Beauvallet

"And so we came off," says Joshua Dimmock, sure of the last word. "You say a miracle? Ho, we do not count such trifles as miraculous in my master's service! Yet I allow it to have been a feat, and do not look upon my own part in it as contemptible. Sir Nicholas owned himself to be somewhat in my debt: a very unusual thing in him, I may say. However, we had some talk together whiles I was trussing his points that next day in his cabin, and 'Joshua, my man,' says he, 'be sure you are a rogue and a wind-bag, but I owe you some thanks for this month's work.' This was very acceptable to me, as you may be sure, not less so than a certain token that went with it. I wear it upon my finger to this day. Ay, a rare stone: it came out of the Indies.

"But I run on. Sir Nicholas having said as much, and more, and maybe puffed me up a very little in mine own esteem—for I took no account of certain holiday terms such as toss-pot and hemp-seed that went with his words, these being no more than the genial way he uses—he did me the honour to inform me that he was to be married that morning.

"A rare morning's work, I warrant you! with the crew grinning and looking slyly—until I spoke with them. It was enough. I was become a man of some account, which was not marvellous.

"There was Master Dangerfield at that bridal, the ship's Master, our surgeon, and myself. Be sure I was bidden, and rightly so, for setting aside some other small matters, I was so near to being my mistress's tire woman in those last few days as makes no matter. A very mettlesome lady, that; I do not deny it. She was married in her riding-dress, for she had none other, and a strange sight it was to see the bride so shabby and the groom so point-de-vice. But I regret that murry taffeta doublet and the new trunk hosen. However, let it go. You may say my lips are sealed as to that lost pack, for there was that other pack I was bound to leave behind at that smuggling port. I warrant you Sir Nicholas made merry work over that: I bore all with a patient countenance.

"I talk more and no more. The marriage over there was some feasting, and the crew in high fettle. We made all speed for Plymouth Sound, but I doubt my master and mistress cared little when they came there.

"At Plymouth I bestirred myself a little, as I know how, bought some slight matters for my lady, which she was pleased to approve, and call me a proper tire woman, and set about the ordering of horses and a coach. My lady stayed aboard till all was ready. She was in no case, says she, to show herself to England. Yet I never saw her own herself put-out by the loss of her wardrobe. She took all as it came, and made merry over it, and I am bound to say I was very much her servant before that voyage was over.

"We pushed on to Alreston in rare style, my lady in the coach, Sir Nicholas riding close beside, and myself a little behind. My lady must needs have the curtains drawn back to look about her on our countryside. So she would have it known, but my reading of the matter is that she wanted to look upon my master. And he upon her, God wot!

"You may be sure our home-coming fetched up a rare gallimaufry at Alreston. There was never a one there had thought ever to see Sir Nicholas again. I believe my lord mourned him already as one dead. But in we swept at the gates, up the avenue to the house, and fetched up there with something of a flourish. It is our way. The good-year! We had the whole household about us in a trice, and I make bold to say that I have never before or since seen my lord in such a taking of joy. For he is not one of those who wear the heart upon the sleeve, as the saying is. He had not near done wringing my master's hand and hugging him about the shoulders when Sir Nicholas puts him off and begs leave to present his lady-wife. A rare thing it was to see my lord's jaw drop! 'What!' quotha. 'You have never brought her off, Nick?'

"Sir Nicholas handed my mistress out of the coach. I warrant you he looked proudly, with that gleam of the eye and that cock of the pointed beard we all know. Well he might throw up his chin! She was a very lovely piece—with all proper respect I say so, be it understood.

"She was colouring up finely and holding tight to my master's hand. She felt herself stared at it, and maybe feared they might look coldly on her. But my lady had the word then. 'Oh, my dear!' cries she out, and took my mistress into her arms and well-nigh wept over her. You ask me why she should do so? I am bound to say I do not understand these women's coils. She bore my mistress off into the house, and that was the last I saw of them until the dinner-hour.

