The Spanish match : or, Charles Stuart at Madrid

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SPANISH MATCH

CHARLES STUART AT MADRID.

A^aLLIAM HAEKISON AINSWORTH.

Carlos Estuardo soy,

Que, siendo amor mi guia,
Al cielo de Espana voy

Per ver my estrella Maria.

Lope de Vega.

IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. I.

LONDON :

CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY.

1865.

\Tlie right of Translation is reserved^]

LOXDOX:
PRINTED EY C. WHITING, BEAUFORT HOUSE, STKAND.

0 ^^

INSCRIBED

TO

JAMES BEAZLEY, Esq.,

OF

LIVERPOOL,

BY HIS MUCH OBLIGED TEIEyD,

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

BOOK I.

THE JOURNEY OF JACK AXD TOM SMITH TO
MADRID.

I. PAGE

By whom the JorB^-zr to Madrid was projected ;

AND HOW IT WAS PROPOSED TO THE KlXG . . 3

n.

Showing who were chosen as Jack and Ton S^iith's
Attendants on the JorRN'EY . . . .31

III.
How Toil AND Jack set on on their Journ-ey ; and

HOW THEY GOT TO THE FeRRY NEAR TlLBURY FoRT 4S
IV.

How Jack and Toil were taken eor Highwaymen
ON Gad's Hill 62

VI CONTENTS.

V. PAGE

How Jack and Tom were pursued by the Ofeicers
PROM Grayesend 76

VI.
How Jack and Tom were visited by Master
Launcelot Stodmarsh, Mayor of Canterbury . 84

VII.

How Jack and Tom were lodged for the Night in
Dover Castle 96

VIIT.

How Jack and Tom crossed the Channel, and
rode post from Boulogne to Paris. . .113

IX.

How Jack and Tom were graciously received by
THE Due de Montbazon 127

X.

How Jack and Tom drove about Paris, and what
they saw during the Drive .... 135

XI.

How Jack and Tom dined at the Luxembourg ; and

HOW THEY WERE PRESENTED TO QuEEN MaRIE DE

Medicis 146

CONTENTS. Vll

XII. PAGE

How Jack and Tom witnessed a grand Ballet at

IHE LOUTEE ; AND HOW Toil DANCED A SaRABAND

WITH Anne of ArsTRiA, and Jack danced the
Pavane with the Princess Henriette Marie . 169

XIII.

How Toil FELL DESPERATELY IN LoVE . . . 1S6

XIY.

In what iiANNER Jack and Tom left Paris, and of

THE ADyE:STURE THEY ilET WITH IN THE FORESI

OF Orleans 19S

XY.
How Jack and Tom rode to Bordeaux, and how

THEY RECEIVED A YlSII FROM THE DuC d'EpER-

NON . 22S

XYI.

Yv'hat happened to the Travellers, and what

IHEY BEHELD, AS THEY CROSSED THE GrEAT
Landes 244;

xYn.

How THE Travellers were brought before the
Governor of Bayonne 254

Vlll CONTENTS.

XVIIL PAGE

Jack and Tom cross the Bidassoa and enter Spain . 259

XIX.
The Gorge of Pancorbo 267

XX.

How Sir Richard Graham met with an Adventure
IN the Cathedral of Burgos .... 279

C|e $pm\ ^uk\.

BOOK I.

THE JOURXEY OF JACK AND TOM SMITH
TO MADEID.

VOL. I.

BY -WHOM THE JOUKNEY TO MADRID WAS PEOJECTED ; AND
HO"W IT TTAS PROPOSED TO THE KING.

On Monday, the 17tli of February, in the year
1623, King James I. was alone in his private
cabinet in the palace of Whitehall, engaged in
perusing a despatch, which he had just received
from the Earl of Bristol, then ambassador-extra-
ordinary to the court of Madrid.

With the appearance of the monarch the reader
must be familiar, so it is scarcely necessary to de-
scribe him, but we may mention, that on this oc-
casion, as on most others, he was cased in a black
silk doublet, so thickly padded as to be proof
b2

4 THE SPANISH MATCH.

against stroke of sword or dagger. This bolstered
doublet gave him an air of excessive and unnatural
corpulency, though in reality his frame was very
meagre, as was shown by his legs, while his huge
bombasted trunk-hose greatly impeded his move-
ments and increased the natural ungainliness of his
figure. There were more marks of age and de-
crepitude about James than were warranted by his
years — lie was then only fifty-seven — his cheeks
were hollow, his eyes blear, his limbs shrunken,
and he tottered in his gait like a feeble old man.
His whole appearance, indeed, betokened that he
was well-nigh worn out, and such was the opinion
entertained of him by the courtiers, who, feeling
assured he could not last long, had already begun
to pay their devotions to the rising sun.

The intelligence conveyed to the king was evi-
dently far from agreeable to him. Not only did
he manifest considerable irritation, as by the aid of
a powerful pair of glasses he got through the
despatch, but at last he threw it down with an oath

THE SPANISH MATCH. 0

— the British Solomon, as is well known, swore
lustily when angered — and exclaimed, " By my
saul ! I will no longer be trifled with. The King
of Spain is playing me false. I will break off the
marriage-treaty at once, and recal Bristol." He
then seized a pen, and adjusting his spectacles,
began to indite a letter to the ambassador, in which
he gave full vent to his displeasure, by no means
mincing his phrases, but setting down whatever
came uppermost.

While he was thus occupied, the door was
opened, and two persons entered the cabinet. As
they were unannounced by the gentleman-usher,
James, among whose many infirmities deafness was
numbered, did not hear them come in, and his back
being towards the door, he did not remark their
presence. So he continued his task, under the im-
pression that he was alone, concocting his sentences
aloud, and thus acquainting those near him with
the secrets of his despatch, as well as diverting
them by the coarse energy of his expressions. The

b THE SPANISH MATCH.

foremost of the two would have interrupted him,
but was checked by his companion^ who whis-
pered in his ear, "Let him alone. He will never
send off that despatch."

The individual to whom these words were ad-
dressedj was a young man about two-and-twenty,
whose noble lineaments and dignified deportment
proclaimed him of the highest rank. In fact, he
looked infinitely more like a king than the old
monarch near whom he stood. His features were
characterised by a gravity far beyond his years, and
a shade of melancholy sat upon his brow, heighten-
ing the interest inspired by his handsome and
thoughtful countenance. His eyes were large and
black, his forehead lofty and capacious, denoting
the possession of a powerful intellect, while his
looks breathed taste and refinement. Moustaches
and a pointed beard harmonised well with his some-
what lengthy visage, and his dark locks, divided
above the temples, fell down in ringlets upon the
starched lace ruff encircling his throat, and which

THE SPANISH MATCH. 7

served as a frame to his comely head — sl head, once
seen, never to be forgotten. His complexion was
pale, inclining to swarthiness — a hue of skin sup-
posed to belong to one of saturnine temperament.
He was about the middle height, but held himself
so erect that he seemed taller than he was in reahty.
His figure was slender, but perfectly proportioned,
and his demeanour, as we have intimated, full of
grace and majesty. His habihments were of white
velvet, and became him well, the doublet and hose
being puffed with azure silk, and the mantle lined
with the same stuff. His sole ornament was the
diamond star upon his cloak.

In this striking-looking personage there will be
little dif&culty, we apprehend, in recognising
Charles Prince of Wales.

The prince's companion was likewise very hand-
some— handsomer, indeed, than the prince — but he
lacked the dignity of manner and singularly high-
bred look that distinguished Charles. He was in
the prime of manhood, being the prince's senior by

8 THE SPANISH MATCH.

about eight or nine years, and possessed a figure
of unequalled symmetry. Well-favoured, however,
as he was in form and feature, his haughty manner
marred the effect of his good looks. His mag-
nificent person needed no embellishment, yet his
attire was splendid, his pink satin doublet and hose
being covered with gems, while chains of large
orient pearls hung from his neck down to his very
girdle, which was likewise encrusted with precious
stones. To the extraordinary personal advantages
we have described, George Villiers, Marquis of
Buckingham — for he it was — added great accom-
plishments, mental as well as bodily. Clear-sighted,
keen-witted, eloquent, and if not learned or pro-
found, he had art enough to hide his deficiencies.
He was expert in all manly exercises; rode better
than any one at court, won all the prizes at the
tilt-yard, and danced more gracefully than Sir
Walter Raleigh.

Seven years ago, on his first appearance at court,
where he was introduced as a rival to the then

THE SPANISH MATCH. 9

reigning favourite, Carr, Earl of Somerset, young
Villiers's remarkable graces of person and capti-
vatino^ manner at once attracted tlie kino^'s notice,
and his rise was incredibly rapid. Favours were
lavished upon him by the infatuated monarch; he
was ennobled, and eventually raised to the highest
posts in the state. To enumerate all the important
offices with which he had been gratified by his
doting master would be tedious, but it may be
mentioned, in order to give an idea of his power
and greatness at the period in question, that he
was Lord High Admiral of England, Lord War-
den of the Cinque Ports, Constable of the Castle
of Dover and of the royal Castle of Windsor,
Lord President of the Council of War, Knight of
the Garter, and first minister. Besides all these and
many other posts and honours, he had a dukedom
in expectancy.

Since his aggrandisement, however, Bucking-
ham's character had materially changed. Affiible
at first to all, he had become excessively haughty

10 THE SPANISH MATCH.

and domineering, being insolent even to his royal
master. Boundlessly profuse in expenditure, and
insatiate, lie well-nigh drained James's coffers. His
entertainments were superb, surpassing in splendour
those of the king. His retinue was that of a
prince; his carriage was drawn by six horses, and
if he rode forth a large escort attended him. No
wonder that his insufferable arrogance and im-
perious deportment alienated his partisans and in-
creased the number of his enemies — no wonder
that his overthrow was frequently attempted. In
vain. Buckingham proved too strong for his
enemies. Favourite alike of father and son, of the
king and the heir to the throne, he derided all
opposition.

That Buckingham should have succeeded in in-
gratiating himself with a prince so grave and re-
served in manner as Charles, whose character was
so opposite to his own, and who was so likely to be
distrustful of his advances, shows wonderful adroit-
ness on his part, and proves incontestably that he

THE SPANISH MATCH. 11

possessed in the highest degree the art of pleasing.
In order, however, to confirm his influence with
the prince, he conceived a bold and singular pro-
ject, to explain which a brief retrospect will be
necessary.

James had long cherished the design of forming
a matrimonial alliance for his son with Spain, ^ and
had made a formal proposition to Philip HI. for
the hand of his second daughter, the Infanta
Maria; but though the offer was graciously re-
ceived, and negotiations entered into, innumerable
delays occurred, and his patience being at length
exhausted by the dilatory Spanish cabinet, James
put an end to the treaty. But though baffled, and
offended by the duplicity which he supposed had
been practised towards him, James had not alto-
gether abandoned his design, and other circum-
stances occurring at a later period to render an
alliance with Spain more than ever desirable in liis
eyes, he determined to renew his offer to Philip IV.,
who had just succeeded his father. In this matri-

12 THE SPANISH MATCH.

monial scheme, Charles, the principal person con-
cerned in it, entirely acquiesced. Though he had
never beheld the Infanta, the ravishing description
he had received of her charms inflamed his breast
with the strongest passion.

Accordingly, John Digby, Earl of Bristol, a
diplomatist of approved ability, and who stood
deservedly high in James's favour, was despatched
as ambassador-extraordinary to Madrid to propose
the match to Philip IV. The young king seemed
far more favourably inclined to the alliance than
his father had been, and declared that if the re-
ligious difficulties in the way of the union could
be adjusted, all other points might be easily settled.
But these difficulties were not easily removed.
Months flew by — and the negotiation made Httle
progress. As a preliminary measure, a dispensa-
tion had to be obtained from the Pope, Gregory
XV., but this was refused unless the King of
England engaged to mitigate the severe laws then
in force against his Eoman CathoHc subjects. To

THE SPANISH MATCH. 13

tliis demand James assented, and began at once to
carry his promise into effect. His ready com-
pliance, however, induced the Pope to make
further demands, and James was compelled to
make additional concessions. Still the dispensa-
tion was delayed.

Things were in this state when the Gonde de
Gondomar, for many years ambassador to England,
but who had recently returned to his own court, in
order, if possible, to expedite the negotiation, wrote
privately to Buckingham that he did not believe
the match would ever take place, unless the prince
came to IMadrid to fetch his bride. " Bring him
here," concluded Gondomar, "and the affair will
be speedily settled."

The hint was not lost upon Buckingham. Per-
suaded that success would attend the proposed ex-
pedition, in which case the entire credit of accom-
plishing the union would attach to himself instead
of to the Earl of Bristol, whom he hated as a rival,
while the prince must needs feel grateful to him for

14 THE SPANISH MATCH.

procuring liim a consort, Buckingham proposed the
journey to Charles, assuring him that it was the
only means of accomplishing the object he had in
view, and offered to accompany him.

Fired by the romantic nature of the project,
which exactly suited his character, Charles at once
agreed to the proposition, thanked Buckingham for
his zeal, and manifested the utmost impatience to
set forth upon the journey.

The grand difficulty was to obtain the king's
consent. His majesty was sure to raise numerous
objections to the expedition, but these Buckingham
undertook to remove. The prince's impatience
would not brook delay, so, after arranging a plan
of action, they entered the cabinet as described on
the morning in question, resolved to carry their
point.

They came at the very nick of time, since James,
in his present mood, might have broken the mar-
riage-treaty, and so have effectually frustrated their
design.

THE SPANISH MATCH* 15

For a few minutes after tlieir entrance, the king
continued his despatch, reciting aloud what he was
setting down. He then paused, and while he was
reflecting, Charles, advancing towards his chair,
made a reverence, and said, "When your majesty
is at leisure I crave a word with you.''

" Bide awee, Babie Charlie — bide awee ! " ex-
claimed the Mng. " I'm engaged on yer ain busi-
ness— that confounded alliance with Spain, which
has given me more trouble than aught I ever under-
took. But I'll make an end of it now. Ha! is that
you, Steenie?" he added, noticing the favourite.
^^ Saul o' my body, lads, I canna say that ye are
either of you welcome to yer auld dad at tliis
moment, for he has been sairly put out by a
despatch just received from Bristol — fresh delays —
new demands — enough to drive one stark mad.
You maun gie up all thoughts of the Infanta,
Babie Charlie, for she never can be yours. I am
about to break off the match."

" Not so, sire — not so I " cried his son.

16 - THE SPANISH MATCH.

" But I say ^ yea/ " vociferated James, testily.
*^ Hear wliat I liae written to Bristol, and then ye'll
understand whether I'm in earnest or no."

"Your majesty need not trouble yourself to read
the despatch/' remarked Buckingham. " We know
what it contains. But in spite of all that has hap-
pened— in spite of the dissimulation and perfidy of
Olivarez — in spite of Bristol's mismanagement — in
spite of the Pope — the match will take place.'"

" Ye are wrang, Steenie — ye are wrang/' cried
James. " I tell ye, man, I am about to break it
off."

"Would you undo your own work, just when it
is on the eve of accomplishment?" said Bucking-
ham. " You are far too sagacious for that."

"Uds death! man, there's nae help for it/' re-
turned James. "I will mak nae mair concessions
to please the Pope or the great Dule himsel, wha
eggs him on. I hae made ower mony already."

"I should be the last to counsel your majesty
to truckle to Rome/' said Buckingham. "But

THE SPANISH MATCH. 17

you may dispense with the dispensation. I will
stake my head that the match shall take place —
ay, and before the end of April."

"Ye are a bauld man, Steenie — a verra bauld
man," said James, laughing, " and can do maist
things weel, but ye canna perform impossibilities."

"I can do what Bristol has failed to do, at all
events," rejoined Buckingham. "And this is no
idle boast, as your majesty will find, if you put me
to the test."

" Ye say that safely, for ye ken fu' weel that I
am not likely sae to try ye," observed James.
"But let me make an end of my despatch."

At a sis^n from Buckincrham, Charles then drew
nearer to his father, and said, in an earnest voice,
" I have a matter of importance to lay before your
majesty, on which I desire to have your advice.
But, before proceeding, I must have your royal
word that you will not divulge the secret I am
about to impart to any one — not even to your
council. Otherwise, my lips will remain sealed."

VOL. I. C

18 THE SPANISH MATCH.

^^I liae nae secrets, as ye ken, frae Steenie,"
replied James, whose curiosity was aroused. " But
sin' he is present, and will hear the secret — if he be
not acquainted wi' it already, as I shrewdly suspect
— there is na need to make an exception in his
favour. Speak without fear, my bairn. I solemnly
pledge you my royal word that I will keep your
secret as close as I ought to keep my purse."

" Since I am thus encouraged," said Charles,
"I can no longer hesitate to prefer my request.
Gracious sovereign and father," he continued,
prostrating himself before him, "grant me, I be-
seech you, permission to travel to Madrid to fetch
the Infanta, whom you have chosen for my consort,
but who, I feel assured, never will be mine unless
I can thus obtain her. Instead of quenching the
passion I have conceived for this adorable princess,
the difficulties which have occurred during the
long-protracted negotiation for her hand, have in-
creased it. I shall never be happy without her,
and indeed have vowed to take no other wife, so

THE SPANISH MATCH. 19

that, unless I win her, I shall be condemned to a
life of celibacy, and your royal line will not be
continued."

" Saints forfend ! " cried James, uneasily.

" In proceeding in person to fetch my bride,"
pursued Charles, "I shall imitate the example of
my chivalrous ancestor, James V. of Scotland, who,
journeying into France in quest of a consort, was
rewarded by the hand of the Princess Madeleine,
sole daughter of Francois I. Moreover, I shall
copy, as I am bound to do, my wise and honoured
father, whose ardent nature prompted him to sail
to Denmark to gain the princess on whom he had
set his affections. As James V. succeeded, and as
you succeeded, sire, so shall I."

'^ Ahem ! " exclaimed James, coughing dryly.
" Dinna be guided by bonnie Jamie, Babie Charlie
— dinna be guided by me. The wisest of men
sometimes err, and I gave nae great proof of saga-
city in taking that step."

C2

20 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" You gave unquestionable proof of spirit and
of devotion to the queen my mother, sire," re-
turned Charles. "Whatever the motive that in-
fluenced you, I honour you for it. But vouchsafe
an answer to my request. Have I your permis-
sion to travel to Madrid ? "

"Ye hae ta'en me so much by surprise that I
can make nae direct response," returned James,
cautiously. " The matter requires great considera-
tion. When do you desire to set out?"

" Without delay — to-morrow," replied Charles.

" To-morrow ! " ejaculated the king. " By my
halidame! ye must be daft to think of it. Why,
it will tak a month to fit out a fleet to convey ye
to Spain! Ask Steenie, who is Lord High Ad-
miral, and he will explain to you the time it will
take to get all ready."

" I need not ask the question, sire, since it is not
my intention to go to Spain in that princely fashion.
I design to travel by post, in disguise, as a simple
gentleman, accompanied only by Buckingham, who

THE SPANISH MATCH. 21

has consented to go with me, and two or three
attendants."

"Wha the deil has put this mad scheme into
your head ? " cried James, aghast. " Ride by post
frae London to Madrid, hke a courier! Is it be-
fitting the heir to the throne of England to travel
sae? Answer me that, Babie Charlie? Answer
me that?"

"I shall travel incognito, sire, and shall not
discover myself till I reach Madrid."

" Ye'll never reach Madrid if ye travel in that
way, my puir bairn," said the king. ^^Hae ye
reflectit on the perils of the journey? Grantin'
ye get safely through France, whilk I mich mis-
doubt, ye will hae to cross great barren plains
and steep mountains infested by robbers, and may
be set upon in some spot where there is nae chance
of succour, and barbarously murthered, and then I
shall lose my twa darling boys, Babie Charles and
Steenie. Say nae mair aboot it — spare your breath
— nae arguments will move me."

22 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" I shall not arise till you grant my request,
sire," returned Charles, maintaining his position.
^^ I go like a paladin of old to win the sovereign
mistress of my heart, and were the expedition un-
attended by danger, I would not undertake it."

" Why, ye are as moonstruck as Don Quixote
himself!" cried James. "But dinna suppose yer
auld dad will suffer ye to commit such folly. He
loves his bairn too dearly. What say you, Steenie?"
he added to Buckingham. " Surely ye canna be
party to this hair-brained scheme?"

"If the prince travels to Madrid as he desires
to do, I shall accompany him," returned Bucking-
ham. " Your paternal anxiety magnifies the dan-
gers of the journey. I warrant me you will laugh
heartily at our adventures when we come back."

"If ye ever do come back, dear lads, I promise
ye I shall laugh, and that right heartily," said
James. "But something tells me if ye gang to
Spain in this way, I shall never set eyes on ye
mair. Why not tarry for the fleet? Besides, I

THE SPANISH IklATCH. 23

darena consent without consulting the council, and
they may prohibit my son's departure."

" Very likely they would, sire," observed Charles.
" But you have pledged me your royal word not to
mention the matter to any one without my con-
sent ; and I hold you strictly to the promise."

" Idiot that I was to bind myself sae ! " cried
the king. " But ye will gain naething by the
stratagem — naething. I refuse my consent."

" Then the prince's death will lie at your door,"
rejoined Buckingham. " It will break his heart if
he loses the Infanta — as he infallibly will, unless
this expedient be adopted. Do I exaggerate,
prince? — Speak!"

"Not in the least," replied Charles. "If I am
thwarted, and robbed of my prize, I shall never
survive the bitter disappointment."

" Was ever king sae sair beset ? " groaned James.
" I see plain eneuch that ye are baith in a plot
against me, but ye shallna prevail. I am firm in
my refusal."

24 THE SPANISH MATCH.

^' Hear me before you decide, sire," said Charles.
"As Heaven shall judge me, if I am denied the
Infanta, I will take no other wife. Your majesty
professes to desire the marriage "

" Professes to desire it ! " interrupted James. " I
desire nae thing on earth sae mich. I wad gie half
my kingdom to accomplish it."

" Then let me go, and it is done," said Charles.
" Hear me yet further, sire. Not only will my
presence at Madrid bring the negotiation to an im-
mediate and satisfactory issue, but it will ensure
the restitution of his hereditary dominions to my
brother-in-law, the Count Palatine. Philip IV.
cannot refuse his aid to the Elector when I ask
it."

"That wad, indeed, be a triumph gained, and
wad gladden my heart, which is sair troubled in
regard to my daughter EHzabeth," observed James.
" I ought not to yield, for I hae mony misgivings
as to the result of the expedition ; but since ye are
bent upon it, I will not hinder ye."

THE SPANISH MATCH. 25

His point being thus gained, Charles sprang
joyfully to his feet, and threw himself into his
father's arms, who tenderly embraced him, exclaim-
ing, " Heaven bless ye, my bonnie bairn, and grant
ye a prosperous journey ! "

"Your majesty's decision has been wisely made,
and you will never rue it," observed Buckingham.
" And now, since the affair is settled, it may be
well to discuss the arrangements of the journey.
We would defer to your majesty's opinion in the
choice of our attendants. Whom do you recom-
mend?"

" I need not search far to find one," returned
James. "There is your secretary. Sir Francis
Cottington, Babie Charlie, whom we have just
elevated to a baronetcy. He has been attached to
our embassy at Madrid, and knows the court in-
timately. You canna do better than take him. Sir
Francis is a trusty and discreet man, in whom I
have every confidence."

"Your confidence is well bestowed, sire," re-

2(y THE SPANISH MATCH.

turned the prince. " I had fixed upon Cottington
as one of my attendants, provided my project met
with your sanction. He is without, in the ante-
chamber; but he knows nothing of the enterprise,
for neither Buckingham nor myself have breathed
a word of it to any one save your majesty."

" I will talk to him anon," observed the king.
^^ Then there is your groom of the chamber, Endy-
mion Porter, who has just returned frae Madrid.
He speaks the language like a Spaniard, kens the
people weel, and will be verra useful to you. Take
him."

"Willingly — right willingly," returned Charles.
"I had also thought of Endymion Porter. His
perfect knowledge of the language, and familiarity
with the manners of the people, will be a great
help to us. As your majesty is aware, I speak
Spanish indifferently well myself."

" And I very indifferently," remarked Bucking-
ham. " But I make no doubt we shall get on well
enough. Your majesty having assigned Cottington

THE SPANISH MATCH. 27

and Endymion Porter to tlie prince, I will crave
permission to take as my own attendant my master
of the horse, Sir Richard Graham."

" I approve your choice, Steenie/' replied James.
"Dick Grseme is as handsome as Adonis, and his
bra' looks and gallant bearing will charm the
Spanish senoras. Like Babie CharHe, he may
chance to find a wife in Madrid. But hauld!
there is one point which must not be forgotten.
Does Dick speak Spanish?"

"Better than I do myself," returned Bucking-
ham.

" That's na sayin' mich," laughed the king.
"And now, lads, under what names do you mean
to travel?"

" We have not thought of that," replied the
prince. " Give us our designations, sire."

^^ The Palmerin de Inglaterra and Amadis de
Gaula would suit ye best," said James, laughing;
" but since these renowned names might prove in-
convenient, I wad counsel you to adopt humbler

25 THE SPANISH MATCH.

appellations, and style yourselves the twa Smiths
— Jock and Tarn."

" Excellent ! " cried^ Buckingham. " Your ma-
jesty has a rare humour. The prince shall be
Jack Smith, and I will be Tom."

" I am quite content," remarked Charles. " As
the Brothers Smith we will travel to Madrid."

" Will ye not send on a courier before you ? "
observed the king, pleased with their ready assent
to his whim.

^^That were to proclaim our secret to all the
world," returned Charles. " None save our at-
tendants must be made acquainted with our in-
tended journey. There must be no avant courier
to Paris or Madrid, or the project will be blown
abroad and defeated. We must take Philip and
Olivarez by surprise. On our arrival at Madrid,
we will proceed at once to the English embassy."

"The hotel in which Bristol resides, and where
you will find him, has an odd name," remarked
James. " It is called La Casa de las siete

THE SPANISH :match. 29

Chimeneas, or, in plain English, ^ The House of
Seven Chimneys.' Though so scantily supplied
with chimneys, I believe it is a large mansion,
sae ye will be weel accommodated ; and I trust ye
will gar every chimney reek while ye stay there."

" AVe will take good care of ourselves, never
fear, sire," said Buckingham. " I like the name
of the house. Seven is a lucky number. There
are the Seven Sages of Greece — the Seven Cham-
pions— the Seven Stars — why not the Seven
Chimneys?"

"One of the Pleiades has vanished," remarked
James. " Count the chimneys when ye get to
Madrid, and let me know that all are standing,
for if ane be wanting, I shall think that your
errand will prove unsuccessful. Ye said just now
that Sir Francis Cottington is in the ante-chamber.
Bid him come in. As he is to attend you, I may
talk the matter over with him, I suppose?"

"Most assuredly, sire," replied Charles. "I
should wish you to do so."

30 THE SPANISH MATCH.

"Call him in, Steenie — call him in," said the
king; "and if Endymion Porter and Dick Gr^me
chance to be in the ante-chamber, let them come
in at the same time."

"All three were there when his highness and
myself passed through," returned Buckingham.
" Cottington will oppose the expedition," he
added, in a whisper, to Charles.

'^ He will not dare to do so when he finds I
am bent upon it," rejoined the prince, in the same
tone.

"We shall see," observed Buckingham, as he
stepped towards the door to execute the king's
order.

THE SPANISH MATCH.

n.

SHOWES'G TVHO TTEKE CHOSEN AS JACK AND lOil SAIITH's
ATTENDANTS ON THE JOrENEY.

Finding that the three persons he sought were
still in the ante-chamber, Buckingham directed the
gentleman-usher in attendance to summon them,
and, this being done, in another minute they were
brought into the presence.

Sir Francis Cottington, who was first to enter,
was of middle age, being born in 1576. Of a
good Somersetshire family, after serving as secre-
tary to Sir PhiHp Straflford during the reign of
EHzabeth, he became attached to the embassy to

32 THE SPANISH MATCH,

Spain, and his long residence at Madrid had
given him the look of a Spaniard, which was
heightened by his olive complexion, dark eyes,
and jet-black moustache and beard. His habili-
ments were of murrey-coloured velvet, and a long
Toledo hung from his side. As previously inti-
mated, Sir Francis Cottington was now secretary
to Prince Charles, and was, moreover, much in
the king's confidence, who constantly consulted
him about Spanish affairs, and was generally
guided by his advice.

Endymion Porter came next. He was some-
what younger than Cottington, but though not so
polished in manner or intelHgent-looking as the
prince's secretary, he had a pleasant countenance,
and a goodly person.

The last to pay reverence to the king was an
exceedingly handsome young man. Selected on
account of his good looks and agreeable manner
to the post of master of the horse, which he filled
in Buckingham's princely household, Sir Kichard

THE SPANISH MATCH. 33

Graham, by the elegance of his attire and personal
graces, excited almost as much admiration as his
magnificent patron. He was as tall as Bucking-
ham, who was upwards of six feet high, but more
powerfully built than the marquis. Graham's
features were regular, and of classical mould, his
complexion bright and fresh, his eyes dark blue,
his locks brown and curled liked those of Anti-
nous, his beard and moustaches of the same hue,
and his teeth superb. Sir Richard was a few
months younger than Prince Charles, and had
recently been knighted by the king at Bucking-
ham's instance.

