
1

the young nobleman. istence that ever was given to mortal

"No, no," replied the doctor; "one man. Untended for many days, the gan-
of a very different kidney; but this is the grene seized upon my wounded hand,
way ;" and he led him up the low open and I lost it under the surgeon's knife.
stair-case to the room he had tenanted Thanks to this good old man, whom yon
before. Some time elapsed before Dcu- must remember well as my chaplain
zil came down again, for, to say the truth, when you were a boy, this contrivance
he passed several minutes in meditation. was procured for me, on a model brought
At length, however, he descended, and from far, serving me well-nigh as well as
found his way easily enough to the door the hand I had lost for by tho move-
;

of the good doctor's library, guided part- ment of my arm, I can clasp and extend
ly by memory, partly by the sound of the fingers as you see, aye, wield a sword
voices speaking. On opening the door, or strike a stout blow, nhould it be need-
ho beheld two persons seated by the ful. I have struck one, too, and not long
email, square table in the window. Doc- since."
tor Aldover was one, the other was a Yes, I have'heard of it," replied Den
44

noble-looking man in black, with n point- zil.

<k
Had it not been for that, I might
ed hbard, which, as well as his hair, was have come somewhat too late."
" And for a dose of Thebiac
nearly white; and yet, to judge both from tincture,"
form and face, he was by no means far added Doctor Aldover. " I had better
advanced in life. He had a long rapier intelligence than Master Okey thought
by his side, and his black cloak had rot for ; and when he sent for me, after I
been cast off. The moment the young had been kept many hours in prison in
nobloman entered, he rose and gazed sore trepidation of mind and discomfort
upon him steadfastly, while DenziPs eyes of body, I made bold to give him that
were busy with his features also. The which I knew would render the snake
next instant, however, Lord Blount start- innocuous for eight or ten hours at least ;
ed forward with extended hand, exclaim- but now, by the leave of both your lord-
" this is indeed a ships, I will retire and a bet-
ing, Oh, my dear lord !
prepare
joyful meeting. Whore have you con- ter potion than that which J. gave the
cealed yourself so long
"
V routed colonel good punch, I mean.
Welcome, welcome, Denzil," said Perhaps, too, you may have matters well
Lord Eustace ; " welcome, my dear boy. to be talked over in private."
"Well have you done your devoir as a Thus saying, he withdrew; and a long,
loyal subject, a good soldier, and an hon- a sad, and interesting conversation took
'

est man. What more need 1 for all the place between the elder and younger
care that I bestowed
upon your youth ?" nobleman, in which Denzil for the first
and at the same moment he tookDenzil's time learned the events which had taken
hand with his own left. an hour or two
place on Worcester field
The young man looked somewhat sur- after night-fall ; how a wife and a daugh-
"
prised.
"
Nay, my good lord," he .said ter had devoted themselves to save a
;

give mo your right hand surely, if you husband and father; and how the shot
love me as of old." which had been intended for the escap-
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 49
had struck her whose life be united to you, whom we had oduca-
'

Captive,
was dearer to him than his own, as ted with so much care. The dear
far
has been shadowed out in the first chap- will soon he in my arms again. I find
ter of this history. that her education has been in no de-
" For nine
years," continued Lord gree neglected ; and as Cromwell, with
" I have mourned as few men a
Eustace, generosity but little to be expected,
ever mourned. In secrecy and by night saved my lands from confiscation for heri

I caused the body of my departed saint sake, saying that he would not spoil tha
!

to be brought hither to my old castle of orphan, inasmuch as he believed me to

Landleigh, where the reverend friend be dead, the wealth, which was abund-|

who has just left us performed the last

'

ant in other days, has only increased,

office for the dead in the vaults beneath i
Beautiful she is. Denzil, beautiful she
the castle. Every morning have I pray- 1
must be; and with a right good will, a
ed beside her tomb, every evening have father's blessing, and a dowry which
j

