The Lion's Whelp: A Story of Cromwell's TimeBarr, Amelia E.
History
The Lion's Whelp: A Story of Cromwell's Time
Barr, Amelia E.
Great Britain -- History -- Stuarts, 1603-1714 -- Fiction
As yet they had not met, nor had Cluny any certain knowledge of the
Swaffham’s location. There had been some supposition that they would
lodge in Leadenhall Street, at the home of Mistress Adair, the widow of
an Independent minister who had preached often in the little chapel
attached to Oliver Cromwell’s house in Huntingdon; but of this he had no
positive information, and he certainly expected that Mrs. Swaffham would
advise him of their arrival in London.
Mrs. Swaffham had, however, learned that Cluny Neville was personally
objectionable to her husband and sons, and, as she could not see clearly
what road to take, she very wisely stood still, waiting for some light
and guidance. And it seemed unnecessary to trouble Jane’s heart until
there was a positive reason for doing so; yet her depression and evident
disappointment fretted her mother.
"What is the matter with you, Jane?" she asked irritably one morning;
"you look as if you had lost everything in the world instead of being,
as your father thinks, right on the road to many a good day. I wouldn’t
throw such a damp over things if I were you."
"You seem to have forgotten Cluny, mother."
"He seems to have forgotten us; he might have called, I think."
"Does he know where we are?"
"He could have found out. He sees Cymlin often enough."
"I think Cymlin dislikes him. I asked him yesterday if he knew Lord
Neville and he answered me rudely."
"He is your brother."
"Just for that reason he ought to have spoken civilly to me."
"He is your brother, and you must hear and heed what he says. And I
must tell you, Jane, that it is not maidenly to take any young man so
seriously as you take Lord Neville until your father and brothers are
satisfied. It is a matter of importance to them what men are brought
into the Swaffham family. There is plenty to make you happy without
Lord Neville. Your own people are safe and sound, the Cause we love is
secure, and you may now dwell your life out in England; but if we had
not conquered, it would have been over the seas and into the wilderness
for us, and strangers forever in old Swaffham. I shouldn’t think you
were done thanking God for these mercies yet; and if not, then where do
you find heart-room for such melancholy and moping as I see in you?"
"But, mother, when I look back to last August——"
"If you want to look happily forward never look backward."
"To be sure; but though I know Cluny loves me, doubts and fears will
come, and I cannot always fight them or reason with them."
"Don’t try either fighting or reasoning. There is a broad enough way
between them."
Jane smiled and lifted her tambour work, and her mother nodded
cheerfully as she continued, "Enjoy the hour as it comes to you. I have
always found that one good hour brings on another." And Jane took the
counsel into her heart and anon began to sing—
"It was alone Thy Providence,
That made us Masters of the field,"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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