Glancing round at the trio, James said, ^' I hae
sent for ye, sirs, on a maist important matter, but,
before confiding it to ye, I charge ye on your
allegiance that ye keep it a profound secret. Mark
weel what I say — a profound secret."

"Your majesty may rely upon us," returned the
persons addressed.

" Weel, then," continued the king, " I will tell

YOL. I. D

34 THE SPANISH MATCH.

ye wliat it is without mair ado. Babie Charles
and Steenie hae resolved to travel post to Madrid,
to fetch the Infanta. Never stare, sirs — never
stare ! as if ye thought I were jesting — it's the
truth. They mean to travel post, I tell ye, in-
cognito, and with only three attendants, and have
made choice of you."

This unexpected intelligence produced a marked
effect on the hearers. All three were surprised
by it, and Cottington trembled so violently, that
he could scarcely support himself.

^^What ails ye, Sir Francis?" cried James.
"Dinna ye like the expedition?"

" Of a truth, my liege, I do not," repHed Cot-
tington; "and I would fain dissuade his highness
from so hazardous an undertaking. I know the
Spaniards well, and am therefore sensible of the
risk he will incur."

"Ye hear that, Babie Charles?" cried James.
" Sir Francis is an honest man, and speaks truth,

THE SPANISH ^lATCH. 35

however distasteful it may be, without fear. He
is of our ain opinion."

"I have already told your majesty that I am
determined to go, be the danger what it may/' said
Charles, glancing sternly at his secretary as he
spoke. " I should be loth to take Sir Francis
with me against his will."

" Let him stay behind," cried Buckingham.
"How say you, sirs?" he added to the two others.
" Are you content to go with us ? ''

" I shall be proud and happy to attend his
highness and your grace," rejoined Endymion
Porter ; " and I see no risk whatever in the ex-
pedition. The prince will be heartily welcomed
by his Spanish majesty — of that I am well as-
sured."

"For my part, I shall account it a great dis-
tinction to share, however humbly, in an enter-
prise so heroic," observed Sir Richard Graham.
" The proposed expedition is, in all respects, suited
D 2

36 THE SPANISH MATCH.

to a prince so chivalrous as his highness, and I
marvel not that he desires to undertake it.
Danger enhances the glory of any great achieve-
ment, and, should peril occur, we shall know how
to encounter it."

" Well spoken, Dick," cried Buckingham. " It
is only Cottington who fears danger."

"It is my devotion to the prince that fills me
with apprehension, and prompts me to dissuade
him from the journey," returned Cottington. "If
his highness will not heed my warning, I am
ready to go with him, to guide him, and strive
to protect him from peril, but I cannot reconcile
it to myself to hold my tongue when advice may
be useful."

"No more of this, sir," cried Charles, angrily.

" Nay, chide him not, Babie Charlie, he means
weel," interposed James. "What hae ye to say.
Sir Francis? Speak out, man — speak out — I com-
mand ye ! "

" Since your majesty lays your Injunctions upon

THE SPANISH MATCH. 3?

me, I must obey," replied Cottington. " Not only
do I feel that the expedition will be attended
with many risks, but so far from promoting the
match, I am confident it will put an end to it.
Should the prince be so rash as to place himself
in the hands of the Spaniards, they will make fresh
demands, and detain him till their exactions are
complied with. Assured of this, I deem it in-
cumbent upon me to warn his highness before he
runs headlong into the trap. The grand aim of
the Spanish cabinet is to advance the Eomish faith
in England, and this they will be enabled to do,
if the prince delivers himself into their hands."

" Ye are right, Sir Francis — ye are right," cried
James. " I see it a' now. The step would be
fatal, but. Heaven be praised, it is not yet ta'en !
If the Spaniards ance get possession of ye, Babie
Charlie, the Pope will be able to dictate his ain
terms, and will make the restitution of his spee-
ritual power and the restoration of the Romish
faith the price of your release."

38 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" This is idle, sire," remarked Charles. " I
have too much faith in Spanish honour to doubt
for a moment the treatment I shall experience
from Philip IV. Spain is the most chivalrous
country in Europe."

" But the most perfidious/' cried the king. " I
will not trust my bairn to traitors. I willna let
you go."

"If you violate your promise, sire, you must
take the consequences," rejoined Charles, sternly.
" I swear to you I will never marry."

^^ But, my ain bairn "

" I swear it," repeated Charles, emphatically.
" If your majesty breaks a promise thus solemnly
made," said Buckingham, contemptuously, " no
credit will in future be attached to aught you
may assert. Your word is passed, and cannot be
recalled."

" Hear me, Steenie — hear me, Babie Charlie I
I implore you baith to listen to me!" cried the
king.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 39

"Nothing you can say will move me, sire/' re-
joined Buckingham, haughtily. " Such vacillation
is unworthy of you. As to you, Cottington/' he
added, in a menacing tone, " you will repent your
mischievous interference."

" Even if I should be unlucky enough to forfeit
his highness's favour as well as yours, my lord, I
shall never repent what I have done," replied
Cottington. "As a faithful servant of the prince,
I am bound to endeavour to deter him from a
step which I feel may be fraught with fatal con-
sequences. Having discharged my duty, I have
nothing more to say. It is for liis majesty to
decide."

" Release me frae my promise, Babie Charlie !
— release me, Steenie!" cried James, in almost
piteous accents.

But both looked at him coldly and contemptu-
ously, and neither made reply.

At this moment a head, covered with a fool's
cap, surmounted by a coxcomb, was thrust from

40 THE SPANISH MATCH.

out the tapestry opposite the king, and a mocking
voice exclaimed, " Ye seem perplexed, gossip.
Will ye take a fool's advice?"

" What, hast thou been playing the spy upon
uSj Archie?" exclaimed the king, by no means
displeased at the interruption. " Come forth in-
stanter, sirrah ! "

Thus exhorted, a fantastic little personage, clad
in motley, holding a bauble, and having a droll,
though somewhat malicious expression of counte-
nance, stepped forth from his place of concealment.
It was the court jester, Archie Armstrong.

" Hast thou been there all the time, knave?"
demanded James.

" Ay, gossip," returned Archie, " and I have
not lost a word of the discourse. I approve of
Babie Charlie's visit to Spain, but he must take
my cap with him, and if Philip allows him to
come back, he may leave it as a parting gift to
his majesty."

THE SPANISH MATCH. 41

"Tell me what I shall do, Archie?" cried the
king. " I am well-nigh at my wits' end."

"Then are you close to folly, gossip," returned
Archie. " But since you ask me, I will tell you
what you must not do. Break not your word, or
you will never more be trusted."

" Right, fool," said Buckingham, approvingly.

" Balk not the prince your son's humour," pur-
sued Archie, " or you will never have a daughter-
in-law."

"Excellent counsel," said Charles. "Wisdom
proceeds from the lips of fools."

" Make up your mind to what cannot be helped,
gossip," said Archie to the king. " Babie Charlie
and Steenie will go to ]Madrid, and there is no
use in saying them nay; you had best yield with a
good grace."

James seemed to be of this opinion, for, after a
brief pause, he exclaimed:

" Aweel, my bairns, I can hauld out nae longer.

42 THE SPANISH MATCH.

E'en gang your gait; and may gude come of tlie
journey."

" Folly, you see, has carried the day," said
Archie to Cottington.

Having thus regained their ground, the prince
and Buckingham overwhelmed the old monarch
with thanks, terming him the most indulgent of
fathers and the best of kings. These demonstra-
tions brought tears to James's eyes — tears of
dotage, Buckingham thought them.

" Buss me, Babie Charlie, buss me," cried James,
tenderly embracing his son. " Ah ! ye little heed,
my bonnie bairn, what pangs ye are about to
inflict on your auld dad. But why not delay
your departure for a few days? I hae mich to
think of — my mind is sair distraught the noo —
mich advice to gie you."

" There is far more danger in delay than in the
journey itself," observed Charles, well knowing
that a few hours might cause a change in his
father's disposition. "We shall start at an early

THE SPANISH MATCH. 43

hour to-morrow morning. Meantime, with your
gracious permission, we will send Cottington and
Endymion Porter to Dover, to hire a vessel to
transport us to Boulogne."

" Weel, weel, it shall be sae," groaned James
— "but what a tempting of Providence to trust
the hope of the kingdom to a frail shallop ! If ill
betide, I shall have meikle to answer for."

"Cottington will provide us with a stout ship,
and the wind will favour us, sire," said Charles, " so
you need be under no apprehension for our safety."

" I see 'tis in vain to reason wi' ye," returned
his father. " Gang to Dover as fast as ye can.
Sir Francis," he added to Cottington, "and tak
Endymion Porter wi' ye. Hire a good ship for
the voyage."

" Set out with all despatch, I pray you, Cot-
tington," said Charles. " You will obtain funds
for the journey from my comptroller. Have all

ready for our embarkation on Wednesday morn-

*

ing. We trust to be at Dover to-morrow night."

44 THE SPANISH MATCH.

"All shall be ready for your highness," replied
Cottington. " I now take leave of your majesty."

"Fare ye weel, my faithful Cottington," said
James, giving him his hand to kiss. "Ye will
hae a precious charge. I needna bid ye tak care
of my bairns."

Cottington said nothing, but bowing profoundly
to his majesty, quitted the cabinet with Endymion
Porter.

Scarcely was he gone than James cried out
hastily, "Stop them! — stop them! I hae some-
thing more to say."

"Impossible, sire," rejoined Buckingham, who
justly dreaded lest the king should veer back to
the old quarter. "If you have any further direc-
tions to give, we will attend to them. But let
me pray your majesty to regard our project more
cheerfully. You will have us back with the In-
fanta before Whitsuntide, and then I warrant me
you will commend us for the exploit."

"Ye are more" sanguine than I am, Steenie,"

THE SPANISH MATCH. 45

groaned the king. " I never look to see either of
ye again, and that makes me sae sad."

"Think of the bonnie princess, with her rich
dowry, gossip," said Archie. "I guess you will
be glad to see her. Think of your son-in-law,
the Count Palatine, and how rejoiced he will be
at the restitution of his dominions."

" I beheve thou art in the plot against me,
sirrah," said the king, cheering up a little. "And
now, my bairns," he continued, " though ye ^vinna
let me send aught of ore ye to Madrid, or procure
ye a safe-conduct through France frae our am-
bassador, Sir Edward Herbert, I shall not fail to
send after ye a' ye may need to grace ye at the
court of Madrid, as braw apparel, jewels, horses,
and the Hke. I dinna doubt but half my court
will follow ye."

"Prithee, gossip, let me go with the prince's
train," entreated Archie.

"Nay, I shall need thee to divert my melan-
choly," returned James.

46 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" I sliall add to your dulness, an you detain me,
gossip," rejoined Arcliie. " All my mirtli will
vanish."

"Then have thy will, and gae," rejoined James.
Then turning to his son and Buckingham, he
added, "Be not afeared that ony tidings of your
departure will reach France for some days, for on
Wednesday I will stop all couriers, and lay an
embargo on all vessels bound to ony French port.
And now once more adieu, my bonnie bairns.
Sair I am to lose you, but greeting will not mend
the matter.^' So saying, he tenderly embraced
them both, and bestowed his blessing upon them.

On quitting his father, Charles manifested con-
siderable emotion, but Buckingham took leave of
his royal master with apparent unconcern.

As Sir Richard Graham made a reverence to
the king before following them, James said to
him, "I hae a question to ask ye, Dick, and I
require a straightforward answer. Are ye wholly
unfettered, man — eh?"

THE SPANISH MATCH. 47

i

"I do not exactly understand your majesty,"
returned the young man.

" Then ye are duller than I thought. Hae ye
breathed vows to ony fair dame or damsel at our
court? Hae ye tied love-knots? Ye are of an
amorous complexion, and like eneuch to hae a
sweetheart. Hae ye ony engagement?"

" No, sire," replied Graham. " In that respect
I am as free as air."

"Then tak my advice, man, and bring back a
rich Spanish wife wi' ye," said James.

" I will endeavour to obey your majesty," replied
Graham.

And with a fresh reverence he followed the
prince and Buckingham out of the cabinet, leaving
the king alone with Archie.

48 THE SPANISH MATCH.

III.

HOW TOM AND JACK SET OUT ON THEIR JOURNEY ; AND HOW
THEY GOT TO THE FERRY NEAR TILBURY FORT.

Later in the day, in pursuance of the plan
arranged between him and the prince, Buckingham
quitted York Housej and, attended by Sir Kichard
Graham, repaired to New Hall, in Essex — a noble
mansion, which he had purchased only two years
previously from the Earl of Sussex, to whose
brother it had been granted by Queen Elizabeth.

Situated between Chelmsford and Waltham
Abbey, and surrounded by an extensive park,
well stocked with deer, and boasting much fine

THE SPANISH MATCH. 49

timber, Xew-Hall had been a favourite liunting-
seat of Henry VIII., who termed it, from the
beauty of the site, BeauUeu. It was a vast struc-
ture, consisting of two large quadrangles, and pos-
sessed, among other stately chambers, a grand
banqueting-hall, nearly a hundred feet in length,
and proportionately wide and lofty, in which blujST
King Hal had often feasted on the venison killed
in the park, and which was still adorned with his
arms sculptured in stone. James I. dehghted in
New-Hall, and counselled his favourite to buy the
mansion, probably providing the funds for the
purchase, and here he often visited Buckingham,
chasing the deer in the park, and carousing in the
great hall.

While Buckingham proceeded to his country-
seat, Charles started for Theobalds, where he re-
mained till evening, when he rode with but slight
attendance to New-Hall. On arriving at his des-
tination he sent back his attendants, telling them
he should remain in privacy with his lordship of

VOL. I. E

50 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Buckingham for two or three days, and giving
one of them a letter to be conveyed next morning
to the king. The singularity of this step excited
some surprise among the prince's attendants, and
they hazarded many guesses at the motive of this
sudden visit to New-Hall. All these conjectures,
however, were wide of the truth. Charles was
very unceremoniously welcomed by Buckingham.
They supped together in the great hall, but with-
out state, and were only attended by Sir Richard
Graham — the serving-men standing out of earshot
— and almost immediately after the meal, the mar-
quis and his royal guest retired to rest. All
needful preparations for the journey were en-
trusted to Graham, who delightedly undertook the
task.

Long before daylight next morning, the two
adventurous companions were called by Graham,
who assisted the prince to attire himself in a
riding-dress of far plainer stuflf than he had ever
worn before, and this office performed, the young

THE SPAKISH IMATCH. 51

knight went to render the same service to his
patron, but found it needless, Buckingham being
already fully equipped in a suit exactly resembling
that of the prince.

A few minutes later, when Charles and his
favourite met in a chamber where a collation had
been laid overnight, they surveyed each other for
a moment in silence, and then burst into laughter
at the change wrought in their appearance, as well
by their apparel as by the false beards with which
they had disguised their features. Sir Richard
Graham, who was standing by, shared in their
merriment. He was similarly habited, and his
riding-dress, which was of dark green cloth, with
boots drawn up above the knee, became him ex-
tremely well, but he had not deemed it necessary
to mask his handsome countenance as the others
had done.

"Will it please your highness to taste this
capon?" he said, as Charles sat down at table.

"Help me — but give me no title, Dick/' re-
e2 .

0. OF lU- Lid.

52 THE SPANISH MATCH.

plied the prince. "Till I reach Madrid, I have
laid aside my rank, and am now plain Jack
Smith."

" And I am his brother Tom — forget not that,
Dick," added Buckingham.

"Furthermore, thou art licensed to sit in our
presence," pursued Charles. " During the journey
we are equals."

Notwithstanding this gracious permission, Sir
Richard hesitated to avail himself of it, but
Buckingham enforcing the order, he took a seat,
and all ceremony being now laid aside, he pro-
ceeded to lay in a good stock of the viands spread
out before him.

"I would I had as good an appetite as thou
hast, Dick," cried the prince, admiring his prowess.
"I have vainly tried to get through this capon's
wing, while thou hast made tremendous havoc
with the pasty."

"I have not half done yet, your highness — I
mean Master Jack Smith, pardon the involuntary

THE SPANISH MATCH. 53

slip of the tongue — the fact is, I have slept little,
and find myself frightfully hungry."

"Then satisfy thyself, but use despatch, for ^ve
must away presently," remarked Buckingham.
" Thou may'st eat both for my brother Jack and
myself, for I have as sorry an appetite as he.
Take a cup of sack. Jack, to the success of our
expedition."

" With all my heart," replied Charles, fiUing a
goblet, while Graham followed their example.
" The wine has done me good," pursued the
prince. " Hast thou finished, thou insatiable
glutton?"

"Another moment," responded Graham, hastily
disposing of a slice of ham, and swallowing another
cup of sack. " There, now I am quite ready. I
will go fetch the valises, which are all carefully
packed."

So saying he disappeared, but almost instantly
returned with the baggage, while the prince and
Buckingham, being already booted and spurred,

54 THE SPANISH MATCH.

took up their broad-leaved hats, cloaks, and horse-
whips, and, moving as noiselessly as they could,
proceeded to a private staircase which conducted
them to a postern-door. This door being unlocked
by Buckingham, the party found themselves in
the garden, but marching quickly, under the
guidance of Graham, they threaded a long yew-
tree alley, .and soon reached an outlet into the
park. On issuing forth, notwithstanding the ob-
scurity, for it was not yet light, they could dis-
tinguish three mounted grooms, each of whom
held a horse by the bridle.

Without a word, Charles vaulted into the saddle
of the steed nearest him, Buckingham followed
his example, while Graham, consigning the valises
to the groom, was instantly on the back of the
third horse.

Just as they started, a clock placed in an inner
court of the hall struck five.

In another moment the trio, attended by the
grooms, were galloping down a sweeping glade.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 55-

skirted by lordly trees, then of course bereft of
half their beauty, from want of foliage.

While they were thus speeding along, Bucking-
ham remarked that the prince's looks were fixed on
the heavens, and he asked what he was sazincr at?

' DO

" At yon star/' replied Charles. " 'Tis hers ! "

"It heralds you on to Madrid," said the mar-
quis.

"Perchance it is shining upon her at this mo-
ment," cried Charles, with all a lover's rapture.

"Like enough, if her casement be open," re-
joined Buckingham.

Charles did not hear the remark, but exclaimed,
aloud :

" Mistress of my heart ! life of my life ! I am
about to seek thee in a foreign land, and will not
return till I can bring thee back with me."

Bhssful visions rose before him, and he fell into
a reverie, which lasted till they were out of the
park.

A narrow lane broudit them to the hioh road

56 THE SPANISH MATCH.

to Chelmsford. Pursuing this till they got within
a short distance of the town, they struck into a
by-road on the left, and, fording the Chelmer at
Moulsham, shaped their course through a series of
lanes, passing by Badow, Sandon, and Hanning-
field, until at last they mounted the hill on which
Bellericay is perched.

Though still wanting an hour to sunrise, it had
become sufficiently light to enable them, from the
eminence they had gained, plainly to discern the
broad river they designed to cross, and the Kentish
hills on the opposite bank. Turning their gaze in
this direction, they fancied they could even dis-
tinguish Gravesend. Before entering Bellericay
they dismounted, and, consigning their horses to
the grooms, dismissed the men, with strict in-
junctions of silence.

" An ye breathe a word of what has occurred,
your tongues shall be cut out," said Buckingham;
" but if ye are discreet, ye shall be w^ell re-
warded."

THE SPANISH MATCH. 57

As the grooms rode off, Charles and Bucking-
ham proceeded towards the Crown Inn, where
post-horses were to be had, followed by Graham,
carrying the baggage.

At the door of the hostel stood a waggon with
a long team of horses, and several persons were
collected around to witness the departure of the
vehicle for London.

Seeing this, the prince and Buckingham halted,
leaving Graham to go on and order the horses.
As the young man approached the house, he was
addressed by a sharp -looking little personage,
who proved to be Master Ephraim Cogswell, the
host.

" Good morrow, fair sir," said Cogswell, doffing
his cap. "Are you going by the waggon? If
so, you are just in time."

"No, friend," replied Graham. "Myself and
my masters are not bound for London, but for
Rochester, and we want post-horses to take us to
Tilbury Fort, whence we propose to cross the

58 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Thames to Gravesend. We shall need a postboy
to attend us, and carry the baggage."

"How many are ye, master? Ha! I see," he
added, noticing Charles and Buckingham in the
distance. And, after giving the necessary orders
to an ostler, bidding him use despatch, he added,
" May I make so bold as to ask how your masters
are named, sir? They cannot be of this neigh-
bourhood, for I remember them not, though I
think I have seen your face before."

"Like enough," returned Graham. "It is not
the first time I have been at Bellericay. My
masters are the two Smiths."

At this moment the landlord was called by a
passenger in the waggon, and shortly afterwards
the veliicle was set in motion, and proceeded on
its way. The host then returned to the charge.

" You said that your masters are named Smith,
sir," he remarked to Graham. " Are they of this
county ? "

"You are inquisitive, mine host," returned

THE SPANISH lilATCH. 59

Graham. "They are the brothers Smith, of
Saffron Walden, and are tanners by trade. I am
their man."

"They don't look much Jike tanners, friend,"
observed Cogswell, " nor you like a tanner's man.
Ho^Yever, it's no business of mine. But here
come the hackneys."

And, as he spoke, the horses were brought out
of the stable, ready saddled and bridled. Seeing
which, Charles and Buckingham came forward.

"No more tanners than I am a tanner," mur-
mured Cogswell, eyeing them narrowly as they
approached. "I will consent to have my own
hide curried if they be not noblemen. Give your
lordships good day," he added, bowing respectfully
to them.

"Lordships! What means the fellow?" cried
Buckingham. " Hast thou been jesting with him,
Dick?" he added to Graham.

"Ay, that he has," returned Cogswell. "He
avouched that your lordships bore the common

60 THE SPANISH MATCH.

name of Smith, and were nothing better than
tanners. But that won't pass with me. Ephraim
Cogswell can tell a nobleman when he sees him.
And, but for your lordship's black beard, I would
venture to affirm that I am standing in the pre-
sence of the Marquis of Buckingham himself."

"You are mistaken, friend," returned the mar-
quis, "and I counsel you not to repeat that
pleasantry, as if it chance to reach the ears of my
lord of Buckingham, he is likely to resent the
liberty taken with his name."

"Nay, I meant no offence," replied Cogswell,
bowing. " I know how to hold my tongue."

Somewhat annoyed by this occurrence, Charles
and Buckingham mounted their horses and rode
off, and were followed hy Graham and a postboy,
with the baggage.

Passing through the town, the party kept on
the ridge of the hill for some distance, and then
descended to Little Bursted. In less than an hour
from quitting Bellericay, after crossing Langdon

THE SPANISH MATCH. 61

Hill, and passing over Horndon Hill, they reached
Tilbury Fort, where quitting their horses, and
paying the postboy, they instantly embarked on
board the ferry-boat, and ordered the two men
in charge of it to convey them with all despatch
to Gravesend.

Q2 THE SPANISH MATCH.

IV.

how jack and tom were taken for highwaymen on
gad's hill.

The morning was clear but cold, and a strong
north-easterly wind ruffled the water, and sent the
ferry-boat quickly along. The passage across the
river was not without interest to Jack and Tom.
Wrapping their cloaks around them to screen
them from the blast, they amused themselves, in
the first instance, by examining Tilbury Fort,
which seemed to menace them with its guns.
They next gazed admiringly down the wide and
long reach called '^ the Hope," skirted on one

THE SPANISH MATCH. 63

side by the white cliffs of Kent, and on the
other by the woody hills of Essex; then noted
the appearance and manoeuvres of some passing
vessels; and lastly, as they neared Gravesend,
turned their attention to the blockhouse, battery,
and wharf, and commented upon the ships, some
of considerable burden, lying off" the port.

While his leaders were thus occupied, Graham,
in order to pass the time, entered into conversa-
tion with the master ferryman, a weather-beaten
old fellow named Randal Fowler, and praised the
quickness of his boat.

" Ay, ay, she is a gallant little craft, sure
enough," replied the ferryman. " She has done
wonders in her day, and, moreover, has had some
great folks aboard of her/"'

"Indeed, what great personages have you had
the luck to carry ? "

"Marry, the greatest was the Lord High Ad-
miral," returned Randal.

"Nonsense, man, you don't mean to say that the

64 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Lord Higli Admiral has used your boat?" cried
Graham, glancing at Buckingham.

" Yes I do, master," replied the ferryman,
proudly.

" I don't recollect the circumstance, fellow,"
remarked Buckingham; "that is," he added, cor-
recting himself, " I never heard that the Lord
High Admiral had crossed the river by this
ferry."

" It wasn't here, but in the Medway, that his
lordship used my boat," rejoined Eandal. "I
took him and the Earl of Rutland to see the
ships lying at Sheerness. I shan't forget it, for
I got a piece of gold for the job. May I make
so bold as to ask whither you are bound, mas-
ters?"

" For France," replied Buckingham, in a tone
calculated to put an end to further inquiries.

But old Randal was not to be checked, and he
was about to ask further questions, when Graham
observed to him, in a low tone :

THE SPA^'ISH ]MATCH. 65

" Don't trouble tlie gentlemen further. They are
going across the water to fight a duel."

" Can't they cut each other's throats, if they are
so minded, in this country?" observed Randal.
" It seems a waste of time and money to go so
far on such an errand. However, that's no con-
cern of mine."

With this he proceeded to let down the sail,
calling to his man to look out, and in a few
minutes more they were close to the landing-
place. When Graham took out his purse to pay
the fare, he could find no silver w^ithin it, and
his companions were unable to assist him. They
had all plenty of gold, but no small change.
Old Randal had only a few pence in his greasy
leather pouch, and as to changing a jacobus, that
was out of the question.

" Give him a couple of gold pieces," cried Buck-
ingham. "We can't be detained a moment in
landing."

As Graham obeyed the order, and placed the

TOL. I. F

QQ THE SPANISH MATCH.

glittering coin in Randal's horny hands, the old
ferryman exclaimed^ in tones that bespoke his
gratitude, "I heartily thank your honours. You
are generous as princes — far more generous than
the Lord High Admiral. This is the best fare I
ever got, and if I could only earn as much every
time I cross the Thames, I should soon be rich.
Take an old man's advice, and make up your
quarrel. You are goodly gentlemen both, and it
would be a thousand pities if either of you were
harmed."

" Hold thy peace, friend,'* said Graham, stopping
him. " Thou hast got more than thy deserts. Be
content."

"I am content — more than content," persisted
Randal; "but I would fain prevent bloodshed.
Beseech ye, good sirs, to listen to me."

But he spoke to deaf ears, for no sooner did the
boat touch the strand than the prince and Bucking-
ham leaped ashore, and ran up the steps, passing
as quickly as they could through the crowd of

THE SPAI^ISH MATCH. 67

seafaring men and others collected on tlie wharf.
They were speedily followed by Graham, charged
with the baggage, for he resolutely refused the
offer of Eandal to carry it for him, not wishing
to be troubled further with the old man. The
party at once proceeded to the Falcon, where
post-horses were kept.

As soon as his passengers were gone, old Randal
took out the two jacobuses he had received, and,
while feasting his eyes upon them, he thought it
would be a lasting reproach to him if he allowed
the duel to take place; and coming to the con-
clusion that the kindest and most Christian thing
he could do was to have the gentlemen arrested,
and bound over to keep the peace towards each
other, he left his boat, and went to inform the
portreve, as the chief officer of the town was de-
signated, of the matter that had come to his know-
ledge.

The portreve, fully believing his story, at once
despatched two officers to the Falcon to arrest the
F 2 -

68 THE SPANISH MATCH.

intending combatants, and bring them before him;
butj on arriving at the post-house, the officers found
that the persons of whom they were in quest had
started full a quarter of an hour before. However,
as the portreve's orders were peremptory, they
ordered post-horses, and set off after the travellers,
and being well mounted, made sure of overtaking
them before they could reach Rochester.

Meanwhile, the three companions, attended as
before by a postboy carrying their baggage, had
passed through the rich gardens surrounding the
town, mounted the windmill-crowned heights,
whence such an extensive and beautiful prospect
is obtained, had ridden on through Chalk-street
and past the thick woods of Maplesden, and did
not slacken their pace till they reached the foot
of Gad's Hill.

"Here we are at Gad's Hill — the scene of one
of Falstaff's exploits," quoth Tom to Jack, as they
were slowly ascending the eminence. " Here-
abouts, the fat knight, with Bardolph and Peto,

THE SPANISH 3IATCH. 69

robbed tlie travellers of the gold they were con-
veying to the king's exchequer, and here the
rogues, in their turn, were stripped of their booty
and soundly belaboured by the madcap Prince
Hal, and Poins. But even in our own day,"
added Tom, " Gad's Hill has an ill repute, and
these thickets are still haunted by knights of the
post and minions of the moon, who sally forth to
bid the traveller stand and deliver, on peril of his
life. Heaven grant we meet with no such caitiffs !
Were they to ease us of the twenty-five thousand
pounds we carry with us in bills of exchange on
Paris and Madrid, besides our gold, they would
obtain a rich spoil, and might hinder our
journey."

" Prithee, not so loud, Tom," said Jack, glancing
around suspiciously — " you may be overheard ; and
though I delight in adventures, I have no fancy
for an encounter with highwaymen."
~ " Let us push on, then, Jack," rejoined Tom.
" As I have just told you, this is a dangerous spot."

