CHAPTER VII. MASTER GALE'S DAUGHTER.
It was Sunday morning, and Tom was making his way, towards the hourof noon, to the house of the perruquier, which he had quitted somefour days past, with no intention of so long an absence.
The streets were unwontedly quiet, and the cries of the apprenticesat the doors of the shops were pleasantly missed. The shops weremost of them shuttered up, and the apprentices, clad in their best,were all away to some sport of their own selection in byways andalleys, or lingering about the parks with a knot of footmen andlackeys, watching the fine folk walk in and out. For the commonsort were not admitted as yet within the precincts of the parks,and even the gentlefolks had to leave their servants behind; sothat it may well be guessed there was plenty of gossiping andhustling to be had at the gates, if any had a taste for it.
Tom was a far finer figure coming home than he had been in goingout. He wore a coat of azure velvet, and his vest was a perfectcataract of fine point de Venise. His shoes were of white leatherwith red heels, and his stockings of the finest white silk. He hadfelt ashamed of his plain claret cloth, which had seemed so fine atfirst, when taken to the houses of the fine hooped and powderedladies; and Lord Claud had had him fitted with this suit at his owncostumiers, bidding Tom regard it as a small token of friendshipand gratitude.
Tom had delighted in his fine appearance as he was taken the roundof the fashionable houses; but now, as he neared his formerlodgings, he found himself wishing he had put on the more sobersuit. He felt that Master Cale's eyes would rest upon him with agrave disapproval, and he had not yet grown indifferent to theopinion of the man who had so befriended him.
The perruquier's shop was close shut up, the sign swinging idlyoverhead. But the door in the rear stood ajar, and Tom softlypushed it open and entered.
He paused on the threshold, surprised by an unfamiliar sound--thesound of a fresh young voice singing a gay little snatch of song insome upper chamber. He mounted the stairs softly, the sound of thevoice growing clearer, and at last he knew that the singer must bein the upper parlour, where, when the day's work was all finished,the perruquier and any lodger he might chance to have spent theevening hours if they did not go abroad.
This parlour was free to Tom, who, however, had not so far troubledit much with his presence; but now he pushed open the door withpardonable curiosity, and beheld at once the singer of the quaintlittle refrain.
A slim young maiden was standing at the window, looking down intothe street below. She wore the simple dress of the citizen class, arather full skirt of cloth--of a finer texture perhaps than some,and of a dark crimson colour which well became her--and the lacedbodice and full sleeves of the day. Round her throat she had a finewhite muslin kerchief edged with lace, and her apron was of thesame. She had plainly been wearing a hood of cloth like her dress,but this was now lying on the table; and her pretty dark brownhair, rather ruffled, was bound by nothing save a snood of crimsonriband. Her profile was turned to Tom, and he saw a sweet, little,merry face, with a nose a trifle tip-tilted, and a cheek the colourof a damask rose.
It seemed as though the opening of the door had been heard, for themaid exclaimed in a merry voice:
"O father dear, I do love your picture of Absalom and David! Ithink the king's great periwig is most beautifully depicted. But Iwould like a companion picture on the other side--the mule runningaway with Absalom, and the periwig left hanging on the tree!"
Then turning full round a laughing rosy face and a pair of roguishhazel eyes, the maid suddenly found herself face to face with thisvery fine young gentleman, and in a moment the smile died away,although there was no displeasure in the glance of curiosity andadmiration which she bestowed upon him.
Tom made his best bow, and the maiden dropped him a prettycourtesy, saying with frank fearlessness:
"You are surely my father's lodger, of whom he spoke to me. I craveyour pardon for not sooner seeing you. But I knew not that you werein the house, and thought it must needs be my father at the door."
Tom advanced and stood beside her in the window. The pair regardedeach other with a frank and friendly curiosity.
"Are you Master Cale's daughter, pretty maiden?" asked Tom.