"My lord had me in then to the winter-parlour. It was pretty to see my mistress, pranked out in a gown of my lady's, lisping her broken English to my lord, and ever and anon looking to Sir Nicholas to give her a word she needed.

"My lord was pleased to speak me very comfortable words, which had not often been his wont towards me. I had a fat purse from him at a more convenient time, but at this present he gave me thanks for having brought his brother off safe. You may lay your life my master let out a laugh at this, but my mistress gave me a rare smile, and vowed my lord had reason. When I consider, I must allow he had. But modesty forbids me to dwell on this.

"What more? Little enough. We were off to London not so long after, and I leave you to judge what Sir Francis said when he heard our tale. I speak of Drake, the Admiral: you will have heard of him, maybe. What my master told Master Secretary is a matter not revealed to me. Suffice it that lean Walsingham rubbed his hands over it. Of that I am assured.

"As I remember, the Court lay at Nonesuch, and thither we went. I warrant you the Queen's Grace fairly crowed to see my master back, and, as I heard, thought it a rare jest he should lay down Don Cristobal's Golden Fleece at her feet.

"'Is this the best that Spain can show, rogue?' says she. She hath a merry, boisterous way when she is in the humour.

"'Why, no, madam,' says my master, and brings her up his lady. 'This is the best, madam, and as such I present her to you: your Grace's newest subject.'

"Maybe she was not so well pleased with that. I have heard it said that her Grace never liked to see a personable man wed. Be that as it may, she could not well turn pettish now. My mistress had a hand to kiss, and got a tap on the cheek from her Grace's fan. 'How now, mistress?' says her Grace. 'Do you shackle my bold mad Beauvallet?'

"After which she had very little more to say to my lady, but kept my master beside her a full hour, telling her how it had fared with us in Spain.

"In my opinion, the affair passed off better than might have been hoped for, considering her Grace's high temper.

"We were off soon after to Basing, where you see me now. Ay, we lie snug enough, and if you remark that I am become a personage of some note I am not to deny you. I do not say that my master shows this to the world, for that is not at all his way, but I am bold to tell you that I am very indispensable both to him and to my mistress. Which is not at all to be wondered at, I hold. But we have never found a pair of stocks with gold quirks about the ankles to match with those we lost at Vasconosa, and I cannot but deem the throwing of them to the winds, as it were, a very wanton piece of work. But thus it is always upon Sir Nicholas' affairs."

THE END

[Transcriber's Note: Inconsistent hyphenation left as printed.]

Pedigree of the House of Beauvallet for those Readers who are Interested in the Fortunes of the Descendants of SIMON THE COLDHEART, 1st Baron Beauvallet

b. 1385, out of wedlock. Son of Geoffrey, Earl of Malvallet and of Jehanne, a peasant. Fought at Shrewsbury as Squire to Fulk, Earl of Montlice, and was Knighted 1403. Later acquired Barony of Beauvallet in Bedfordshire. Was present at Battle of Agincourt and accompanied Henry V on his Second Campaign to France. Captured Town and Castle of Belrémy. m. 1421, Margaret, Countess of Belrémy, and returned with her later to England. Domestic life somewhat Disturbed by Uncertain Temper of Margaret and Unruly Behavour of his heir, Geoffrey (q.v.). Was Greatly Addicted in Old Age to the Recounting of his Early Reminiscences, and derived Considerable Enjoyment from the Perusal of the Chronicles of his close friend Alan, Earl of Montlice. Was frequently heard to Deplore the Effeminacy of the Younger Generation. d. 1452, of the Stone, which he Suffered with Great Fortitude.

