United States or Tonga ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Wildrake looked rather foolish at the circumstance, and his friend took the opportunity of admonishing him. "Art thou not ashamed to bear thee so like a schoolboy?" "Why," said Wildrake, "I have but sent a Puritan's hat upon a loyal errand.
"The devil you do!" exclaimed Wildrake. "Why, I always knew the Scots could do nothing without their minister; but d n it, I never thought they put them to this use neither. But I have known jolly customers in orders, who understood how to handle the sword as well as their prayer-book. You know the purpose of our meeting, Doctor.
"And then," answered Wildrake, "I should have waked with a headache, Mark; for I see my modest sip has not exempted me from that epilogue. But let us go forth, and see how the night, which we have passed so strangely, has been spent by the rest of them.
"Ay, truly was it," said Wildrake, who now sat triumphant and glorious in his easy-chair; "and here is to all the brave hearts, sir, that fought and fell in that same storm of Brentford. We drove all before us like chaff, till the shops, where they sold strong waters, and other temptations, brought us up.
"Ah, plague on you," said Wildrake, "that is the very cant of it that's what you all say. All of you fought against the King in pure love and loyalty, and not otherwise. However, I see your drift, and I own that I like it better than I expected.
"It was locked when I came out of bed, though," said Wildrake, "and I marvel you heard me not when I forced it open." "My mind was occupied otherwise," said Everard. "Well," said Wildrake, "but what has happened?
"He had been hasty in bestowing his confidence," said Everard. "True," replied Wildrake; "he confided in me at once; for he instantly saw my regard for the Church. Gadzooks, they know whom they have to trust to in such a one as I."
This was spoken in a tone of feeling which found a responding string in Everard's bosom. He took his friend's hand, and pressed it kindly. "Nay, if I seemed harsh to thee, Wildrake, I profess it was for thine own sake more than mine. I know thou hast at the bottom of thy levity, as deep a principle of honour and feeling as ever governed a human heart.
A man has but one tongue to answer with, and mine is well-nigh glued to the roof of my mouth." "Will drink unloosen it?" said the Colonel; "though I dare say thou hast tried that spell at every ale-house on the road. Call for what thou wouldst have, man, only be quick." "Colonel Everard," answered Wildrake, "I have not tasted so much as a cup of cold water this day."
Always victorious wherever he fought, the remarkable person whom Wildrake was now approaching had acquired that influence over the minds of his enemies, which constant success is so apt to inspire they dreaded while they hated him and joined to these feelings, was a restless meddling curiosity, which made a particular feature in Wildrake's character, who, having long had little business of his own, and caring nothing about that which he had, was easily attracted by the desire of seeing whatever was curious or interesting around him.
Word Of The Day