Tales and Romances (Volume 6) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1833. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. For there in lofty air was seen to stand The stern Protector of the conquer'd land; Drawn in that look with which he wept and swore, Turn'd out the members, and made fast the door, Ridding the house of every knave and drone, Forced-- though it grieved his soul -- to rule alone. The Frank Courtship. -- Cbabbe. ] Leaving Colonel Everard to his meditations, we follow the jolly Cavalier, his companion, who, before mounting at the George, did not fail to treat himself to his morning draught of eggs and muscadine, to enable him to face the harvest wind. Although he had suffered himself to be sunk in the extravagant licence which was practised by the Cavaliers, as if to oppose their conduct in every point to the preciseness of their enemies, yet Wildrake, well born and well educated, and endowed with good natural parts, and a heart which even debauchery, and the wild life of a roaring Cavalier, had not been able entirely to corrupt, moved on his present embassy with a strange mixture of feelings, such as perhaps he never in his life before experienced. His feelings as a loyalist led him to detest Cromwell, whom in other circumstances he would scarcely have wished to see, except in a field of battle, where he could have had the pleasure to exchange pistol shots with him. But with this hatred there was mixed a certain degree of fear. Always victorious wherever he fought, the remarkable person whom Wildrake was now approaching had acquired that influence over the minds of his enemies, which constant success is so apt to inspire: they dreaded while they hated him; and joined to these feelings, was a restless meddling curiosity, which made a particular feature in Wildrake's character, who, having long had little business of his own, and caring nothi...