She nodded her head archly, whilst Tom hastened to ask:
"But how comes it then that I have never seen you before? I thoughthe lived alone, with only his housekeeper, shopman, and apprenticein the house."
"And so he does," answered the maid. "He will not have me to dwellhere. As soon as my mother died, when I was but eight years old, hesent me away to my aunt in Highgate, with whom I have remained eversince. Fain would I come back and keep house for him, but he willnone of it. He says that his house is no place for me, and he willnever let me visit him even of a week day. But upon most Sundays heeither comes forth to fetch me, or my aunt brings me hither to him.Last Sunday the rain poured down so lustily that we were e'enforced to bide at home; but whenever it is possible we spend theday together, and I love to come into the town and walk abroad withhim there, and see such sights as may be seen upon the Sabbathday."
"And is your aunt with you today?" asked Tom.
"She brought me hither after we had attended service at St. Paul's,which I love to do. But now she has gone to visit some gossip ofher own. Father and I will have the afternoon together and alone,and this we love best of all. He always gives holiday to apprenticeand shopman, so that we can have the house to ourselves, and enjoyourselves after our own fashion."
"I trust I shall not mar your happiness if I ask to share yournoontide meal," said Tom humbly.
"Oh no, sir, we shall be proud of your company," answered the girl;"if you are not too fine a gentleman to sit at board with humblecitizens.
"Ah, there is my father's step! Doubtless he comes to say thatdinner is ready. He will not let me soil my fingers with cookingwhen I come; but I can cook right well for all that--" and thereshe stopped short, for Cale was already entering, and he gave quitea start as his glance fell upon the resplendent figure standingbeside his daughter, though his face cleared and put on a slightlyquizzical look as he recognized who the young spark was.
"Ho! ho! my young friend, so I see you back at last! It is plainthat you have been with mighty fine company since you left myhumble roof. I almost marvel that Curley Cale's lodging isaccounted fine enough to hold your worshipful self longer!"
Tom suddenly felt a qualm of shame and disgust at his finery. Itwas all very well for men like Lord Claud, but he felt that it madehim ridiculous to be tricked out like a peacock, in lieu of wearingthe more sober and becoming raiment chosen for him with such careby Master Cale himself. His cheek glowed as he made reply:
"It is but a suit that was given me to appear at the house of somefine lady last evening. I would gladly be rid of it now, and, withyour leave, will don more sober raiment. I love not to be prankedout like this; but what would you, when all the world does thelike?"
Cale smiled his shrewd little smile, the maiden's eyes expressedopen admiration for the costly frippery, but Tom hastened away andchose for himself one of the seemly but well-cut and fashionablesuits that had been left for him since he quitted the house a fewdays before; and when he descended to join the party of two at theboard, as he had been invited, he felt much more like himself, andlooked much more suited to his surroundings, than he had done whenhe first appeared there.
Father and daughter received him kindly, and Rosamund's eyes werefull of eagerness as she turned them upon him. He had learned bythis time that her name was Rosamund, though her father generallycalled her Rosy.
"I pray you, fair sir," she said, with a pretty imperiousness ofmanner, "tell us some of the things that you have seen and heardthese last days. My father says you have been keeping fine company,and I would learn what that is like; for I am but a humblecitizen's daughter, and I live my life away in the country, so allI know of the gay doings in the town I must needs hear from myfather, who tells me as little as ever he can!"
And she looked towa
rds him with a charming pout upon her lips,though her eyes were full of love beneath their merry sparkle.
"I am but a country-bred youth myself, Mistress Rosamund," answeredTom, who had laid aside all his fine gentleman airs, and felt adeal more comfortable in consequence, "and this town and its gaydoings are as strange to me as they can be to you. I am all agapeat what I see and hear; but a man must needs keep his astonishmentto himself, else he becomes the butt and the gibe of all thecompany."
And forthwith, by no means reluctantly, Master Tom began to giveaccount of his doings of the past days, only keeping quite silenton the subject of the duel, for he had learned that that was amatter which Lord Claud wished to remain secret.