70 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Putting their horses in motion, they soon reached
the brow of the hill. Here, on the left of the
road, stood a small hostel, called the Leather
Bottle, and as Jack, who was charmed with the
beauty of the scene, halted for a moment, the
postboy found time to drain a horn of humming
ale. Presently the travellers resumed their journey,
and were descending the hill, which on this side,
as on the other, was covered by wood, when they
descried a large coach drawn by four horses coming
towards them. Near this carriage, and apparently
conversing with some one inside it, rode a richly-
attired gentleman, attended by three or four
mounted lacqueys.

"By Heaven! Jack, that is one of the royal
carriages ! " exclaimed Tom, calling on the other
to halt. " And do you not perceive that the person
who is riding beside it is no other than Sir Lewis
Lewkner? Plague take him! What can he be
doing here? This is the last place where one

THE SPANISH MATCH. 71

would expect to meet the master of tlie cere-
monies."

"'Tis an unlucky chance that has brought him
here," cried Jack. " He is certain to recognise us.
We must turn back."

" No ; let us put a bold front upon it, and dash
rapidly past the coach. We shall escape notice,"
cried Tom.

" Impossible ! " returned Jack. " It is the Comte
de Tillieres who is in the carriage. I caught a
glimpse of his features just this moment."

" You are right," observed Tom. " It is the
French ambassador. I saw him myself quite
plainly. Look ! he is now thrusting his head
through the window."

" And see ! they have stopped the carriage,
and are consulting together," cried Jack. "They
evidently take us for highwaymen, and are pre-
paring to resist our attack."

" Shall we attack them. Jack? " said Tom, gaily.

72 THE SPANISH MATCH.

"To rob the French ambassador and the master
of the ceremonies would be an exploit worthy of
Prince Hal himself, and would be ^argument for
a week, laughter for a month, and a good jest for
ever.' "

" The matter is too serious for jesting," replied
Jack, gravely. " Here comes Sir Lewis Lewkner.
Shall we confront him, or beat a retreat?"

As he spoke, the master of the ceremonies rode
towards them, with the evident intention of de-
manding their business. But they did not wait
for his approach. Finding it impossible to avoid
the encounter, which must have resulted in a dis-
covery. Jack struck spurs into his horse, and
leaping a low hedge on the right, plunged into
the wood. Tom dashed after him, and Graham
ordered the postboy to follow, but as the lad
hesitated, he seized his horse, and, by a vigorous
application of the whip, forced the animal to clear
the hedge.

Just as this was accomplished, Sir Lewis Lewk-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 73

ner came up with the lacqueys, and called out,
" Stand ! if you are an honest man, and give an
account of yourself!" Then, looking at the other
more narrowly, he added, " Either my eyes de-
ceive me, or it is Sir Kichard Graham? But
why this garb? Whom have you with you, Sir
Richard?"

" Those are my friends. Jack and Tom Smith,"
roared Graham. And without another word, he
jumped the hedge and disappeared in the thicket,
leaving the master of the ceremonies completely
bewildered. On recovering from his surprise, Sir
Lewis returned to the coach, and told the am-
bassador what had occurred.

" A strange notion has come into my head," he
added. "I feel confident that it was Sir Richard
Graham whom I beheld, and I am almost equally
certain that the persons with him, whom he called
Jack and Tom Smith, were no other than the
Prince of Wales and the Marquis of Bucking-
ham."

74 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" You amaze me," cried the Comte de Tillieres.
" The prince and Buckingham ! in disguise, travel-
ling under feigned names, and without attendants !
This is the road to Dover. Parbleu ! can they be
going to France?"

"That is highly improbable, your excellency,"
returned Sir Lewis, who began to feel that he
had said too much.

Nothing more passed till they reached the
summit of the hill, when they perceived two men
galloping towards them. These were the officers,
who halted as they came up, and one of them,
respectfully saluting Sir Lewis, inquired whether
three gentlemen had passed them on the road;
adding, that he had an order from the portreve of
Gravesend for their arrest, as they were about to
cross over to France to fight a duel.

" Aha ! this proves they could not be the persons
I suspected," observed Sir Lewis to the ambas-
sador, who did not, however, appear entirely
satisfied. " The gentlemen you are in pursuit

THE SPANISH MATCH. . 75

of," added Lewkner to the officer, " avoided us,
and took refuge in yonder wood. Possibly, they
may have returned to the high road/''

" Not a doubt of it," rephed the officer.

"I should like to know the result of this ad-
venture," observed the Comte de Tillieres. " Go
with these officers, Martin," he added to one of his
mounted attendants, "and bring me word what
happens. Thou wilt find me at Gravesend."

Adding a few words in a lower tone, he placed
a purse in Martin's hands, and dismissed him.

As Martin galloped off with the officers, the
coach was again put in motion, and the ambas-
sador and Lewkner pursued their way towards
Gravesend.

76 THE SPANISH MATCH.

HOW JACK AKD TOM WEEE PUESUED BY THE OFFICERS
FROM GEAVESEND.

As had been conjectured, the travellers left the
covert in which they had sought shelter and re-
turned to the high, road, speeding along it till they
came to Strood Hill, from the summit of which
they obtained a charming view of Rochester, with
its ancient castle, its cathedral, and other pic-
turesque structures, as well as of the adjacent
town of Chatham, and the district watered by the
winding Medway.

While they were pausing to examine this noble

THE SPAITISH MATCH. 77

prospect, the postboy warned them that they were
pursued, and pointed out the two officers and
Martin, who were scouring along the valley about
a mile off. At this sight the travellers immediately
started again, and, dashing down the hill, speedily
reached Strood. Next crossing the old wooden
bridge at Rochester, and entering that fair city
— then, as now, one of the most picturesque and
beautiful in England — they rode along the High-
street, till they reached Chatham.

Their horses were in such good condition, that
it was evident they could hold out for another
stage, so, quitting Chatham, they mounted another
lovely hill, from the summit of which a delightful
and extensive view greeted them, comprehending
almost the whole of the meandering jMedway, with
Standgate Creek, Sheerness, the Nore, and the
distant coast of Essex.

Nearer at hand the prospect was yet more en-
chanting, being composed of hill and dale, vil-
lages, churches, and homesteads, hop -grounds,

78 THE SPANISH MATCH.

apple-orchards, cherry-orcliards, and all that can
contribute to the embellishment of an English
landscape. Of course, at this season of the year,
when the hop-grounds lacked their garniture,
when the orchards had no ripe produce, when
the fields were bare of crops, and the woods leaf-
less, the picture was deprived of much of its
charm. Still, even with these disadvantages, it
was so beautiful, that Charles, as he gazed at it
with a raptured eye, exclaimed :

"Drayton speaks truth when he says, in his
^ Polyolbion,'

0 famous Kent !
What county hath this Isle that may compare with thee !

Fairer scene than this cannot be imagined. Yon
broad and winding river, hastening on to mingle
its waters with those of the Thames before they
both are lost in the sea — those charming hills —
those pompous woods — those ancient mansions —
those reverend fabrics — those towns and hamlets^.

THE SP-A^TISIi MATCH. 79

all bespeaking peace and plenteousness. Can any
picture be more lovely?"

"None, none," replied Buckingham, who either
felt or feigned a like enthusiasm. ^* It is only in
England — perhaps only in this county — that such
a prospect can be seen. We shall find nothing
like it in Spain, you may depend. Jack. You
must bring the Infanta to behold it."

" I shall not fail," replied Charles.

At this moment, Graham, who had been lin-
gering behind, called out:

"Those rascally officers are coming quickly after
us. They have not stopped at Rochester, as we
expected, but have passed through Chatham, and
are even now scaling this hill."

" Plague take the knaves ! " cried Tom, im-
patiently. "Why should we concern ourselves
about them ? "

"'They will cause us delay, and every hour —
every minute — is of importance," returned Jack.

80 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" Let us on. We shall reach Sittingbourne before
them, and it is not likely they will proceed beyond
that place."

" On, then, to Sittingbourne," cried Tom.

And the whole party rapidly descended the hill.

At the foot of the eminence, on a common,
where a road branched off to Maidstone, stood a
large triangular gibbet, from which dangled the
grisly skeletons of three robbers who once haunted
the neighbouring thickets, and had been the terror
of all travellers on that way. With a glance of
disgust at these loathly objects. Jack and his com-
panions rode on through Hambley woods, past
Rainham, through the old town of Ne wing ton, on
the farther side of which they mounted Keycall
Hill, descending upon Key-street, after which they
came in sight of Milton, an ancient town famous
for its oysters, and once possessing a palace built
by Alfred, but subsequently destroyed by Earl
Godwin in the reign of Edward the Confessor.

Farther on, they passed the remains of Castle

THE SPANISH MATCH. 81

Rough, another fortress built by Alfred, and then
entering Sittingbourne, rode at once to the Red
Lion, and called for post-horses.

These were brought out with so much expedi-
tion, that the travellers were mounted and off full
five minutes before their pursuers came up. Great
disappointment was expressed by the latter on their
arrival, and the officers would have relinquished
the chase, but they were induced to go on by
Martin, who paid for their post-horses, and pro-
mised to reward them liberally.

Jack and Tom were now three or four miles
ahead, and had already passed Hempstead and
Radfield, had cleared the little village of Green
street, and were making their way, at a rapid pace,
along Watling-street (the ancient Roman road), by
Norton Ash, Stone, and Raven Hill^ towards
Ospringe.

While mounting Ospringe Hill, on which a
beacon then stood, they cast a look towards Fever-
sham, Davington, and the marshy tract adjoining

VOL. I. G

82 THE SPANISH MATCH.

tlie Swale, bringing the Bay of Whitstable within
their ken.

From Ospringe, about twenty minutes' hard
riding brought them to Boughton Hill, from the
summit of which they obtained a magnificent view
over the woody district known as the Forest of
Blean. From this point they first descried the
lofty tower of Canterbury Cathedral rising above
the woods.

In Blean Forest, which then extended for many
miles in the direction of the sea, the wild-boar
was still hunted, and in times more remote bears
had been found within its recesses. After a brief
survey of this grand woodland prospect, "they once
more got into motion, and were soon buried amid
dusky groves.

On emerging from the forest at Harbledown,
they beheld the ancient city of Canterbury, with
its ramparts, towers, gates, churches, and other
edifices, overtopped by the noble cathedral, about
a mile distant. This space being soon cleared,

THE SPANISH ]\IATCH. 83

they crossed a bridge over a branch of the river
Stour, and passing through the West-gate, a strong
and stately structure flanked by two round towers,
and defended by a portcullis, entered a long street
bordered on either side by old and picturesque
habitations.

g2

84 THE SPANISH MATCH.

VI.

HOW JACK AND TOM T7ERE VISITED BY MASTER LAUNCELOT
STODMAESH, MAYOR OF CANTERBURY.

It was now not far from noon, and the travellers,
having ridden upwards of fifty miles, began to feel
that they stood in need of some rest and refresh-
ment. Accordingly, they alighted at an inn bear-
ing as its sign a grotesque portrait of King James,
which made both Jack and Tom smile as they
regarded it, and, being shown into a chamber by
the obsequious host, Christopher Chislet, inquired
what eatables he had in the house.

" I can give your honours some rare trout from

THE SPANISH MATCH. So

Fordwicli," returned Ghislet. " Our Fordwich
trout are accounted the finest in England, and such
as come not even to the king's table, Heaven bless
him ! Then you can have a famous shield of
brawn, a quarter of a kid, and a chine of beef ;
and, Avhile you are discussing these, I will prepare
you a dish of wild-fowl, or plovers — our plovers are
dainty birds, and more toothsome than snipe or
woodcock."

" The trout, the chine, and the plovers will
suffice," said Tom. ^'And now, what wines hast
thou in thy cellar?"

" Good store, and of the best, an please your
honour," responded Chislet. " I have Rhenish and
Gascoigne, white wine of Gaillac, and red wine of
Bordeaux. Or shall I brew you a pottle of sack,
or bring you a flagon of our old Kentish ale? The
ale is wondrous strong and bright. I warrant you
you shall taste the hops in it."

" I will take thy word for it, mine host," re-
turned Tom; "but we care not for ale, however

SQ THE SPANISH MATCH.

strong and well hopped. Give us a flask or two
of Gaillac, if it be good, and brew a pottle of

"Your honour shall be well contented/' said
the host.

While the repast was being prepared. Jack and
Tom strolled forth to view the cathedral. Being
familiar with its internal beauties, they contented
themselves with a survey of the exterior, and re-
turned just at the moment that the Fordwich trout
were placed upon the table by the host. The re-
past was thoroughly enjoyed by the travellers,
whose long ride had wonderfully sharpened their
appetites.

" I never fared better than I have done to-
day," observed Jack. "But we must not loiter;
so call for the reckoning, Dick, and order the
post-horses."

On this, Graham arose and was about to summon
the host, when the latter suddenly entered, and.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 87

with a look of consternation depicted on Ins
features, cried out:

" His worship the mayor, Master Launcelot
Stodmarsh, desires to speak with you, gentle-
men."

At the words, a large portly-looking man, with
a very red face, strutted into the room. The
mayor was followed by two functionaries bearing
halberds, who placed themselves one on either
side of the door, and was accompanied by Martin
and the two officers from Gravesend.

On the entrance of the mayor. Jack and Tom
thought it necessary to rise and salute him, and
they did so with so much dignity, that the wor-
shipful gentleman began to feel that he was in the
presence of persons of importance.

" To what cause are we to attribute the honour
of this visit, Mr. Mayor? " demanded Tom. " We
are strangers here, and have merely halted in your
city on our way to Dover."

88 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" That I understand," replied Stodmarsli, essay-
ing to look dignified in Ms turn. " But you must
excuse me, gentlemen, if I say tliat I cannot permit
your departure till you have given a satisfactory
account of yourselves."

" On what plea do you venture to detain us,
sir?" inquired Jack, in an authoritative tone, and
with a sternness that took the mayor completely
aback.

As soon as he had recovered himself, he said,
with some respect,

"These officers have a warrant for your arrest
from the portreve of Gravesend, Master Nicholas
Holbeach. It is understood that you are about to
cross over to France for an unlawful purpose — to
fight a duel — a mortal duel — and it is our business
to prevent it."

" Tut ! tut ! this is idle, sir," cried Tom. " The
portreve has been wholly misinformed. We have
no such design. We are peaceable travellers, as
you may perceive by our deportment. This is my

THE SPANISH MATCH. 89

brother, Jack Smith, and I am not hkely to fight
him."

"I must have proof of that assertion, sir," re-
joined the mayor, "as well as of your pacific in-
tentions, before I can allow you to proceed on
your journey. Have you no document about you
to prove the correctness of your statement?"

" If I had any such document, I should decline
to produce it," replied Tom, haughtily.

" Then you cannot blame me if I doubt your
explanation," rejoined the mayor. "These officers
must take you back to Gravesend, to be dealt with
as my brother magistrate, the portreve, shall deem
meet."

"Hold! Mr. Mayor," cried Tom, imperiously.
" Listen to me, before you commit yourself — ■ — "

" I commit myself! " exclaimed Stodmarsh,
greatly offended. " I can allow no such improper
language to be used to me. I look upon you as
suspicious characters, and authorise your imme-
diate arrest. Do your duty, oflScers."

90 THE SPANISH MATCH.

As the men were about to advance, Graham
placed himself before them, and said, " Mr. Mayor,
allow me to give you a word of advice."

"Advice, sir — advice!" cried the mayor, swell-
ing with indignation. " I would have you to know
that Launcelot Stodmarsh never takes advice."

" So I should imagine, sir," replied Graham,
coolly. "Nevertheless, let me beg, before any-
thing is done which you may have cause to regret,
that you will grant us a word in private."

" The request is extremely irregular, sir," re-
joined Stodmarsh, calming down. "But I shall
not refuse it. If you have any explanation to
give, I am ready to hear it."

And he motioned the landlord and the others
to withdraw, telling his own officers to guard the
door outside.

The order was obeyed by all except Martin,
who contrived to slip behind a piece of furniture
without being perceived.

" And now, sirs," said Stodmarsh, taking a seat,

THE SPANISH MATCH. 91

but allowing the others to remain standing, " what
have you to impart to me?"

^'Mr. Mayor," said Graham, approaching him,
and assuming a tone and manner that could not be
mistaken, and that quite confounded the person he
addressed, "it is necessary that you should be made
aware that you are in the presence of two of the
most important persons in the kingdom — his High-
ness the Prince of Wales and the Lord Marquis
of Buckingham."

Thunderstruck by the information, the mayor
sprang to his feet, upsetting the chair on which

he had been sitting, but perceiving that he still

looked incredulous, the prince and Buckingham

removed their false beards; whereupon, unable to

doubt longer, Stodmarsh threw himself at the feet

of Charles, and said, " Pardon, your highness,

pardon ! I ought to have recognised you and the

noble marquis even when disguised."

" There is nothing to forgive, Mr. Mayor,'

replied Charles, raising him graciously. "It is

92 THE SPANISH MATCH.

no reproach to you that you did not recognise us.
I owe you an explanation, and you shall have it.
All I require from you, on your loyalty to the
king my august father, is, that you keep secret
what may be disclosed to you."

^'"Your highness may entirely rely on my dis-
cretion," rejoined Stodmarsh.

" The fact is, Mr. Mayor, since you must know
the truth," interposed Buckingham, " that in my
capacity of Lord High Admiral, I am proceeding
to Dover to examine into the condition and dis-
cipline of the fleet in the narrow seas, and his
highness the prince has deigned to accompany me
in the visit. Secresy being essential to the plan,
we are only attended by my equerry. Sir Richard
Graham, and are travelling by post, as you per-
ceive. Now you know all. Send back those
officers who have come on a fool's errand from
Gravesend, and facilitate our departure Do this,
and we shall be perfectly content."

THE SPANISH MATCH. 93

" It shall be done instanter, my gracious lord,"
replied StodmarsL, hastening towards the door.

" Hold a moment, while we put on our beards,"
said Buckingham, as he and the prince resumed
their disguises.

This done, the mayor opened the door, and called
out, " Ho, there ! ho ! landlord, I say ! Bring out
horses without delay for these gentlemen. They
have perfectly satisfied me. You constables from
Gravesend," he added to the two officers, " can
return as you came. Tell the portreve he has been
misinformed. Post-horses forthwith for Dover, I
say, landlord."

"And the reckoning, let us have that, mine
host," added Graham.

As soon as the room was cleared, Martin came
out of his hiding-place.

"A pretty discovery I have made," he men-
tally ejaculated. "The prince and Buckingham!
Who would have thought it? This shall to my

94 THE SPANISH MATCH.

And, taking out his tablets, he traced a few
lines, tore out the leaf, and folded it up.

He then went forth, and found the travellers
mounting their horses. Jack was bidding adieu
to the mayor, who was respectfully holding his
stirrup, much to the host's astonishment. In an-
other moment the party rode out of the court-
yard, followed by a postboy with the baggage.

As soon as they were gone, the host observed
to the mayor, " Will your worship acquaint me
with the names of my guests ? "

" Not now — not now. Master Chislet," replied
Stodmarsh, mysteriously. " I am not at liberty to
speak, but this I may say to you, your house has
been highly honoured — most highly honoured."

" I judged as much," returned the host.

Meanwhile, Martin had taken aside one of the
officers from Gravesend, and giving him the note
he had prepared, desired him to deliver it on his
return to the French ambassador.

" His excellency will reward you liberally — most

THE SPANISH MATCH. 95

liberally," he added ; " but here is an earnest,"
slipping a piece of gold into the constable's hands.
" Tell him I am going to Dover, and will report
further."

With this he ordered a post-horse, and rode after
the travellers.

96 THE SPANISH MATCH.

vir.

HOW JACK AND TOM WERE LODGED FOR THE NIGHT IN
DOVER CASTLE.

Nothing particular happened to Jack and Tom
till they reached Barham Downs, when they left
the road to examine a Roman camp, and while
Tom was scrambling down the outer fosse of the
earthwork, his horse slipped and threw him. Tom
rose next moment without assistance, and none the
worse for the fall, but the horse had sprained his
shoulder, and could only limp along. Owing to
this accident, the progress of the party became
necessarily slow, and before they regained the

THE SPANISH MATCH. 97

highway, they observed another traveller speeding
along in the direction of Dover. They shouted
out to him to stop, but though he evidently heard
the callj as he looked towards them, he paid no
heed to the summons, but rather appeared to ac-
celerate his pace.

" That is one of the men who followed us from
Gad's Hill," observed Graham. "I saw him in
the court-yard of the inn when we left Canterbury.
Why is he riding so fast to Dover? Can he have
obtained any information of our project? Shall I
ride after him ? "

"To what end?" rejoined Jack. "Even if you
could overtake him, which is unlikely, you could
not stay him. But I feel no sort of uneasiness.
It is impossible he can have made any discovery."

"I hope not," returned Graham; "but it looks
like it."

The prince now quitted his companions for a
short time, and took a solitary gallop over the
downs, pausing ever and anon to look around.

VOL. I. H

98 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Little did he dream that some two years later, on
the wild waste over which he was careering, a
tent would be pitched, wherein his bride {not the
bride of whom he was in quest, but Henrietta
Maria of France) would first receive her court
ladies.

After tracking a long valley, hemmed in on
either side by lofty chalk ridges, between which
ran the little river Dour, the travellers at last came
in* sight of Dover, with its proud castle crowning
the hill on the left.

At this juncture they perceived two horsemen
riding towards them, who proved to be Sir Francis
Cottington and Endymion Porter.

" Heaven save your highness, and you, my
good lord," said Cottington, as he came up with
Endymion Porter. "You have made good speed.
We thought to meet you on Barham Downs."

" We lamed a horse, or we should have been
here an hour ago," returned Charles. " But pray
be covered, gentlemen. No ceremony now. Re-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 99

member that I am only to be addressed as Master
Jack Smith, and that this," pointing to Buck-
ingham, "is my brother Tom. But let us hear
what you have done."

" I have carried out all the instructions given
me," replied Cottington. "I have hired a swift-
sailing schooner, the Fair Maid of Kent^ which,
if I be not deceived in her, will convey you
speedily to Boulogne; but though she is ready to
sail at once, I advise you to delay your departure
for a few hours. A strong wind is blowing, and
there is a rough sea, but the captain of the
schooner. Master Pynchen, feels sure the weather
will improve, and he counsels us to wait till
morning."

Though he was all impatience to cross, Charles
assented to the delay.

On entering the town, the prince and his com-
panions proceeded to an inn, where chambers had
been engaged. He did not, however, remain long
H 2

100 THE SPANISH MATCH.

in-doors, but repaired witli his attendants to the
harbour, in order to look at the Httle vessel des-
tined to convey him to the opposite shores. As
Cottington had stated, it was blowing hard, and
there was evidently a strong sea outside, but the
Fair Maid of Kent was lying snugly within the
port, and her appearance perfectly satisfied both
Jack and Tom as to her sea-going qualifications.

While they were examining the little vessel,
and debating whether they should go on board
her, a party of mounted carabiniers issued from a
side-street, and rode towards them across the wharf.
At the head of this troop was an officer, whom the
prince and his companions immediately recognised
as Sir Harry Main waring, lieutenant of Dover
Castle. They also noted that with Sir Harry was
the person who had followed them from Gad's
Hill to Canterbury, and had passed them on Bar-
ham Downs.

On nearing the party. Sir Harry Mainwaring, a
stout, handsome man of military deportment, with

THE SPAXISH MATCH. 101

a grey beard and moustaclies, contrasting strongly
with his bronzed visage, ordered his men to halt,
and then dismounting, left his steed in charge of
an equerry. Before advancing towards the party,
he ordered two of the troopers to keep off all
bystanders, and having seen this done, he marched
towards Charles and Buckingham, saluted them,
and was about to speak, when Buckingham in-
terposed.

" Sir Harry Mainwaring," said the marquis, " it
would be useless in the prince and myself to
attempt disguise with you, but it is his highness's
desire, and, indeed, command, that you do not
allow any look or action to betray your knowledge
of his person."

" I obey," replied the lieutenant, " but I fear
that his highness's incognito, and your own, my
lord, cannot be preserved, since you are both
known to the emissary of the French ambassador,
who has ridden on to apprise me of your visit.
He has contrived to distance you by an hour."

102 THE SPANISH MATCH.

"How came tlie man to penetrate our secret?"
demanded Charles, bending his brow.

" He was present, though unobserved, during
your interview with the Mayor of Canterbury,"
replied Mainwaring. " On the man's arrival at
Dover, he rode up at once to the castle, and gave
information to me. I did not entirely credit his
statement, but immediately came down to satisfy
myself, and I now find he spoke truth. Still, I
can scarcely believe that the motive he* assigned
for your visit is correct."

" I know not what he has told you, Sir Harry,"
returned Charles, "but you shall learn the exact
truth. I am proceeding to Madrid, attended by
the Marquis of Buckingham and these three gen-
tlemen."

" How ? to Madrid with only these attendants ! "
exclaimed Mainwaring, astounded. " Your high-
ness will forgive me if I cannot repress my as-
tonishment."

" It is even as I have said. Sir Harry," rejoined

THE SPANISH MATCH. 103

Charles. " I am going to IMadrid on a special
errand — nay, there sliall be no mystery with you
— I am going to fetch the Infanta. I desire to
preserve the strictest incognito, and it is of the
last importance tliat no message be sent over to
France, as I would not be known during my
journey through that kingdom. To-night I pur-
pose to remain at Dover, and I shall sail for Bou-
logne at an early hour to-morrow, in yon little
schooner.'' I count upon your aid, good Sir
Harry."

" I am sorry your highness has confided the
project to me," returned Mainwaring, with some
hesitation. "I fear it is inconsistent with my duty
to allow your departure from the kingdom. In-
deed, I dare not permit it."

"'Sdeath! sir, is this language to hold to your
prince?" cried Buckingham, in a fury. "You
will stay us at your peril, sir. You forget that
I am Constable of Dover Castle, and that you are
my subordinate officer."

104 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" No, I do not forget it, my lord/' replied Main-
waring, respectfully. "I am ready to obey all
your lawful commands. But I have a duty to
perform to my sovereign and the state, which is
paramount to all other considerations. I will
despatch a messenger to Whitehall to ascertain his
majesty's pleasure, but, till the man's return, I dare
not permit his highness's departure."

"Is it not enough that the prince has vouch-
safed to inform you of his intentions?" demanded
Buckingham.

" No, my lord," replied Mainwaring, firmly.
" For aught I know, the prince may be leaving
without his royal father's sanction — nay, contrary
to his injunctions."

"By Heaven, this passes all endurance!" cried
Buckingham. " But it is idle to reason with one
so obstinate and dull-witted. We will go in spite
of you."

"No vessel shall quit this harbour till I have
the king's warrant for its departure. I will take

THE SPAlsHSH MATCH. 105

thus mucli upon myself, be the consequences "what
they may/' rejoined Mainwaring, in a determined
tone.

"Nay, Sir Harry is in the right," observed
Charles. " You shall not need to send to White-
hall for my royal father's warrant, sir," he added
to the Keutenant. " I have it with me, and will
show it you." •

"Enough," replied Mainwaring. "With that
assurance I am perfectly content, and am ready to
obey your behests. Will it please your highness,
and you, my good lord, together with those with
you, to lodge within the castle to-night? You
will be accommodated more suitably than at an
inn, and will be secure from all chance of further
interruption."

To this proposition Charles readily agreed,
whereupon Sir Harry besought him to mount his
steed and ride to the castle ; but the prince declined
the offer, preferring to proceed thither on foot.
Mainwaring then despatched a couple of troopers

106 THE SPANISH MATCH.

to the inn for tlie travellers' baggage, and calling
his equerry to him, bade him take back Martin to
the castle.

'^ I will give further orders concerning him when
I arrive there," added the lieutenant, "but, mean-
time, do not allow him to hold communication
with any one. These gentlemen," he added, " will
be my guests for the night. Set that lodgings are
prepared for them in the Constable's Tower and in
Peverell's Tower."

The equerry bowed, and, in obedience to the
order he had received, rode off with the troop,
taking Martin with him, who thus found himself
a prisoner.

Shortly afterwards, Charles and all those with
him quitted the quay, and took the road leading
to the Castle Hill.

Arrived at the foot of the eminence, they com-
menced the ascent by tracking a zig-zag path,
which conducted them to a steep flight of steps.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 107

and scaling these, they found themselves within a
short distance of the outer gate of the fortress.

At this point, the grand old pile, aptly enough
described by Matthew Paris as " the key and lock
of the realm/' reared itself majestically before them;
its hoary walls studded with watch-towers girding
the entire circumference of the hill, while its mas-
sive keep rose proudly amidst them. Charles had
visited the fortress on one or two previous occasions,
when he had been received with all the honours
due to his exalted rank; when the royal banner
had floated above the donjon-tower; when trumpets
had sounded and drums had been beaten to herald
his approach; when the whole garrison was drawn
up in the outer court, and the road lined with the
inhabitants of Dover; but never at such times had
he gazed at the ancient fabric, replete with so many
historical recollections, with feehngs deep as those
that impressed him now. Sentinels in steel cap and
corslet, with pike on shoulder, were pacing to and

108 THE SPANISH MATCH.

fro on the ramparts; other men-at-arms were sta-
tioned on the watch-towers and near the gate, but
these were the only inmates of the stronghold he
beheld. The castle wore its ordinary aspect, and,
thus beheld, gained infinitely in grandeur and
majesty.

