Roger Kyffin's Ward Part 4

"That's our mace-bearer, your Majesty, Jedidiah Pike."

Jedidiah Pike, hearing his name announced, supposed that he was summoned, and advanced up the room. Overcome, however, by his feelings, and awe at finding himself in the presence of majesty, down he went on his knees, mace and all, and prostrated himself at the King's feet, while, looking up with an expression of the most intense reverence, he endeavoured to kiss the hand of majesty.

"Get up, man! get up!" exclaimed the King, scarcely refraining his laughter, "I am not the Grand Seignior nor a three-tailed Basha. Get up, get up, man, and you shall kiss my hand, if it pleases you." The King could restrain his laughter no longer, and gave way to a hearty cachination, in which his attendants, and even the mayor and corporation of Lynderton, heartily joined, greatly to the confusion of poor Pike, who retreated backwards, very nearly tumbling over his own gown as he endeavoured to escape from the royal presence. During the remainder of the ceremony, the King every two minutes gave way to another hearty laugh, and as he descended the stairs to mount his horse, he looked round, and again inquired for his friend Pike.

The King rode on as before, attended by the few gentlemen who had come with him from Lyndhurst, the populace following at a respectful distance. While he rode on, either side was lined with eager spectators, who gave forth with cheerful voices reiterated welcomes.

The king nodded kindly, thanking the people now and then in words as he rode on.

Harry galloped on by a path he knew across the country, and the Colonel was in readiness to receive his royal guest on his arrival.

Meantime, the guests who had been invited to the _fete_ on the lawn arrived from all quarters, while the breakfast-room which overlooked it had been prepared for the royal family. They dined alone--the Colonel and the ladies of his family, aided by Lady Tryon, attending on them.

Lady Tryon was delighted at being invited by the Queen to attend on her.

She made herself especially agreeable, and took the opportunity of introducing her grandson to their Majesties.

Harry behaved remarkably well under circ.u.mstances so novel to him, and Mabel, at all events, thought that she had never seen him looking so handsome.

"He would make a charming page," Lady Tryon whispered in her ear; "I must try and get their Majesties to take him."

Meantime the sky had cleared, the sun shone forth brightly. The guests were soon seen in their gayest costumes crossing the lawn to the tents, the band struck up and played the most joyous tunes, and the King came to the window and clapped his hands with delight.

It was pleasant to see their Majesties mixing among the crowd, and talking familiarly to many of the guests. Several the King recognised; among others, Sir James Wallace, and his friend, General Perkins.

Upwards of an hour was thus pa.s.sed, when one of the gentlemen-in-waiting suggested to his Majesty that unless they soon commenced their homeward ride it would be dark before they could reach Lyndhurst. The Queen and princesses had already retired, as they purposed returning by the road they came.

"We must restore her cloak to Dame Poc.o.c.k," observed the Queen, "and other friends who were kind enough to lend them to us."

The King, however, purposed riding across the forest by a shorter cut, and through much beautiful woodland scenery. Harry held the King's horse, while Colonel Everard a.s.sisted him to mount.

"Ah!" said his Majesty, shaking the Colonel by the hand, "I am a happy King to be able thus to ride through a forest with only three or four unarmed attendants. Is there another sovereign in Europe that could do the same? I wot not, Colonel."

"Perhaps this young gentleman would like to accompany us," said one of the gentlemen-in-waiting, turning to the Colonel. "I know my way across the forest, but he probably is better acquainted with the paths on this side of it, and may somewhat shorten our ride. I am anxious to get the King home again lest his Majesty should have suffered by remaining so long in his damp clothes."

Harry was soon on horseback and galloping along to overtake the royal party. Every path and glade in that part of the forest was well known to him, and he was thus able to conduct the King, not only by shorter paths, but to show him some especial bits of woodland scenery. The King was much pleased, and complimented Harry on his taste. Whole troops of deer were seen coming in from all directions towards a keeper's lodge, where they were accustomed to a.s.semble every evening to be fed.

"A pity to shoot such beautiful creatures," said the King; "this forest should be their own. If I had to frame new forest laws I should certainly let the deer benefit by them. What say you, young gentleman?"

Harry had to confess he had no objection to ride after a stag with a pack of hounds, nor indeed to exercise his skill as a marksman on a fat buck.

The King laughed.

"We must not be too much guided by our feelings," he observed.

The King conversed constantly with Harry during the ride, and told him that he hoped to see him again. The young man bowed low as they reached Lyndhurst, and it is not surprising that his spirits should have been somewhat elated at the honour which had been done him. He turned his horse, and galloped quickly over the soft turf back again towards Stanmore, eager to report the safe arrival of the King, and, it is possible, to enjoy another dance with Mabel. She was not less well pleased than he was with the honour the King had done him, and it is not surprising that the young people should have thereon built up a somewhat lofty castle in the air, vapoury and changeable, as such castles invariably are. Lady Tryon was still more pleased. Her grandson had achieved a success. She saw him in imagination basking in the smiles of royalty, and obtaining the advantages which such smiles occasionally bring. Not always, though, as they are apt to raise up "envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness," in the hearts of rivals.

