Alice Bridge of Norwich — page 16: what you’re looking at

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dU - _ALIOCE BRIDGE OF NORWICH, doorway. Above, at open windows, were Mrs, Alice and her mother; who leant so far forward that George, and then Edward, came up on horseback, and kissed their hands, each gazing on the other in the silence of inexpressible af- fection. ‘Welcome home, my boys!” said the mother. **T’ve a good dinner ready for ye.” “Dear mother,” said George, ‘‘no one can ‘starve under your roof.” Then, turning to Ann, he said, ‘‘ lalways prophesied what would become of you.” ‘* Well,” said she, ‘‘1 could not let the clerk’s house be without a mistress,” ‘No, nor the clerk either!” George replied. Having dismounted, they hastened in-doors to receive their mother’s embraces. After a hearty dinner, and plenty of ques- tioning and information, friends began to drop in to pay their salutations. Dr. Hope and his daughter May were the first. He was delighted at the manly, vigorous stature of both his pa. tients, and May and George entered into lively badinage, as they had been wont, One after the other, the Ridgeleys, Dame Norris, the Brightlings, Lucy Graves, Hannah Vores, and Grace Friend, Taylor the Lawyer, with Herbert Hervey of Holt, a friend of George, and several more, filled up the handsome room with a cheer- ful party. The Allensalso appeared with warm salutations. Harriet impulsively greeted the young men with ‘It is good to see you again; we have-been very flat without you;’ when John broke in with ‘‘Certainly old Norwich has quite gone to sleep: you have been held up as model heroes, and we have been cast quite into the shade. Be sure-you keep up to the Standard. At all events, my duties as stop-gap are terminated.” General expressions of regret at the absence of Van Diense and his sister were frequently uttered, and his disappointment in love was alluded to. ‘I doubt the truth of that report,” said George; ‘‘ he is more likely to win anything he sets lis heart on.” “Only,” answered merry May, ‘‘ wise men often make mistakes about ladies’ love.” ‘* Because ladies like playing at cross ques- tions and crooked answers,” replied George somewhat tartly. Indeed, things seemed a lit- tle cross already, for Alice was absorbed in some rather serious communications which Edward was making to her, and George was occupied in lively sallies with May Hope and the Ridgeleys. Presently music was called for, and Alice went to the spinnet, while the rest sustained her with voice or instrument. They gave very sweetly, tz “ As it fell upon a day In the merry month of May,” in which Alice thrilled the air with her treble, and May tenderly imitated the nightingale’s ‘‘teru, teru.” To this followed another night- ingale song, ; “ What bird so sings, yet doth so wail?— Oh, ’tis the ravished nightingale,” in which also imitations of the lark, redbreast, and cuckoo are beautifully given. On lawyer Brightling expressing his delight, his daughter wickedly said, ‘‘Now, dad, no pretenses|— you know you were just asleep, and were rather angry at being waked, if you told the truth.” Her father jocularly answered, “I only wish, Lucy, I was always waked by such musical voices, instead of by such scolding as yours,” “ Far better for you, dear dad,” was the daugh- ter’s reply. “To show how little we regret leaving the city,” said George, ‘‘let us have Raleigh’s “ Heart-tearing cares and quivering fea: Anxious sighs, untimely tears, . ro Fly, fly to Courts.” “There!” said gushing Grace Friend, “I call that delicious, —almost too sweet 1o bear. Alas that such sweet fountains ‘glide by’ so rapidly and leave us so empty! thousand times!” een both at once?” ol i : he therefore went to the barracks and chose the Py at hag ie qrions Hannah Vores, | profession of a soldier. The manners of the cise Ie 2 a Z ne ome one‘told me that | Cavalier officers were justly offensive to relig. - he ed the yous men, but I think not |ious people; and though George had nothing to ge tapi yon, ear Rector? But Lalways | do with them but in actual drill, he shared their 4 lo the words. Which do you, obloquy in some quarters. Mistress Bridge consi¢ er most important, dear sir, words or | however, knew well that George’s religion Was music? Some say both; but then, how to hear|not without fruit, for who so ready as he to not come back again, I fear,” communicative.” tell. me his troubles.” tell?” “Oh, mother! he is too happy and gay.” have liked a little of the old friendship too.” very tired.” “My child, sleep, and wait till to-morrow, and all will come right again.” ward was saying to Alice!” her father. Andall the while the white, ghostly moon looked down: through the clouds which human illusions and lovers’ troth, George and Edward settled down at home for some time. The absence of the Fleming was a serious loss. They had studies to oecupy them, but they were left very much to their own de- vices, They missed greatly their school-mates, with the boisterous agility