The road, by which the cavaliers were proceeding, though
well-made and passable at all times, was no considerable thoroughfare;
no large or important towns lay on its route; nay,
no large villages were situated on its margin. It was a devious
winding way, leading to many a homely farmhouse, many a sequestered
hamlet, and affording to the good rustics a means of
carrying their wheat and eggs and butter, or driving their fat
cattle and black-face moorland sheep to market; but it was not
the direct line between any two points, or places, worthy even
of a passing notice. It is true, that some twelve or fifteen
miles down the valley there was a house or two tenanted by
gentry — one that might by a liberal courtesy have been designated
a castle; but above Ingleborough hall, to northwestward,
there was no manor-house or dwelling of the aristocracy at all,
until the road left the ghylls — as those wild dens are designated—
and joined the line of the great northern turnpike.

It was extremely singular, then, to say the least, that a gay
troop of riders should appear suddenly in that wild spot, so far
from anything that would be likely to attract them; and Annabel
sat some time longer by the window, wondering, and at the
same time fearing, although in truth she scarce knew what.
Ere long at a mile's distance she saw them halt, and after a few
moments' conversation with a farming-man on the wayside, as
if to inquire their route, turn suddenly down a narrow by-road

[figure description] Page 051.[end figure description]

leading to the high narrow bridge of many arches, which
crossed the noble river and gave the only access to the secluded
site of Ingleborough. When she saw this, however, her
perturbation became very great; for well she knew that there
lay nothing in that direction except one little market-town, far
distant, and a few scattered farmhouses on the verge of the
moors, so that there could be but little doubt that Ingleborough
was indeed their destination.

The very moment that she arrived at this conclusion, Annabel
called a serving-man, and bade him run quick to the vicarage,
and pray good Doctor Somers to come up to her instantly,
as she was in great strait, and fain would speak with him; and
at the same time, with an energy of character that hardly could
have been expected from one so young and delicate, ordered
the men of the household — including in those days the fowler
and falconer, and half a dozen grooms and many a supernumerary
more, whom we in these degenerate times have long discarded
as incumbrances, to have their arms in readiness — for
every manor-house then had its regular armory — and to prepare
the great bell of the hall, to summon all the tenants on
the instant, in case such proceedings should be needful.

In a few moments the good gray-haired vicar came, almost
breathless from the haste with which he had crossed the little
space between the vicarage and the manor, and a little while
afterward his wife followed him, anxious to learn as soon as
possible what could have so disturbed the quiet tenor of a mind
so regulated by high principles, and garrisoned by holy thoughts,
as Annabel's. Their humble dwelling, though scarce a stone's
throw from the hall, was screened by a projecting knoll feathered
with dense and shadowy coppice, hiding from it entirely
the road by which the horsemen were advancing; so that the
worthy couple had not perceived, or suspected, anything to justify
the fears of Annabel, until they were both standing in her

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presence. Then, while the worthy doctor was proffering his
assistance, and his good wife inquiring eagerly what was amiss,
they caught sight of that gay company of cavaliers, with feathers
waving and scarfs fluttering in the wind, and gold embroideries
glancing to the sun; as, having left the dusty road, they
wheeled through the green meadows, and flashed suddenly upon
their eyes — a spectacle as unexpected as it was gorgeous and
exciting!

“Who can they be? What possibly can bring them hither?”
exclaimed Annabel, pointing with evident trepidation toward
the rapidly-approaching horsemen. “I fear — oh! I greatly
fear some heavy ill is coming — but I have ordered all the men
to take their arms, and the great bell will bring us twenty tenants
in half as many minutes! What can it be, good doctor?”

“Indeed, I know not, Annabel,” replied the good man, smiling
cheerfully as he spoke; “in truth I know not, nor can at
all conjecture; but be quite sure of this, dear girl, that they will
do, to us at least, no evil! — they are King Charles's men, without
doubt, churchmen and cavaliers, all of them! — any one can
see that! and, though I know not that we have much to fear
from either party, from them at least we have no earthly cause
for apprehension. I will go forth, however, to meet them, and
to learn their errand — meantime, fear nothing.”

“Oh! you mistake me,” she answered at once; “oh! you
mistake me very much; for I did not even for a moment fear
personally anything; it was for my poor mother I was first
alarmed; and all our good neighbors; and indeed all the country
around, that shows so beautifully and happy this fair evening! —
oh! but this civil war is a dread thing; and dread I fear
will be the reckoning of those who make it.”

