John Deane of Nottingham: Historic Adventures by Land and SeaKingston, William Henry Giles
General
John Deane of Nottingham: Historic Adventures by Land and Sea
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Dean, John, 1679-1761
Dunfermline, who had lost every thing for James, and had fought bravely
for him at the battle of Killiecrankie, was treated in this way. While
alive, he had been grossly insulted on several occasions. A number of
Scotch officers who had served under him, requested that they might be
formed into a company, and that he might be placed at their head; but
this was refused on the plea that he was a Protestant, and therefore
unfit to command men serving a Catholic prince. Those only who at the
last gasp, scarcely conscious what was being done, were turned into
Catholics, by having the consecrated wafer thrust into their mouths,
were buried with all the pomp of the Romish Church. Poor Mr Harwood
expressed his fears that he should be treated in the same way. He died
at last of a broken heart, though he was able a short time before his
death to remove from the court. His account shows us how James would
have acted had he recovered the English throne, and we may be truly
thankful to heaven that he was prevented from obtaining his wishes."
Mrs Deane and Jack heartily responded to this sentiment.
"You know Alethea, Jack? a pretty, sweet girl she is, I can assure you;
though you saw so little of her, that you might not have discovered her
good qualities," continued the old gentleman.
Jack's heart sank somewhat. He expected to hear his father give an
account of the intended marriage of Alethea to Jasper. The old
gentleman went on for some time enlarging on her beauty and
accomplishments, and other attractive qualities.
"Your father means to say, Jack, that it has not been her fortune which
has captivated your brother Jasper, for you must know that he has won
her heart, and in the course of another week is to possess her hand.
You have just come in time for the wedding. I am sure it will be a
great pleasure to you to see Jasper made happy, as it adds greatly to
our pleasure to have you back again amongst us."
Poor Jack's heart sank down to zero. His worst anticipations were thus
realised. For some moments his head was in a whirl, and he knew not
what to say. He speedily, however, recovered himself.
"I am thankful to hear of Jasper's expected happiness," he forced
himself to say at last. He said it sincerely in one sense, for he loved
his brother, and he felt that if Alethea was not to be his, he was glad
that she should become Jasper's wife.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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