Rosamund listened as Desdemona might have done to Othello, and Calehimself was considerably interested, though he shook his head whenhe heard that already Tom had lost all the money he had about him,and was even in debt to Lord Claud for losses he had been unable tomeet at the moment, and which his patron had settled for him.
"Keep away from the gaming tables, Tom; keep away from the gamingtables," he said. "Did I not warn you that you would be fleeced androoked if you tried that sort of thing on?"
Tom laughed a little, and said he knew beforehand he should lose,as though that were an excuse. But Cale only shook his head; andRosamund asked eagerly:
"But who is this great Lord Claud, fair sir? He seems a wonderfulperson, and fain would I see him with mine own eyes. He seems akind and generous man, and wondrous clever and beautiful. Pray tellme who he is?"
Tom looked across at Cale, and made answer:
"I' sooth, Mistress Rosamund, I know not. Perchance your father maybe better instructed."
Cale shook his head. His face was very grave.
"That is a question which I doubt if any man in London town cananswer. Every man knows Lord Claud by name and fame, but none cantell who he is, nor whence come his wealth and power. Mark me, Tom,it behoves you to have a care how you fall beneath the spell of hisbeauty and his kindliness. He has made friends before this ofhandsome, powerful lads, not long from the country, and amongstthese many have disappeared and never been heard of more, whilstothers have fallen into crime, and have languished in Newgate, orpaid the forfeit of their lives upon the gallows."
Rosamund shrank and grew pale; whilst Tom looked the perruquierfull in the face, and said:
"Truly I can believe that many men who plunge into dissipation andvice may come in time to a bad end. But why charge that upon LordClaud? He can only be held responsible for his own life, and helives and thrives in favour with all."
"Like a green bay tree," answered the perruquier thoughtfully. "Ihave often seen the wicked in great prosperity; but their downfallcomes at last."
"Do you call Lord Claud wicked?" asked Tom rather hotly.
"No," was the quiet reply; "I judge no man; but I do say thatworldly prosperity is no test of true merit. The wicked may be fatand flourishing for long; but the Lord will avenge at the last."
"But, father," cried pretty Rosamund eagerly, "for what crimes werethe poor young men hanged of whom you spoke just now?"
"Most of them suffered for the crime of robbery on the king'shighway."
Tom again flushed rather deeply. He had heard hints and innuendoesbefore this, and his wits were beginning now to piece thingstogether. He was angry, yet he scarce knew why.
"Do you mean to say, Master Cale," he asked, "that men accuse LordClaud of being the accomplice of highwaymen and footpads?"
And then he himself remembered the words of the message with whichCaptain Jack had entrusted him, and a strange thrill seemed to rundown his spine.
"Men say nought of him openly," answered Cale, "but they whisperamong themselves. For my part, I know nothing of Lord Claud and hisdoings. But I know that there have been marvellous clever anddaring deeds done upon the road; that the king's money chests havebeen rifled again and again of gold, transmitted by the Treasuryfor the pay of the soldiers in foreign lands, and that none of thegold has ever been recovered. Now and again an obscure person hasbeen captured, and has suffered death for complicity in such acrime; and it has been told me that several of such have beenstalwart and stanch youths, who had at one time been seenfrequenting Lord Claud's lodgings, much noticed and petted by him.What truth there be in such talk I know not. Nor have I any desireto know. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing; and the voiceof rumour is but little to be trusted."
"Very little, I should think," answered Tom quickly; for he hadalready conceived a great attachment towards Lord Claud, and itirked him to think that men should speak of him as one who was afalse friend, and the accomplice in crimes for which otherssuffered whilst he reaped the spoil.
A man, especially in his hot-headed youth, seldom believes what hehas no mind to; and Tom certainly had no disposition to believe anyharm of Lord Claud.
So the talk drifted to other channels, and when presently Rosamunddeclared with pretty insistence that she must not be cheated of herwalk abroad in the streets. Tom asked if he might make one of theparty without intruding; and the bright eyes of the girl gaveeloquent answer.
