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‘‘I thought so； from his accent and his manners；'' said the Vicar。
It may be here observed； that the Northern English retain rather more
of the ancient hereditary aversion to their neighbours than their countrymen
of the South。 The interference of other disputants； each of whom urged his
opinion with all the vehemence of wine and politics； rendered the summons
to the drawing…room agreeable to the more sober part of the company。
The company dispersed by degrees； and at length the Vicar and the
young Scotchman alone remained； besides the Baronet； his lady； daughters；
and myself。 The clergyman had not； it would seem； forgot the observation
which ranked him with the false prophets of Dunbar； for he addressed Mr。
Maxwell upon the first opportunity。
‘‘Hem！ I think； sir； you mentioned something about the civil wars of
last century？ You must be deeply skilled in them； indeed； if you can
draw any parallel betwixt those and the present evil days…days which I
am ready to maintain are the most gloomy that ever darkened the prospects
of Britain。''
‘‘God forbid； Doctor； that I should draw a comparison between the
present times and those you mention。 I am too sensible of the advantages
we enjoy over our ancestors。 Faction and ambition have introduced
division among us； but we are still free from the guilt of civil bloodshed；
and from all the evils which flow from it。 Our foes； sir； are not those of
our own household； and while we continue united and firm； from the
attacks of a foreign enemy； however artful； or however inveterate； we have；
I hope； little to dread。''
‘‘Have you found anything curious； Mr。 Maxwell； among the dusty
papers？'' said Sir Henry； who seemed to dread a revival of political
discussion。
‘‘My investigation amongst them led to reflections which I have just
now hinted；'' said Maxwell； ‘‘and I think they are pretty strongly exemplified
by a story which I have been endeavouring to arrange from some
of your family manuscripts。''
‘‘You are welcome to make what use of them you please；'' said Sir
Henry； ‘‘they have been undisturbed for in any a day； and I have often
wished for some person as well skilled as you in these old pot…hooks； to
tell me their meaning。''
‘‘Those I just mentioned；'' answered Maxwell； ‘‘relate to a piece of
private history； savouring not a little of the marvellous； and intimately
connected with your family： if it is agreeable； I can read to you the
anecdotes； in the modern shape into which I have been endeavouring to
throw them； and you can then judge of the value of the originals。''
There was something in this proposal agreeable to all parties。 Sir
Henry had family pride； which prepared him to take an interest in whatever
related to his ancestors。 The ladies had dipped deeply into the
fashionable reading of the present day。 Lady Ratcliff and her fair daughters
had climbed every pass； viewed every pine…shrouded ruin； heard every
groan； and lifted every trap…door； in company with the noted heroine of
Udolpho。 They had been heard； however； to observe； that the famous
incident of the Black Veil singularly resembled the ancient apologue of the
Mountain in Labour； so that they were unquestionably critics； as well as
admirers。 Besides all this； they had valorously mounted en croupe behind
the ghostly horseman of Prague； through all his seven translators； and
followed the footsteps of Moor through the forest of Bohemia。 Moreover；
it was even hinted （but this was a greater mystery than all the rest）； that
a certain performance； called the _Monk；_ in three neat volumes； had been
seen； by a prying eye； in the right…hand drawer of the Indian cabinet of
Lady Ratcliff's dressing room。 Thus predisposed for wonders and signs；
Lady Ratcliff and her nymphs drew their chairs round a large blazing wood…fire；
and arranged themselves to listen to the tale。 To that fire I also
approached； moved thereunto partly by the inclemency of the season； and
partly that my deafness； which you know； cousin； I acquired during my
campaign under Prince Charles Edward； might be no obstacle to the
gratification of my curiosity； which was awakened by what had any
reference to the fate of such faithful followers of royalty； as you well know
the house of Ratcliff have ever been。 To this wood…fire the Vicar likewise
drew near； and reclined himself conveniently in his chair； seemingly disposed
to testify his disrespect for the narration and narrator by falling
asleep as soon as he conveniently could。 By the side of Maxwell （by the
way； I cannot learn that he is in the least related to the Nithsdale family）
was placed a small table and a couple of lights； by the assistance of which
he read as follows：…
‘‘=Journal of Jan Von Eulen。=
‘‘On the 6th November 1645； I； Jan Von Eulen； merchant in Rotterdam；
embarked with my only daughter on board of the good vessel Vryheid of
Amsterdam； in order to pass into the unhappy and disturbed kingdom of
England。 7th November…a brisk gale…daughter sea…sick…myself unable
to complete the calculation which I have begun； of the inheritance left by
Jane Lansache of Carlisle； my late dear wife's sister； the collection of which
is the object of my voyage。 8th November…wind still stormy and adverse
…a horrid disaster nearly happened…my dear child washed overboard as
the vessel lurched to leeward。…Memorandum； to reward the young sailor
who saved her； out of the first monies which I can recover from the inheritance
of her aunt Lansache。 9th November…calm…P。M。 light breezes
from N。N。W。 I talked with the captain about the inheritance of my sister…in…law；
Jane Lansache。…He says he knows the principal subject； which will
not exceed 1000 in value。 _N。B。_ He is a cousin to a family of Petersons；
which was the name of the husband of my sister…in…law； so there is room
to hope it may be worth more than he reports。 10th November； 10 A。M。
…May God pardon all our sins！…An English frigate； bearing the Parliament
flag； has appeared in the offing； and gives chase。…11 A。M。 She nears
us every moment； and the captain of our vessel prepares to clear for action。
…May God again have mercy upon us！''
* * * * * * *
‘‘Here；'' said Maxwell； ‘‘the journal with which I have opened the
narration ends somewhat abruptly。''
‘‘I am glad of it；'' said Lady Ratcliff。
‘‘But； Mr。 Maxwell；'' said young Frank； Sir Henry's grandchild； ‘‘shall
we not hear how the battle ended？''
I do not know； cousin； whether I have not formerly made you acquainted
with the abilities of Frank Ratcliff。 There is not a battle fought between
the troops of the Prince and of the Government； during the years 17456；
of which he is not able to give an account。 It is true； I have taken particular
pains to fix the events of this important period upon his memory by
frequent repetition。
‘‘No； my dear；'' said Maxwell； in answer to young Frank Ratcliff…‘‘No；
my dear； I cannot tell you the exact particulars of the engagement； but its
consequences appear from the following letter； despatched by Garbonete
Von Eulen； daughter of our journalist； to a relation in England； from whom
she implored assistance。 After some general accou