The Buccaneer - A Tale

Lady Frances turned from her friend with tears, and asked her no more

questions. Constantia wept not, but passed towards the servants' hall to

give some directions. The evening had quite closed, and the earth slept

under the broad grey wings of twilight; as she crossed the corridors,

she would have been bewildered by the darkness, had not her feet been

acquainted with every winding passage.

As she passed one of the deep and sunken entrances for light, that

seemed constructed for the purpose of expelling and not admitting the

beams of day, so narrow and complicated was its framework, something

struck violently on the glass. She started on perceiving a small figure

enveloped in a woman's cloak. Late occurrences had made her cautious;

but she was quickly assured of safety on hearing her name pronounced by

the voice of Robin Hays. In a low but somewhat confident tone he

informed her of his desire to see the Protector upon a matter of life

and death.

"Only ask him if he will see me, dear lady!--I would not come openly,

because I know he loves mystery in all things, and likes not that the

world should be able to prate of his interviews.--But ask quickly, dear

lady--quickly, as ye would seek heaven!"

"See you, Robin! The Protector see and counsel with you, Robin?"

"Ay, dear lady--the lion and the mouse--the lion and the mouse--only let

it be quickly--quickly."

"Stay, Robin; you of all men are the most likely to know--can you tell

me aught concerning one, I believe, we both loved?"

"Ask me not, dear mistress, now; only quickly, quickly to the

Protector."

In a few minutes Robin Hays again stood before the great and

extraordinary man he both respected and feared.

There was a mingling of kindliness and warmth in Cromwell's manner, as

he desired the manikin to come forward, and, having first questioned him

about his health, commanded him to tell his business.

"I have intruded on your Highness, which is a mark of great boldness in

a creature of such low degree," commenced the Ranger in obedience to the

Protector's orders, "and it is on behalf of one to whom I am much bound.

Alack! great sir, it is a sad thing when a man of spirit, of power, and

of bravery, has no friend to speak for him but one that Nature threw

from her as unworthy of the neat finishing she bestows on others:--when

our parent discards us, what have we to expect from mankind?"

"Do you speak of the youth called Walter, whose gallant Jubilee waits

impatiently till his master is at liberty to boot and saddle? He shall

mount him soon."