From the castle, Charles turned to look at the
town and harbour, and was well pleased to find
that the works undertaken by his royal father for
the improvement of the pier, which, though strongly
built by Henry VIII., had become ruinous through
neglect, were making good progress.

Could he have foreseen the stupendous bulwark
which an after age was destined to produce ; could
he have anticipated that the rude and unserviceable
pier then constructing would be supplanted, some
two hundred and forty years later, by a granite
wall projecting far into the sea, and capable of
withstanding the utmost fury of the waves; he
might have blushed at the insignificance and
almost inutility of the work then going on. But,

THE SPANISH MATCH. 109

possessing no such foresight, he was well enough
content, and deemed it an important achievement.

Rousing himself from the reverie into which he
had fallen, he proceeded, with Mainwaring and
Buckingham, who were standing near him, towards
the gateway of the castle. Little aware of the
importance of the personages who were entering
the fortress, the guard stationed at the gate con-
tented themselves with saluting the lieutenant, and
bestowed a mere glance of curiosity at the others.
Still, there was something in the look and de-
portment of the prince and Buckingham that ex-
cited the curiosity of these men.

The party had now entered the outer ballium,
and as it was still light enough for an inspection
of the fortress, Charles strolled for some time about
the courts, examining the various towers on the
walls — pausing before the old Roman pharos and
the time-hallowed church, supposed to have been
founded by King Lucius — after which he directed
his course to the keep.

110 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Entering it, and leaving Buckingham and the
others in the state apartments on the third story,
Charles, accompanied only by Main waring, mounted
to the summit of a lofty turret, whence an extra-
ordinarily fine view was commanded. It "was now
growing dusk, but even thus imperfectly beheld,
the prospect was very striking. Across the
Channel, the grey outline of the coast of France
was distinguishable; the position of Calais being
fixed by its lighthouse, while another pharos
gleamed from Cape Grisnez, near Boulogne. Im-
mediately below was the town, revealed by its
twinkling lights, and the harbour with its ship-
ping. Charles tried to make out the Fair Maid
of Kent J but could not succeed in distinguishing
her.

Undisturbed by the whistling wind, Charles
remained for nearly a quarter of an hour on this
lofty place of observation. He then descended with
the heutenant, and on repairing to the chamber
where the others had been left, they were informed

THE SPANISH MATCH. Ill

by an attendant that the evening repast was served.
At this welcome intelligence, the whole party ad-
journed to the Constable's Tower, in a lower
chamber of which a substantial repast was laid out.
In compliance with the prince's injunctions, no
ceremonv whatever was observed during^ the meal.
The whole party sat down together, and the con-
versation was carried on without restraint. Shortly
after supper, Charles and Buckingham, who were
somewhat fatigued by their lengthened journey,
withdrew to the chambers allotted them, and both
slept soundly till they were roused, an hour at
least before it was light, by wakeful Graham. The
rest of the party were already up, and prepared
for departure, and as soon as the prince and Buck-
ingham had partaken of a hasty breakfast, they
quitted the castle under the escort of the lieutenant,
and followed by four stalwart troopers carrying the
baggage.

As they descended the Castle Hill on the way
to the harbour, Mainwaring informed Charles that

112 THE SPANISH MATCH.

late at night, long after his highness had retired
to rest, a messenger had brought a despatch from
the king, ordering him to prohibit the departure of
all vessels bound for the coast of France. " This
order," he added, " I shall carry out as soon as your
highness is safely off."

Captain Pynchen was anxiously awaiting his
passengers, the wind being now fair, and promising
a quick passage. The embarkation was speedily
accomplished. Mainwaring saw the prince and
Buckingham safely on board, and then wishing
them a prosperous voyage, took his leave.

As the Fair Maid of Kent weighed anchor, and
spread her sails to the favouring breeze, which
promised soon to waft her and her precious freight
to the shores of France, the morning gun was
fired from Dover Castle.

THE SPAITISH MATCH. 113

VIII.

HOW JACK A^"D T0:M CEOSSED the CHA^'^'EL, A^'D EODZ
POST FROM BOrLOG>'E TO PAEIS.

For some time Charles remained standing on
the deck of the schooner, with his gaze fixed upon
the shores from which he was rapidly receding.
After running his eye along the line of lofty and
precipitous chalk cliffs, extending on the right to
the South Foreland, and on the left to Sandwich,
he turned his regards to the old castle, nowhere
beheld to such advantage as from the sea. Precisely
at that moment the first beams of the sun began to
gild the lofty keep, and ere long the grey walls

VOL. I. I

114 THE SPANISH MATCH.

encircling the hill, with the numerous watch-
towers, the antique church, and the pharos, were
lit up, until the entire fortress, which had hitherto
looked cold and stern, assumed a bright and smiling
aspect, which Charles was willing to construe into
a favourable omen to his expedition. Not till
castle and cliffs began to grow dim in the dis-
tance, did he bid a mental adieu to England.

No incident worthy of being chronicled occurred
during the passage. When in mid-channel, those
in the schooner caught sight of several men-of-
war belonging to the fleet which Buckingham had
professed he was about to inspect, but in other
respects the voyage was monotonous, and appeared
long and tedious to the travellers, all of whom were
impatient to get across the Channel. We must
not omit to mention that, immediately after their
embarkation, Jack and Tom, deeming disguise no
longer necessary, had laid aside their false beards.

Just at the hour of two in the afternoon they
entered the harbour of Boulogne, and, after some

THE SPANISH lyiATCH. 115

little delay, were permitted by the officers of the
port to disembark, and Charles, for the first time,
set foot in France.

Cottington having concluded all arrangements
with -Captain Pynchen before landing, Jack and
Tom underwent no detention on that score, but,
followed by a couple of sailors carrying their bag-
gage, proceeded to the Ecu d'Or, in the Grande
Rue, where they were welcomed by a very civil
landlord, who told them they were too late for the
table d'hote, but considerately added that he could
speedily set an excellent dinner before them. This
was agreed to, but the dinner was not served so
promptly as promised, and being copious, took
some time to discuss, consequently it was hard
upon four o'clock before the travellers were in the
saddle. Attended by two gaily-dressed postilions,
wearing enormous jack-boots, and v;ho made the
quay echo with the clangour of their horns, they
rode out of Boulogne, and, crossing a wooden
bridge over the Liane, took the road to Montreuil,
l2

116 THE SPANISH MATCH.

where they proposed to pass the night, and where
they arrived, without accident or interruption,
about seven o'clock, and took up their quarters at
the Tete de Boeuf, renowned for its pates de be-
cassines.

Rising betimes next morning, they were all on
horseback soon after seven, and on the way to
Amiens, which they determined to make the limit
of that day's journey.

All the party were in high spirits. To Charles
the novelty of travelling in a foreign land was
exciting, and though the country through which
he rode was uninteresting in a picturesque point of
view, in his present frame of mind it became in-
vested with charms such as many a really beautiful
landscape had not revealed to him. Fortunately
the weather was fine, and the state of the roads
good, so that the travellers got on without an-
noyance.

A joyous company they were— as joyous and
light-hearted as any that had preceded them on the

THE SPANISH MATCH. 117

same route. Whether it was change of clime and
scene, or the excitement they had previously under-
gone, that occasioned this gaiety, none cared to
inquire, being perfectly satisfied with the result.
Even Sir Francis Cottington, who had been so
strongly averse to the expedition, yielded to the
enlivening influences, and began to view the pro-
ject with a hopeful eye.

Though maintaining his habitual gravity of look,
Charles at heart was as gleeful as his companions.
Never had he been more entirely free from the
melancholy which usually o'ershadowed him — never
was the present more void of gloom — never did
the future look brighter. Sometimes, in order to
indulge in a fit of pleasant musing — to dwell upon
the charms of his mistress — to conjure up the idea
of their first interview, and his transports on be-
holding her — he would ride apart from the others
— but he soon returned to join in their lively
chat.

In this manner they advanced on their journey,

118 THE SPANISH MATCH.

scarcely aware how much they had accomplished.
After skirting the forest of Cregy, close to which
the famous battle was won by Edward III., the
thought of which roused the warlike spirit of
Charles, and made him burn for the military re-
nown of the Black Prince, they descended into
the vale of the Somme, and traversed it till they
reached Abbeville.

Here they alighted at the Hotel de la Poste,
situated near the Cathedral of St. Wolfram. At
the doorway of the inn several travellers were
congregated, who naturally regarded the new
comers with curiosity, and speculated upon their
quality. There was nothing, as we know, in the
attire of any of the party to indicate their rank,
and yet those who beheld them could not fail to
be struck by the stately looks and deportment of
Charles and Buckingham.

It chanced that among the observers on the oc-
casion there were two gentlemen from St. Valery,
who had lately been in England, and they both

THE SPANISH MATCH. 119

recoDfnised the illustrious travellers — thousfh almost
doubting the evidence of their eyes. All the party
had gone into the house with the exception of
Graham, who stayed behind to pay the postilion,
when one of these gentlemen, M. Marcellin, making
a very polite bow, thus addressed the young-
equerry :

" Pray excuse me, monsieur, but I and my friend
M. de Nouvion have recently been in England, and
during our stay visited your famous race-course at
Newmarket. While there, we had the singular
satisfaction of beholding his Highness the Prince
of Wales and the Lord INIarquis of Buokingham.
We saw them, monsieur — or perhaps I ought to
say milord — sufficiently long to enable us to study
their features carefully, and fix them upon our
memory. You will not be surprised then, mon-
sieur, when we declare that in two of your party,
who have just gone in with the landlord, we con-
ceive that we recognise Prince Charles and the
lord marquis."

120 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" I take what you say as a great compliment to
my friends, messieurs," returned Graham, without
the slightest embarrassment; "but you are mis-
taken. The gentlemen to whom you refer are
very humble individuals — two brothers, the Mes-
sieurs Smith. They certainly bear some resem-
blance to the illustrious personages you have men-
tioned— enough, perhaps, to deceive a stranger."

"The resemblance is too striking in both in-
stances to admit of doubt upon the point," observed
M. de Nouvion. " Of course it is not for us to
make a remark if the Prince of Wales and the
lord marquis choose to travel incognito."

"I will speedily convince you of your error,
messieurs," interrupted Graham. And stepping
within the doorway, he shouted, " Hola ! Jack
and Tom. Come hither for a moment, I pray of
you."

At this summons, Jack and Tom immediately
came out of the salle a manger into which they
had been ushered by the host, and Jack said, as

THE SPANISH MATCH. 121

if addressing an equal, " What do you want with
us, Dick?"

" These gentlemen will have it that you are the
Prince of Wales and my Lord of Buckingham,"
replied Graham. "Pray undeceive them, for they
will not credit my denial."

" You do us too much honour, messieurs — far
too much," observed Jack. "It is not, however,
the first time that my brother Tom and myself
have been taken for the important personages in
question."

" I should think not," said M. Marcellin.

" The resemblance is rather unlucky for us," re-
marked Tom. " It has more than once got us
into difficulties."

" I can easily imagine it," rejoined De Nouvion,
sceptically. " It must be unpleasant also for the
prince and the lord marquis to be mistaken, as
they might be accidentally, for you and your
brother M. Jack Smith. Of course you have
seen my lord of Buckingham, monsieur?" he
added.

122 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" Oh yes, I have seen him," returned Tom.
"We have seen both him and the prince, eh,
Jack?"

"Frequently," returned Jack.

"Then you may possibly have remarked, as I
did," returned M. de Nouvion, "that the marquis
wears a ring on the first finger of the right hand
— precisely such a ring as yours, M. Tom Smith —
while the prince has a brooch, the counterpart of
which fastens the cloak of your brother Jack ? "

" Confound the rascal ! how closely he must have
observed us," whispered Tom to Jack. " Eh bien,
messieurs," he added to the others, "if you persist
in your belief, there is no more to be said. It
would be unreasonable in my brother Jack and
myself to be angry with you for so flattering an
error, and, though neither of us is likely to become
a marquis or a prince of the blood, we must accept
the titles for the moment, since you are determined
to invest us with them."

So saying, he bowed, as did Jack, and both,

THE SPANISH MATCH. 123

laughing heartily, returned to the salle a manger,
followed by Graham, and leaving M. de Nouvion
and his friend in some perplexity.

It soon became apparent, from the extraordinary
deference paid to Jack and Tom, that Messieurs de
Nouvion and Marcellin had communicated their
opinion as to the real rank of his guests to the
hotelier. With a thousand apologies, the host be-
sought his distinguished guests to remove to a
private room; but this they declined, saying they
did not desire better accommodation than ordinary
travellers.

^^You are extremely obliging, my good host,"
remarked Tom, "but we know the cause of your
civility, and it is proper we should set you right.
Two gentlemen, with whom we have just been
conversing, are under the delusion that we are
grand seigneurs travelling incognito. The notion
is absurd. We have not the sHghtest pretension
to high rank, and are simply what we seem."

"That is quite possible, milord," replied the

124^ THE SPANISH MATCH.

hotelier, bowing, "because to me you seem to be
princes."

" 'Sdeatli ! take us for what you will," cried
Tom. "All we ask is, not to be charged like
princes. Put nothing down for rank in your
reckoning."

The host declared he would not, but failed to
keep his word. The best the house could produce
was set before his guests; but they had to pay
handsomely for their entertainment. Their in-
difference to the heavy charge which he had not
scrupled to make, confirmed the shrewd host in his
opinion of their rank. On the departure of the
travellers, the whole house assembled in the court-
yard to see them mount, and bows and curtseys
were made them on all sides, which they very
graciously returned.

At Amiens, where they arrived before dusk,
they put up at the Hotel de France, and visited
the cathedral during the solemnisation of evening
mass — Charles being lost in admiration of the ex-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 125

traordinary architectural beauty of the interior of
this noble Gothic pile.

Next morning they started at an early hour for
Paris, and did not loiter on their journey. With
no little satisfaction they found themselves at Saint
Denis, where they changed horses for the last time.
A short stage brought them to the faubourgs of
Paris, and they entered the city by the Porte
Saint Denis — not the existing triumphal arch, but
an older portal, built by Charles IX.

On passing through the gateway, Charles ex-
perienced that emotion which every stranger must
feel on first beholding a city of which he has heard
much and longed to visit. All was new to him —
habitations, people, costumes — and he gazed around
with insatiable curiosity. His course led him
through the Rue Saint Denis, and its old and
picturesque houses delighted him, but it was on
reaching the quays on the banks of the Seine, and
while crossing the Pont-Neuf, that Paris was dis-
played to him in all its marvellous beauty. Notre-

126 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Dame, the Chatelet, the Louvre, the Tuileries, and
a multitude of less important structures, then burst
upon his gaze, filling him with admiration. But
he had no time to dwell on the picture. Passing
the College de Quatre Nations, and along the Quai
des Theatins, the party soon reached the Rue de
Bourbon, and alighted at the Hotel des Etrangers.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 127

IX.

HOW JACK AND T03I TVEEE GKACIOUSLy EECEIVEB BY THE
DUC DE ilOyiBAZON.

In the course of the evening Graham brought
word that some brilHant fetes were just tlien taking
place at court, whereupon Jack expressed a strong
desire to be present at one of them on the follow-
ing day. Tom declared he saw no difficulty in the
matter, and undertook to obtain admission to the
Louvre. However, as they were unprovided with
fitting attire, a messenger was at once despatched to
M. ^Marolles, the court tailor, who presently repaired
to the hotel, and received an order for three mag-

128 THE SPANISH MATCH.

nificent suits. MaroUes not only undertook to
furnish these habiliments at an early hour on the
morrow, but to provide the three gentlemen with
all else they might require to make a befitting
appearance at the royal fete. Moreover, he pro-
mised to bring M. Gaston, the court perruquier,
with a good choice of periwigs li la mode de la
cour. This important matter arranged. Jack and
Tom retired to recruit themselves after the fatigues
of the day, and prepare for the festivities of the
morrow.

When they arose next morning, they found
Marches and Gaston in attendance. Their dresses
became them to admiration — at least, Marolles de-
clared so — and Gaston was quite satisfied with the
sit of their perukes — the latter, it may be men-
tioned in passing, had been ordered in some degree
to disguise their features.

At a later hour in the morning, arrayed in their
splendid habiliments, and wearing their flowing-
perukes, Jack and Tom, attended by Graham, who

THE SPANISH MATCH. 129

was equally richly attired, drove in a coach to the
Louvre, and were set down in the great court.

On entering the palace, their distinguished ap-
pearance satisfied the ushers that they were persons
of importance, and they were at once admitted to
the cabinet of the Due de Montbazon, grand
chamberlain to the queen, by whom the royal fetes
were superintended. The duke, who was a very
formal personage, received them with ceremonious
politeness. They were presented to him as the
Messieurs Smith, three Englishmen who were
passing through Paris to Madrid, and they noticed
that the duke smiled slightly when this announce-
ment was made.

" We are quite aware, M. le Due," said Tom,
" that we ought to have been presented to you by
our ambassador, but as time presses, and we have
only a single day in Paris, we have ventured to
come direct to you, being inflamed with a most
ardent desire to witness the royal fete, which we
are told is to be given this evening."

YOL. I. K

1 30 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" I will do all in my power to oblige you, mes-
sieurs," returned Montbazon, in the most gracious
manner possible. " To-day, as you may possibly
be aware, a grand banquet is given by the queen-
mother, Marie de Medicis, to his majesty and the
principal persons of the court. The banquet will
be followed by a superb allegorical ballet, which
will take place in the grand salle de danse; and
in this ballet, besides the fairest of the court dames,
the Princess Henriette Marie and my gracious
mistress, our lovely young queen, will dance."

" It is chiefly to behold your young queen, Anne
of Austria, of whose beauty we have heard such
ravishing descriptions, that we desire to witness
this ballet, M. le Due," remarked Jack.

" I need scarcely tell you, messieurs," said Mont-
bazon, " that, as conductor of the royal fetes, I have
been compelled to refuse a vast number of applica-
tions from members — some of them distinguished
members — of the court to be present at this ballet,
but I am disposed to make an exception in your

THE SPANISH MATCH. 131

favour. As strangers, the king will feel that you
have a greater claim upon his hospitality than his
own subjects possess. In his majesty's name, there-
fore, I invite you, messieurs, to the banquet, and
to the ballet."

'^ You overwhelm us with obligation, M. le
Due," replied Jack. " Gratified as we are by the
invitation, we can scarcely accept it, as we feel
that you are straining courtesy too far."

"Nay, do not stand on ceremony, messieurs,"
replied Montbazon. " I should be very sorry that
you missed these fetes, and as your stay in Paris is
limited to a single day, you cannot have another
opportunity. I myself will see you well placed."

" We have no rank to entitle us to any but the
lowest place," observed Tom. " Indeed, we ought
not to sit down among the court nobiHty."

A singular smile played upon the duke's coun-
tenance, and he said, with some significance, " Be
assured I will assign you proper places, messieurs."

Just then an usher entered, and informed the
k2

132 THE SPANISH MATCH.

grand chamberlain that the English ambassador
was without, and craved an audience.

^^ This is lucky ! " exclaimed Montbazon. " It
will spare you the necessity of waiting upon Sir
Edward Herbert."

" One word, M. le Due," said Jack. " I must
pray you not to admit him."

" Not admit him ! " cried the duke, feigning
surprise. " Wherefore not?"

"You shall know as soon as we are alone," re-
joined the other.

" Entreat his excellency to excuse me for a
moment," said Montbazon to the usher. " I shall
soon be disengaged."

"It is right, M. le Due," said Charles, as soon
as they were alone, "that you should know who
we are; but in making the disclosure, I must
throw myself upon your generosity to keep the
matter secret."

" It is perfectly safe in my hands, prince," replied
Montbazon, rising and bowing profoundly " I

THE SPANISH MATCH. 133

knew you and my lord of Buckingham the mo-
ment you entered. Marolles informed me you had
sent for him, and I was, therefore, prepared for this
visit. You look surprised, but I received infor-
mation of your arrival in Paris last night from the
lieutenant-general of police, to whom it was com-
municated."

"Is the king aware of my arrival?" inquired
Charles.

" Not as yet," replied the duke. " I intended
to apprise him, but if it is really your highnesses
desire to pass through Paris without a public ap-
pearance at court, I will not mention the matter to
his majesty till after your departure."

" You will do me an immense favour, for which
I shall ever feel grateful, M. le Due," rejoined
Charles. "' If presented to his majesty, I must
tarry here for some days, and I am bound on an
expedition of the utmost urgency "

" To Spain," remarked Montbazon, with a smile.
" I understand. Your highness may rest easy, I

134 THE SPANISH MATCH.

will not til wart your project, but will facilitate
your departure. Your ambassador is in tlie ante-
chamber, and will be sure to see you as you go out.
Let me beg of you, therefore, to pass forth this
way."

So saying, he opened a side-door communicating
with a private staircase, through which Charles and
his companions, with a renewed expression of their
gratitude, made an exit.

THE SPANISH ilATCH. 135

X.

HOW JACK a2;d To:yr dkote about paeis, and whai they

SAW DUKIN'G THE DEITE.

Determined to make the most of their time,
Charles and his companions spent several hours in
driving about Paris, noting every object of in-
terest that came under their observation, — palaces,
hotels of the nobility, ancient habitations, theatres,
churches, fortresses, prisons, hospitals, colleges,
bridges, and public edifices of all kinds. They
tracked the Rue Saint Honore and the Rue Saint
Antoine from end to end, visited a multitude of
churches and convents by the way, strolled about

136 THE SPANISH MATCH.

the Place Royale, and spent some time in contem-
plating the Bastille. Surrounded by a deep moat,
approached only by a drawbridge, bristling with
ordnance, and flanked by towers, this terrible state
prison and fortress seemed almost a counterpart of
the Tower of London, though it wanted the ma-
jesty of the latter structure.

" 'Tis a stern and sullen pile, the Bastille,"
observed Charles, " and the heart aches when one
thinks of the multitude of captives confined within
it."

"Louis XIIL would say the same thing of the
Tower, if he chanced to behold it," rejoined Buck-
ingham.

" Possibly he might," remarked Charles, gloomily.
" And yet the Tower never affected me so pro-
foundly."

" And no doubt his most Christian Majesty
makes light of the Bastille," said Buckingham,
" and thinks it the finest building in his fair city

THE SPANISH MATCH. 137

of Parisj as it certainly is the most useful. Where
else could he safely lodge so many state oflfenders,
and prevent them from uttering a complaint?
Would to Heaven it were as easy for our dear
dad and gossip to send a traitor to the Tower as
it is for Louis to incarcerate one in the Bastille!
The lettre de cachet is an admirable invention. No
accusation — no trial — secret arrest and secret im-
prisonment. With the lettre de cachet and the
Bastille, a monarch or his minister may play the
despot with impunity. The time may come when
your highness may enjoy the truly regal privilege
of the lettre de cachet."

"Any attempt to exercise such arbitrary power
in England would cause a revolution," observed
Charles. " But you ever jest with the most serious
subjects, Tom. Let us leave this moody pile. The
sight of it makes me melancholy."

" Whither shall we go ? " cried Buckingham.
" Yonder is the Porte Saint Antoine. Suppose

138 THE SPANISH MATCH.

we pass through it, and drive outside the walls to
the Porte Saint Martin? Your highness will then
have seen all Paris."

^^Not quite all, Tom," returned Charles, "but
enough to convince me that it is a wondrously
beautiful city, far more picturesque than London,
and yet, T own, I like London best."

" 'Twould be strange if you did not," remarked
Buckingham. "But we must embellish London,
and make it surpass Paris in beauty."

" London, in my opinion, needs no embellish-
ment," said Graham. " The Thames is a far finer
river than the Seine; London Bridge is hand-
somer than the Pont Neuf; Whitehall is a nobler
palace than the Louvre; Saint Paul's surpasses
Notre-Dame in grandeur; and we are all agreed
that the Tower is infinitely more majestic than the
Bastille."

"You are right, Dick," observed Charles. "And
yet, as a whole, Paris is a finer city than Lon-
don."

THE SPANISH MATCH. 139

" I am lotli to admit so much," said Graham.
" But your highness is a better judge than I am,
and I must needs defer to your opinion. Un-
questionably, the habitations here are loftier than
^yith us."

"And more picturesque," said Charles. "We
have no street like the Rue Saint Antoine, which
we have just traversed."

"None so long, I own," rejoined Graham. "But
give me the Strand, or Fleet-street."

" What say you to the Samaritaine on the Pont
Neuf ? " demanded Buckingham.

"A mere mechanical toy," replied Graham;
"quaint and pretty enough, but Saint Dunstan's
clock is better worth seeing."

"Have you no admiration for the Tuileries?"
said Buckingham.

"The palace is not entirely to my taste," re-
turned Graham. " I like Saint James's better."

" You are as void of taste as you are obstinate,
Dick," observed Charles, laughing. "But what-

140 THE SPANISH MATCH.

ever I may think of the beauties of this city — and
manifold they are — rest assured I would not ex-
change London for it."

While this conversation took place, they passed
through the Porte Saint Antoine, and pursuing a
broad road laid out on the top of the counterscarp,
skirted the old walls until they came to the Porte
Saint Martin, when they again entered the city,
and drove direct to their hotel in the Rue de
Bourbon.

While the prince and his companions were thus
employing their time, Sir Francis Cottington and
Endymion Porter were fully occupied in prepara-
tions for the journey to be undertaken next day.
Their first business was to despatch a courier to
King James, with a letter apprising his majesty
of the safe arrival of the prince and Buckingham
in Paris. This done, they proceeded to a banker
in the Rue des Lombards, where they obtained
gold for some of the bills of exchange with which
they were furnished; and being thus amply pro-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 141

vided with funds, as well for the journey as for
immediate requirement, they procured, in pur-
suance of the orders they had received, two hand-
some riding-suits for the prince and Buckingham.
Moreover, having suffered grievously from the
neglect of due provision in this respect during
their ride from Boulogne to Paris, they purchased
well-padded saddles for the whole party, and took
care that the holsters were furnished with pistols.
Pistols also were provided for the belt, and mus-
quetoons for the shoulder, so that henceforth the
travellers would be armed to the teeth, and able,
it was thought, to resist any attack by robbers that
might be made on them during the journey.

"You have made due provision for our comfort
as well as for our security, gentlemen," observed
Charles, as he examined these articles, which were
laid out for his inspection. ^^I am particularly
glad to see these easy saddles. We could scarce
have got to Madrid without them."

" And these laced riding-habits, broad-leaved

142 THE SPANISH MATCH.

grey hats, and funnel-topped boots, will transform
us into French cavaliers in a trice," cried Buck-
ingham. " We have only to don these habili-
ments, and "wear our moustaches en croc, and the
metamorphosis will be complete."

" These riding-dresses are the counterpart of
those worn by his majesty Louis XIII. while
hunting, my good lord," replied Cottington.

"They are handsome enough for any monarch
in Christendom," cried Buckingham. " But, thus
attired, we shall be compelled to change our desig-
nation. We can be Smiths no longer."

" That must not be," returned Charles. " As
John Smith I have started on the expedition, and
John Smith I will continue till I reach Madrid."

"And I of course shall remain brother Tom,"
said Buckingham. "After all, one English name
is as good as another in France, and it signifies
little what we are called."

At this juncture, a servant entered to say that a
messenger from the Due de Montbazon was with-

THE SPAXISH MATCH. 143

out, and shortly afterwards a well-dressed personage
was shown into the room. He announced himself
as M. Chevilly, confidential valet to the duke, and
thus declared his mission:

"Highness," he said, making a profound obei-
sance to the prince, " I have been sent by the Due
de Montbazon to attend upon you, and upon the
noble marquis, if you will deign to employ me.
My master deeply regrets that he is unable per-
sonally to attend upon your highness, but he has
given me ample instructions. He has charged me
to say that he will send his own carriage to convey
you to the Luxembourg, where the banquet given
by her majesty the queen-mother takes place. If
permitted, I shall have the supreme honour of
attending your highness to the palace, and after
the banquet will conduct you to the Louvre, where
you will witness the grand ballet."

"The duke is, indeed, most considerate," said
Charles. "I fear I may put hira to some incon-

144 THE SPANISH MATCH.

"My master is anxious to anticipate your wishes,"
returned Chevilly. " If I understand aright, your
highness designs to start at an early hour to-morrow
morning for Spain. May I venture to ask whether
any of your gentlemen have taken the trouble to
order post-horses?"

" Not as yet," returned Cottington. " We await
his highness's orders. But there can be no diffi-
culty about the matter."

" Pardon me, monseigneur," said Chevilly.
" There is great difficulty, as you would have
found, had you made application. Without my
master's intervention you would have had no post-
horses."

"The deuce!" exclaimed Buckingham. "That
would have been awkward. But why should we
be refused?"

^ " Because the lieutenant-general of police had
interdicted your departure till his majesty's pleasure
respecting you should be ascertained, my lord,"
rejoined Chevilly. " My master, however, has

THE SPANISH MATCH. 145

made it liis business to remove the obstacle, and,
I rejoice to say, has succeeded. Here is an order
for the horses, countersigned by the head of the
pohce," he added, delivering it to Cottington.
*' You can start at any hour you deem proper."

"Another great obligation I am under to the
duke," observed Charles.