of the play-ground and the brisk competition of the class. Often they had longings for school-life,.and would gladly have returned to its order and energy. They found that being their own masters in- volved more trouble and less freedom than they had fancied. _Edward had made great progress in the an- cient classics and mathematics, and was strongly recommended to proceed to one of the uni- versities. Indeed, he.had obtained a Cambridge scholarship, and was reading with Stephen Wren, under Dr. Green, until the end of the vacation. Edward was of a grave, earnest tem- perament, and was eager to become a priest of the English Church, a tendency which natu- rally drew him to the Bishop’s Palace, His mother was pleased at what she felt would be a fine opening for her son. With youthful en- ergy Edward resolved to devote himself fully to his vocation. Not having much sense of the spiritual parts of religion, he was dazzled by the exterior forms, the musical and decorative taste, and the mechanical drilling of congregations under official sway which distinguished the Laudian‘school, Alice continued to be Edward’s chief confi- dante,-and she entered into his warm desires to give his life in self-denying service to the Church. The maicen shared his concern about George, whom at present she feared—though it. wrung her inmost heart to think so—was being led astray by worldly influences. ‘ George was of a more robust mold than Ed- ward. He might have been wild and wanton but for the influence of the Bridges and of the Fleming. He had not made distinguished progress in school studies, but in the play- ground he was a sort of spontaneously-chosen captain. He settled disputes with a merry jest; he protected little boys from bullies with pat- ronly kindness; he was at the head of sports, but he put down all mean and shabby tricks, When, on leaving, George went up for a some- what inferior prize in Latin, there arose a shout from the school which greeted no other name, and Dr. Osbaldeston said his departure would be ‘‘a real loss to.the cheerful, orderly spirit of the school.” While at school George had gone to the houses of Eliot and Vane, his school-fel- lows, and there met Oliver Cromwell, then a comparatively young man. He was pleased with George, and invited him to his lodging in London. Cromwell urged him to study mili- tary matters. George had promised to be at Cromwell’s call if need arose. When at home ‘Yes, he is far from happy, and wanted to ‘* Very well; but had George no troubles to “Tam not so sure of that; I thought he would ‘**Oh,-mother! if I thought that, I should be sorry: but I thought—I meant—indeed; I am May Hope said, as she rode home, ‘‘ They are changed! I used to like Edward the best, but George was very amusing. I wonder what Ed- “One evening does not make a life-time,” said sailed rapidly over her, like an actress shining through many changeful parts, and smiling at of satisfaction Wh " im- its, i Sherwood’s stout, good natured person, with|self off to bed Pyrith raise cee ea oo tis tatty hie eee assembled on Sunday afternoons a goodly band silent tongue, Alice also walked silently home| of ne i igi by her mother, who at last roused her ao ow BE vepeat the Cochin wrens ‘‘ Mother,” she said, ‘‘ the old friendship will hymns, repeat the Catechism, and to enforce it with many a quaint story and apposite remark? One lovely afternoon at the close of summer, ‘‘Why, you and Edward seemed to be very | George was calling on his special friend Taylor, with whose patriotic aspirations he had much in common, when Alice called alone with 4 mes- sage from her father. On leaving, George ac- companied her, glad of a rare occasion of find- ing heralone, and resolved to improveit. Alice was going on to the Ridgeleys at Thorpe. The road of the young people wound through ‘the quiet and aristocratic Close, by private paths overhung by branching trees, to the old pictur- esque ferry. Then they loitered in the yellow- sprinkled meadow, beside the flashing, eddyin stream, until their way turned up a gentle bill, through the wooded copses of Thorpe, in which birds sang merrily, and the sunshine parted by the foliage cast its checkered light and shade over the scene. ‘*George,”’ said Alice, rather forbiddinely, ‘‘what can you find in that Roundhead, Tay- lor, tbat you associate with him so much?” “‘T don’t agree with him,” answered George; “but your father and he esteem each other greatly.” ‘ ‘‘ My father can get no harm from his notions George, your companions of late seem rather questionable.” “Glad you are careful of my good manners,” answered the youth, ‘‘as the sparrow said to the lark when she Teproved him for picking crumbs from a Jew’s table.” - ‘« An evil conscience is generally sore,” said the young lady, still on the tack of moni- tress. “And a sore heart,” returned George, ‘‘ig apt to be irritable,—so forgive me.” ‘*One would not suspect such a disorder from” your habitual levity,” said Alice. “Tf one is shut out of conference, how should