So they sallied forth together, and Master Cale played cicerone,and showed Tom many strange and wonderful things, telling himabsorbing stories the while. He showed him the limits of theravages of the Great Fire, which he could remember well, as he wasten years old at the time. He took them into many of the churchesafterwards built by Wren, and Tom stood lost in amaze at themagnificent proportions of the great St. Paul's, the inside ofwhich he had not seen till today. He was shown also the site of oneof the Great Plague pits; and Rosamund clung trembling, yetfascinated, to her father's arm whilst he spoke of the things thathad happened in those gruesome days.
He himself had been sent away into the country during the terriblevisitation; but his father had remained and had survived, and fromhim he had learned all manner of strange tales, which Rosamundloved to hear him tell, though they always blanched her cheek, andbrought a look of terror into her pretty eyes.
Tom thought this was a pleasanter way of spending the afternoonthan listening to the braggings of the coffee house bullies, orwatching the mummery of the play, when scarce a word could be heardfrom the actors, owing to the laughter and talk that buzzed allround the house. The clamour from the footmen's gallery alonealmost sufficed to drown the sound from the stage; and, indeed, ashort time later on, the disgraceful behaviour of the servants whoattended their masters and mistresses to the play became sointolerable that the free gallery was closed to them, causingregular riots every night, till military aid had to be summoned.
But Rosamund thought it must be delightful to see a play, andwanted to hear all he could tell her about it; and so well pleasedwere the pair with their conversation, that Master Cale, bethinkinghim of an old friend hard by, with whom he liked to exchange afriendly word from time to time, bid them walk up and down thestreet together for a brief time, until he should pay his visit andjoin them again.
This suited the young people very well, and they exchanged a goodmany confidences together. Tom told her of his home at Gablehurst,and of his mother and sister, and the father who was gone; and shetold him of her quiet life in her aunt's house, and how she wouldso greatly like to remain always with her father, and watch thelife of this wonderful city.
But Tom could well understand how the perruquier would shrink frompermitting his innocent and pretty daughter to dwell beneath hisroof. His trade brought thither all manner of fine dandies andyoung bloods, and if it were known that there was a pretty maidenwithin doors, there would be no end to their attempts to get sightof or speech with her; and any girl's head might be turned by theflowery nonsense that would be spoken and written to her.
"Believe me, you are better where you are, Mistress Rosy," answeredTom. "I would not have my sister Rachel here, now that I have seenwhat London is like. It is a place for men to see at least once intheir lives; but women are better away from it. I looked about atthe painted faces, the towering heads
, and the huge hoops the othernight, and I said to myself, that if my mother or sister were tomake of themselves such objects as that, I should be ready to sinkinto the ground for shame--to say nothing of the ogling, and fantapping, and silly jargon of talk which would put a chatteringmonkey to shame!"
If Tom was quoting Lord Claud's moralizings, he quoted them in allgood faith; for he had been honestly disgusted by the glimpses hehad had of the goings on of fine ladies in their houses, and couldbetter appreciate the simplicity and true affection of his ownwomankind than he had ever done before.
At this moment there smote upon his ears the unwelcome sound ofmocking laughter that seemed familiar to him.
"Ho, ho, ho! So the country bumpkin has found a mistress already!So he has had to leave the fine ladies, and mate with one of hisown sort after all! Ho, ho, ho! She has a neat foot and ankle, atany rate! Let us see what sort of a face there is under the crimsonhood!"
Tom felt the girl's hand clutch fast hold of his arm, and his bloodbegan to tingle in his veins. He was mightily glad that he hadbuckled on his sword before coming out; although, as he had put ona heavy cloak, it was possible the bullies were not aware of that.
"Which house did your father enter, Mistress Rosamund?" he askedquickly.
"I did not note," she answered, looking round with frightened eyes;"but methinks it was the one with the steps and the little recess."