" A mere trifle," said Chevilly. " In an hour
the carriage will be here to convey you to the
Luxembourg. I will await your highness's further
orders without."

And with a profound bow he withdrew.

Shortly afterwards, Charles, with Buckingham
and Graham, retired to their respective chambers,
and proceeded to make their toilettes with great
care.

YOL. I.

146 THE SPANISH MATCH.

XL

HOW JACK AND TOM DINED AT THE LUXEMBOURG ; AND HOW
THEY WEEE PRESENTED TO QUEEN MARIE DE MEDICIS.

Punctually at the time appolntecl, the mag-
nificent equipage belonging to the Due de Mont-
bazon entered the court-yard of the hotel, and
Charles, with Buckingham and Graham, being
ceremoniously conducted to it by Chevilly, were
driven to the Luxembourg. Chevilly went with
them, posted on the marche-pied.

The palace of the Luxembourg — still one of the
chief ornaments of the French capital — was at* this
time in all its freshness and splendour, having

THE SPANISH MATCH. 147

only been completed a few years previously by
Marie de Medicis, who spent an enormous sum
upon its construction, and in its internal embellish-
ment. Modelled upon the Palazzo Pitti at Flo-
rence, it possessed charming gardens laid out in
the Italian style, and ornamented with marble
fountains and statues.

On arriving at the palace, the carriage contain-
ing Charles and liis companions passed through
the gateway into the grand court, which was filled
at the time with splendid equipages. On alight-
ing, our travellers entered a spacious vestibule,
thronged with gentlemen ushers, pages, valets, and
musketeers of the royal guard. Here they were
met by Chevilly, who preceded them up a noble
staircase, and led them along a magnificent cor-
ridor, adorned with antique statues and paintings
by the first Italian masters.

Eventually, the party were ushered into a large
and gorgeously furnished room, in which were
assembled the guests. The company, as may be
l2

148 THE SPANISH MATCH.

supposed, consisted of the elite of the French
nobility, and they were all as much distinguished
by aristocratic deportment and refinement of man-
ner as by splendour of apparel.

Montbazon had taken care to make it known
that three Englishmen had been invited to the
banquet, and when Charles and his companions
made their appearance, it was at once understood
they must be the persons referred to by the duke.
But who were they? This was a question that no
one could answer, and Montbazon not being pre-
sent at the moment, the general curiosity re-
mained unsatisfied. That they were persons of
high rank none doubted, but no one — not even
the ushers — had heard their titles.

Meanwhile, Charles and his companions, not
unconscious of the curiosity they excited, and
secretly amused by it, had halted, and remained
standing at some little distance from the rest of
the company. The remarkable dignity of the
prince's deportment, and the noble character of

THE SPANISH MATCH. 149

his features, drew all eyes towards him, while
Buckingham's stately figure and haughty manner
made him also a mark for sreneral observation.

o

There were some fair observers, however, who
thought Sir Richard Graham the handsomest of
the three.

Charles seemed perfectly indifferent to the effect
which he produced upon the assemblage, and
though he did not assume any air of superiority, it
was impossible that he could disguise his habitual
majesty of deportment. Buckingham, accustomed
to outshine all the members of his own court by
the splendour of his apparel and the magnificence
of his ornaments, was mortified to find himself
eclipsed by several of the nobles on the present
occasion, and lamented the want of his diamond
girdle and ropes of pearls. He looked around
proudly, as was his wont at Whitehall, and offended
some of the high-spirited young nobles by his
supercilious air.

His haughty glance was still ranging over the

150 THE SPANISH MATCH.

courtly throng, when large folding-doors at the
upper end of the room were thrown open, and
a gentleman usher, attended by a number of pages
dressed in white satin, announced their majesties
the king and queen.

Preceded by the Due de] Montbazon, bearing
his wand of office, and walking backwards, the
young monarch then came forth, leading the
queen-mother by the hand. Louis XIII. was of
slight figure, but well proportioned, with hand-
some features and fine eyes. His pourpoint and
mantle were of crimson damask, embroidered with
gold and enriched with precious stones, and round
his neck he wore a chain with the order of the
Toison d'Or. His majesty seemed out of health.
He walked feebly, and his countenance bore traces
of suffering.

Marie de Medicis, who still retained much of
her beauty, had set off her noble person to the
utmost advantage. The stomacher of her dark
satin dress blazed with diamonds and rubies. A

THE SPANISH MATCH. 151

carcanet of pearls encircled her still snowy throat,
and wreaths of pearls adorned her tresses, which
had lost none of their raven hue. Her eyes were
lustrous, her brow smooth as marble, and her car-
riage majestic and imperious.

On the appearance of the royal party, the com-
pany immediately drew aside to allow them pas-
sage, and profound reverences were made on all
sides. These were very graciously acknowledged
by the queen-mother, and somewhat coldly by
her royal son, who scarcely deigned to look
around.

Charles and his companions escaped the king's
notice, but not that of Marie de Medicis, who
appeared much struck by their appearance, and
vouchsafed them a gracious smile. Little did
Louis XIII. deem that within a few paces of
him stood the heir to the throne of a kingdom
powerful as his own — a prince with whom he was
destined to be allied — or he might have bestowed
something more than a heedless glance upon him.

152 THE SPANISH MATCH.

However, thougli botli were objects of interest
to him, it was neither with the king nor the
queen-mother that Charles was now occupied. His
attention was engrossed by the lovely young queen
who followed them. Anne of Austria was then
about twenty-four, and consequently in the full
eclat of her beauty. Her figure was exquisite, and
her movements combined Castilian dignity with
Andalusian grace. In stature she was somewhat
below the ordinary female standard, but this cir-
cumstance detracted nothing from the effect she
produced. Her feet and hands were the smallest
and most beautiful imaginable, and her waist
taper, yet admirably rounded. Her features, lovely
in expression as in form, were lighted up by large
dark eyes beaming with mingled fire and tender-
ness. Her nose was small, and, judged by classic
rule, might have been termed too flat, but it was
charming nevertheless, as was her little mouth, the
under lip of which protruded beyond its roseate
partner, proclaiming her a true daughter of the

THE SPANISH MATCH. 153

house of Austria. Her rich brown locks were
wreathed with diamonds, and gathered in crisp
little curlsj as was then the mode, upon her white
open brow. Her dress was of yellow damask, the
body being covered with twisted fringes of dia-
monds and precious stones. In her right hand
she carried a Spanish fan, and her left hand was
accorded to Cardinal Richelieu, who had the
honour of conducting her to the banquet.

The wondrous beauty of the young queen
transcended any ideas that Charles and Bucking-
ham had formed of it, and the latter was perfectly
dazzled, her charms kindling an instantaneous
flame in his breast.

On her part, Anne of Austria had remarked
both Buckingham and the prince, and she was not
unconscious of the ardent glance of admiration
which the former had dared to fix upon her. But
for this glance, which called the blood to her cheek,
she might have drawn Richelieu's attention to the
strangers, and inquired their names.

154 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" How lovely the queen is," whispered Charles
to his favourite.

" She is perfection," rejoined Buckingham; " and
if the Infanta Maria is only equally lovely, as I
doubt not she must be, your highness will be the
happiest of men."

"Fair as the queen is, they say Louis is in-
sensible to her charms, and neglects her for Ma-
dame de Chevreuse," remarked Charles. "Look-
ing on her, I cannot believe the scandal."

"If she be so neglected," rejoined Buckingham,
breathing hard, " his majesty merits the fate of a
careless husband. But see ! who comes next ? One
need not be told that it is the Princess Henriette
Marie. Her beauty pales beside that of Anne of
Austria."

" Hum ! I am not sure of that," rejoined Charles.
" They are different in style, but both are beau-
tiful."

The fair young princess, who was now led past
them by the Due de Guise, was not yet fifteen,

THE SPANISH MATCH. 155

and consequently her personal charms could not be
fully developed. But there was the promise of
extraordinary beauty about her; and her magni-
ficent black eyes, luxuriant black tresses, dark
glowing cheeks, coral lips, and pearly teeth,
showed what her charms would be when arrived
at maturity. Henriette Marie inherited all her
mother's beauty, and, indeed, was so like her
mother, that, at Florence, she might have passed
for a daughter of the house of Medicis.

As the princess moved gracefully along under
the conduct, as we have said, of the Due de
Guise, her eyes encountered those of Charles,
which were fixed upon her. There was nothing
to alarm her, as there had been in Buckingham's
bold gaze at the queen, but there was something
in the look that vibrated to her heart, and
awakened an emotion such as she had never pre-
viously experienced. A kind of fascination was
exercised over her, and she could not withdraw
her gaze from the dark handsome countenance

156 THE SPANISH MATCH.

that enthralled it. A strange presentiment crossed
her, and seemed to announce that her future fate
was in some way connected with the person she
beheld.

"That gentleman must be a stranger," she re-
marked, in a low voice, to the Due de Guise. "I
do not remember to have seen him before."

" I know not who he is," replied the duke, re-
garding Charles with surprise. "But I will in-
quire anon, and inform you."

Charles's eyes followed the princess as she glided
gracefully along, and it would almost seem that
she felt their influence, for she turned her head
slightly, and bestowed a second glance upon
him.

" A merveille !" exclaimed Buckingham. " You
have evidently created an interest in the bosom of
the fair Henriette Marie, and if a corresponding
impression has been produced upon your high-
ness, we had better stay where we are, instead
of prosecuting our journey to Madrid."

THE SPANISH MATCH. 157

" Pshaw ! " exclaimed Charles. " The princess
is very beautiful, I admit — very captivating — but
I cannot swerve from my allegiance to the In-
fanta. I begin to think we have run great hazard
of [discovery in attending this banquet. Many
inquiring looks have been fixed upon us."

" Amongst others, those of the princess," replied
Buckingham. " She has evidently been trying to
ascertain who your highness may be, but I hope
she will not learn the truth till we have left Paris,
or there will be considerable risk of our detention.
J£ she is as clever as she is beautiful, she will not
let such a prize escape her. Heaven grant she
display not too much interest in you to the Due
de Montbazon, or he may counter-order the post-
horses."

" We were unwise to come here," observed
Charles, gravely.

" That I feel," replied Buckingham. " Having
lost my heart to the lovely queen, I shall be tor-
mented evermore with a hopeless passion. But

158 THE SPANISH MATCH.

being here, we must go through with it. Retreat
is now impossible."

Meanwhile the guests marched on. Next after
the Princess Henriette Marie came her younger
brother, Gaston de France, Due d'Orleans, con-
ducting Mademoiselle de Montpensier, whom he
subsequently espoused..

Monsieur, as the Due d'Orleans was styled, was
presumptive heir to the throne, the king being as
yet without issue by his union with Anne of
Austria. Of an ambitious nature, and indisposed
to wait the due course of events, Gaston was ever
conspiring against his royal brother, but his de-
signs were invariably baffled by the vigilance of
Richelieu, who surrounded him with spies, and
received intelligence of all his machinations.

The Due d'Orleans was a prince of very noble
presence, and looked more robust than the king,
though his features were not so handsome as those
of Louis XIII. He was his mother's favourite son,
and as she would gladly have seen him on the

THE SPANISH MATCH. 159

throne, slie secretly supported his schemes, and
by so doing excited the suspicion of RicheUeu and
the king. Into these intrigues, however, we need
not enter, as they have no relation to our story.
On the present occasion Gaston was splendidly
attired, and made a very magnificent appearance.
Aware that he secretly aspired to the throne,
Charles and Buckingham regarded him with cu-
riosity; but they sought in vain to read his cha-
racter in his looks. He was a profound dissem-
bler, and his visage was a mask to hide his
thoughts. The Due d'Orleans and Mademoiselle
de Montpensier were succeeded by a long train,
comprising, as we have said, the most distin-
guished personages of the court, but it was not
till the whole of these had passed by that Charles
and his companions fell into the line. A host of
pages and valets, amongst whom came Chevilly,
brought up the rear.

"This flagrant violation of etiquette in your
highness's case would drive Sir John Finett dis-

160 THE SPANISH MATCH.

tracted, if he were to hear of it. And the Due de
Montbazon must be equally annoyed," remarked
Graham to the prince.

"It gives me not the slightest concern," rejoined
Charles. " In reality, there is no violation of eti-
quette whatever, since I am only known as Jack
Smith."

Passing through an ante-roora lined with at-
tendants in rich liveries, the guests were ushered
into the banqueting-hall — a noble apartment,
with a ceiling painted with frescoes, and walls
hung with tapestry, not of sombre hue and de-
sign, but light and pleasing to the eye, represent-
ing pastoral scenes and flowers. A flourish of
trumpets was sounded as the royal party entered
the banqueting- chamber.

At the upper end of the table there was a dais,
at which the queen-mother sat beneath a canopy
of state, with the royal party on either side of
her. These august personages were served only
by nobles, who esteemed it a proud distinction to
be so employed.

THE SPANISH l^IATCH. 161

In all respects the banquet was regal. The
plate was superb, the meats of the choicest kind,
the wines varied and exquisite. Officers were
stationed at short intervals, and numberless at-
tendants did their duty most efficiently. Though
placed among the inferior guests, and at the lower
end of the board, Charles and his companions were
well satisfied with their position, inasmuch as they
were free from observation themselves, and had a
full view of the royal party at the upper table.

Buckingham ate little, though tempted by many
delicacies, but feasted his eyes on the charms of
the queen, and Charles's gaze took the same direc-
tion, though, sooth to say, he looked quite as
much at the Princess Henriette IMarie as at Anne
of Austria. Graham was by no means indifferent
to the splendour of the scene, and looked frequently
towards the dais, but he did not allow his curiosity
to interfere with his enjoyment of the dainties set
before him.

Our three travellers sat together, with the prince

VOL. I. H

162 THE SPANISH MATCH.

in the midst, and their haughty reserve and taci-
turnity effectually isolated them from their neigh-
bours, who regarded them with the dislike which
Englishmen at all times have contrived to inspire
among their Gallic neighbours. They were sedu-
lously attended upon by Chevilly, who stood be-
hind them during the repast.

Though splendid and profuse, the banquet did
not occupy much more than an hour. It was
terminated by a marshal, who proclaimed in a
loud voice from the dais that her majesty the
queen-mother drank to her guests, whereupon all
the company arose and bowed towards the upper
table in acknowledgment of the honour done them.
After this, the royal party retired — the ceremonies
observed at their departure being similar to those
which had marked their entrance. The guests
followed in the same order as before, and returned
to the grand saloon.

On entering this room, Charles and Buckingham
looked in vain for Anne of Austria and the young

. THE SPANISH MATCH. 163

princess. They had already set out for the Louvre
to prepare for the ballet, and the king and the rest
of the royal party speedily followed them.

Marie de Medicis, however, felt constrained to
stay with her guests, and it was at this juncture
that the Due de Montbazon, who had not hitherto
found an opportunity of addressing the prince
and his companions, approached them, and stated,
with a significant smile, that her majesty the
queen-mother had commanded him to present them
to her.

" Her majesty has remarked [your presence,
prince," he added, in a low voice, " and has made
particular inquiries about your highness and my
Lord of Buckingham. I told her you were the
Messieurs Smith, but she would not be satisfied
with that description — neither would the queen
nor the Princess Henriette Marie. So I was com-
pelled to avow the truth to them, and disclose your
real rank."

"How, M. le Due?" exclaimed Charles, with
M 2

164 THE SPANISH MATCH.

a look of displeasure. " You promised to preserve
my secret."

" It is perfectly safe with these royal ladies,
prince," rejoined Montbazon. " In fact, no option
was left me. Had I not confessed, discovery must
infallibly have ensued. Now you are safe. It is
not strange that you have escaped the king's
notice, for his majesty rarely troubles himself about
strangers, but it is lucky that Cardinal Richelieu
did not remark you."

"Under these circumstances, M. le Due, will it
be prudent to proceed to the Louvre?" said
Charles.

"I see no danger whatever, your highness," re-
turned Montbazon ; " and I may be permitted to
add, that the queen and the Princess Henriette
Marie will be greatly disappointed if you are not
present at the ballet. I told them of the ardent
desire you had evinced to behold it."

" It would be inconsistent with your highness's

THE SPANISH MATCH. 165

chivalrous character to retire now," observed Buck-
ingham.

"After what the Due de Montbazon has just
said, I should never dream of retiring," rejoined
Charles.

" I^ am dehghted to hear it," said Montbazon.
"Chevilly shall place masks in the carriage, and
you can wear them in the ball-room, so there will
be small chance of discovery. But now allow me
to conduct you to her majesty."

Marie de Medicis was seated on a fauteuil,
surrounded by a number of lords and ladies, but
as Montbazon approached, she motioned her en-
tourage to withdraw, and most graciously received
the prince and his companions on their presenta-
tion.

"I was little aware whom I had the honour
of entertaining, prince," she observed to Charles;
" but I need not say how much indebted I am to
the Due de Montbazon for enabling me to exercise

166 THE SPANISH MATCH.

some slight hospitality towards your highness and
the Marquis of Buckingham. I am sorry your stay
in Paris is so short, but I presume there is more
attraction in Madrid, whither I understand you are
going."

" I have found Paris so charming, that I greatly
regret leaving it, madame," replied Charles. " And
my regrets will not be diminished by the glimpse
I have been permitted to enjoy of your brilliant
court.'*

"It is your own fault, prince, that you are re-
stricted to a mere glimpse," rejoined Marie de
Medicis. " Can I not offer you sufficient tempta-
tion to remain here? — if but for a week. Will
you not delay your journey to Madrid for that
time?"

" Impossible, madame," replied Charles. " Feel-
ing I can place confidence in your majesty, I will
at once own that secresy and despatch are indis-
pensable to the success of the expedition I have
undertaken. I ought not to be here this evening,

THE SPANISH MATCH. 167

but I could not resist the desire to behold your
court, and the Due de Montbazon kindly consented
to gratify me."

"Montbazon did well," rejoined Marie de Me-
dicis. " Since you are resolved to go, prince, I
shall not press you further. Doubtless you are en-
gaged on some romantic enterprise," she added,
with a smile; "and I would not, on any account,
interfere with it. You are said to be the most
chivalrous prince in Europe, and the hazardous
journey you have undertaken proves you deserve
the title. What shall I say of you, my Lord of
Buckingham, except that you are a worthy com-
panion of the prince ? "

"I am afraid your majesty will look upon us
as two crazy knight-errants," rejoined Bucking-
ham. " Since I have had the honour to be your
guest, I have been so enchanted with what I have
seen, that I begin to view our expedition in a dif-
ferent light, and should not be sorry if you could
induce his highness to forego it."

168 THE SPANISH MATCH.

"I fear the attempt would be fruitless," said
Marie de Medicis; "but perhaps the prince may
change his mind before the end of the evening.
I am now going to the Louvre, and shall expect to
see you there at the ballet. Au revoir."

On this, Charles and his companions retired, and
the queen-mother arising, with a gracious saluta-
tion to those around her quitted the apartment,
attended by her ladies of honour and by the Due
de Montbazon, and entered her carriage.

Her guests followed her example, and in less
than an hour the whole of the company were trans-
ferred from the palace of the Luxembourg to that
of the Louvre.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 169

XII.

HOW JACK AND TOM WITNESSED A GRAND BALLET AT THE
LOUVRE ; AND HOW TOM DANCED A SARABAND WITH ANNE
OF AUSTRIA, AND JACK DANCED THE PAVANE WITH THE
PRINCESS HENRIETTE MARIE.

Accustomed as they were to pomp and splen-
dour, and familiar with every possible display of
regal magnificence, it was not without admiration
almost amounting to wonder that Charles and his
companions passed through the gorgeous halls of
the Louvre, now brilliantly illuminated, and filled
with richly-attired guests.

On this occasion the superb suite of apartments,
surpassing in size and splendour those of any other

170 THE SPANISH MATCH.

palace, were thrown open, and at no time had a
more numerous or a more distinguished assemblage
been collected within them. All that the court of
France, then the most elegant and refined as well
as the most aristocratic in Europe, could boast in
the way of nobility and high birth, was present.
The chief beauties and the most accomplished gal-
lants belonging to a court maintained by a young
king and a lovely queen were at the Louvre that
night, and Charles and Buckingham were free to
admit that they had never seen so many charming
dames and noble-looking cavaliers as were now
met together. Something of this effect might be
owing to the gorgeous dresses, and Buckingham
more than ever regretted the want of his own
splendid habiliments and diamonds.

Moving on with the glittering stream, Charles
and his companions passed through many gorgeous
rooms, until they reached a noble hall called the
" Salle Neuve de la Keine." At the doors of this
grand saloon, in which the ballet was about to

THE SPANISH MATCH. 171

take place, numerous gentlemen ushers and pages
were stationed, and before entering it the prince
and his companions put on their masks.

Anne of Austria, like most of her country-
women, was passionately fond of dancing, and
excelled in the art, and the king, though caring
little for the amusement, was willing to gratify her
tastes. Balls and masquerades, therefore, were of
frequent occurrence at the Louvre, greatly to the
delight of the younger members of the court.

The Salle Neuve de la Heine, in which these
entertainments usually took place, was a spacious
and lofty apartment, admirably adapted to the pur-
pose, as it allowed ample space for the movements
of a vast number of couples. The panels were
covered with sky-blue satin, and the numerous
mirrors were festooned with flowers. At one side
there was an orchestra, filled by the best musicians
from the Grand Opera. Viewed from the doors
by which the company entered, this splendid
saloon presented the most charming coup d'ceil

172 THE SPANISH MATCH.

imaginable. The atmospliere was loaded with
perfumes, which almost intoxicated the senses.
At the upper end of the room was a canopy,
beneath which, on raised fauteuils, sat Marie de
Medicis, Anne of Austria, and the Princess Hen-
riette Marie, surrounded by a bevy of court
dames, but neither the king nor Monsieur, nor
any other grand seigneur, except the Due de
Montbazon, stood near them.

Just as Charles and his companions entered the
saloon, the grand allegorical ballet was about to
commence. A lively prelude was played by the
orchestra, and, at its close, the side-doors com-
municating with another apartment flew open, and
a band of Olympian divinities, attended by min-
strels clashing cymbals, and playing on the lyre
and the lute, swept into the hall, and taking up a
position in its centre, proceeded to execute a classic
dance. Personated by some of the loveliest dames
and damsels of the court, and robed in gauzy
drapery that displayed their symmetry of limb to

THE SPANISH MATCH. 173

perfection, these goddesses ravished the hearts of
the beholders, and Juno, Pallas, and Venus looked
so lovely, that Buckingham declared he should be
as much puzzled as Paris himself if called upon
to decide which was the fairest.

Besides the principal dancers, there was a nume-
rous corps de ballet, composed of nymphs, shep-
herds, and fauns, and this troop mingled with the
dance at intervals, and heightened its effect. The
grace and beauty of the performers in the ballet
would have sufficed to ensure its success; but it
was admirably contrived, and presented a series of
exquisite classical pictures. The group with which
the dance closed was charmingly conceived, and
formed so enchanting a picture, thdt the spectators
were transported with delight, and could scarcely
repress their enthusiasm. As it was, a murmur of
admiration pervaded the assemblage.

When this charming picture was broken up,
Juno, accompanied by the two other goddesses,
stepped towards the seats occupied by Marie de

174 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Medicis and Anne of Austria, and bending before
their majesties, thus addressed them:

Je ne suis plus cette Junon
Pleine de gloire et de renom ;
Pour deux grandes princesses
Je perds ma royaute :
L'une a fait le plus grand des rois ;
L'autre le tient dessous ses lois ;
Pour vous, grandes princesses,
Je perds ma royaute.

This complimentary address was most graciously
received by both queens, and obtained a flattering
response from Marie de Medicis.

Venus then presented a golden apple to Hen-
riette Marie, and Pallas laid her spear and shield
at the princess's feet. This done, the Olympian
troop retired, and shortly afterwards the three
royal ladies arose and retired to an ante-chamber.

Presently, the orchestra again struck up, and
the ball commenced with a coranto, in which a
vast number of couples took part. Then followed
a bransle, and while this was going on, the Due

THE SPANISH MATCH. 175

de Montbazon made his way to Charles and his
companions, and besought them to follow him.

As soon as they were out of the crowd, Mont-
bazon said to the prince, ^' The queen is about to
dance a saraband with the Princess Henriette Marie,
the Comtesse de la Torre, and the Comtesse Mon-
teleone, and it is her majesty's desire that your
highness and my lord of Buckingham take part in
the dance."

" I am fully sensible of the honour intended me,
M. le Due," replied Charles, " but I must pray you
to make my excuses to the queen."

"I dare not deliver such an answer, prince,"
rejoined Montbazon. "Her majesty is not accus-
tomed to refusal. I must entreat you to make
your excuses in person. Do you, my lord," he
added to Buckingham, "decline the proffered
honour?"

^' Decline it ! Heaven forbid ! " exclaimed Buck-
ingham. " I am entirely at her majesty's disposal
— in this as in all other matters."

176 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Montbazon then conducted Charles and his com-
panions to the ante-room, whither the two queens
had retired. Here they found Marie de Medicis,
with four ladies attired in magnificent Spanish
dresses, each of different coloured silk, but all
richly embroidered with fringes of gold, and orna-
mented with knots of ribands. Though these
ladies were masked, it was not difficult to distin-
guish in two of them the queen and the princess.

Anne of Austria wore a yellow satin basquina,
which suited her exquisite figure to perfection, and
Henriette Marie was attired in a blush-coloured
dress of the same material and make, which be-
came her equally well. The Comtesse de Torre
and the Comtesse Monteleone were dressed respec-
tively in white and blue.

On entering the room, Montbazon advanced to
the queen and said a few words to her, on hear-
ing which she manifested her disappointment by
a slight impatient gesture, but desired him to
bring forward the prince and his companions.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 177

This was done, and they were presented, but
under what designations Charles did not hear.

" The Due de Montbazon tells me, prince,"
said Anne of Austria, in a slight tone of pique,
" that you are unwilling to dance with me."

" Not unwilling, madame," replied Charles,
" but unable. I do not dance the saraband."

"It is the easiest dance imaginable," said the
queen. " I wish you would try it."

"I dare not, madame," returned Charles. "I
should only be an embarrassment to your majesty,
and incur the ridicule of the company."

" Have courage and make the attempt, prince,"
cried Henriette Marie. "We will take care you
shall make no mistake."

" Even with this encouragement I will not
venture," returned Charles. "I shall not rise in
your opinion if I confess that I care little for lively
figures, and confine myself to the pavane and paz-
zameno."

YOL. I. N

178 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" The pavane is my favourite dance," cried the
princess.

" Were it given, I would ask to be your partner,"
said Charles, gallantly.

"The princess will be charmed to dance with
you," said Marie de Medicis, answering for her
daughter. "After the saraband we will have a
pavane."

"The Due de Montbazon tells me you are
going to Spain, prince," said Anne of Austria to
Charles. "You ought, therefore, to learn our
national dances."

" I will practise them at Madrid," returned the
prince. " But though I am unskilled in the sara-
band, the Marquis of Buckingham is not. May I
offer him as my substitute in the dance?"

" I have heard that my Lord of Buckingham is
the most graceful dancer in Europe," remarked the
queen. " I am curious to know whether the report
is correct."

"I am sorry your majesty's expectations have

THE SPANISH MATCH. 179

been so highly raised, as I shall probably disappoint
them," rejoined Buckingham.

" I have a passion for dancing — and of all dances
those of Spain delight me most. But I have never
yet found a partner who could dance the saraband
mth me."

" Perhaps you will make the same complaint of
me to-morrowj" returned the queen.

" Impossible, madame," said Buckingham.
" There is much more likelihood that I shall sink
in your opinion."

^' At all events, I promise to be lenient to your
faults," 'rejoined Anne of Austria, smiling.

At this moment two young Spanish noblemen
entered the room, and, on beholding them, the
queen exclaimed that the party was complete, and
calling for castanets, which were handed to all those
about to dance the saraband, bade the Due de
Montbazon order the band to strike up. The order
was promptly obeyed, and while inspiriting strains
animated the ^vhole assemblage, the four couples
n2

180 THE SPANISH MATCH.

issued from the ante-room into the grand saloon. ^
Graham had the distinguished honour of leading
out the Princess Henriette Marie. All were masked,
but as it was generally known that the queen and
the princess were the chief dancers, great cu-
riosity was excited.

In another moment the dancers had taken up
their position, and as they threw themselves into
a graceful preliminary attitude, every eye was fixed
upon them. Nothing could be more exquisite than
the posture assumed by the queen; it was beau-
tiful, disdainful, and full of witchery. In another
moment the merry rattle of castanets was heard,
and the dance began.

Every movement of Anne of Austria was marked
by the same grace that distinguished her in repose,
and each turn of the dance served to reveal fresh
beauties. Alternately she appeared to be excited
by coquetry, agitated by gentle emotions of love,
stirred by jealousy, and inflamed by rage. All
these emotions were admirably portrayed, while the

TBDE SPAKISH MATCH. 181

most difficult steps were executed 'with consummate
ease and grace, and with inconceivable rapidity.

Buckingham well sustained his character as the
best dancer of his day. So much grace and agility
had never before been displayed in that hall by any
devotee of Terpsichore.

If the Princess Henriette Marie did not display
the fire and passion exhibited by the queen, or
possess in so high a degree as her majesty the
poetry of motion, she acquitted herself charm-
ingly, and delighted Charles, who watched her
movements with admiration.