Dancing was still going on when Harry got back. On such occasions the officers of the foreign legion considerably eclipsed the less nimble-footed Englishmen, and were proportionally favourites. They were, therefore, far more popular with the ladies than with the male part of the community.

Harry had not forgotten his quarrel with the Baron de Ruvigny, and was somewhat surprised that the young lieutenant looked at him in so unconcerned a manner. He was not revengeful by disposition, but he fancied that he was in honour bound to settle the matter.

"The sooner the better," he thought to himself. "I will look out for him on his way to Lynderton, and see what he has to say for himself."

In the meantime he danced with Lucy and Mabel, and two or three other young ladies, for although it had been the custom for a gentleman to confine himself to the same partner during the whole of the evening, the foreign officers had managed to break through it, and thus to divide their attentions more generally among the fair s.e.x. At length the _fete_ came to an end. Everybody declared it was delightful. Harry saw Lady Tryon into her carriage, and saying that he would walk home, went back to pay his adieus to the ladies. Mabel looked more beautiful than ever, and gave him a smile which made him feel very happy.

"By-the-bye," said the Colonel, drawing him aside, "if you ever have an `affair of honour,' you must promise to ask me to be your second.

Remember I am an old soldier, and you could not have a better man. I must exact this promise."

Harry felt very foolish. He did not know how he looked. He could not help suspecting that the Colonel knew his secret; yet "how could he have known it?" The Colonel, however, would not let him go till he had pa.s.sed his word.

"Perhaps I may have to call upon you sooner than you expect, sir," he said; "really, these foreigners try one's temper."

"Perhaps you don't understand the foreigners, Harry," he said, in a good-natured tone. "However, good-night;" and the old officer returned chuckling into the drawing-room.

Harry hurried on. He had seen the Baron de Ruvigny leave the house but a short time before, and he expected soon to catch him up. He was not disappointed. The moon shone brightly. He knew the baron's figure, and saw him a little way ahead in company with several other officers.

Harry soon overtook them, and walking up to the side of the young baron, touched him on the shoulder.

"We had a little affair to settle the other day, baron," said Harry.

The young baron hesitated.

"I was labouring under a mistake. I confess it," he answered. "Colonel Everard has spoken to me, and has made me promise not to carry the matter further. I did not consider that you had a right to interfere, and I was, therefore, angry. I tender you my apology."

Harry hesitated a moment. Was it generosity or cowardice which made the young baron act in this way? "It is the first, I am sure," thought Harry. "I accept your apology gladly," he answered.

The young men shook hands and walked on side by side, both probably feeling much happier than they did before. They might, to be sure, have caused some sensation in the place had they fought; but even had one of them been killed, the event would probably have been no more than a "nine days' wonder," and even his most intimate acquaintance would soon have ceased to mourn. The two after this became fast friends.

The baron especially had many interesting adventures to relate, especially those he had undergone in escaping from France--"La belle France!" as he still called his native country.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

A FAREWELL VISIT.--SAD END OF A FESTIVE SCENE.

Mabel Everard and Harry Tryon stood together under the shade of the wide-spreading trees which extended their boughs over the edge of the large lake in Stanmore Park watching a couple of graceful swans which glided noiselessly by across the mirror-like surface of the water.

"I have come to wish you good-bye, Mabel," said Harry, and his voice trembled slightly. "Lady Tryon insists on my accompanying her to London, and I cannot refuse to obey her. It is time, and she says truly that I should choose a profession; but which can I choose? I should have preferred going to sea some years ago, but I am getting too old for that, and though I have no objection to the army, yet it would take me away for years, perhaps for long years, Mabel, and that I could not stand."

He looked affectionately into her face as he spoke.

"I should not wish you to go, Harry," she answered in a low voice, "and yet I know that it is right and manly to have a profession. I should not like you to be in any better, yet it is so full of dangers that I should be very miserable."

"No, I see, I must live in the country and turn farmer," said Harry, as if a bright idea had struck him. "I have always been told that Lady Tryon is sure to leave me all her property, and that must be sufficient for all my wishes. However, when I go to London I will try and learn what profession is likely to suit me. I certainly don't wish to be idle; and the thought of winning you, and making a home fit for your reception, will stimulate me to exertion."

"I shall be glad if it does."

A boat was moored near where they stood. Harry proposed to row Mabel round the lake. They looked very interesting as they two sat in the boat, Harry rowing, and Mabel smiling and talking cheerfully, occasionally catching at a water-lily.

They talked of Lucy. The theme was a sad one. Since the day of the _fete_ she had never been well. There was a colour in her cheek and a brightness in her eye, which alarmed her aunt. She communicated her fears to Mabel.

"But dear Lucy does not consider that she is in any danger, or she would not urge my uncle to have the ball next week."