Tom, making a few rapid strides, whisked her quickly within theshelter of the doorway, saying, as coolly as might be:
"Knock, and ask to join your father, if he be within. I will soonsettle these impudent fellows behind."
Then he faced about quickly, just as the four bullies he had metbefore came swaggering up, ready for any mischief and fighting thatmight be afoot.
"Come, Master Greengoose, let's see what sort of taste you have infaces! You are a fine hand at making friends! Let's see how youfare with the ladies!
"Nay, mistress, do not turn so coyly away and draw your hood overthose bright eyes--"
But the speaker got no further, for Tom's sword bad come flashingfrom its sheath, and with a quick turn of the wrist he hit thefellow full on the mouth with the hilt, so that he fell backspluttering and swearing, the blood starting from his lips.
"Is that enough," said Tom sternly, "or will you have more?"
It was Thirsty Thring who had received the buffet, and he was theleast disposed of all that worthy quartette to show fight to aresolute adversary; but Bully Bullen came swaggering up, drawinghis sword with a great air of assurance. He had been the hero ofmany a tavern brawl before, and reckoned his skill as something tobe feared.
"So, young rooster! Wouldst crow so lustily on your dung heap? D'yethink you're to be cock o' the walk in all London town? Are honestcitizens to be set upon, and their teeth knocked out, to pleaseyour lusty humours? Take that, you young cub, and learn manners toyour betters!"
He made a fierce and sudden lunge at Tom as he spoke, expectingthat he had an untrained and inexperienced adversary to deal with.But Tom had had three lessons already from Captain Raikes, as wellas bouts with Lord Claud by way of amusement; and with hardly aperceptible effort he parried the thrust, and making his keen bladetwine round the clumsier one of his opponent, he jerked the weaponclean out of his hand, and sent it flying half across the road.
"A fig for your boasting!" he cried contemptuously. "You had bestget out of my sight, lest I run you through for your impudence!"
Slippery Seal, seeing how matters were going, now raised a cry forhelp.
"Help! help! Watchmen, to the rescue! Here is a desperate youngruffian seeking to murder the Queen's subjects in broad daylight!Help, I say, and take the young braggart before the magistrates!Cannot peaceable citizens walk the streets without being set uponby such bullies as that yonder?"
Two watchmen at that moment came hastening up, and looked at thecombatants with questioning eyes. Tom was flushed, and his swordwas still in his hand; but Rosamund had been admitted to the house,and was going hot-foot in search of her father, to come and put astop to the fight; for she bad perfect faith in his power to doanything he had a mind to.
"We four can testify," said Slippery Seal, with a voice of greatunction, "that as we were peaceably passing down the street, thisyoung fellow, of whom we know no good, made a sudden and unprovokedattack upon honest Master Thring there, whose mouth is stillbleeding from the blow. Thereupon Master Bullen drew his sword toprotect him; but he was set upon so furiously, that had he not beena notable swordsman he must needs have been killed. As it was, hissword was dashed from his band, and there it lies in the roadwaybefore your eyes. I say, how long are pious and peaceable citizensto be treated thus? Do your duty, my good fellows, and take thisyoung man into custody. A taste of the stocks will do him a vastdeal of good, and we will bear testimony against him with rightgood will. 'In the mouth of two or three witnesses--' you know whatsays the Scripture."
"Ay, you blasphemer and liar, we know well what says the Scripture:'Thou shalt not bear false witness;' and again, 'The mouth thatspeaketh lies shall be stopped.'"
Looking round quickly, Tom saw Master Cale, with his daughterclinging to his arm, standing in the doorway of the house, andsternly regarding the scene.
"Watchmen," he said, "if you make any prisoners today, take youthose four bullies, who are but too well known in these streetsalready. It is they who delight to set upon strangers, and insultand frighten innocent maidens. Take you them, and I will bearwitness against them; for I saw the scene with my own eyes. Wouldto heaven that honest citizens could rid their streets of suchspawn!
