“‘You are surely joking?’
“‘I am not, colonel, for after the review was all over, the king, disguised as an ordinary gentleman, went boldly up to the principal of the academy, and had a long conversation with him about Lawrence. They did not perceive me, for I was sitting at my window reading, yet, as they walked to and fro, I could hear much of what they said.’
“‘And what did they say?’
“‘The king’s disguise was discovered by the president, and the monarch did not deny it, but in the course of conversation confessed that he had always felt great interest in Lawrence’s progress, for he was his ownson.”
“‘His own son!’ said the astonished colonel.
“‘Yes, his own son—illegitimate, it is true, but nevertheless, his own true offspring.’
“‘And who was the mother?’
“‘That I did not then learn; but when Lawrence first came among us as a mere boy to the academy he wore a locket round his neck which was unmistakably the portrait on ivory of the young and fascinating Duchess of Buckingham. (See Cut in No. 13). From this I gather that she must have been his mother.’
“‘I am astonished,’ said the colonel. ‘And has not the king, then, provided for his after welfare?’
“‘Without a doubt. I heard him say that some grand and vast estates in France had been passed over to him, and that a large sum in money would be his when he married?’
“‘Then Lawrence is a false name—he is the king’s bastard?’ said the colonel.
“‘He is,’ said Ashton.
“‘Then he shall never marry my daughter,’ said Colonel Temple. “No bastard shall ever enter my family!’
“And so speaking he left the apartment, with a flushed face, and Ashton remained alone by the bedside of his wounded comrade, who was sighing in his troubled dreams and moaning.
“Memories of years past flitted through his troubled brain, and the image of his adored one, Clare Temple, held supreme possession of all his faculties.
“He had seen and known her when but a child.
“She used to pass the college gardens on her way to school, with books and slate and dimity sun-bonnet trimmed with blue.
“Years had passed.
“She grew into girlhood, and short frocks and sun-bonnet gave place to a seminary uniform of blue-gauze and white chip quaker scoop, and her light and airy manner changed to that of a studious seminarian in her teens.
“He had spoken to her, but met with no response.
“He had anonymously written poems and tales in her honour.
“But all had passed unnoticed.
“She treated him with cold respect, and met his timid overtures with blunt rebuffs.
“He had met her on the road and in the woods.
“But she passed him with a distant bow.
“Yet if in the greatest glee his presence chilled her into unusual coldness, and although unconscious of the cause she could neither sing nor play in his presence.
“Lawrence had often confessed that his case was hopeless.
“Many disliked him from some cause; and, following in their footsteps, Clare, he thought, treated him with marked indifference.
“It must be confessed, however, that althoughClare had hitherto disclosed her secret thoughts to no one, yet, when alone, she often thought,
“‘Every one is loved but me! I am not pretty, I know, neither have I many accomplishments. I wish I were like Emma Bray, for everybody loves her.’
“And then she would stealthily draw from her bosom a small gold locket which contained a ruby heart on which was cut a simple love motto.
“She knew not who had sent it.
“It came to her in a bouquet found on the dressing table on her birthday, and was the first present she had ever received from any admirer.
“She mused and pondered, but dared not give utterance to her thoughts; yet as she passed the college gardens, and saw Lawrence walking up and down, her cheeks flushed, and bending her head more lowly than ever, she passed the buildings rapidly, and tried to stay her unnatural palpitations.
“Thus ran the wild fancies of the wounded student about his true love, when a loud knocking and rapping was heard at Lord Stoner’s door.
“‘Who or what can that be?’ thought Ashton.
“But still the knocking continued in the dead of night, and the dogs barked in all directions.
“When the hall porter opened the door, he perceived two white figures on horseback, with long, streaming hair.
“The old hall porter rushed away and hid himself, for he swore that two ghosts had arrived at the hall.
“When the truth was made known, it was discovered that the two arrivals were not ghosts at all.
“They were two handsome females.
“They were none other than Lady Bray and Clare Temple!
“‘Where is my father?’ asked Clare, in great haste and fright, as she dismounted from her foaming horse.
“‘Where is my uncle, the colonel?’ gasped Lady Bray.
“‘What is the matter, ladies?’ asked Lord Stoner, in great alarm. ‘Why, heaven help us! the two ladies have scarcely anything on but their night-dresses. What is the matter? Explain, I beg, ladies, explain.’
“‘Arm yourself and your household!’ gasped Clare. ‘Arm them quickly!’
“‘What means this?’
“‘Arm yourselves, all of you, at once, or you are all dead men!’
“‘Explain,’ said the colonel to his daughter.
“‘You know Redgill, who has proposed for my hand?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘I refused him thrice.’
“‘I know it; what of that?’
“‘He has joined a band of ruffians who have assumed the singular and horrible disguise of skeleton men. Emma and I were sitting at our bed-room window, and could not sleep. We espied two men dressed in skeleton garb hiding in the shrubbery. We heard them conversing together, and learnt that they intended to carry Emma and myself away, and to murder all who opposed them. I did not stop an instant, for I and cousin crept from our room, saddled two horses, and galloped hither for protection. But just as we were crossing the hill-top, I espied a large troop of these demon-like horsemen approaching, and could hear them singing a song, in which they praised Redgill, their leader and chief, and swore to have the life’s blood of some one they called the King’s Bastard, but what it meant I knew not.’
“‘Enough, daughter,’ said the old man, drawing his sword. ‘Ere these bloodthirsty fiends can arrive, we will fly with the wounded youth.’
“In a short time a carriage and four was provided.
“Lawrence was placed in it.
“With a strong guard of mounted men around, in front, and behind it, the carriage drove off towards the sea coast, Clare and Lady Bray, being inside, acting as nurses to the wounded youth.”
Wildfire Ned had read this much of his father’s exciting history, when a side door was suddenly opened.
Before he could say a word, Captain Jack stood before him, laughing.