“Who make it without cause, my daughter! A dreadful
thing it is at all times, but it may be a necessary, ay! and a
holy thing — when freedom or religion is at stake! but we will

[figure description] Page 053.[end figure description]

talk of this at another time; for see, they have already reached
the furthest gate, and I must speak with them before they enter
here, let them be who they may.”

And with the words, pressing her hand with fatherly affection,
“Farewell,” he said, “be of good cheer. I purpose to
return forthwith.” And then he left the room, and hurrying
down the steps of the porch, walked far more rapidly than
seemed to suit his advanced years and sedentary habits, across
the park to meet the gallant company.

A gallant company, indeed, it was, and such as was but
rarely seen in that wild region — being the train of a young
gentleman, of some eight or nine and twenty years, splendidly
mounted, and dressed in the magnificent fashion of those days,
in a half-military costume; for his buff coat was lined throughout
with rich white satin, and fringed and looped with silver,
a falling collar of rich Flanders lace flowing down over his
steel gorget, and a broad scarf of blue silk supporting his long
silver-hilted rapier. By his side rode another person, not certainly
a menial servant, and yet clearly not a gentleman of
birth and lineage; and after these a dozen or more armed attendants
followed, all wearing the blue scarf and black feathers
of the royalists, all nobly mounted, and accoutred, like regular
troopers, with sword and dagger, pistols and musquetoons, although
they wore no breastplates, nor any sort of defensive
armor.

A brace of jet-black grayhounds, without a speck of white
upon their sleek and glistening hides, ran bounding merrily beside
their master's stirrup, and a magnificent goshawk sat hooded
on his wrist, with silver bells and richly-decorated jesses.
So much had the ladies observed, even before the old man
reached the party; but when he did so, and paused for a moment
to address the leader, that gentleman immediately dismounted
from his horse; and after shaking hands, cordially,

[figure description] Page 054.[end figure description]

the two advanced together, apparently engaged in eager conversation,
toward the entrance of the hall.

This went far, on the instant, to restore confidence to Annabel;
but when they came so near that their faces could be seen
distinctly from the windows, and she could mark a well-pleased
smile upon the venerable features of her friend, she was completely
reassured. A single glance, moreover, at the face of
the stranger, showed her that the most timid maiden need
hardly feel a moment's apprehension, even if he were her country's
or her faction's foe; for it was not merely handsome, striking,
and distinguished, but such as indicates, or is supposed to
indicate, the presence of a kindly disposition and good heart.
Annabel had not much time, indeed, for making observations at
that time; for it was scarce a minute before they had ascended
the short flight of steps, which led to the stone porch, and entered
the door of the vestibule. A moment longer, and they
came into the parlor, the worthy vicar leading the young man
by the hand, as if he were a friend of ten years' standing.

“Annabel,” he exclaimed, in a joyous voice, as he crossed
the threshold of the room, “this is the young Lord de Vaux,
son of your honored father's warmest and oldest friends, and in
years long gone by, but unforgotten, my kindest patron. He
has come hither, bearing letters from his father — knowing not
until now that you, my child, were so long since bereaved —
letters of commendation, praying the hospitality of Ingleborough,
and the best Influence of the name of Hawkwood, to
levy men to serve King Charles in the approaching war. I
have already told him—”

“How glad, how welcome, doubtless, would have been his
coming” — answered Annabel, advancing easily to meet the
youthful nobleman, although a deep blush covered all her pale
features, as she performed her unaccustomed duty — “had my
dear father been alive, or my poor mother” — casting a rapid

[figure description] Page 055.[end figure description]

glance toward the invalid — “been in health to greet him. As
it is” — she continued, “the Lord de Vaux, I doubt not in the
least, will pardon any imperfections in our hospitality, and believe,
if in aught we err, it will be error not of friendliness, or
of feeling, but of experience only; seeing I am but a young
mistress of a household. You, my kind friend, and Mistress
Somers, will doubtless tarry with us, while my Lord de Vaux
gives us the favor of his presence.”

“Loath should I be, indeed, dear lady, thus to intrude upon
your sorrows, could I at all avoid it,” replied the cavalier —
“and charming, as it must needs be, to enjoy the hospitalities
tendered by such a one as you, I do assure you, were I myself
concerned alone, I would remount my horse at once, and
ride away, rather than force myself upon your courtesy. But,
when I tell you that my father's strong opinion holds it a matter
of importance — importance almost vital — to the king, and
to the cause of church and state in England, that I should levy
some force here of cavaliers — where there be so few heads of
noble houses living — to act in union with Sir Philip Musgrave,
in the north, and with Sir Marmaduke Langdale, I both trust
and believe that you will overlook the trouble and intrusion, in
fair consideration of the motives which impel me.”