1 wept over her, and strewed the cold
stone with flowers. I have lived the life
of a hermit within those old walls, con-
cealed and aided by a few kind friends
and faithful dependents, who
me my adversity as I had befriended
in
them in my prosperity. The most skil-
fuJand the most kind, because by nature
the most timid, was good Doctor Aldo-
ver; and an idle story which the villa-
got up of the castle being haunted
might suit a princess, I will give her to
you as soon as we reach London. But
you look grave, good youth. What is the
matter ? Does not the match suit you 1"
befriended Denzil Norman paused for a moment
j
ere he replied, and he felt his situation
1
painful. For the man before him he felt,
j
as well he might, a son's affection. Lord
Eustace had been to him a father when
his own father was no more. Lady Eus-
face had been more than a mother to him.
j

Sy a fairy, contributed much to my long i

For the sweet child, who, with such for-
concealment." titude and presence of mind, had saved
*
Nay, my pood lord," replied Denzil her father from imprisonment and death,
;
" itwas no idle story got up by villa- he had felt in early years a brother's af-
j

gers. The fairy I have seen with my fection. But yet there was something
j

own eyes, and a right beautiful fairy she stronger still than all this: there was
On the very same night when I saw love, the pure, high, first love of a warm
j

is.

your lordship in the vaults beneath the and enthusiastic heart. That would have
\

castle, 1 beheld that fairy, and you must been enough but there was something ;

Lave beheld her too." more. There was honour that feeling,
He spoke with a smile, but Lord Eus- that principle, that prejudice, call it what
tace answered gravely, " I saw no fairy, you will, which had been early implant-
Denzil. You must have been dreaming." ed in his heart by the man who now
" Not
so, upon my life," replied Den- spoke to him, which had been cherish-
" I was called thither to ed
zil Norman. through life, and worshipped almost
that interview by the fairy's voice I saw with idolatry.
; He had spoken words to
|

lier with my own eyes that night I have Alice Brownlow that could never be un-
;

seen her twice since, ay, this very night, said, that he could not, that he would not,
not much more than an hour ago. But, wish unsaid. What was to him the prej-
perhaps, my dear lord, the fairy was of udices of the world, what the consider-
flesh and blood. Had I not known that ations of wealth, of rank, of station, in
your dear daughter was in London, kept comparison with honour and love ! He
under the tutelage of Cromwell, t should j
knew that the light and gay might laugh ;

havo thought it was her whom I beheld." j

he knew that the proud and the selfish
Lord Eustace smiled with an incred- j might scorn and blame but he was not
;

ulous shake of the head. " Well, Den- the creature of other men's opinions,
"
ail," he said, young men and young and he hesitated not a moment. He
women are hard to disabuse of their er- paused, indeed, but it was with no hesi-
rors; It was merely to consider how
but as you have mentioned my tation.
daughter's name, let me speak at once he might tell his tale so as not to pain or
!

before Aldover's return, on a subject' offend the hearer.

" What is the
near to my heart. You are woll aware, matter, Denzil ?" de-
I doubt not, that it was the dearest wish manded Lord Eustace, after
waiting
of my beloved Lilla that our Kate should some moments for an answer and hit
j ;

D
DO THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
Twow was grave and almost stem as he will act as a lover," answc^J Lord
put the question. Eustace. " May your love )u^ con-
" I will tell few dear for in it only can you find happi-
you in words, my tinue;
lord," replied the young nobleman ness under such circumstances.
; But,
44
and you shall judge, and will judge, as good faith, I should like to see your par-
you always do, nobly and rightly. It agon of perfection. You say that she
was my fate some time ago to meet in lives in this village ; I must surely know
this very village, in a humble station of her. What is her name ?"
life, without fortune, without family, The colour somewhat mounted in the
without anything to recommend her but young lord's cheek as he replied, " Alice
the loveliness of her person, and the high Brownlow ;" but Lord Eustacj shook
qualities of her mind, the only woman his head. "I know no such person," he
for whom I ever felt love. In a moment said ; ** I never heard the name. There
of danger and difficulty, when I little was old Roger Brownlow, a tenant of
thought to see the bright days that we mine, who has since proved traitor to
now see, when I little
thought to meet his lord, I find and John Brownlow, his
;