While the saraband was proceeding, the king
entered the saloon, and his attention being drawn
to Buckingham, he inquired who he was, and not
being able to obtain the information from those
around him, sent for the Due de Montbazon.

"Who is the queen's partner?" demanded Louis,
as the duke came up.

" An English nobleman, sire," rephed Mont-
bazon, without hesitation.

182 THE SPANISH MATCH.

"An Englisli nobleman!" exclaimed the king,
surprised. " I concluded he was a Spaniard. He
dances like a hidalgo. His name — and title?"

"I find it impossible to pronounce his name,
sire, so you must excuse my attempting it, but he
is a person of high rank."

" You are quite sure he is an Englishman, M. le
Due? He has not the air of one."

^•I am quite sure of it, sire. There are two
other Englishmen of rank in the ball-room — one
of whom is dancing with the Princess Henriette
Marie. They are merely passing through Paris on
their way to Madrid, so I have not presented them
to your majesty."

" Did I not deem it impossible, I should say
that the person dancing with the queen must be
the Marquis of Buckingham," observed the Comte
d'Auvergne.

" Perhaps it is Buckingham," cried the Due de
Luynes.

" Bah ! " exclaimed Louis. " The notion is ab-

THE SPA^'ISH INIATCH. 183

surd. You miojht as well assert the Prince of
"Wales is in the room."

"Just as well, sire, — one assertion is as likely as
the other," said Montbazon. And anxious to avoid
further explanation, he craved leave to withdraw.

By this time the saraband had concluded, and
the dancers returned to the ante-room.

Anne of Austria seated herself on a fauteuil,
but did not dismiss Buckingham, who remained
standing near her. Charles also had re-entered
the room and approached the Princess Henriette
]\Iarie, who had taken a seat beside the queen-
mother.

^•You must be too much fatigued with your
exertions to go through the pavane, princess," he
observed.

" Dancing never fatigues me," she replied. " It
is the pleasantest exercise one can take. I prefer
it to hawking and hunting."

^'' I have ever preferred the tilt-yard to the ball-
room" returned Charles; "but were I to remain

184 THE SPANISH MATCH.

long at this court my tastes would certainly undergo
a change."

"You flatter me by saying so, prince. But I
do not entirely believe you."

*^Nay, it is truth," said Charles, gallantly.

"Here comes the Due de Montbazon to an-
nounce that the pavane is about to begin," ob-
served Marie de Medicis to her daughter, " Are
you ready ? "

" Quite," replied Henriette Marie. " I need no
further repose."

And rising at the same time, she gave her hand
to Charles, who led her into the saloon.

The appearance of the princess served as a signal
to the orchestra, and the other couples being already
placed, the dance at once commenced.

The stately character of the pavane, all the
movements of which were slow and dignified,
displayed Charles's majestic deportment to the ut-
most advantage, and he excited quite as much

THE SPANISH MATCH. 185

admiration as Buckingham had just done in the
sparkling saraband.

That two such stars, each so brilliant, though
differing in splendour, should appear at the same
time, was sufficient to cause excitement, and ge-
neral inquiries began to be made as to who the
distinguished strangers could be. But though many
conjectures were hazarded, all were wide of the
mark.

In Henriette Marie the prince found a partner
every way worthy of him. If she did not rival
him in dignity, she equalled him in grace, and
Charles himself, who had been struck by the viva-
city exhibited by the princess in the previous dance,
was surprised by the stateliness she now displayed.

186 THE SPANISH MATCH.

XIII.

HOW TOM FELL DESPERATELY IN LOVE.

Meantime, Buckingham remained in the ante-
room, standing beside Anne of Austria, whose
charms had already inspired him with a passion so
violent, that he would have sacrificed the expedi-
tion on which he was bent, and the prince whom
he attended, to obtain one favouring smile from
her. Such was his overweening vanity, such the
confidence he felt in his own irresistible powers of
fascination, that he persuaded himself that the
queen was not insensible to his admiration.

Careless of any consequences that might ensue

THE SPANISH MATCH. 187

should he be recognised, he had removed his mask.
His looks breathed passion, and to every light
word he uttered he sought to convey tender signi-
ficance. Whether from coquetry, or that Buck-
ingham's admiration was not disagreeable to her,
certain it is that the queen did not reprove his
audacity; and thus emboldened, he well-nigh for-
got that many curious eyes were watching him,
many ears listening to catch his words.

" And so you depart to-morrow for Madrid, my
lord?" said the queen.

" Tlie prince has so arranged it, madame," re-
turned Buckingham, "but at a word from you, I
stay."

"Nay, I cannot detain you," she rejoined.
"Would I were going thither myself!" she added,
with a sigh. " But I shall never more behold the
city I love so well — never more set foot in the
palace where the happiest hours of my life were
spent."

"You surprise me, madame," cried Bucking-

188 THE SPANISH MATCH.

ham. " Is it possible that, occupying your' present
splendid position as sovereign mistress of this bril-
liant court, you can have any regrets for the
past?"

'^Splendour of position is not everything, my
lordj" returned Anne of Austria. " I was happier
as the Infanta than I am as Queen of France."
Then feeling she had said too much, she added,
" To you, my lord, I will venture to utter what I
would confide to few others. My heart is in Spain
— I am still a stranger here, and shall ever continue
so. When you see my sister, the Infanta Maria,
repeat my words to her."

"I will do whatever your majesty enjoins,
though your regrets for Spain may make the In-
fanta loth to quit her native land."

" Ah ! but your prince will reconcile her to the
step — I am sure of it. I can read loyalty and
devotion in his noble features. Where Charles
Stuart gives his hand he will give his whole
heart."

THE SPANISH MATCH. 189

" You are an excellent physiognomist, madame,"
said Buckingham. "You have read the prince's
character aright."

" Then my sister will be truly fortunate if she
wins him. You say I am a good physiognomist,
my lord, but your opinion will alter, I fear, when
I declare that I see inconstancy written in your
features as plainly as fidelity is stamped on those
of the Prince of Wales."

" There your majesty is undoubtedly in error,"
returned Buckingham. " What you say may be
true of the past, because till now my heart has
never been touched. But the impression it has
this night received is indelible as it is vivid."

And he threw a passionate glance at the queen,
who cast down her eyes.

"Has not your majesty some slight token of
regard that I may convey to the Infanta ?" he
inquired. "It would make me more welcome to
her."

"I have nothing to send," replied the queen.

190 THE SPANISH MATCH.

^^ Had I known you were going to Madrid before-
hand, I might have^been prepared. Stay, take
this," she added, giving him a small, richly-chased
vinaigrette, at which she had just breathed.

Buckingham took it rapturously.

"My sister will recollect it, and will know it
comes from me," said Anne of Austria.

"I may not keep it, then?" rejoined Bucking-
ham, imploringly. "'Twill be hard to part with
it."

"I do not insist upon your delivering it," re-
turned the queen. " But such a trifle is not worth
keeping."

Buckingham's looks showed that he thought far
otherwise.

Here it was well that this brief but dangerous
interview was terminated by the return of Charles
and Henriette Marie.

It was not without a severe pang that Bucking-
ham tore himself away from one who had gained
such a sudden and complete ascendancy over him.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 191

Fickle he had ever hitherto been in aflfairs of the
heart, but he now submitted to the force of a
great and overpowering passion. Nor could he
liberate himself from it. Anne of Austria ever
afterwards remained sovereign mistress of his
heart, and his insane passion for her led him to
commit acts of inconceivable folly.

Charles, as we have said, had returned with his
fair partner to the ante-chamber, and on seeing
them the queen signed to Henriette Marie to take
a seat beside her. The princess obeyed, and as
she sat down it was easy to perceive from her
looks that she had enjoyed the dance, and Anne
was making a remark to that effect, when the Due
de Montbazon came suddenly into the room, and
made his way without ceremony to Charles, who
was standing with Buckingham near the queen.

"What is the matter, M. le Due?" cried Anne
of Austria, seeing, from his manner, that something
was wrong.

"The prince and his attendants must quit the

192 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Louvre immediately," returned Montbazon. " The
king has been struck by their appearance, and has
been making inquiries about them, but has failed
in obtaining any precise information. Unluckily,
my son, the Comte de Rochefort, who has been in
England, has made a guess not far wide of the
truth, and his majesty's suspicions having become
aroused, he will not rest till they are satisfied.
Under these circumstances," he added, turning to
Charles, " your highness's wisest course will be to
depart at once."

^' Where is the king?" demanded Anne of
Austria, uneasily.

"Madame, he is in the ball-room at this mo-
ment," replied Montbazon; "but he is certain to
come hither before long, and if he finds the prince
and my Lord of Buckingham with your majesty, it
will be impossible to prevent a discovery; and
then I much fear the meditated journey to Ma-
drid will have to be postponed."

" That must not be," cried the queen. " Fly,

THE SPANISH MATCH. 193

prince," she added to Charles. ^^ Stand upon no
ceremony, but begone. Adieu, my lord," she said
to Buckingham ; " forget not my message to my
sister."

And as he bent before her she extended her
hand to him, and he fervently pressed it to his
lips.

"Adieu, princess," said Charles to Henriette
Marie; "I had hoped to dance the pazzameno
with you, but that is now impossible."

" So it seems," replied Henriette Marie. " I am
almost selfish enough to desire you might be de-
tained. But since you must go, I wish you a safe
and pleasant journey to Madrid. Adieu, prince."

Charles then made a profound obeisance to
Marie de ^ledicis, as did Buckingham and Gra-
ham, the latter having emerged from an embra-
sure, where he had been chatting with the Cora-
tesse de la Torre. All three then quitted the room,
and one of them, as we are aware, left his heart
behind him. By the advice of the Due de Mont-

YOL. I. 0

194 THE SPANISH MATCH.

bazon, they kept on the right of the grand saloon,
and so avoided the king, who was on the other side
of the hall.

Ever self-possessed, Charles manifested no undue
haste, but moved majestically through the long
suite of apartments which he had previously tra-
versed.

Among the pages and attendants collected in the
grand corridor was Cheviliy, and on seeing the
prince and his companions, and finding they desired
to depart, he conducted them to the vestibule,
where he left them while he summoned their car-
riage.

In a few minutes he reappeared, ushered them to
the coach, and, posted on the marche-pied as before,
attended them to their hotel. On dismissing him,
the prince rewarded him with a dozen pistoles.

It was fortunate for the success of Charles's pro-
ject that he did not delay his departure. He had
not quitted the ante-room many minutes when the
king entered it. His majesty's countenance ap-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 195

peared disturbed, and he glanced inquisitively
round the room.

"Where are those Englishmen?" he said ab-
ruptly to the queen. " I was told they were here."

" They are gone, sire/' replied Anne. " I am
sorry for it. They dance remarkably well. Don't
you think so, sire?"

"I scarcely noticed their dancing," rejoined
Louis, sharply. " But I want to know who they
are."

"You must apply to the Due de Montbazon
then, sire," said the queen. " They are English
noblemen, that is all I can tell you."

" Their rank is undoubted, sire," remarked
Marie de Medicis. " You may take my assurance
for that."

"You know them, madame?" cried Louis.

"I do," she replied. "But I am not at liberty
to disclose tlieir names to-nisjht. To-morrow I will
tell you who they are. Suspend your curiosity till
then."

o2

19^ THE SPANISH MATCH.

With this the king was obHged to be content,
and soon afterwards returned to the ball-room, but
in no very good humour.

Before retiring to rest, Charles wrote a long
letter to his august father, describing his journey
to Paris, and detailing all that had befallen him
since his arrival in the French capital. Besides
recording his impressions of the principal per-
sonages he had seen at the Luxembourg and the
Louvre, Charles spoke in rapturous terms of the
beauty of Anne of Austria, but he did not praise
the Princess Henriette Marie as highly as she
deserved. To have said all he thought of her,
might have appeared like disloyalty to the Infanta.
Buckingham at the same time indited a humorous
epistle to his dear dad and gossip.

As soon as these despatches were completed
they were consigned to a courier who was waiting
for them, and who started, without a moment's
delay, for Calais.

"Henriette Marie is very charming," thought

THE SPANISH MATCH. 197

Charles, as he sought his couch. "I cannot get
her out of my head."

"Anne of Austria is the loveliest creature on
earth," cried Buckingham, as he paced to and fro
within his chamber, thinking over the events of
the evening. " I am in despair at quitting Paris.
Yet I must go."

198 THE SPANISH MATCH.

XIV.

IN WHAT MANNEU JACK AND TOM LEFT PAllIS, AND OF THE
ADVENTUKE THEY MET TTITH IN THE FOREST OF OR-
LEANS.

Next morning, at a very early hour, Charles
was aroused from his slumbers by Cottmgtonj who
entered the prince's chamber with a light.

"Is it time to arise, Cottlngton?" demanded
Charles, drowsily.

" Your highness can rest as long as you please,"
replied the other. " Since midnight, an order has
been sent by the king to all postmasters, prohibit-
ing them to supply us with horses. It will be

THE SPANISH MATCH. 199

impossible, tlierefore, for your highness to leave
Paris."

"But I will not be stayed!" cried Charles, start-
ing up in his couch. " I will buy horses if I can-
not hire them. See to it, Cottington — see to it."

"Permit me to observe to your highness that
horses are not to be bought at this untimely hour,
and, before we can procure them, in all probability
a further order will be issued by the king inter-
dicting your departure from Paris."

"Call my lord of Buckingham, and bid him
come to me instantly," cried Charles.

But before the order could be obeyed, Graham
burst into the chamber, exclaiming : " Good news !
good news ! your highness will be able to start for
Madrid after all, jM. Chevilly is without, and says
he can remove the new difficulty that has arisen."

" That is good news indeed, Dick ! " cried
Charles. " Let him come in. Good-morrow,
Chevilly," he added, as the valet made his ap-
pearance. "What can you do for us?"

200 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" I can help your highness to leave Paris," re-
plied Chevilly. "The duke my master has sent
you horses. They are the best in his stables, and
will carry you twenty or thirty leagues with ease.
A piqueur and two palefreniers will go with you
to bring them back. If I may presume to do so,
I w^ould respectfully counsel your highness to start
as speedily as may be, for fear of further interrup-
tion."

" Your counsel is good, Chevilly, and shall not
be neglected," returned Charles. " Let all prepare
for immediate departure."

On this the chamber was cleared, and Charles,
springing from his couch, proceeded to attire him-
self for the journey.

Meantime, under the careful surveillance of
Chevilly, the superb steeds, sent for the use of the
prince and his attendants by the considerate Due
de Montbazon, were saddled and bridled by the
palefreniers, who next proceeded to secure the

THE SPANISH MATCH. 201

pack-saddles, containing the baggage, on tlieir own
hackneys.

In less than half an hour all necessary prepara-
tions were completed, and shortly afterwards
Charles and Buckingham, accoutred in their new
riding-dresses, boots, and broad-leaved hats, entered
the salle a manger, where the rest of the party
were assembled. Such was the prince's impatience
to be gone, that he declined to partake of the
breakfast that had been prepared for him, and
thrusting a pair of pistols into his belt, and throw-
ing a cartouche-belt over his shoulder, called out,
" To horse, gentlemen, to horse ! "

Marshalled by the host, whose account had
already been discharged by Endymion Porter, the
whole party repaired to the court-yard, where the
steeds were impatiently pawing the ground.
Charles selected a powerful black charger for his
own use, and Buckingham made choice of a mag-
nificent grey.

202 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" I trust the duke your master will not incur his
majesty's displeasure by the service he has rendered
me," said Charles to Chevilly, as the latter held
his stirrup.

" My master promised the queen that your high-
ness's departure should not be prevented — and he
has kept his word," replied the valet.

" Fail not to make my best acknowledgments
to him," said Charles, bestowing a handful of pis-
toles on Clievilly as he vaulted into the saddle.
"Farewell, friend."

In another minute, the whole party being
mounted, the gates of the hotel were thrown open,
and the cavalcade issued forth into the Rue de
Bourbon, preceded by the piqueur.

But for this avant garde, w4io answered all ques-
tions satisfactorily, they must have been stopped
by the watch. Having traversed the Rue Jacob,
the Rue Colombier, and several other sombre
streets, they skirted the high walls surrounding
the close of the great convent of Carthusians, and

THE SPANISH MATCH. 203

at last reached the Barrlere d'Enfer, where they
were detained for a short time, as the gate was
not yet opened, and the warder refused to let them
pass, but on the production by the piqueur of an
order from the Due de Montbazon, the obstacle
was removed, and they were allowed to proceed on
their journey.

No sooner were they clear of the Faubourg
Saint Jacques, than, setting spurs to their steeds,
they galloped along the high road to Orleans,
passing without halt, or slackening of pace, through
Bourg la Reine, Sceaux, and Berny, and never
pausing till they reached Longjumeau, where they
pulled up for a few minutes at a cabaret to re-
fresh their horses and drink a cup of wine.

The arrival of the cavalcade in the little town
at this early hour in the morning — it was then
only seven o'clock — created quite a sensation, and
many of the inhabitants flocked towards the ca-
baret to look at them. All knew, from their
horses and attendants, that they must be persons

204 THE SPANISH IHATCH.

of rank, but the piqueur, thougli questioned by
the aubergiste and the gargons decurie, would give
no information, except that they were English
noblemen.

Neither Charles nor Buckingham dismounted,
and their distinguished appearance pointed them
out as the chief personages of the troop. After
they had drunk a flagon of Anjou wine, which
was handed them by the hotelier, Charles ex-
claimed,

"What ails you, Tom? You have not uttered
a word since we left Paris. I never knew you
so silent before."

" I have been thinking of that divine queen,"
responded Buckingham. "But you have been
equally silent, Jack. I suspect, from your pensive
air, that your thoughts have been occupied by the
charming princess. Am I not right?"

" Her image will recur to me, I own," rejoined
Charles. " But henceforward I shall banish it, and
think only of the Infanta. But we have stayed

THE SPANISH MATCH. 205

here long enougli. Allons, messieurs!" he cried
to his attendants.

At the words, Cottington and the two others,
who were standing at the door of the cabaret
talking to the host, instantly mounted their steeds,
the palefreniers followed their example, and the
piqueur, taking off his cap to Charles, rode on
in advance. The whole party then set off at a
gallop, and were soon out of sight.

On, on they went, flying like the wind past the
old chateau of Mont-Lhery, perched on its rocky
heights, and traversing a pleasant country, erst
dyed with Burgundian blood, clearing league after
league without fatigue to themselves, and appa-
rently without fatigue to their gallant coursers,
until they reached Arpajan.

After a brief halt they again set forward, speed-
ing on swiftly as before, devouring the distance
that lay between the pretty little town they had
just quitted and Etrecy.

By this time both Charles and Buckingham,

206 THE SPANISH MATCH.

having quite recovered their spirits, laughed and
chatted merrily. Everything contributed to make
their journey agreeable — a fine day, and a charm-
ing country, presenting a succession of lovely land-
scapes.

How rapidly and easily we get on," cried Charles.
" These admirable horses will spoil us for the rest
of the journey. It is a pity we shall lose them at
Etampes."

^^I see no reason for that," rejoined Bucking-
ham. "With an hour's rest they will carry us
several leagues farther. If they should be harmed,
which is not likely, we will replace them by
horses from England."

On arriving at Etampes, Charles consulted the
piqueur, who said :

" Monseigneur, with an hour's rest here, and
another hour at Artenay, the horses will carry you
very well to Orleans."

"But that is more than the duke your master
bargained for, my good friend," said Charles.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 207

"Pardon, monseigneur. My master has placed
the horses entirely at your disposal," rejoined the
piqueur. " Do as you please with them."

" Then you shall go on with us to Orleans," said
Charles. " We will not part with the horses a
league sooner than necessary."

After the lapse of an hour, during which the
horses had been well cared for, and their riders
recruited by a plentiful repast and several flasks of
excellent wine, the whole party got once more
into the saddle, and were soon scouring across the
broad and fertile plains of La Beauce, in the direc-
tion of Montdesir. Acting on the piqueur's sug-
gestions, Charles and his companions made another
halt at Artenay, and then set forward again.

Night was now rapidly approaching, and it soon
became quite dark. Moreover, just as they entered
the Forest of Orleans — a vast woody region of some
leagues in extent, which lay between them and
that city — a heavy thunderstorm came on, accom-
panied by torrents of rain. No place of shelter

208 THE SPANISH MATCH.

being near, there was nothing for it but to brave
the storm, so, wrapping their cloaks around them,
they went on. Peal after peal of thunder rattled
overhead, and the flashes of lightning were almost
blinding. Still the piqueur rode gallantly on, and
the cavalcade followed him.

Despite the personal inconvenience he endured,
the storm excited Charles's admiration. One mo-
ment all was buried in obscurity; the next, the
whole thicket seemed in a blaze. Thus shown by
the vivid flashes, the trees looked so weird and
fantastic, that it almost seemed to the prince as if
he was riding through an enchanted forest. For
some time the cavalcade, headed by the piqueur,
went on without interruption, but at last the broken
state of the ground compelled them to proceed with
caution.

Suddenly the piqueur came to a stop, and owned
that he had missed his way. But he felt certain,
he said, that he could soon regain it. A consulta-
tion was then held as to the best course to be pur-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 209

sued under the circumstances. Buckingham and
some of the others were for turning back, but
Charles, believing the piqueur could get them out
of the difficulty, determined to go on.

Accordingly, the cavalcade got once more into
motion, but now proceeded at a foot's pace. The
alley which they were threading was of consider-
able length, but it brought them in the end to an
open space, in the midst of which grew three or
four trees of the largest size and great age, veri-
table patriarchs of the grove. But here the diffi-
culties of the travellers appeared to have increased,
for though there were several outlets from the
clearance they had gained, they could not tell
which to select.

While they were in this state of incertitude, it
was with no slight satisfaction that they descried
through the gloom a figure approaching them.
As this person drew nearer, the lightning showed
him to be a powerfully-built man, in the garb of

VOL. I. P

210 THE SPANISH MATCH.

a peasant. Probably a woodcutter, as he carried
a hatcbet on bis shoulder.

"What ho, master!" cried the piqueur, calling
out to him. "Wilt guide us to the high road
to Orleans?"

"Ay, marry will I," replied the woodcutter;
^' but you have strayed far away from it, and are
not likely to find it again without help. It is
lucky for you that I came up, or you might have
passed the night in the forest."

"Is there no place where Ave can dry our wet
apparel and obtain refreshment?" said Charles.

"You cannot do better than come to my cot-
tage, messieurs," replied the man. "My name is
Jacques Leroux. I am a woodcutter, as my father
was before me, and my grandfather before him,
and as my sons Andre and Marcel will be after
me; but I have saved some money, and live com-
fortably enough, as you will see. Many a traveller
who has missed his way in the forest, as you have

THE SPANISH SIATCH. 211

doTie to-night, has fared well — though I say it —
and slept soundly at my cottage."

"Perchance too soundly," remarked Bucking-
ham, with a laugh. "Well, we will go to thy
cottage, honest Jacques," he continued, "and
when the storm is over thou shalt take us to the
road to Orleans, and we will reward thee hand-
somely."

" The storm will be over in an hour," said
Jacques Leroux, " and then the moon will have
risen. Once on the highway, you will soon reach
Orleans."

" I am glad to hear it," cried Buckingham.
"Canst give us aught for supper, honest Jacques?"

"My larder is not badly supplied," replied the
woodcutter, with a laugh, "and I have a few
flasks of rare Beaugency in my cellar."

" Nay, if thou hast a larder and cellar we shall
not fare badly," said Buckingham. "Lead us to
thy cottage, good Jacques."
p2

212 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" This way, messieurs," returned the wood-
cutter, striking into an alley on the right, which
proved so narrow and intricate that the horsemen
were obliged to proceed along it singly. Jacques
Leroux, however, being familiar with the path,
tracked it without difficulty, and at a quick pace,
but he ever and anon stopped to cheer on those
behind him.

"You appear to be taking us into the heart of
the forest, friend," cried Charles, who was at the
head of the column.

"You are within a bow-shot of my dwelling,
monsieur," replied the woodcutter. " You will see
the lights in a moment. I will let my daughter
know I am coming," he added, placing a whistle
to his lips, and blowing a shrill and somewhat
startling call.

Immediately afterwards the troop emerged upon
a patch of ground entirely free from timber. In
the naidst of this area stood a cottage, with a
stable and some other outbuildings attached to it.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 213

Again Jacques Leroux blew his whistle, and
no sooner had he done so than the cottage door
was thrown open, allowing the radiance of a cheer-
ful fire to stream forth. Just within the threshold
might be seen a young woman, and a boy some
ten or twelve years old, whom the woodcutter
informed Charles were his youngest son Marcel,
and his daughter Rose.

" Our young foresters call her Rose des Bois,"
said Jacques, with a laugh, " and several of them
are anxious to take her from me, but I don't de-
sire to part with her just yet. Will it please you
to alight, messieurs? You need have no anxiety
about the horses. There is a stable large enough
to hold them all, and Marcel will find them plenty
of good fodder."

" You seem well provided with everything,
friend,'* observed Charles, as he alighted.

"Heaven be praised, I want nothing, and am
well contented with my lot," replied the wood-
cutter.

214 'I THE SPANISH MATCH.

By this time the whole party had alighted, and
Jacques called to his son to bring a lantern and
help the palefreniers to take the horses to the
stable. This order being promptly obeyed, the
woodcutter ushered his guests into his dwelling,
und on passing through the doorway Charles and
ftis companions found themselves in a large com-
fortable room, cheerfully illumined by a Avood
fire, which was blazing on the hearthstone.

Benches were set on either side of the wide-
mouthed chimney, and in the middle of the room
there was a large oak table, with several stools
placed around it. A gammon of bacon, a goodly
stock of hams, with other dried meats depending
from the rafters, showed that the cottage did not
lack the materials of good cheer, while an open
cupboard displayed a large pasty, a cheese, eggs,
butter, and an abundant supply of bread — far more
than seemed to be required by the woodcutter and
his family.

Besides these unmistakable evidences of plenty.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 215

wliicli were very satisfactory to the travellers, a
large black iron pot, hanging from a hook over
the fire, diffused an odour throughout the cham-
ber that left no doubt as to the savoury nature
of its contents.

At the moment the party entered, the wood-
cutter's daughter was placing fresh logs on the
fire, and as she turned to salute them, they were
all struck by her good looks, and Charles remarked
to her father that she well deserved her appellation
of Rose des Bois.

The damsel, who might be about eighteen, had
a rich dark complexion, bright black eyes, some-
what too bold, perhaps, in expression, hair black as
jet, and growing low down on the forehead, and
strongly marked, handsome eyebrows. She wore
large gold earrings, gold ornaments in her lace cap,
and a gold cross above her bodice. The skirts of
her scarlet petticoat were short enough to display
her well-formed limbs, and her sabots were no dis-
figurement to her trim ankles and small feet. The

216 THE SPANISH MATCH.

drawbacks to her beauty were the bold looks
we have mentioned, and a somewhat masculine
manner.

She eyed the travellers with unrestrained cu-
riosity, and though she could rarely have seen such
visitors, did not appear at all abashed. Graham,
however, chiefly attracted her attention, and she
more than once regarded him fixedly.

Throwing off their cloaks, the travellers seated
themselves on the benches near the fire, to dry
their wet apparel. While they were thus disposed,
and active preparations for supper were being
made by Jacques and his daughter, the latter of
whom was spreading a snow-white cloth on the table,
the two palefreniers entered with the saddle-bags
which Endymion Porter had ordered to be brought
into the cottage. On perceiving this arrangement,
which he had evidently not anticipated, a cloud
came over the woodcutter's brow, and he cast a
significant look at his daughter.

The look did not escape Graham, and from its

THE SPANISH MATCH. 217

peculiarity awakened his suspicions. He said no-
thing, however, but, getting up from the bench,
sat down near the table, and while chatting gaily
with Rose, kept a watchful eye upon her father.

Having placed a large pasty, with other cold
provisions, on the table, Jacques Leroux told his
daughter that he was going to fetch a few flasks of
Beaugency, and quitted the chamber by a side-
door. No sooner was he gone than Rose drew
close to Graham, and said, in a low tone,

*' What has brought you here ? "

" We came by your father's invitation," replied
the young man, in the same tone.

"Jacques Leroux is not my father," replied Rose.
" But no matter. What it concerns you to know
is, that you are in danger of your life. You may
have heard that the Forest of Orleans is infested
by a band of robbers. Jacques Leroux is their cap-
tain. He has contrived to ensnare you, and, be
assured, he will not let you escape."

"Bah! we are too numerous a party, and too

218 THE SPANISH MATCH.

well armed, to fear attack," rejoined Graham.
" You want to frighten me away, my pretty Rose.
But I will not go, unless you will consent to ac-
company me."

"You think I am jesting, but I am in earnest,
as you will find. You heard Jacques whistle as
he approached the cottage. That was a signal to
a scout, who immediately started to collect the
band. They will be here presently."

"'Sdeath! this is more serious than I thought,"
said Graham, uneasily. " I must alarm my
friends."

" On no account," she replied, imposing silence
upon him by a look.

At this moment Jacques Leroux entered, carry-
ing half a dozen flasks of wine, three of which he
set upon the table, but he put the others aside.

"Don't drink that wine — it is drugged," whis-
pered Rose des Bois.

"I am half inclined to blow out the rascal's

THE SPANISH MATCH. 219

brains," said Graham, laying his hand upon a
pistol.

