"It may have been," replied the soldier: "speak on."
"In my early youth, nay, in very childhood, I was the playmate of her
who is now ripened into glorious womanhood. I will not tell you why or
wherefore--but 'tis a strange story--my destiny led me to distant but
far less happy scenes: my heart panted to be near her once again; yet it
was all in vain; for, in truth, I was cast upon the waters--left----"
"Like the infant Moses, doubtless," interrupted the Major; adding, "But
found you no Pharaoh's daughter to succour and take pity? Methought
there were many to become nursing fathers and mothers to the spawn, the
off-sets, of monarchy."
"Sir!" exclaimed the Cavalier with emotion, "why this needless insult?
You told me to proceed; and now----"
"I tell you to desist. What care I to hear of the love you bear the
woman Cecil? She is the betrothed of another man; and were she not,
think you I could wish her wedded to one holding principles such as
yours? Have not her gallant brothers, boys fostered, nurtured in
freedom, soared to taste the liberty of heaven? Have they not yielded up
their breath, their life-blood in the holy cause? The saplings were
destroyed, although the Lord's arm was outstretched, and mighty to save!
And think ye I would see her, who is part and parcel of such glorious
flesh, wedded to one who yearns for the outpouring of slaughter, and the
coming again of a race of locusts upon this now free land?"
"If Lady Constance would have broken the unjust contract," replied
Walter, reasoning for once with something like coolness, "I should not
have thought of asking your opinion, or consulting your wishes, Major
Wellmore."
"And yet, had you been different, had the Lord given unto you to discern
the right, I could, I might, I would say, have had sufficient influence
to order it otherwise--that is, if her affections be not placed on
Burrell; for I hold it as a fleshly and most carnal act to bestow the
hand in marriage, where the heart goeth not with it."
"If Mistress Cecil were asked," said Walter, "she would not, I am sure,
deny that the man is held by her in utter abhorrence."
"I have heard of this," replied the veteran, "but look upon the
information most doubtingly. Constantia Cecil is a truth-loving and a
God-fearing woman, and I deem her to be one who would die sooner than
plight a false faith: it would be difficult to find a motive strong
enough to destroy her sense of religion, or the rectitude springing
therefrom."