The Buccaneer - A Tale

"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."