“Pray,” said she, smiling gayly, “pray, my Lord de Vaux,
let us now leave apology and compliment — most unaffectedly
and truly, I am glad to receive you both as the son of my father's
valued friend, and as a faithful servant of our most gracious
king — we will do our best to entertain you; and Doctor Somers
will aid you, with his counsel and experience, in furthering
your military levies. How left you the good earl, your father?
I have heard mine speak of him many times, and ever in the
highest terms of praise, when I was but a little girl — and my
poor mother much more recently; before this sad calamity
affected her so fearfully.”

[figure description] Page 056.[end figure description]

Her answer, as it was intended, had the effect of putting an
end to all formality, and setting the young nobleman completely
at ease. The conversation took a general tone, and was maintained
on all sides with sufficient spirit, until — when Annabel
retired for a little space, to conduct her mother to her chamber—
De Vaux found himself wondering how a mere country-girl,
who had lived a life so secluded and domestic, should have acquired
graces, of both mind and manner, such as he never had
discovered in court ladies; while she was struck, even in a
greater degree, by the frank, unaffected bearing, the gay wit, and
sparkling anecdote, blended with many a touch of deeper feeling,
which characterized the youthful nobleman's conversation.

After a little while she reappeared, and, with her, was announced
the evening meal, the pleasant, old-fashioned supper;
and, as he sat beside her, while she presided, full of calm, modest
self-possession, at the head of her hospitable board, with no
one to encourage her, or lend her countenance, except the good
old vicar and his homely helpmate, he could not but draw fresh
comparisons, all in her favor, too, between the quiet, graceful
confidence of the ingenuous girl before him, and the minauderies
and the meretricious airs of the court dames, who had been
hitherto the objects of his passing admiration.

Cheerfully, then, and pleasantly, the evening passed away;
and when upon her little couch, hard by the invalid's sick bed,
Annabel thought over the events of the past day, she felt concerning
young De Vaux, rather as if he had been an old familiar
friend, with whom she had renewed an intercourse long interrupted,
than as of a mere acquaintance, whom that day had
first introduced, and whom the next might possibly remove for
ever. Something there was, when they met next, at breakfast,
on the following morning, of blushing bashfulness in Annabel,
which he had not observed, nor she before experienced; but it
passed rapidly away, and left her self-possessed and tranquil.

[figure description] Page 057.[end figure description]

And surely in the sparkling eye, the eager haste, with which
he broke away from his conversation with Doctor Somers, as
she entered — in his hand half-extended, and then half-awkwardly,
half-timidly withdrawn, there was much indication of
excited feeling, widely at variance with the polite and even
formal mannerism inculcated and practised in the court of the
unhappy Charles. It needs not, however, to dwell on passing
conversations, to narrate every trifling incident. The morning
meal once finished, De Vaux mounted his horse, and rode forth
in accordance with the directions of the loyal clergyman, to
visit such among the neighboring farmers, as were most likely
to be able to assist him in levying a horse regiment.

A few hours passed; and he returned full of high spirits and
hot confidence — he had met everywhere assurances of good
will to the royal cause; had succeeded in enlisting some ten
or more stout and hardy youths, and had no doubt of finally accomplishing
the object which he had in view, to the full height
of his aspirations.

After dinner, which, in those primitive days, was served at
noon, he was engaged for a time in making up despatches for
his father, which having been sent off by one of his own trusty
servants to the castle in Northumberland, he went out, and
joined his lovely hostess in the sheltered garden, which I have
described above; and there they lingered until the sun was
sinking in the west, behind the huge and purple-headed hills
that screened the horizon in that direction. The evening circle
and the social meal succeeded; and when they parted for
the night, if Annabel and young De Vaux could not be said to
be enamored, as indeed they could scarcely be as yet, they had
at least made so much progress to that end, that each esteemed
the other the most agreeable and charming person, it had been
hitherto their fortune to encounter. And — although this was
decidedly the furthest point to which the thoughts of Annabel

[figure description] Page 058.[end figure description]

extended — when he had lain down on his bed, with the sweet
rays of the harvest moon flooding his room with quiet lustre,
and the voice of the murmuring rivulet, and the low flutter of
the west wind in the giant sycamores, blending themselves into
a soft and soothing melody — the young lord felt himself considering
how gracefully that fair pale girl would fill the place
which had been long left vacant by his mother in the grand
hall of Gilsland castle.