St. George and St. Michael, Volume 3MacDonald, George
History
St. George and St. Michael, Volume 3
MacDonald, George
Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649 -- Fiction
It was a troubled night, the last they spent in the castle. Not many
slept. But the lord of it had long understood that what could cease
to be his never had been his, and slept like a child. Dr. Bayly, who
in his loving anxiety had managed to get hold of his key, crept in
at midnight, and found him fast asleep; and again in the morning,
and found him not yet waked.
When breakfast was over, proclamation was made that at nine o'clock
there would be prayers in the chapel for the last time, and that the
marquis desired all to be present. When the hour arrived, he entered
leaning on the arm of Dr. Bayly. Dorothy followed with the ladies of
the family. Young Delaware was in his place, and 'with organ voice
and voice of psalms,' praise and prayer arose for the last time from
the house of Raglan. All were in tears save the marquis. A smile
played about his lips, and he looked like a child giving away his
toy. Sir Toby Mathews tried hard to speak to his flock, but broke
down, and had to yield the attempt. When the services were over, the
marquis rose and said,
'Master Delaware, once more play thy Nunc dimittis, and so meet me
every one in the hall.'
Thither the marquis himself walked first, and on the dais seated
himself in his chair of state, with his family and friends around
him, and the officers of his household waiting. On one side of him
stood sir Ralph Blackstone, with a bag of gold, and on the other Mr.
George Wharton, the clerk of the accounts, with a larger bag of
silver. Then each of the servants, in turn according to position,
was called before him by name, and with his own hand the marquis,
dipping now into one bag, now into the other, gave to each a small
present in view of coming necessities: they had the day before
received their wages. To each he wished a kind farewell, to some
adding a word of advice or comfort. He then handed the bags to the
governor, and told him to distribute their contents according to his
judgment amongst the garrison. Last, he ordered every one to be
ready to follow him from the gates the moment the clock struck the
hour of noon, and went to his study.
When lord Charles came to tell him that all were marshalled, and
everything ready for departure, he found him kneeling, but he rose
with more of agility than he had for a long time been able to show,
and followed his son.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account