The Markhams of Ollerton (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... Godfrey lodged at his brother's house, and spent many of his spare hours in watching and tending him with a son's duty and submission. One day, being alone at the open window of their parlour, Katharine heard a knot of soldiers talking below, and gathered that Sir John Meldrum was supposed to be moving with a large force, and by a circuitous route, towards Gainsborough. Such scraps of news she had now learnt to keep from Ursula, whose baseless hopes and causeless fears were often very trying to Katharine and wearing to herself; besides, she considered herself as in some sort Ursula's guardian, and bound to do all in her power for her sister-in-law's comfort and peace. As soon as she could she got speech of her cousin Godfrey. "I think this true, the rumour is general," he said, his weather-beaten face lighting with excitement. "I wish from my heart we were strong enough to give the rascals a blow in passing; but we have no horse, and all the men we could spare are gone to Gainsborough. They say that Oliver Cromwell is with them, with the troop of heavy horse of which they vaunt themselves so much." "Is there not danger that they may cut off our forces?" "They will try, no doubt, the rebel knaves But never look so scared, little cousin; Cavendish and Markham are not so easily dealt with; we have also news that my Lord Newcastle is marching towards Gainsborough, so that it is more than likely that the rebels may get another drubbing, and learn that clowns and preachers are not so soon to be turned into officers of horse." "Mr. Cromwell is no clown," said Katharine, only half satisfied. She knew her brother did not hold his foes in such contempt, and it seemed as if no one but he could be...