Saraband for Two Sisters

I talked about home and Castle Paling although I was longing to hear about him, but he encouraged me to do this and expressed great interest in my background, which I believed was due to the fact that he did not want to talk about himself. While we were talking we heard footsteps and a man and woman came by. They knew him evidently because the man addressed him by his name.

Luke Longridge and his sister Ella were presented to me, and I thought they regarded me with some disapproval. I wondered for the first time whether I had committed some breach of etiquette by being discovered here in the gardens alone with a man. They were much less elaborately dressed than most of the company and there seemed to be a rather disapproving attitude about the pair of them. Luke Longridge said that he would like to share the seat with us and he and his sister sat down.

They talked of the flowers and the mildness of the night for a few moments, and then Luke Longridge said that the King had seemed serene and quite unaware of the storm which was blowing up around him.

One would not expect His Majesty to be aught else on such an occasion,” commented the General.

“The Queen is frivolous as ever,” went on Luke Longridge. “I declare, she does not appear to have a thought above dancing and light conversation except it is to introduce her hated religion to the country. That she will never do.”

“Indeed she will not,” said the General.

Ella Longridge replied vehemently, “There will be plenty to see that she does not»

“His Majesty would never allow it to happen. He knows the will of the people,” replied the General.

“Since Buckingham’s death-and thank God for it-the Queen has become his chief adviser,” said Luke Longridge.

“That is an exaggeration,” retorted the General.

“He has a doting fondness for her-after ignoring her for years and disliking his marriage he has now become an uxorious husband led by the nose; and who leads him ... the frivolous Catholic Frenchwoman!”

“The King is happy in his marriage, which is fruitful,” said the General. “And you will admit, my friend, that that is good for the country. It is not true to say that the King listens only to his wife. His Majesty has a great sense of duty.»

“Is that why there is so much unrest in the country?” demanded Luke Longridge. “It will not be endured, I promise you, General. There is murmuring throughout the land. The country is divided against itself, and by God, I know on which side I shall be ... and it Won’t be the King’s.”

“You speak treason, Longridge. Have a care,” said the General.

“I speak what’s in my mind,” answered Luke Longridge.

“Be careful, Luke,” said his sister.

I wanted to beg of the General to be careful too. I looked at him pleadingly, but he seemed unaware of me.

A passion burned in Luke Longridge. He cried suddenly, “I’d see an end to all this.

It’ll come to it in time. A King to rule without a parliament... .”

“Luke, Luke!” cried his sister.

I suddenly had a vision of the men I had seen in the pillory. A shortwhile ago I had thought this was an enchanted night, and now it had suddenly changed. I had been dreaming and I was awakening rudely to reality. Nothing was quite what it seemed. In that ballroom the debonair King and his fascinating wife were receiving the homage of subjects; they did not know some of their subjects such as the Longridges were murmuring against them. Or did they? What of the men in the pillory?

“and “You have insulted the King,” I heard General Tolworthy cry, the King’s Army, I shall need satisfaction for this.”

“You know full well I speak sound sense.”

“I know full well you have insulted the King and his Army. You may name the meeting place.”

“You will hear from me in due course.” Luke Longridge bowed and walked toward the house, his sister clinging to his arm.

“It is chill,” said the General to me. “Allow me to escort you back to your friends.”

I stood my ground firmly.

“What did it mean? You are surely not going to fight?”

“He left me no alternative.”

“But he merely expressed a point of view.”

“Which was an insult to the Crown.”

“But not a personal one.”

“My dear Mistress Landor, I am one of the King’s generals. Any insult to His Majesty is indeed my affair.”

“Does this mean there is to be a duel?”

“Pray do not concern yourself. It is a fairly commonplace affair.”

“Which could end in death for one of you!”

“It may be, but perhaps not”

“But-“ “Come, it grows chill.”

He would say no more, and I could do nothing but allow him to lead me in. He took me to Senara, who was in conversation with a group of people, then he bowed and departed.

I was glad when the evening was over and we were going home in the coach, and so relieved that no one was inclined for talk. I could not stop thinking of what seemed to me that most stupid quarrel which could well end in the death of one of those men.

I knew that if Richard Tolworthy were killed I should remember him for the rest of my life.