one behave right? Alie, why is it that since we came home I have scarcely been allowed a single conversation?” © George, you know that you have not sought the old friendship, or——” and here the young lady broke down, and looked the rest, _‘' Alice,” said George, much subdued, “ for- give me if it has been my fault.” ‘““No,” Alice rejoined quickly, ‘that would not be fair. But Edward at once opened up all his troubles. I should have been as ready to hear what interests you, only you seem too proud to tell me.” “Well, Alie, you shall find it is not pride; but I have no such awful secrets as Edward seems to disclose to you alone, and which are, beg heavier than-you should be called to ear, “Understand,” quickly rejoined the lady, “IT cannot tell you anything of them.” “T have no desire to pry into what Edw ard thinks right to withhold from his brother; but allow me to suggest that you are not quite right in encouraging such mystery, and getting in- volved in such ecclesiastical intrigues. You would be wise to take your father into your confidence, rather than trust your own gentle inexperience.” “ Well, George, there is truth in what you say, and I am glad of the old frankness between us. I do feel somewhat burthened and uneasy; but I am partly so about you,” : “That is,” said George, ‘about what they tell you of me. Iam aware that I am under suspicion, and I certainly cannot take Edward's line, nor his associates’,” ‘Oh, but,” said Alice, ‘‘ he does not like Dr, Green at all, nor Stephen Wren very much; bigs he 1s very anxious to be a devoted clergy- an. ‘‘ Very good,” said George; ‘could he have a better model than your father? Why should he seek his patterns from the other party?” “And are you, George, in no danger from your association with those licentious officers?” “I have no fellowship with them, Alie. I am learning my profession.” ‘But you incur a good deal of dislike and suspicion.” “So did the dog,” said George, ‘‘ when he, being turned out of the house on a wintry night, ran in for warmth to the pigs. In the mornin he had escaped death by the frost, but ae ‘ : : : _ |take her errands to her poor parishioners? and | swered, ‘‘ You al This first meeting did not leave an impression who was so welcome with his cheery laugh and pat with your natortes whispered about that he was a dirty fellow!” Alice smiled, and her brow cleared ‘as she an- 8 were so funny and so But they say you have ALICE BRIDGE OF NORWICH. ‘Bi joined with those who oppose the King, and ‘threaten to upset Church and State.” ‘Have I?” rejoined George. ‘‘ But you know best, perhaps, what side those choose who complain of me,—the side of Rome against England, and of tyranny against Parliament. | ‘As for me, I hope to be an honest soldier, and probably shall go abroad to serve awhile with | the Swedish armies; and I shall care the less to go as Lam suspected here..” “‘Dear George,” said Alice, now softened, “<Jittle did I think you would ever speak so to me. Who more missed you when you went away to school than your old playfellow?” Here she hesitated, but George came nearer, and took her arm in his, and said, ‘‘Go on, go on, Alie!|—those are the sweetest words I-have heard since I came home.- God knows I would not have-you altered to my brother; but it is hard to be neglected by him and by you too. If Edward trusts you with his cares, will you only trust me with some of your own,—not of his, if he does not wish?” “Oh, George, he loves you dearly,—only he is not free.” “There, my dear Alie, is my fear for you both. -He is entering into a web of secrets and plots of the evil of which he is unconscious in the nobleness of his greater purpose. I know more of them than you think, and am watchful over him. And you must let me watch over you too. Alie, I believe we shall soon be wakened by a storm we little expect. The bishops and the Court mean to make short work of ali Puritans: they will force them to resign all their livings, and fill them up with Jesuit-trained priests. This is the plot. Your own father will be one of its first victims. You will have to fly from England.” ““Well, I once dreaded such a misfortune, ‘but in such a cause,” said Alice, ‘‘I could now glory in it. Yet surely we should all go to- gether?” ‘“Nay, dear Alie, they are so entangling Edward that he will be compelled to remain.” “JT cannot believe it,—I will warn him.” “‘Do, and see what he says. I fear I also must stay here.” “Oh, George, I begin to see that I have been a little blind, and not quite considerate to you. But I thought you were unlike your old self, and 1 have been so sorry, aud I couldn’t bring it right.” And now excited feeling found vent in a few sobs, which George quietly soothed, saying, ‘Blessings on you, Alie! you have made it all right. Perhaps you were right, and Ihave been selfish, when I should have kept Edward’s confidence. But you have it, Alie; and be sure you keep it, for it would be sad to have him snatched from our trio of childhood, and made a tool of the Jesuits, But