you or any of my old friends again, I told son, as good a youth as ever lived, who
her of my love and won a promise from has served me well ; but the old man
her. Yet I will own, had I known all had no daughter."
that I now know had I been a prophet " He
had a niece, though," answered
to foresee the events which have taken Denzil.
"
place, I would have done the same." never heard of her,*' replied Lord
I
" Have " I must ask
you considered well, young Eustace.good Doctor
man," said Lord Eustace, with a very Aldover about her for I must see her, ;

grave brow, that which you are about ? in good faith, Denzil; and if she proves
'

Have you bethought you of all that must as you have reported her, you shall have
follow ? Remember that the beauty my blessing on your marriage as a fa-
must fade, and all those charms and ther's. Ah here comes the good doc- !

graces which captivate the eye will passtor himself. Tell me, my old and val-
away that passion itself may die in its ued friend, who is this Alice Brownlow
;

oWn flame, and the more solid realities that my young friend Denzil raves
of the world may acquire weight even about?"
with a romantic spirit, as the hurry of " She is all that is
beautiful, bright,
the young blood is calmed by years, and and excellent," replied Doctor Aldover ;
"
thought takes place of passion. Have and is in my house at this very mo-
you thought what it will be to see the ment."
cold civility shown by your peers to the "What, you too enthusiastic!" cried
"
young Lord Blount's peasant wife? to Lord Eustace. Pray, let me have the
hear it told how you had been caught by fair lady's company, my dear friend.
a pretty face? to bear all those petty Nay, I will go and fetch her myself.
slights and half-concealed contempts Where shall I find her?"
which follow surely in society upon an "
Nay, nay, I will bring her," answer-
union ?"
ill-assorted ed Doctor Aldover; and going forth
"
My have thought of all this
lord, I again, he returned a moment after, lead-
and more," replied Derizil. *' I have ing Alice by the hand. She was dress-
put more questions to my own heart ed as she had been when she went with
than you can or will put; and I have Denzil to the church, with wimple and
answered, that beautiful as she is, were hood, almost like a nun and, with a ;

it mere heart beating warmly, he sprang up to

beauty, I should never have
spoken to her the words I have spoken ;
meet her so soon as that beautiful form
but even had I done so for beauty alone, appeared ; but, without even looking
yet I would keep my word. I owe that towards him, Alice drew her hand from
to her and to myself. In doing so, how- that of Doctor Aldover, and advanced
ever, I have no fears, no hesitation ei- with a quick and eager step towards
ther for myself or her; for the mind is Lord Eustace.
as lovely as the person, and the heart as The old nobleman threw wide his
beautiful as either. You smile, my dear arms, and, casting hers around his neck,
lord." she leaned her head upon his bosom, and
" Because you speak as a lover, and sobbed aloud.
 THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 51

"Niy, Kate, nay," cried Lord Eus the details, but nevertheless I contented
tace; "nay, my sweet Kate, be not so myself with what I had got an exceed-
moved. What though this ungrateful ingly good plan in all
circumstances,
boy here refuses your hand, all for the dear reader, but for which on this occa-
love of one Alice Brownlow, we shall sion I had. my particular reasons. In
find you a better husband than him, no the first place, I could not at all doubt
fear. Come, look up, my Kate. Well that,under the circumstances in which
I know joy will have tears as well as they married, Denzil Norman and the
sorrow, and we have shed many of the Lady Catharine Brooke, otherwise Alice
former together, so the latter must have Brownlow, were as happy as any two
way. Keep back, Lord Blount; you people can be in this place of pilgrim-
have refused her, you know. Lo you !
age. I was satisfied, therefore, in regard
1