"But I tell you, you mischievous scum, the day will come when wewill no longer stand this swaggering and bullying. We are a patientpeople; but you can provoke us too far. I know you four right well.I would sit you in the stocks in a row, or have you whipped at thecart's tail from Newgate to Tyburn; and perchance the day may comewhen--"
But the miscreants did not wait to hear the end of this harangue.They well knew that no tale of theirs could stand for a momentbefore the witness of a man respected as Master Cale theperruquier. Fearful lest the watch, who had let go their hold ofTom, should in turn lay hands on them, they fled helter-skelter,but as they went they breathed out threats of being even with Tomanother time, and he knew well that this encounter had changed themfrom the merely jeering enemies they had shown themselves at firstinto real antagonists full of bitter animosity and hatred.
The watch were never too eager to take up evildoers who werepossessed of swords and were strong of body. They were glad enoughthat Master Cale had vouched for Tom's honesty, and that the otherfour had betaken themselves away. Hard knocks and sometimes fatalinjury were often the portion of these old men, so incapable ofkeeping order in the streets; and thankful were they when any frayended in the manner of this one.
But Cale's face was rather grave as he turned homewards, hisdaughter clinging to his arm, and Tom marching upon her other sidewith his head high in the air.
"I thank you, my good lad, for being so stout a champion to mylittle girl," he said; "and yet I would it had not happened; for itis ill work making enemies in these days of lawlessness andduelling."
But Tom gave a little laugh. He had no desire to make boast of hisprowess; yet he felt that he could settle a score of quarrels withsuch besotted creatures as the four he had put to rout so lately,and be no manner the worse for it himself. He was not at all sorryfor the adventure. He felt a flutter of pride and pleasure in theshy glances shot at him from the dark eyes beneath the crimsonhood. He had made of himself a hero in the eyes of pretty Rosamund,and he liked that experience well enough.
"Fear not for me, my good friend," he answered, in a tone that hadcaught a little of the lofty ring of Lord Claud's.
"A man cannot go through life without making enemies as well asfriends. But as for such creatures as we have just quitted, why,they are not worth a thought! I heed them no more than the waspthat buzzes round my head. They are the scum and off scouring ofthe ea
rth--all brag and boast, but ready to run at the first hintof danger!"
Rosamund's eyes shot forth another look of admiration; but Calesaid quietly:
"Yet it is this very scum and off scouring of the earth who havebefore now kidnapped and shipped off to the plantations of Virginiahonest men of stout heart and stalwart frame; for there is greatdemand for able-bodied men there, and good prices are paid for boneand muscle. So again I say, have a care, Tom, have a care. I wouldnot have you entertain one coward fear, yet I would have youcareful not to provoke needless animosity; for we live in perilousand evil days."
The colour had faded from Rosamund's cheeks at these words, and shetimidly laid a hand upon Tom's arm as he marched beside her.
"Fair sir, you will be careful," she said, in a soft and pleadingvoice. "If hurt were to come to you for having so gallantlybefriended me, I should know no peace or happiness again!"
Tom looked with a smile into the face of the speaker; and Caleheard the words, and saw the look. He gave a little sigh, andwalked on in deep thought.
It was Tom and Rosamund who did the greater part of the talking,even after they got home and partook of the dish of tea. This thencostly beverage was reckoned by Rosamund as a Sunday treat, andsipped with great relish; and Tom took it for the first time,saying he would e'en make shift to like it, since Mistress Rosevouched that it was good, although he had hitherto refused it whenoffered at the houses of the fine folks he had visited.
So in talk and tea drinking an hour slipped away; and then theperruquier rose and bid Rosamund get her hood and come; for it washigh time to fetch her aunt, and go back to Highgate.
Tom would have liked to accompany them once more, but some instinctrestrained him from making the offer. He bade adieu to Rosamund ather own door, and went back to sit by the fire and muse of all thethings that had happened to him during this momentous week.