JOHN DE LANCASTER. VOLUME II. JOHN DE LANCASTER. A NOVEL. BY _RICHARD CUMBERLAND, ESQ._ IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. _LONDON_: PRINTED FOR LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO. TEMPLE OF THE MUSES, FINSBURY-SQUARE. 1809. Harding and Wright, Printers, St. John’s Square. JOHN DE LANCASTER. BOOK THE FIRST. CHAPTER I. _The Experiment, as resolved upon by Mr. Philip De Lancaster, is made._ When Philip’s confidential interview with Colonel Wilson was concluded, he directly bent his course to the chamber of David Williams. It was a station equally well adapted to the studies of the poet, the astronomer or the musician, for it was in the high road to the stars, at the very top of the loftiest turret of Kray-Castle, and far enough exalted above every living thing, that grovelled on the earth. It is to be lamented that the fine prospect it commanded was no recommendation of it to blind David, but the advantages it might have offered to him of inhaling the refreshing breezes in their greatest purity would have compensated in part, had it not so happened, that its only casement was not made to open. When Philip, whom the love of prospect never could have tempted to ascend this winding staircase, had with infinite pains landed himself in David’s airey, the twilight was drawing on, and the sun sinking red towards his chamber in the west. He found the minstrel seated in his only chair with his harp between his knees, and on the table before him his pitcher, which, though of a capacious girth, had been drained of its contents. Philip having accosted him and made known his errand in few words, the old man rose from his seat, and stood with his left hand resting on his harp, whilst his right was pressed respectfully on his breast--Be it, he replied, as the son of my patron hath commanded! When David Williams shall hesitate to obey the heir of this castle, and the descendant of the ever-honoured De Lancasters, this heart must have forfeited its duty, and this hand forgotten its accustomed office. Although my brain is even now in travail and only waits the mollifying aid of another jug to bring forth, behold me ready! Speak the word only for my son David to bear my harp, and lead me to the apartment of the lady your spouse, I will incontinently set forward. Thank you, my old friend, cried Philip! You do it with good will, and that is every thing. But what think you of the experiment? Do you hold with my father in opinion that by the melody of the harp you can drive the evil spirit out of Mrs. De Lancaster?