Just then the outer door of the cottage was
opened, and a young man, in a woodcutter's garb
like that of Leroux, came in, and respectfully
saluted the strangers.

" So you are returned from Courcelles, Andre,"
remarked Jacques, with a significant look at him.
" Have you executed all my orders? "

" All, father," replied Andre.

"The band have arrived," whispered Rose des
Bois. " But trust to me, and I will save you."

^' By my faith, this is a devoted damsel,"
thought Graham. "But thougli I am willing to
trust her, on the first movement made by these
villains that looks like mischief I will shoot them,
be the consequences what they may. The prince
has been dying for an adventure — he has met with
one at last. Hark'ee, my pretty Rose des Bois,"
he added, in an under tone to her. " There are far

220 THE SPANISH MATCH.

more valuable lives than mine at stake. None of
my companions must be harmed."

"Trust to me, and you shall all get away
safely," she replied.

As she spoke, the sound of horses was heard
outside, and Andre, opening the door, exclaimed,

^^ There are more travellers here, father. What
shall we do with their horses ? The stable is full."

" Put them in the shed," replied Jacques. And
he went out with his son, closing the door after
him.

Scarcely were they gone, than Eose hastily re-
moved the flasks which Jacques had set upon the
table, and put the three others in their place.

" You may drink this wine with safety," she said
to Graham.

Shortly afterwards, Jacques and Andre returned
with half a dozen persons of very suspicious mien.
As the new comers took off their cloaks and broad-
leaved hats, it appeared they were all well armed
with pistols and swords.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 221

On their appearance, Charles and his companions
moved from the fireside to the table.

"I have so many guests here to-night, mes-
sieurs/' said Jacques to the new comers, " that I
shall not be able to offer you very good accommo-
dation. But I will do my best."

"That is all we require," said the foremost ol
the party. ^' You can give us a flask of good wine
— that we know from experience."

"Ay, that I can — as good as you will get at
Orleans," rejoined Jacques. " Pray be seated near
the fire," he added, pointing to the benches vacated
by Charles and his companions. "I will bring
you the wine immediately, but I must first serve
these gentlemen, who are waiting for supper."

With this, he proceeded to uncork the flasks
which had just been set on the table by Rose, and
filled the goblets for Charles and his companions.

" This is the Beaugency I spoke of, messieurs,"
he said. " It has a rare flavour. I will venture to
say you never tasted wine equal to it."

222 THE SPAmSH MATCH.

" Then I propose a bumper all round," cried
Graham, glancing at his companions. "Fill for
yonder gentlemen, Maitre Jacques."

"Ay, fill us bumper?, Jacques," shouted the
guests at the fireplace.

'^ This flask is empty. I will bring you another,
messieurs," cried the woodcutter, taking up one of
those which Rose had removed.

While he was occupied in filling the flagons of
the party near the fire, Rose whispered a word or
two in Graham's ear.

"Nay, you and your son must join us, my good
friend," cried the latter to Jacques.

" Doubt me not," replied the woodcutter, laugh-
ing. " Bring two more flagons, Andre."

The young man brought him the cups, which
he instantly filled.

" To your health, messieurs ! " cried Graham.
"If you are the boon companions you seem, you
will not leave a drop in the cup."

With this he emptied his goblet, and turned it

THE SPAiaSH MATCH. 223

upside down. All those at the table did the
same.

" They are ours now," remarked Jacques, wink-
ing at his associates.

"You seem to hesitate, messieurs," cried Gra-
ham. "We have set you a good example."

" Hesitate — not we ! " responded the foremost of
the brigands. " To your healths, messieurs ! May
you always meet with honest men like us ! "

And the whole party emptied their flagons, their
example being followed by Jacques and Andre.

"By my faith, friend Jacques, this Beaugency
of yours is a most powerful wine," cried Graham.
" It has already got into my head. I feel quite
drowsy."

" So do we," cried the others at the table.

"Take another cup — it won't hurt you," re-
sponded Jacques.

" Fill for me, then," said Graham.

As the woodcutter approached the table, he
staggered and fell to the ground. Andre sprang

224t THE SPANISH MATCH.

to his father's assistance, but while trying to raise
him, he also sank on the floor in a state of stupefac-
tion.

"What's the matter?" cried Graham, rising
from his chair. " Have you and your son been
taken suddenly ill, my good friend?"

"We have drunk the wrong wine," cried
Jacques to his comrades, trying in vain to rise.

"Malediction!" exclaimed the foremost of the
brigands, tumbling from the bench.

So powerless had he and his comrades become,
that not one of them could draw a pistol. In vain
they struggled against the effects of the soporific
potion they had swallowed. In another minute
they were all buried in a profound stupor.

" We have had a narrow escape," cried Graham.
" We owe our lives, perhaps, to this damsel."

" Let us quit the place immediately, and make
the best of our way to Orleans," said Charles.

" You must take me with you," said Rose des

THE SPANISH MATCH. 225

Bois. " If I am left here, when these men recover
they will infallibly put me to death."

" Do not imagine we are going to abandon you,
after what you have done for us," replied Graham.
" We will take you with us to Orleans, and, more-
over, you shall be well rewarded."

Leaving the senseless brigands, the party then
went forth, and, guided by Rose, proceeded to-
wards the stable. Close to the building they
found Marcel, who tried to escape on seeing them,
but, being caught by Graham, the lad gave up
the key of the stable, in which he had contrived
to lock up the piqueur and palefreniers, who were
clamouring lustily to get out. Without loss of
time the men were set free, and the horses brought
out. The pack-saddles were then fetched from the
cottage, and being secured as before, the whole
party mounted their steeds. As Jacques Leroux
had predicted, the storm had passed away. Still,
though the moon was now shining brightly, and
tipping the trees with silver, it was necessary to

VOL. 1. Q

226 THE SPAl^ISH MATCH.

have a guide through the forest, so the travellers
determined to take Marcel with them, and accord-
ingly placed him in front of the piqueur, who had
orders to shoot him if he misled them. The next
point was how to convey Rose des Bois. This was
settled by Graham, who took her on his saddle-
bow.

All these arrangements being made with great
expedition, the party set oiF, and following Marcel's
directions, eventually reached the high road to
Orleans.

Before this, however, the lad had contrived to
loosen the belt by which he was bound to the
piqueur, and, watching his opportunity, slipped oflf
the horse; and, though the piqueur fired at hira,
he escaped uninjured, and disappeared among -the
trees. His flight, however, gave the party no con-
cern.

In half an hour more they had cleared the forest,
and had gained the faubourg of the ancient city of
Orleans.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 227

On reaching these habitations, Rose des Bois
said to Graham :

"Here we must part. But whither are you
going ? "

^'I am going far hence, my pretty Rose," he
replied.

"But where?" she demanded, impatiently.
" Tell me where."

"To Madrid," he replied. "It is not likely we
shall meet again."

" Perhaps we may. Farewell ! "

And, disengaging herself, she sprang lightly to
the ground.

Graham offered her his purse, but she refused
it with an impatient gesture, and hurried away.

Tlie party then rode on to the gates of Orleans,
and not without some difficulty obtained admit-
tance to the city. This being at last accomplished,
they proceeded to the Hotel du Loiret, and entered
it just as the bell of the cathedral tolled the hour
of midnight.

<l2

228 THE SPANISH MATCH.

XV.

HOW JACK AND TOM KOBE TO BORDEAUX, AND HOW THEY
EECEIVED A VISIT TROM THE DUG D'ePERNON.

Next morning, at seven o'clock, our travellers
started once more on their journey, mounted on
post-horses, and attended by a couple of postilions.

Before setting out, Charles liberally rewarded
the plqueur and the palefreniers, who undertook
that the ends of justice should not be neglected,
and promised to obtain from the magistrates of
.the city a force sufficient for the capture of the
brigands. This, we may state, was effected the

THE SPANISH MATCH. 229

same day, and the whole band brought prisoners to
Orleans.

Our impatient travellers saw nothing of the an-
cient city, which derives its chief interest from the
heroic and ill-fated Jeanne d'Arc, save what was
presented to them as, they traversed the streets to
the Porte de Blois.

Their road now lay on the right bank of the
Loire, and throughout the day they kept near that
enchanting river, which mirrors on its waves such
lovely vine-clad slopes and hills, and such pictu-
resque old towns and grand feudal chateaux. Blois
and Amboise. with their regal castles, detained
the travellers for a short time, and it was not until
nightfall that they reached Tours.

Off again next morning betimes, they approached
Chatelleraut about noon, and traversing the antique
bridge across the Vienne, garnished at either end
with towers, they entered the town, and resting
there for an hour, pursued their way to Poitiers,

230 THE SPANISH MATCH.

where they arrived sufficiently early to devote some
time to the examination of a town replete with his-
torical recollections, many of them of deep interest
to Charles.

Before retiring to rest they heard vespers in the
cathedral, and after attending matins in the beau-
tiful church of Sainte Radegonde, and visiting
several other interesting structures, they started for
Angouleme, arriving there, after a brief halt at
Civray, early in the evening.

Again early in the saddle, and descending the
steep hill on which Angouleme is reared, they
speeded merrily along the valley, the limit of their
day's journey being Bordeaux. At Barbezieux
they stopped to dine, and at La Graulle came upon
a bare and desolate heath of vast extent, which
gave them a foretaste of the Landes, which they
expected shortly to traverse.

At Cubsac, where in our own times there is a
suspension-bridge of wondrous size and beauty,
they crossed the broad estuary of the Dordogne in

THE SPANISH MATCH. 231

a ferry-boat, and had a somewhat perilous passage,
the wind being high. However, they got over in
safety, and pursued their journey through a fair
and fertile region covered with vineyards, and gra-
dually gained an eminence, from the summit of
which the wide Garonne, with the proud city of
Bordeaux throned on its opposite bank, burst upon
their view.

The prospect was magnificent, and held them
for some time in admiration. At length they de-
scended the vine-clad slopes of the hill, and track-
ing a long avenue of fine trees, came to the ferry at
La Bastide — there was no bridge then across the
Garonne — and immediately embarked.

During their passage across the broad and im-
petuous river they enjoyed an admirable view of
the city, with its old walls, towers, churches, and
edifices, chief among which were the cathedral
with its twin spires, the Eglise Sainte Croix, Saint
Michel with its beautiful detached belfry. Saint
Saurin, the old Eveche, and the Hotel de Ville.

232 THE SPANISH MATCH.

In the port were numerous vessels, for Bordeaux
even then was a place of extensive commerce. The
travellers landed near one of the ancient city gates,
and caused their pack-saddles and horse furniture
to be conveyed to an hotel.

Next morning, instead of prosecuting their jour-
ney, they spent several hours in inspecting the
curiosities of the city, and had just returned from
a visit to the port, when the hotelier entered, and
throwing open the door of the salon with as much
ceremoniousness as an usher, announced M. le Due
d'Epernon.

The person who entered the room on this an-
nouncement was about seventy, but his tall figure
was erect, and although his beard and moustaches
were grey/ his features retained something of the
remarkable comeliness Avhich had distinguished
them in the days of Henri Trois.

The Due d'Epernon was attired in a pourpoint
and trunk hose of ly^own quilted satin, with a
velvet mantle of the same colour, the latter being

THE SPANISH MATCH. 233

ornamented witli the order of the Saint Esprit.
On his head he wore a black velvet toque, adorned
with a red feather and a diamond brooch. Fun-
nel-topped boots, provided with large spurs, com-
pleted his costume, and he carried a cravache in
his hand.

Immediately on his entrance, Charles and Buck-
ingham arose to meet him, and their appearance
and dignity of manner evidently struck him with
surprise. While gravely and courteously saluting
them, he carefully scanned their features.

"I have to apologise to you for this intrusion,
messieurs," he said, with exquisite politeness, " but
I will explain the motive of my visit, and then I
trust you will excuse it."

" Your visit requires no excuse, M. le Due," re-
plied Charles, with princely grace. " That a noble-
man of such distinction as yourself, one of the
brightest ornaments of the courts of Henri Trois
and Henri le Grand, should visit persons so obscure
as myself and my brother, Tom Smith, is an

234 THE SPANISH MATCH.

honour we never could have anticipated, and we
cannot fail, therefore, to be highly gratified by
your condescension."

" Corbleu ! monsieur," cried D'Epernon, bowing
and smiling, "unless I am greatly mistaken, there-
is little condescension on my part. Had I been
aware of your rank, rest assured I should not have
presented myself in this unceremonious manner,
and I must again entreat you to excuse me."

"And I must repeat," returned Charles, "that
the honour is entirely on our side. Pray be seated,
M. le Due."

" I have lived too much in courts, monsieur, to
be deceived," observed D'Epernon, taking the chair
offered him by the prince. " It may please you
and your brother to style yourselves the Mes-
sieurs Smith, but I do not think I should be far
wrong if I gave you the highest titles your country
can boast. But to my errand. In me, messieurs,
you behold the representative of an epoch, now
passed away, when it was customary for the nobility

THE SPAXISH MATCH. 235

of France to exercise hospitality towards all stran-
gers. I cannot change my old habits. I have a
chateau in the neighbourhood of this city, and
chancing to ride over this morning, I accidentally
heard that some English travellers were staying
in this hotel. I therefore came hither to pray you
to be my guests for as long a period as it may
please you to remain with me."

" We would gladly accept your hospitality, M. le
Due," repHed Charles, " but to-morrow we start for
Bayonne and Spain."

" Then I can only express my regret, messieurs,"
rephed D'Epemon, rising. " It would have grati-
fied me to entertain you at my chateau, and to show
you some of the beauties of this country, but I
will not attempt to delay you."

" Stay, M. le Due," said Buckingham. " With
you there can be no necessity for disguise, and I
will, therefore, inform you that the person whom
you have had the honour of addressing is no other
than Charles, Prince of Wales."

236 THE SPANISH MATCH.

"I felt assured of it," replied D'Epernon, bowing
to the ground. " And you, monseigneur, unless I
am greatly mistaken, are the Marquis of Bucking-
ham."

"You are right, M. le Due," said Charles.
"But I confide myself to your discretion. I am
travelling strictly incognito."

" Your highness may entirely rely on me," re-
turned D'Epernon. " I guess the purpose of your
journey to Spain. It is an enterprise worthy of a
chivalrous prince like yourself. I trust you may
meet with no interruption, and to prevent the
chance of your detention at Bayonne, I will fur-
nish you -with a letter to the governor of that
city, my friend, the Comte de Grammont. I am
banished from court, as your highness may possibly
be aware, having had the misfortune to make Car-
dinal Richelieu my enemy; but I have still in-
fluence enough for this."

So saying, he sat down at the table, on which
writing materials were laid, and traced a few lines

THE SPANISH MATCH. 237

on a sheet of paper, "which he folded up and re-
spectfully presented to Charles.

" If I can be of any further service, your high-
ness has only to command me," he said.

" You can, indeed, serve me in an important
particular, M. le Due," returned Charles. "I am
desirous of sending a despatch to the king my
father, and need a trusty courier."

" Your highness need give yourself no further
trouble. I will find the man you require. In an
hour he shall be ready to start."

" I have yet another favour to ask of you, M.
le Due," said Charles.

" It is granted before asked, prince," replied
D'Epernon.

"You may repent your rashness," rejoined
Charles, smiling. " However, not to keep you in
suspense, I will pray you, if you have no better
engagement, to give me your company during the
remainder of the day. On some future occasion I
shall hope to be your guest."

238 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" I would forego any other engagement to accept
the invitation, prince/' replied D'Epernon, de-
lighted. "I will but seek out the courier, and
then place myself at your highness's disposal during
the rest of the day."

^' We must talk to you, M. le Due, of your peer-
less queen, Anne of Austria, and the lovely prin-
cess, Henriette Marie," said Buckingham.

"Have you seen them?" asked D'Epernon,
quickly.

"Ay, and danced with them at the Louvre —
and without his majesty's knowledge or permis-
sion," rejoined Buckingham.

" You surprise me," exclaimed D'Epernon. " I
should not have conceived such an adventure pos-
sible. But you must regale me with the particulars
anon. As I told you, I am a banished man, and
know little about the court. But I pity the queen
from my heart."

" So do I," sighed Buckingham.

" What think you, prince, of the daughter of

\

THE SPANISH MATCH. 239

my old master, Henri Quatre?" remarked D'Eper-
non to Charles. " I have not seen her of late, but
she promised to be beautiful, and I hear she is
so.

" She is charming," replied Charles, empha-
tically.

" So charming, that our journey to Madrid had
well-nigh come to an end, M. le Due," observed
Buckingham, laughing.

" On her account I would it had," rejoined
D'Epernon, smiling. " But I fly to execute your
highness's order."

And, with a profound reverence, he quitted the
room.

Charles and Buckingham then sat down to pre-
pare their despatches, and gave their "dear dad
and gossip" an account of their journey from Paris
to Bordeaux, omitting, however, all mention of
their adventure in the Forest of Orleans, thinking,
with reason, that it might cause his majesty alarm.
By the time they had finished, D'Epernon returned,

240 THE SPANISH MATCH.

telling them the courier was ready to start, and
the despatches were forthwith committed to him.

This done, D'Epernon prayed the prince and his
attendants to ride with him to view his chateau,
stating that he had horses at their service, and the
proposition being readily agreed to, the party went
forth with the duke, and were not a little sur-
prised to find a company of thirty gentlemen attired
in the duke's splendid livery, and all well mounted,
drawn up before the hotel.

" Are you generally attended by so large an
escort as this, M. le Due?" inquired Charles,
smiling.

" Ma foi ! prince, this is a very sorry attendance,"
replied the duke. " During the regency of the
queen-mother, I used to go daily to the Louvre
with an escort of eight hundred gentlemen."

^^ So I have heard, M. le Due," observed Buck-
ingham. " On my return, I will take as large an
escort to Whitehall," he thought.

At a sign from D'Epernon, several of his retinue

THE SPANISH MATCH. 241

immediately dismounted, and Charles and his com-
panions being thus provided with horses, the party
rode to the duke's chateau, a vast feudal-looking
edifice, situated on an eminence on the left bank
of the Garonne, about a couple of leagues from
Bordeaux. The terrace commanded a superb view
of the noble river that swept past it, as well as of
the picturesque city in the distance. The finest
wine in the district was grown on the duke's estate,
and his guests having tasted it and greatly admired
it, D'Epernon insisted upon sending a supply for
their consumption at the hotel.

After an hour spent in inspecting the chateau and
its beautiful gardens, the party returned to Bor-
deaux. An excellent dinner was then served, com-
prehending most of the delicacies for which Bor-
deaux is renowned, but its chief merit was the in-
comparable wine furnished by D'Epernon. More
than a dozen flasks were crushed. D'Epernon
proved a very agreeable companion, and with par-

VOL. I. R

24:2 THE SPANISH MATCH.

donable egotism recounted many of the incidents of
Lis eventful life.

^^It has been my fate," he said, "to witness the
assassination of my two royal masters. I was near
Henri Trois when the accursed Dominican, Jacques
Clement, plunged a knife into his breast, and I was
in the carriage with Henri le Grand when that
good king was stabbed by the monster Ravaillac,
No monarch was ever more beloved than Henri
Quatre, and yet he perished thus. I counsel your
highness to be ever on your guard. And you, too,
my lord of Buckingham, I would have you take
heed. If I am not misinformed, you have bitter
enemies amongst the Puritans. Some of those
frenzied zealots would deem it a pious act to take
your life."

"I have no fear of them," replied Buckingham,
with a laugh. " But why do you gaze so hard at
me, M. le Due? Do you read aught in my coun-
tenance?"

" You will attain the highest point of your am-
bition, my lord, but " And he hesitated.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 243

"Fear not to tell me what you think/' said
Buckingham.

" You have the same look as my two royal
masters," replied D'Epernon. "Be ever on your
guard."

This remark produced an impression on Charles,
but did not in the slightest degree disturb Buck-
ingham's gaiety. Presently the discourse turned to
other topics, and nothing more was thought of the
warning.

D'Epernon departed early, and, on taking leave,
expressed a hope that he should soon hear of the
prince's safe arrival at Madrid, and that all pro-
ceeded according to his highness's desire. Accom-
panied by his escort, the duke then returned to
his chateau.

"Those are two noble-looking personages, and
seem to have a great career before them," he
thought, as he rode along ; " but both will be cut
off early "

r2

244 THE SPANISH MATCH.

XVI.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TRAVELLERS, AND WHAT THEY
BEHELD, AS THEY CROSSED THE GREAT LANDES.

As usual, our travellers started at an early
hour in the morning, attended as before by a
couple of postilions.

Shortly after quitting the beautiful neighbour-
hood of Bordeaux, where the plains teemed with
plenty, and the heights were covered with vines?
they came upon those vast sandy plateaux known
as the Great Landes.

No heath they had ever traversed in England
appeared so wild and desolate as the apparently

THE SPANISH MATCH. 245

interminable waste on which they had now entered.
Far as the eye could stretch spread out a vast mono-
tonous plain, flat as the ocean when its waves are
still, composed of ash-coloured sand, occasionally
rising into little hillocks, covered with heath,
stunted broom, and gorse, but without any other
slo^n of veo^etation, save that in the extreme distance
there were dark lines indicating pine forests. The
only discernible road over this dreary waste was the
causeway, which the cavalcade was now tracking;
and even this was at intervals obHterated by the
drifting sand, and could only be recovered by an
experienced eye.

The most singular feature of the scene, and that
which especially interested our travellers, was the
fantastic appearance of the shepherds of the Landes,
who looked like inhabitants of some other planet.
Before the party had advanced far they noticed a
sort of cabin, desif]:nated in the lanojuaf]re of the
country a pare, and looking like an enormous
mushroom, supported in the centre by the trunk

246 THE SPANISH MATCH.

of a tree. Sucli as it was, this cabin, open to all
the winds of heaven, afforded sufficient shelter to
the shepherds of the Landes, who lead a nomad
life. Near it were three or four herdsmen tending a
flock of lean sheep, and a few equally lean cattle,
though it was a marvel as to how the animals
could obtain sufficient subsistence in that wilder-
ness. The peasants were mounted on stilts, called
in their patois clianques, which raised them a
couple of yards from the ground. Over their
shoulders they wore sheepskin cloaks, and berets
on their heads, and each was provided with a long-
pole.

On seeing the travellers, the herdsmen started
towards them, moving with gigantic strides, and
were soon by the side of the troop. They easily
kept up with the horses, even though the latter
were going at full speed. After accompanying the
cavalcade for half a league, the peasants dropped
off, and returned to their flocks.

As our travellers proceeded, and approached the

THE SPANISH jMATCH. 247

tracts covered Tvitli pines, wliicli flourish vigorously
in this sandy soil, and yield a plentiful supply of
resin, they found that whatever else the inhos-
pitable region might want, it was by no means
destitute of game. Kabbits and hares abounded, a
roebuck was now and then descried, and the tra-
vellers, catchins: sifi-ht of a wild sow and her mar-

7 CO

cassins, were half tempted to pursue them. On
the plains they saw bustards, in the lakes wild
geese, and cranes amid the shallow pools. The
marshes were frequented by bitterns, curlews, wild
ducks, and coots, and from the pine forests arose
clouds of wood-pigeons.

That there were also formidable animals to be
encountered, was proved as the party went on.
They had just passed a pine forest, and crossed a
rude bridge thrown across a stream, the waters of
which were black as ink, when they heard loud
outcries, and, looking in the direction whence the
shouts proceeded, perceived that a flock of sheep
had been attacked by a pack of wolves. Three

248 THE SPANISH MATCH.

or four shepherds, aided by powerful dogs, were
engaged in an unequal conflict with their fierce
aggressors; but the wolves were too numerous for
thenij and had already caused great havoc among
the flock. Fortunately, the shepherds were kept
by their stilts out of reach of the savage beasts.

Without a moment's hesitation the travellers
dashed to the assistance of the shepherds, and, as
soon as they were within pistol-shot, fired at the
wolves, kilHng a couple of them, and wounding
others. The rest of the pack, displaying their
blood-stained fangs, turned fiercely on their as-
sailants, but, ere they could come up, three more
dropped by another discharge. Though their
numbers were thus thinned, two of the largest and
fiercest of the troop attacked Buckingham. From
one of these he liberated himself with a stroke of
his poniard, and the other was shot by Graham.
Another was killed by Charles, and the rest took
to flight, pursued by the shepherds and their
hounds. This rout being accomplished in a very

THE SPANISH MATCH. 249

short space of time, our travellers turned to rejoin
the postilions, who prudently awaited their return
on the causeway.

Graham, however, had singled out a large wolf,
and after a hot pursuit of some two or three hun-
dred yards, succeeded in shooting the ferocious
beast. This feat achieved, he dashed across the
plain to join the others, who had already regained
the causeway. Perceiving the course he was
taking, the postilions called out to him, but not
understanding the meaning of their cries, and pur-
suing his career, he was suddenly engulphed in one
of those treacherous sand-pits peculiar to the Landes,
called in that region mouvants. These dangerous
quagmires, concealed by a covering of sand sup-
ported by aquatic plants and dried on the surface,
form traps from which escape is always difficult, and
sometimes impossible.

On touching the sandy crust by which the pool
was hidden, Graham's horse immediately sank
above the shoulder. Luckily the postilions per-

250 THE SPANISH MATCH.

ceived what had occurred, and shouting to him to
keep still, hurried to the scene of the disaster, and
as soon as they came up, they directed him to
dismount cautiously, and then to remain motion-
less for a few minutes, to allow the sand to settle.
This he did; but he had scarcely complied with
the injunction when the shepherds came to his
assistance, and wading into the pool with their
stilts, quickly extricated him from his perilous posi-
tion. The horse was also dragged out of the quag-
mire by the exertions of the shepherds, and the
travellers were enabled to proceed on their way.

For upwards of four hours they continued their
journey through tlie Landes, changing horses at
post-houses, which in several instances were only
solitary inns, with large stables attached to them.
Everywhere the aspect was the same; vast sandy
plains, relieved only by black pine forests, marshes,
swamps, pools, and lakes, all of which abounded, as
we have mentioned, with wild-fowl of every de-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 251

scriptlon. Cabins such as we have already de-
scribed were frequently to be seen, but the hamlets
and villages were composed of miserable habita-
tions. Long before this the travellers had dis-
cerned the jagged and snowy peaks of the Pyre-
nees, and the horizon was now bounded by the
long chain of these magnificent mountains.

As the travellers approached a village, which
was somewhat larger and better built than any
they had as yet beheld in the Landes, they heard
the sound of bagpipes, and presently afterwards
perceived a band of youths and maidens in holiday
attire, decorated with ribands, and carrying bou-
quets in their hands. While moving along the
troop executed a dance to the music of the pipes.
Behind them came a large charette, drawn by oxen
covered with white housings, and having their
horns tied with ribands. In the charette was a
pyramid formed of pieces of household furniture,
on the top of which sat a middle-aged woman

252 THE SPANISH MATCH.

holding a distaff, while round the pile, and stand-
ing on the ledges of the cart, were grouped a
number of comely damsels.

On inquiry, the travellers learnt that a marriage
was about to take place on the following day, and
that the bride's furniture was being conveyed in
this manner to her future dwelling. The old
woman with the distaff was the bride's mother.

In the rear of the charette marched a little pro-
cession, headed by the cure of the village and the
young couple whom he was so soon about to Hnk
together. A large concourse of villagers of both
sexes, including many old people and children,
made up the procession. All were dressed in their
best, and decorated with ribands.

As the travellers moved out of the way to let
the jocund train pass by, they were greeted with
merry shouts and laughter from the youths and
maidens.

No other incident worthy of note happened to
the prince and his companions during their ride

THE SPANISH MATCH. 253

across the Landes. At Saint Vincent they left the
sandy wastes behind them, and entered upon a fer-
tile country.

It was growing dusk as they gained the heights
overlooking Bayonne, but sufficient hght was left
to enable them to discern that strongly fortified
town, situated near the junction of the Adour and
the Nive.

Descending the hill, they quitted their horses at
the faubourg Saint Esprit, and were ferried across
both rivers, but were detained at the gates of the
town for some time. At last, however, they were
permitted to enter, and at once proceeded to an
hotellerie.

254 THE SPANISH MATCH.

XVII.

HOW THE TEAVELLEES WEEE EEOUGHT BEFOEE THE
GOVEENOE OF BAYONNE.

The party had just supped, and, wearied with
their long day's journey, were about to retire to
rest, when an officer, attended by half a dozen
arquebusiers, was shown into their presence, and
informed them that he was sent by M. le Comte de
Grammont, the governor of Bayonne, to bring
them immediately before him.

It being impossible to refuse compliance with

THE SP.VXISH MATCH. 255

the order, the whole party accompanied the officer,
and were taken to the castle, which was situ-
ated in the upper part of the town, at no great
distance from the hotel. After a brief detention in
the guard-chamber, they were led across the inner
court to the governor's apartments.

The Comte de Grammont was a haughty-
looking personage, of middle age, and he glanced
sternly at the travellers as they entered.

"You are Englishmen, messieurs," he said, "on
your way to Spain. Is it not so?"

Charles replied in the affirmative, adding, "As
we are pressed for time, monseigneur, we desire,
with your permission, to start at an early hour to-
morrow morning."

" I cannot allow you to do so," replied Gram-
mont, coldly.

