CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.
HAWKING AT HOME.
The peregrines had killed cushat and partridge, the merlin itshalf-score of buntings and turtle-doves, and the ladies having had asurfeit of sport, were about setting faces homeward. Not that it waslate--still wanting two hours of sunset--but the news from Monmouth haddisquieted them, and they were feeling anxious about their father'sreturn. He might be back already, and if so, would wonder at theirbeing away from the house.
Van Dorn had called off the dogs, rehooded the hawks, and made all readyfor the start home, when game, of a sort that day unseen by them, cameunexpectedly in view. A heron on its way across the Forest from theSevern to the Wye, flying low as it passed over the park.
Hapless heron! A temptation no falconer could resist; and at leave, orrather command, from the younger of his mistresses, off went hoodsagain, leashes were let loose, and once more away flew the noblefalcons, mounting spirally upward.
Just at that moment the gates of the park were thrown open to admitPrince Rupert and his retinue. With Lunsford still by his side, the twohad already looked through the rails and up the avenue. To see therewhat gave them satisfaction; the house with windows no longer shuttered,smoke ascending from several of the chimneys, in short every sign ofoccupation.
"The family here, as anticipated. Your Highness will not bedisappointed this time."
"Ah, _wohl_. I was beginning to think the lady of the golden locks an_ignis fatuus_--never to be caught."
"There will be an opportunity of catching her now; and keeping her, ifyour Highness so desire."
"You would counsel making the _frauleins_ our prisoners then? Is thatwhat you mean, _mein_ Colonel?"
"Their father at least should be made so. There's every reason andright for it. He your prisoner, taken back with you to Bristol, 'tisbut natural his daughters should accompany him, and share his captivity.If they have the true filial affection they'll be but too willing to dothat. Does your Highness comprehend?"
"Quite!" was the laconic response.
The suggestion, cruel and ruffianly, did not jar on Rupert's ears;rather was it in harmony with his wishes, and half-formed designs. Hewas proceeding to ponder upon it, having ridden through the gate, when acry, peculiarly intoned, came from a remote corner of the park, quickfollowed by a shrill whistle.
The air was still, and sounds could be heard from afar; these beingclearly distinguishable.
"Ho-ho!" exclaimed the Prince, reining his horse to a stand. "Sportgoing on here! Somebody out hawking."
The _hooha-ha-ha_ was familiar to him.
"Yes," said Lunsford. "That was a falconer's cry--the cast-off."
"Who might it be, Sir Thomas?"
"Impossible to say, Prince. The party must be behind that spinney ofScotch firs. But see! yonder the hawks! Peregrines in chase of aheron."
"By'r Lady, yes! A splendid caste. Trained to perfection. Howhandsomely they mount up! Over him now! That stoop and rake, superb.A fig for your chances, master lance-beak. Hey! One of them bound!Now the other. Now down, down. _Wunderschon_!"
Absorbed in watching the actual conflict, all eyes directed upward,Rupert and his following for a time neither saw nor thought of anythingelse. No more did they of the hawking party, who, led by the chase, hadpushed on through the spinney of firs to be forward at the kill. Onlywhen the bound bird was writhing to free itself, in its last struggleslowering down to earth, did the two parties catch sight of one another.Not so near yet, a wide stretch of the park being between; but nearenough for a mutual making out of what they were.
"Soldiers!" exclaimed they of the hawking party.
"Wenches!" the word that came from the lips of the Cavaliers.
"We're in luck, Prince," said Lunsford. "You see yonder?"
"Two ladies; yes. Are they the birds we're in search of, think you?"
"Sure of it, your Highness."
"Playing with other birds. Ha-ha! Well; suppose we join them at theirplay?"
"As your Highness commands."
"Do you know them, Sir Thomas--I mean personally?"
"I've never been introduced, Prince; but Captain Trevor--"
"Ah! I remember your saying something about his--Trevor!" he calledback to an officer of his suite, "come hither!"
Reginald Trevor it was; who, parting from his place in the line, rodeup, respectfully saluting.
"If I'm not mistaken, sir," said the Prince, "you have acquaintance withthe ladies we see yonder? Presumably the daughters of Master AmbrosePowell."
"If it be they, your Highness, I once had. But it's been dropped longago."
"What! A quarrel?"
"No, Prince," answered the young officer, somewhat hesitatingly. "Notexactly that."
"Only a little coolness, then. Well, perhaps I may be the means ofrestoring, friendly relations. But first I want you to perform theceremonial of introduction. I hope you haven't so far offended thedamsels as to render you ineligible?"
Trevor stammered out a negative, at the same time announcing hisreadiness to comply with the Prince's wish. He could not help himself,knowing it was more a command than request.
"Come along, then! Let us on to them. You, Colonel, keep the escort athalt here, till I ascertain whether we can have a night's lodging atHollymead House. That is," he added in a jocular way, "whether we'll bemade welcome to it."
Saying which, he gave his Arab a touch of the spur, and started off at acanter over the green sward, direct for the hawking party.
Of course Reginald Trevor went along with him; though with a reluctancewhich had only yielded to authority not to be gainsaid. Despite herwithering words spoken at their last interview, he still loved VagaPowell himself--hoping against hope--still had respect for her; and tointroduce Prince Rupert was like being a party to the accomplishment ofher ruin.
"Humph!" grumbled the ex-Lieutenant of the Tower as he looked afterthem, some little chagrined at being left behind; "High Mightinessthinks he's going to have it his own way with yellow hair. He won'tthough; unless he do as I've counselled him. But 'twill come to that--must, before we go back to Bristol--and I shall carry thither my shareof the sweet spoils."