The Buccaneer - A Tale

As the old man walked some degree in advance, the elder took the

opportunity to inquire of his companion,-"Have you ever seen Mistress Cecil?"

"Seen Mistress Cecil!" repeated De Guerre, in evident embarrassment: "I

have seen but few of the ladies of the country--have had few

opportunities of doing so."

"Yet you resented the profanation of her name this afternoon under the

oak--dost remember that?"

"I know not who you are, sir," retorted Walter, angrily, and at length

fully roused from the respectful silence he had so long maintained,

"that you should thus cross and question one who sought not your

acquaintance. By heavens, if I were a friend (which, thank God, I am

not) of him you call Protector, or King, or whatever it be, I would

advise him of such persons; for it is the duty of every honest subject

to watch over his ruler, as over his father, with the care and the

duty--the tenderness and affection of a child. I should like to know how

you knew I had a grey steed?"

"Or how I discovered your ruffle with Sir Willmott Burrell after the

funeral," interrupted the other; "but be not afraid of meeting him: he

left Cecil Place some days ago, to arrange some business. Nay, now, do

not crow loudly your defiance, because I mentioned the word fear. What

a game-cock it is! pity, that though there is no white feather, there

should be no right feather in so gallant a crest!--Methinks the old

porter is long in summoning the grooms, so I will enter in the name of

the Lord; and do thou mind, 'Old Thunder,'" he added, in a gentle tone,

at the same time patting the curved neck of the noble creature, who

turned round his head at the caress, as if in appreciation of its value.

De Guerre took the bridle almost mechanically in his hand, and at the

same time muttered, "Left here, like a groom, to hold his horse! By the

Lord! I'll groom it for no man--yet, 'tis no disgrace, even to

knighthood, to handle a good steed; though I'd bet my poor Jubilee

against him.--Ah! here they come--" and he was preparing to resign his

charge right gladly to two servants, who advanced from a side-door just

as the stranger had mounted the last of a series of broad and

platform-like steps leading to the principal entrance. No sooner,

however, had the first of the attendants caught sight of the horseman's

cloak and broad-brimmed hat of the stranger, than he sprang up the

steps, and seized the garment, as the wearer was entering the hall. He

turned fiercely round at the assault; but the aggressor, whom De Guerre

now recognised as Springall, hung upon him too firmly to be easily

shaken off:--he drew his sword half out of its scabbard, and kept his

eye fixed upon the youth.