" You will perhaps condescend to inform us why
we are detained, M. le Comte?" observed Buck-
ingham, haughtily.

256 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" As governor of this city, I have no explana-
tion to render, monsieur," said Grammont. "I
shall detain you till I am satisfied on certain
points."

" Perhaps we may be able to satisfy you on those
points now, monseigneur," remarked Cottington.
" We are ready to answer any questions you may
please to put to us."

" What is the object of your journey to Spain?"
demanded Grammont.

" It cannot be publicly declared, and is not of a
nature to interest you, monseigneur," replied
Charles.

" Pardieu ! I know not that," cried Grammont.
"You may be engaged on a secret mission to
Spain. You arrive here late in the evening, and
propose to start at break of day. I suspect you,
messieurs, and shall place you under arrest, and
cause your luggage to be searched."

" I protest against such treatment, monseigneur,'*
said Charles, " and I am of opinion that you will

THE SPANISH MATCH. 257

exceed your authority if you adopt any such harsh
proceeding."

There was something in Charles's look and
manner that made the governor hesitate in issuing
the order.

" I do not desire to deal harshly with you," he
said, " but I must be satisfied. Have you no cre-
dentials to exhibit?"

"Only this letter, M. le Comte, from the Due
d*Epernon/' replied Charles, producing it.

" A letter from D'Epernon ! " exclaimed Gram-
mont.

A marked change came over his countenance as
he glanced at it, and respect amounting to deference
took the place of his previous haughty manner.
He immediately arose, and said :

" I am sorry this letter was not shown me before.
All further inquiries are needless, and I have to
express my profound regret that you should have
been put to so much inconvenience."

" The inconvenience is nothing," returned
VOL. I. S

258 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Charles. " We are free, I presume, to start on our
journey to-morrow morning?"

" At any liour you please," said Grammont.
"But it would charm me," he added, "if you
could be induced to rest a day at Bayonne. There
is much in the town that merits inspection. How-
ever, I will not press you further. Reconduct these
gentlemen to their hotel," he added to the officer,
"and give orders to the guard at the Porte d'Es-
pagne that the whole party be allowed to pass forth
when they please to-morrow morning."

" It shall be done, monseigneur," replied the
officer, respectfully.

The Comte de Grammont would fain have ac-
companied the party to the castle gate, but this
Charles would not permit.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 259

XVIII.

JACK AND TOil CROSS THE EIDASSOA AND ENIEE SPAIN,

Bright and beautiful was the morning, and the
sky deep and cloudless, as Charles and his com-
panions quitted Bayonne by the Porte d'Espagne,
and passed through the strong fortifications on that
side of the town. After riding about a league, the
travellers gained a height which commanded a
glorious view. On the left was a portion of the
vast chain of the Pyrenees, their snowy peaks glit-
tering in the early sunbeams. On the right lay
the Bay of Biscay, with its picturesque headlands
and bays stretching out as far as Fontarabia. Be-
s2

260 THE SPANISH MATCH.

hind lay Bayonne, and, seen from this point, the
city, with its two fine rivers, its ramparts, forts,
castle, and churches, presented a very picturesque
appearance.

Spain being now in view, Charles's impatience
would brook no delay, and, though he could have
spent hours in the contemplation of the splendid
prospect before him, he quickly gave the word to
proceed, and the whole cavalcade was soon moving
on at a rapid pace.

Ere long they approached the shores of the sea,
and at Bidart, with its charming little bay, entered
the Basque country. They next mounted to Gue-
tary, then descending again, kept close to the coast,
charmed with the views it afforded, till they reached
Saint Jean de Luz. Halting merely for a relay of
horses at this place, they pursued their course to
Urrugne.

On ascending a hill which formed a spur of the
"slower range of the Pyrenees, they beheld the
Bidassoa, the stream dividing France and Spain.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 2G1

The sight of this river again roused Charles's
impatience, and he dashed down the hill to Beho-
bie, a small town on the right bank of the Bi-
dassoa, and the last in France.

Here they were ferried across the river, which
at this point boasts two little islands, on one of
which the crafty Louis XI. held a conference with
Henrique IV. of Castile, and on the other, only
eight years prior to the date of our history, the
ambassadors of France and Spain met to affiance
Philip IV. of Spain to Isabella of France, and
Louis XIII. to Anne of Austria. The latter isle,
it is needless to say, had a special interest to Charles
and Buckingham.

" Heaven be praised, I am at last in Spain ! "
exclaimed the prince, as he leaped ashore from the
boat. " Though I am still far from the Infanta, I
am in her own land, and amidst her own people^
and the space between us shall speedily be cleared."

The horses and postilions were brought across in
another ferry-boat, and as soon as they were landed,

262 THE SPANISH MATCH.

the whole party mounted, and galloped off on the
left bank of the Bidassoa for Irun, which rose
before them on a hill about half a league off. This
distance was soon traversed, and Charles and Buck-
ingham, for the first time, entered a Spanish
town.

Here all seemed changed, and it was manifest,
from the costume and aspect of the inhabitants,
and from the appearance of the habitations, with
their large balconies and awnings, that the tra-
vellers were in a very different country from that
which they had left on the other side of the Bi-
dassoa.

The party rode up at once to a posada, and
here they were obliged to change the horses the}'-
had brought from Urrugne for a relay of mules.
The postilions by whom they were attended were
much more gaily attired than those of France, and,
though small of stature, seemed full of life and
activity. Before starting, excellent chocolate was
served them by a dark-eyed doncella, whose jetty

THE SPANISH INLiTCH. 263

locks were gathered in a single thick tress behind
her back.

Once more they were on their way, and pro-
ceeding at a good steady pace, for though the
mules resolutely refused to gallop, they trotted
faster than the horses. The travellers were now
in a picturesque country. Before them, at the
extremity of a vast alluvial plain, stood Fontarabia,
cresting an eminence overlooking a bay, while in-
land, on the mountain sides, were groves of mingled
oak, chesnut, and walnut.

The cavalcade had passed through Renteria, and
were approaching Passage, with its large dock,
when they beheld a horseman, whom they took
to be a courier, accompanied by a postilion, gal-
loping towards them.

As the person came nearer, however, they per-
ceived that it was young Walsingham Griesley,
secretary to the Earl of Bristol, charged, no doubt,
with despatches from his master to the King of
England.

264 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Griesley could scarcely believe his eyes when he
beheld the prince and Buckingham, and they both
laughed heartily at the astonishment depicted on
his countenance.

"You did not expect to meet us on the way
to Madrid, Griesley," cried Charles.

" In truth I did not, your highness," replied the
secretary. "I am utterly astounded. But I can
guess why you are going thither, and I heartily
wish you success. Your highness, however, will
find that matters are not so far advanced in regard
to the match as you may have been led to expect.
1 know the purport of the despatches I am con-
veying to his majesty from my lord of Bristol, and
they speak of fresh difficulties which have been
thrown in the way by the Conde Olivarez."

*^ Those difficulties will be easily overcome,"
cried Buckingham. " Your master allows himself
to be duped, Griesley. Things will change when
we appear at Madrid."

" I trust they may, my lord," replied the secre-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 265

tary, in a tone that showed he did not anticipate
any such result.

"You must ride back with us to Saint Sebas-
tian, Griesley," said Charles. " My lord of Buck-
ingham and myself will add to your despatches to
the king. I will also charge you with some mes-
sages to his majesty, which can be more easily con-
veyed by word of mouth than by letter."

"I shall be proud to convey them, my gracious
lord," replied Griesley. "I esteem myself singu-
larly fortunate in meeting your highness and my
lord marquis, as his majesty cannot fail to be
pleased with the good tidings I shall be able to give
him of you."

During the ride to Saint Sebastian, Charles and
Buckingham had a long conversation with the
secretary, and ascertained from him the nature of
the difficulties that had arisen ; but these they were
both disposed to treat very lightly.

On arriving at Saint Sebastian, they put up at
the Parador de Postas, and the despatches being

2QQ THE SPANISH MATCH.

prepared, Griesley started once more on his jour-
ney.

After an hour's rest, our travellers pursued their
way through a beautiful and romantic country to
Tolosa, where they passed the night.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 267

XIX.

THE . GORGE OF PAXCORBO.

Next morning the unwearied party started
again. Several days of hard travel were still be-
fore them ere they could reach their destination,
and their powers of endurance were likely to be
tested to the utmost by rough roads and obsti-
nate mules that threatened to dislocate their joints.
However, they held on gallantly and unflinchingly.
Through long valleys — by the side of rushing
streams — up precipitous mountains — down steep
and dangerous descents — across wide, dreary plains
they went, frequently encountering bands of mule-

268 THE SPANISH MATCH.

teers armed with trabucos, and conducting strings
of gaily-caparisoned mules laden with heavy pack-
saddles, but though hearing much of robbers, and
occasionally meeting suspicious-looking personages
in the mountain passes, they had hitherto escaped
attack.

On the evening of the third day after quitting
Bayonne they reached Miranda de Ebro, where
they rested for the night, and proceeding next
morning through the valley of the Oroncillo, they
entered the Gorge of Pancorbo, a gloomy ravine
hemmed in on either side by mountains, and en-
closed by rugged rocks, between which rushes the
Oroncillo.

"While the travellers were threading this savage
pass, and gazing at the tremendous precipices that
threatened to topple on their heads, they were
startled by the report of fire-arms, evidently pro-
ceeding from the lower part of the gorge, which
was concealed from view by a huge projecting
rock.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 269

"What mean those shots?" cried Graham, who
was somewhat ahead of the party.

" Ladrones, senor caballero ! " returned one of
the postilions, crossing himself. " Saints preserve
us, they are plundering some travellers, perhaps
murdering them ! "

Without a word more, Graham applied spurs to
his mule, and rode on as fast as he could.

On passing the roclc, which screened the lower
part of the ravine from view, he beheld a spectacle
that roused him to still greater exertion. About
two hundred yards lower down, where the gorge
was somewhat wider, though the rocks were still
precipitous, the torrent was crossed by a picturesque
wooden bridge, close beside which, on the opposite
side of the stream, was a large traveUing-carriage,
surrounded by banditti, who were now actively
engaged in rifling it of its contents.

The postilion and an old attendant had been
shot, probably at the time when the report of fire-
arras reached the ears of our travellers, and their

270 THE SPANISH MATCH.

bodies -were lying on the ground near the carriage.
The traces had been cut, and the mules removed
to a little distance from the vehicle.

On the other side of the carriage, guarded by
a couple of brigands, stood an old hidalgo, for such
liis appearance and attire proclaimed him. He had
been wounded in the attack, and was binding a
handkerchief round his arm. Graham's attention,
however, was diverted from the hidalgo by loud
shrieks from the bridge. Two ladies, v/ho it ap-
peared had escaped from the clutches of the bri-
gands, and were flying across the bridge, had just
been recaptured, and now made the rocks ring
with their screams. One of them, who struggled
violently with her captor, was young, beautiful, and
richly dressed, and was, no doubt, the hidalgo's
daughter. The other, who was much older, might
be her duena. As Graham hurried on to the rescue
of the affrighted ladies, both bandits discharged
their pistols at him, but they were too much em-
barrassed by their captives to take good aim. Gra-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 271

ham replied with better effect. Both robbers were
hit by his shots. One of them rolled into the
torrent, and the other released his prey and fled.
Thus liberated, the ladies flew towards their pre-
server, and met him just as he reached the foot
of the bridge. The younger of the two, who was
half wild with terror, with her dishevelled locks
hanging about her shoulders, called out piteously,

"My father! .my dear father! save him, seuor!
It is the Conde de Saldana."

" Your father shall soon be set free, seuorita.
My friends are at hand," said Graham, pointing to
the advancing troop.

" Calm yourself. Dona Casilda," cried the dueua;
"calm yourself, my child. The saints on whom
we called for aid have brought this noble caballero
to deliver us from a fate worse than death."

"Do not stay here, senorita," cried Graham.
"You are exposed to danger. Take shelter be-
hind yon rock. I will soon bring your father to
you."

272 THE SPANISH MATCH.

" Thanks ! oh thanks, senor," exclaimed Dona
Casilda, with a grateful glance at her preserver.
And, accompanied by the duena, she flew to the
place of refuge which had been pointed out to
her.

At the same moment the cavalcade came up.

Meantime, the brigands, alarmed by the appear-
ance of such a force as the travellers presented,
had seized their firelocks, and, rushing towards the
bridge, seemed determined to prevent the cavalcade
from crossing it. Fearing that mischief might
occur to the prince, Graham besought him to hold
back, but Charles would not be stayed, and calling
to the others to follow him, prepared at all hazards
to drive the robbers from the bridge.

Fortunately at this moment shouts were heard
farther down in the gorge, and a small detachment
of musketeers was seen hurrying to the scene of
action. At this sight, finding they would soon be
outnumbered, and would also be attacked in rear
and front, the brigands turned and fled, quickly

THE SPANISH MATCH. 273

disappearing among the rocks. So precipitate was
their flight, that they were unable to take any of
the booty with them.

Two of the band, however, aided by a black-
visaged ruffian, who appeared from his air of com-
mand to be the captain, endeavoured to carry off
the Conde de Saldana, probably hoping to obtain
a large sum for his ransom. Seizing the old hi-
dalgo by the arms, they tried to drag him off, while
the captain, holding a poniard to his breast, threa-
tened, witli terrible oaths, to stab him to the heart
if he resisted.

In this manner they succeeded in dragging him
among the rocks, and might have got clear off
with their prey, if Graham had not come to his
assistance. Firing at the robber chief, and wound-
ing the villain, Graham sprang from his mule and
bounded up the rocks. The robbers did not await
his approach, but, releasing the Conde de Saldana,
made good their retreat. Graham did not at-
tempt to pursue them, neither did he bestow any

YOL. I. T

274 THE SPANISH MATCH.

thought on their leader, who was lying on a shelf
of rock, but assisted the old hidalgo to descend.

By this time Charles and his companions had
come up, and a few moments later the musketeers
arrived on the spot, and after securing the wounded
captain, and binding him hand and foot, they
scrambled up the rocks in search of the rest of the
band.

It appeared that these musketeers had just arrived
at the village of Pancorbo, w^iich lay at the end of
the gorge, about a quarter of a- league off, when the
sound of fire-arms had brought them to the scene
of attack.

As may well be supposed, the old hidalgo's first
inquiries were for his daughter, and he was not
kept long in suspense in regard to her safety. Im-
pelled by curiosity, which was stronger than their
fears, Doiia Casilda and her dueiia ventured from
their place of refuge, and finding that the robbers
had been driven off, they hurried across the bridge,
and arrived at the spot where the carriage was left

THE SPAXISH IMATCH. . 275

at the precise moment that the Conde de Saldana
was brought there by Graham.

Uttering a cry of delight, Dona Casilda threw
herself upon her father's neck, while the old hi-
dalfi^o, in his delis^ht at beholdino^ her, foro^ot his
wound and all that had befallen him. Not to
interrupt their meeting, Charles and his attendants
moved away to a short distance.

" How have you been preserved, my child ? "
cried the old hidalgo, as he recovered from his
emotion.

" Senora Engracia and myself were rescued by
this gentleman," replied Dona Casilda, pointing to
Graham.

" He also was my deliverer," said the Conde
de Saldana. " Senor," he added to Graham, " may
I ask to whom we are thus greatly indebted."

"I am Sir Richard Graham, an Enghsh gen-
tleman, Senor Conde, and am on my way to Ma-
drid," replied the young man.

" You have done me an incalculable service. Sir
t2

276 THE SPANISH MATCH.

Ricliard," said tlie old hidalgo. "I rejoice to learn
tliat you are travelling to Madrid. You will find
a home, if you please, at the Casa Saldana. I
will also introduce you to the court of our young
king, Felipe IV. My daughter and myself are on
our way to Madrid, and were posting from Mi-
randa to Burgos when this attack occurred. Hea-
ven be praised it is no worse ! "

" But you are wounded, father ! " cried Dona
Casilda.

" It is but a trifling hurt," replied the hidalgo.
" I will get it dressed by the barber-chirurgeon at
Pancorbo. These are your friends. Sir Richard ? "
he added, as Charles and Buckingham approached.

"Friends and compatriots," replied Graham.

The old hidalgo courteously saluted them, and
thanked them warmly for the assistance they had
rendered him. Though evidently much struck by
the distinguished appearance of the prince and
Buckingham, he forbore to inquire their names.
He afterwards, however, told his daughter that he

THE SPANISH MATCH. 277

was confident they were persons of the highest
rank.

The exertions of the whole party were now
directed towards enablincr the Conde de Saldana

o

and his daughter to proceed on their journey.
Luckily, the mules were uninjured, and they were
speedily harnessed to the carriage by ropes. All
the articles scattered about by the brigands were
quickly collected together and replaced in the
coffers, and everything being rearranged as well
as circumstances permitted, the old hidalgo, with
his daughter and the duena, once more took their
seats in the carriage. Tlie place of the unlucky
driver who had been shot by the brigands was
supplied by one of the postilions in attendance
upon our travellers, and all being settled at last,
the whole party proceeded to Pancorbo — Charles
and his companions forming an escort to the car-
riage.

At Pancorbo, the Conde de Saldana alighted to
have his wound dressed, and here our travellers

278 THE SPANISH MATCH.

took leave of him and his daughter, and pursued
their journey to Burgos.

^^ We shall hope to see you on our arrival at
Madrid, Don Ricardo," said Dona Casilda, as she
bade adieu to Graham.

" I shall not fail to present myself, senorita," he
replied. " But perhaps you may have forgotten
me by that time."

*^I am not so ungrateful," she said, fixing her
magnificent black eyes somewhat reproachfully
upon him. " Hasta la vista, senor ! "

" Adios, senorita ! "

THE SPANISH MATCH. 279

XX.

HOW SIR rJCKUlD GEAHAit MET WITH AN ADVENTURE IN
THE CATHEDKAL OF BTJEGOS.

Just at sunset tlie travellers approached Burgos.
On quitting Pancorbo tliey had made the best of
their way across broad plains, over steep and barren
raountainSj and through narrow valleys, obtaining
fresh relays of mules at Brlviesca, Rodilla, and
Quintanapalla. At eventide, as we have said,
they drew near the old capital of Old Castile.

From its associations with the renowned Cid
Campeador, Burgos possessed strong interest for
our romantic and chivalrous prince, and it was not

280 THE SPANISH MATCH.

without emotion that he first caught sight of the
twin spires of its incomparable cathedral.

Ere longj as he gained an eminence, the whole
of the ancient and picturesque city rose before him
— its old walls, its gates, its proud castle, its count-
less towers and steeples brought out in black relief
against the glowing sky.

Above all these structures, like a giant amid a
host of pigmies, domineered the gigantic cathedral.
All the upper part of the fabric — the mighty roof,
the noble central tower with its pinnacles, and the
two exquisitely crocketed spires, of which we have
just spoken, each springing to a height of three
hundred feet — could now be clearly discerned.

Between the travellers and Burgos lay the Vega,
a fair and fertile plain, richly wooded in the part
adjacent to the city, and watered by the river
Arlanzon, now crimsoned by the setting sun.
Crowning a hill about half a league from the emi-
nence on which the prince had halted to survey
the scene, stood the Cartuja de Miraflores, a mag-

THE SPANISH ilATCH. 281

nificent convent, built in the fifteenth century, in
the purest Gothic style, and which had served as
a mausoleum for the old monarchs of Castile.

Charles remained rapt in contemplation of this
beautiful prospect, until the shades of night, which
came on too quickly, shrouded it from his view.
Even in the gloom he could distinguish the giant
mass of the cathedral, and the still shining Arlanzon
flowinor throuojh the wooded Veoja.

After traversing a bridge across the river, and
passing through a lofty gateway, the cavalcade
entered the city, and proceeded along several streets,
the houses of which seemed of great antiquity,
many of them being decorated with stone es-
cutcheons, and curiously painted.

These streets were only lighted by lanterns hung
in front of the shops, or by candles burning before
some holy image. But there were plenty of people
abroad — dames and damsels draped in mantillas,
caballeros muffled in black cloaks, monks, priests,
alguacils, officers of the Inquisition, barbers, sol-

282 THE SPANISH MATCH.

diers, vagabond boys^ and beggars without number.
In tlie aspect and deportment of these people —
beggars and boys included — the proud Castilian
character was displayed. All had a grave, haughty
air, and marched like hidalgos. Pride and poverty
went hand in hand. A ragged cloak seemed to be
accounted no disgrace to its wearer — at least, he
did not appear ashamed of it. In the balconies of
many of the houses parties of young persons were
assembled, and the tinkling of guitars was fre-
quently heard.

The streets being narrow, and, moreover, en-
cumbered by vehicles of various kinds and strings
of mules, the progress of the cavalcade was neces-
sarily slow. At last they issued into a large plaza,
on one side of which, hemmed in by inferior build-
ings, stood the cathedral, and thither, as soon as
they had secured rooms at the parador, where they
alighted, Charles and Buckingham immediately
repaired, fortunately arriving in time to witness
the solemnisation of evening mass.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 283

Prepared as they were for a wondrous spectacle,
the grand coup d'oeil oJBfered by the interior of the
cathedral far surpassed any expectations they had
formed of it, and struck them with reverential
awe. Emerging from one of the aisles into the
mighty nave, they stood still for a short time to
contemplate the sublime picture. A large portion
of the fane was plunged in gloom, but this ob-
scurity added to the effect of such parts as could
be distinguished. The twinkling tapers attached
to the long line of pillars on either side, though
only serving to make darkness visible in the aisles,
cast sufficient light on the nave to disclose the
numerous figures kneeling on the pavement. These
devotees were for the most part women, who, even
while reciting their prayers, never ceased to agitate
their fans. All, without exception, wore mantillas,
and were attired in black. Scattered amongst them
were a few men in varied and picturesque cos-
tumes.

The grand altar at which the priests were offi-

284 THE SPANISH MATCH.

dating was a blaze of light, and the splendour of
this part of the scene was heightened by the sur-
rounding gloom. The prince and Buckingham
might have regretted that so many architectural
beauties — so many exquisite sculptures and paint-
ings— were hidden from their view ; that the glories
of the gorgeous painted windows were not called
forth by external light, and the charming perspec-
tives formed by the triple rows of pillars in the
aisles were only imperfectly revealed ; but, such as
it was, the picture was perfect of its kind, and de-
lighted them as much as if every detail had been
fully revealed.

Moving slowly down the nave, ever and anon
glancing between the pillars of the aisles at some
lovely but dimly-seen chapel, or pausing to gaze at
a painting or statue that attracted their attention,
the prince and his companion approached the
choir, where the light afforded by the great altar-
candles was sufficiently strong to enable them to
discern the marvellous workmanship of the stalls,

THE SPANISH MATCH. 285

the superb retablo, with its spiral pillars and con-
summately beautiful statues, and overhead the glo-
rious dome, storied with the arms of kings and
archbishops — a dome which Philip 11. pronounced
to be so beautiful, "that it seemed the work of
angels rather than the production of men."

Having examined all these marvels, so far as was
practicable under the circumstances — the sacred
rites were then being performed at the high altar
— the prince and Buckingham glided noiselessly
away, and proceeded to the grand Gothic chapel,
called the Capilla del Condestable — in itself a
church — where they beheld a marvellous altar-
screen and several tombs of extraordinary beauty
— chief among the latter being the tomb of Don
Pedro Hernandez de Velasco, constable of Castile,
and founder of the chapel. They were next taken
by a sacristan, who, seeing they were strangers,
volunteered to act as their cicerone, to the chapter-
house, where they saw, fastened against the wall,
an old wooden coflfer of great size, and strengthened

286 THE SPANISH MATCH.

by bands of iron, described by their conductor as
"the Chest of the Cid."

The legend connected with this singular coffer
was recounted to them by the sacristan, and was to
the effect that the Cid, being in want of money,
filled the chest with old armour, and then taking it
to a wealthy Hebrew, represented to him that
its contents were vessels of silver and gold, and
demanded six hundred marks on the deposit, stipu-
lating at the same time that the chest should not
be opened till the loan was repaid. The Jew, who
was either more credulous and confiding than the
generality of his tribe, or had a profound respect
for the Cid, accepted the conditions, and counted
out the money. Whether the Cid performed his
part of the engagement the sacristan could not tell,
but he held the stratagem not only to be perfectly
justifiable, but praiseworthy. He would have told
them other stories of the renowned Gothic warrior,
whose name is the boast of Burgos, but they had

THE SPANISH MATCH. 287

heard enough, and returned to the body of the
cathedral.

Vespers were just over, the great altar-candles
were already extinguished, and the chanters and
sub-chanters were closinof the maornificent orilt iron

o o o

gates of the choir. Still some light was afforded
by the tapers, which were left burning before the
shrines and as^ainst the ranches of columns on either
side of the nave. A few devotees still lingered, as
if resolved to remain to the latest moment.

Reluctant to quit the sacred fabric, with the
wondrous beauty of which they were quite smitten,
Charles and Buckino^ham were standincj near the
centre of the nave, gazing around, when they were
joined by Graham.

"You are late, Dick," said Buckingham, in a
low tone to him. '' Mass is over."

"' I know it. I have been here for some time —
quite long enough to meet with an adventure," re-
plied the other.

2SS THE SPANISH MATCH.

"An amorous adventure, of course," remarked
Buckingham.

" Your lordship shall hear. I was standing near
the last pillar of yonder aisle, when a lady, while
passing hastily by me, slipped a billet into my
hands."

" Bah ! she mistook you for her lover."

"Very Hkely," replied Graham. "But, at all
events, here is the commencement of an adventure,
if I choose to pursue it. I ought to tell your lord-
ship that I had previously seen the lady kneeling
before a statue of the Virgin in the Capilla de
Santa Ana, and though her features were partly
concealed by her envious mantilla, I could make
out that she had an adorable countenance, and
superb black eyes."

" Was she alone? " inquired Buckingham.

" An elderly dame was with her, whom I took to
be her duena," replied Graham.

"How is the billet' addressed ? " asked Buckinor-
ham.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 289

" It bears no superscription, and I have not yet
opened it," returned Graham.

While this conversation took place, two tall cava-
liers, wrapped in black cloaks, issued from the aisle
on the left, and stationed themselves at a little dis-
tance from the party, on whom they were evidently
keeping watch.

Their manner quickly attracted Buckingham's
attention, and he said to Graham,

"By my faith, Dick, your adventure is likely
to have an awkward termination. I'll be sworn
that one of those scowling cavaliers, who look as if
they would willingly cut your throat, is the lover
of the lady from whom you received the billet.
Give it him, and explain how you got it."

'• Not I — unless he asks for it civilly," replied
Graham.

" Well, do as you please. If you have to fight,
I will stand by you. The prince is about to de-
part. Keep near us."

No part of the foregoing discourse had reached

VOL. I. u

290 THE SPANISH MATCH.

the ear of Charles, neither had he remarked the
two cavaliers, who now followed them like sha-
dows.

As the party passed out by a side portal, Buck-
ingham observed to the prince,

" I must pray your highness to return to the
parador alone. Graham and I have a word to say
to yonder cavaliers."

"Who are they?" demanded Charles, noticing
the two mysterious-looking personages for the first
time.

"I know no more than your highness; but they
have had the impertinence to follow us."

"Do not provoke a quarrel, Geordie," said the
prince.

" Rest easy," replied Buckingham. " I have no
such design. We will rejoin your highness very
shortly."

Satisfied with this assurance, Charles quitted his
attendants, and proceeded across the plaza towards
the parador.

THE SPANISH MATCH. 291

No sooner was he gone than the two cavaliers,
who were standinoj at a little distance watchinoj
them, came up, and one of them, in accents of con-
strained courtesy, said to Graham,

'* You have received a billet from a lady, senor.
I must beg you to give it me, or I shall be forced
to take it from you."

"Aha! you must be jesting, senor," rejoined
Graham. "I value the billet too highly to sur-
render it."

" Voto a Dios ! I will have it ! " cried the
other, no longer able to contain himself. " It was
given to you by mistake, senor. It was intended
for me."

" So you tell me, senor," rejoined Graham.

"I swear to you I speak the truth. I am a
Castilian noble, senor, and my word has never yet
been doubted."

" And I am an English gentleman, senor, and
never yet brooked an affront," rejoined Gra-
ham. "I will not part with the letter unless you

292 THE SPANISH MATCH.

can make good your vaunt, and take it from
me."

"Basta, senor!" said the cavalier. "Be pleased
to follow me to a more retired spot."

"This is a very foolish affair, Dick," observed
Buckingham, " and if any harm should come of it,
the prince will blame me. I cannot allow it to
proceed."

"But I cannot now retreat with honour, my
lord," rejoined Graham.

" I am waiting for you, senor," cried the cavalier,
in a taunting tone.

"Before we consent to follow you, seiior, we
must know whither you would take us," interposed
Buckingham.

"The place is close by, senor," returned the
cavalier -^ho had not hitherto spoken. " A couple
of minutes will suffice to bring you to it."

" So far good," observed Buckingham. " We
will give you ten minutes to adjust the affair."

" Five will suffice," cried the first cavalier, im-

THE SPANISH MATCH. 293

patiently. " While we have been talking here the
matter might have been settled."

"Vamos, senores, vamos!" rejoined Bucking-
ham, haughtily.

END OF VOL. I.

6/f

TOL. 1.

xoxdon:
peikted et c, whiting, eeaufor.t house, stkand.

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