let confi- dence once again be confirmed between you and me. Tell me anything that concerns yourself and your home, and be sure there is nothing | possible that I will not dare for you.” “J never doubted that, dear George. Your friendship always gave me strength and secur- ity. Iam so glad the chilly time of mistake and queerness is over! I shall be happier than ever.” George could only look his fervent thanks as he whispered, ‘‘ Blessings on you, dearest Alie!” They now reached the gate of the pretty gar- den surrounding the Ridgeley’s house, which stood on an elevated terrace overlooking the Wensum valley. As Alice paused at the open gate with the pretty verandahed house asa back- ground—the shrubs, weeping birches, and willows hanging gracefully overhead, and looked down a step or two from above, with a serene calm on her face, a soft light in her eyes, and a rather caressing manner in her figure as she bent towards him, George felt a great spasm of loving desire go through him, so that it was hard to avoid taking her in his arms, CHAPTER XX. place swarmed with spies, and heavy fines sup- pressed all serious talk. People might jest and swear, gamble, riot, and drink to their hearts’ content; but a hasty word of complaint against any Church officials brought speedy penalties. Presence at a conventicle, or opposition to Popish ceremonies, was punished most severely. Many lovers of liberty had escaped beyond seas to Holland or America. Others were eager to follow them, but now-all fugitives were ordered to be arrested on suspicion. About this time a vessel] in the Thames, bound for America, had on board many patriots, who despaired of Old England, among whom were John Hampden and Pym, and it has been said (though without sufficient evidence) Oliver Cromwell himself. Already Wren had driven ‘many of his best clergy and laity into exile. King James, emulous of introducing a continental Sabbath into England, had in his reign caused to be drawn up a paper called the ‘‘ Book of Sports,” expressly enjoining on the clergy to encourage pastimes and feasts on the Sabbath—such as wakes, fairs, clerk and bid-ales, morice-dancing, archery, wrestling, leaping, and.plays. Not only was this 00k published by authority, but every clergyman in London was ordered to read it out from the pulpit on the Sabbath-day, and to enjoin its observance. The measure emptied so many London pulpits by resignation of their benefices, that it was not pressed. But now, in Charles’s reign, it was thought the reproduction of this Book of Sports would be popular, and would trouble the Puritan clergy. The effect of this too dexterous move becomes the pivot of our story. The sun was shining with luster on Mr. Bridge’s large garden, where he sat on a bench under a fine jargonelle pear tree. The garden was of irregular shape, and blended agreeably the orchard, lawn, flower, and fruit garden. There was a considerable extent of green lawn, an old bigh red wall inclosing it in. It was an old-fashioned place, not prim and stiff, but like a large woodland bower carpeted with daisied grass, sprinkled with colored flower-beds, and roofed over by overhanging leafy branches, through whose intertwining and waving net- work the sun shot his rays, and also cast his soft shadows. ‘The eccentric Alderman who ‘laid out this pleasant ground boasted that_he had ‘built a south wall all round it.” ‘The same: old worthy made many such blunders, and when asked regarding his daughter’s con- finement whether the child was a boy or a girl, simply answered, ‘‘ Bless my soul, I don’t know whether I am a grandfather or a grandmother!” The Rector was very fond of his garden, and often at dawn he was in his arbor reading and writing, while watching the progress of day- light, the opering of flowers, and enjoying the carol of the birds. Here his heart found quiet rest from the contact with human sorrow and sin, and the disfavor and persecution which the Puritans had now to endure. He was at this time conversing with his favorite neighbor, the Rev. Thomas Allen, and observing that now they had hardly power to do anything even in their own parishes, Their visits to parishioners even in sickness were watched, and any conver- sation or service besides the mere reading of the Common Prayer was forbidden. -They ‘could hold no gathering of the people but under peril of being charged with holding conventicles. ““] believe,” said Mr. Allen, ‘‘ that your George’s band of young men have had notice that Dr. Green is to meet them as the Bishop’s substitute.” + “Ts that so?” said his friend. ‘‘ How will they submit? That looks as if Dr. Green aimed at some authority here.” “He looks to have this living, no doubt,” said Allen. An ancient apparitor from the Palace was at that moment seen advancing under the bending trees, and over the smooth turf. He bore in his hand -a large dispatch, which with deep bows he handed to the Rector, who, on open- ing it, read out a summons to meet the clergy of the diocese at the Palac