repent, do you ? Well, take her, then, to them, and wished them joy as
heartily
and forget Alice Brownlow in the arms as good Doctor Aldover did, I do not
of Catharine Brooke." doubt, after giving them the nuptial ben-
**
Never," answered Denzil, throwing ediction when he was restored to his old
his arms around her ; " nevor, my good cure at Landleigh, which I find by the
lord. My first love, and my last. Call parish register was in July of the year
her what name you will add titles, 1660. As to John Brownlow, who, -by
rank, distinction, fortune, every thing the way, was Alice's foster-brother, I
that men hold dear you cannot make have not the slightest doubt in the world
me love her better than I loved my cot- that he married Jane Unwin, and made
tage girl." her a very excellent husband. It is not
"Thanks, Denzil, thanks for that," a thing to be doubted at all ; and I find
cried Alice, for so we must still call her, in the records of the house of Faucon-
" But will
as he ever did. you love me berg the following curious passage :
as well, Denzil, as Catharine Brooke, " Alice
Brownlow, long educated by
for look, I am very much changed," and my Lady Mary as the Lady Catharine
ahe threw back the hood from her head. Brooke, she having been found in a house
Somewhat to his surprise, he then be- at Worcester after the battle at that
held that the dark, black braided hair place, and passed by her mother Janet
was gone, and in its place the bright for the daughter of Lord Eustace, was
glossy tresses of a warm, light brown, this day dismissed from her home with
which he remembered hanging over the many presents, she having grown greatly
fair brow of the child. He only drew in my lady's favour by reason of her gen-
her closer to his breast. "Ay," he said, tleness and docility. Item, a silver salt-
" as Alice
Brownlow, as Catharine cellar was given to her by my lord as a
"
Brooke, and moreover, as gift."
But she put her fair hand upon his In regard to Mr. Gideon Samson, I
"
lips, saying, Hush, hush not a word might have made my mind uneasy, hav-
!

of that ;" and she turned a timid glance ing no precise information concerning
to good Doctor Aldover, whose eyes him, but that I find many of the Presby-
were too full of joyful tears to notice terian clergy fled from England into
one half of what passed. Scotland, to avoid the plague and Epis-
copacy and as Sir Walter Scott, in one
;

of his true histories, records the life and

L'ENVOYE.
DEARLY -BELOVED reader, you have
heard an old story as it was told by an
old man upon an old Christmas night.
For some reason of his own you know
old men are very whimsical he did not
choose to go any farther, and it was
actions of a worthy gentleman of the
same name as our respected friend, I
have no doubt that he left posterity to
carry on his virtues to other generations.
The only persons of importance to be
provided for, therefore, were the old
castle and the fairy. As to the old cas-
tle, its ruins were shown with pride with-
in my remembrance, by the antiquaries

quite in vain questioning him. Perhaps of Landleigh, who pointed out to the cu-
the truth was he knew nothing more, for rious a subterranean communication be-
he was a man of scrupulous veracity, as tween the building and the church, to-
I am. I would have been glad to hear gether with some stone doors in the re*
 TIIK LAST OF THE FAIRIES.
maining towers of the old fortalice, fitting memory is still cherished, however, by
no nicely into the masonry as not to be the older and the younger inhabitants of
distinguishable to any but a prepared the place. The boys and girls look
eye. The building has lately been very I
through the old archway with timid ex-
much dilapidated by a greediness for pectation as they pnss on the summer
stones which has come upon the popula- evenings ; and I once gave great nfieuce
tion since numerous factories have been to an old lady by
hinting a suspicion that
established by the banks of the stream ; the famous fairy of Landleigh well was
and some of the wags of the place have no other than the beautiful daughter of
remarked that the castle is the best Brooke, Lord Eustace.
quarry in the neighbourhood. Ou this important point I must leave
Either from this desecration of her all readers to
judge for themselves hut, ;

dwelling-place, or some other cause of
disgust, the fairy has not
many, many years by the
its waters remain clear
leigh well, though
nd limpid, and the setting sun shines
upon it every evening as before. Her
at all events, this was the last of the fai-
appeared for ries, and the only one that ever appeared
side of Land- after William Churne of Staffordshire
was dead, and " Wittie Bishop Corbet"
took his " Farewell" of the Good Poo-
pie.

TUB END

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