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The Buccaneer - A Tale

Page 332

"Who says so?" inquired Constance eagerly.

"Why, everybody. Maud says so. And I have been to the door at least ten

times; but even the key-hole, I verily believe, is plugged. I am sure it

is, for I tried hard to see through it."

"The crisis of my fate is indeed come," murmured Constantia. Then, after

a pause, she was about to address her friend: "My dear Lady Frances--"

"Don't Lady Frances me," interrupted the young maiden, pettishly. "I

hate to be Lady Frances. I should know more about every thing if I were

a chamberlain's daughter."

"Your father can discover nought to your prejudice. I confess I both

dread and hope to hear news of the Gull's Nest. There is nothing which

can affect you there."

"How can I tell? Poor Rich chooses queer postmen sometimes! And that

Manasseh Ben Israel! he is as anxious as myself to know what is going

on. Two rooms locked up! Constance, I wonder you have not more spirit

than to submit to such proceedings. I would not."

"I am sorry for it; because it shows that your confidence in your father

is overbalanced by your curiosity."

"Pshaw!" exclaimed the lady, turning from her friend, just in time to

see the doors at the bottom of the room thrown open with much

ceremony:--the Protector, attended by his pages, followed by Dalton,

Fleetword, and Robin, entered.

Constance rose respectfully from her seat, glanced upon the form of the

fearful Buccaneer who now stood before her, and laying her hand on the

arm of her friend, would have withdrawn, had not Cromwell commanded her

to stay.

"Mistress Cecil, you will remain;--both remain," he said, while an

expression of exceeding kindness lent to his harsh countenance the

effect that sunlight gives to a rugged landscape, softening without

destroying a single point of its peculiar and stern character. "I have

no dread of objection on the part of the Lady Frances, and I must

request your presence." He took a large chair at the head of the table,

and seating himself, delivered a slip of writing to his page, who

immediately quitted the room.

"Our young friend will pardon this intrusion upon her privacy, and

moreover allow us to continue an investigation that has already been

attended with much pain, but we should hope with some satisfaction

also."

As he spoke, the door again opened, and Manasseh Ben Israel, pale and

trembling with agitation, walked, or rather, so submissive was his

attitude, crept forward, saluting the Protector and the ladies as he

advanced.

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