Geoffrey, 2nd Baron

b. 1423. Early exhibited signs of his Mother's Violent Disposition, and Rebelled frequently against the Iron Rule of his Father. Quarrelled with his brother Henry (q.v.) and Bitterly Resented County of Belrémy being bestowed on him. m. 1445, Alys, daughter of a Gentleman of Inferior Lineage, thus enraging his Father. Soon became Permanently Estranged from Simon as the Consequence of Embracing the Yorkist Party. Steered a Perilous and Intricate Course through the Wars of the Roses, and finally Deserted the Yorkist Cause upon the Mysterious Demise of the Nephews of Richard III, which event he felt needed an Explanation which was not Forthcoming. Opened communications with Henry, Earl of Richmond but becoming Exasperated by the Cautious Policy of Henry, he retired from Public Life, and spent the Remainder of his life upon his Estates. d. 1486, of the Sweating-Sickness.

Henry, Count of Belrémy

b. 1425. Believed firmly in the infallibility of his Father and was always an Appreciative Auditor of his anecdotes. In consequence of this Display of Filial Piety the lands and title of Belrémy were Bestowed upon him. Made a Prudent Marriage in France and Maintained a Dutiful Correspondence with his Father until the latter's Death in 1452. Disgusted with his Elder Brother's Vacillating Policy during the Wars in England he cut off all Communication with him. The date of his death is uncertain, but he left a Numerous Progeny, and was Universally Lamented.

Margaret

b. 1426. Sided with her Eldest Brother against her Father and Second Brother, and Quarrelled Incessantly with her Mother. m., by arrangement between Simon and Alan, Earl of Montlice, John, eldest son of Alan. Several children were the result of this marriage, but John died soon after his Accession to the title, and is Reported to have met his End with a Smile on his Lips.

Alan

b. 1429. Tried to enact the part of Peacemaker between his Father and Eldest Brother. He became a Priest and died (date unknown), in the Obscurity of a Monastery. S.P.

John, 3rd Baron

b. 1446. Led a Retired Life throughout the Wars of the Roses and devoted himself to the Study of Astrology. This so Preyed on his mind that he died only three years after his Father, leaving no issue. S.P.

Joan

b. 1447. Was renowned for the beauty of her Person, and the Mildness of her Disposition. m. Robert, Lord Pounceby, and by him had several children. But the Tranquillity of her Married Life was Disturbed soon by the Execution of her Husband, 1471, after the Battle of Barnet. She then Dedicated her Life to the Performance of Good Works, and died, lamented by all, 1489.

Henry, 4th Baron

Called the 'Iron-Handed.' b. 1450. Reputed to favour his Grandfather. Early joined Henry, Earl of Richmond, in France, and afterwards accompanied him to England. Took a prominent part in the Battle of Bosworth, but was very Meagrely Rewarded for his services. Te amend this Oversight on the part of Henry, he took as his 2nd Wife, Eleanor, heiress of James, Earl of Malvallet, his 1st Wife having died without issue. d. 1515, as the Result of a Fatal Fall in the Jousting Field, to which Sport, even in old age, he was Extremely Partial.

Elizabeth

d. 1487. Became a Nun, in consequence of an Indiscretion.

Isabella

b. 1488. Displayed signs of Impetuosity in early youth, and during one of her Father's absences from Home. Eloped with a Mere Esquire. Soon found life Insupportable, and was Attacked by Melancholy, and passed into a Decline. S.P.

Nicholas, 5th Baron

Called the "Good Baron." b. 1490. Led a Life of Great Piety, and married, 1512, Joanna, daughter and co-heiress of Henry, Lord Alreston. Formed various plans for the Advancement of the Family, but these were Unhappily Frustrated. He ended his life on Tower Hill, 1539, as an outcome of a Misunderstanding with Henry VIII.

Geoffrey

b. 1491. Died in Infancy, owing to Overtight Swaddling-Bands.

Joanna

b. 1513. Her Pious Disposition and Wise Judgment early led her Father to Predict that she was Destined to be the Prop of his Declining Years. This Prediction remained Unfulfilled (see 5th Baron), and the lady, upon hearing the Dreadful News of her Father's Death, fell into a Succession of Fits, which Permanently Impaired her Intellect. S.P.

Geoffrey

b. 1514. Shared his Father's Ambitions for the Advancement of the Family, and Cherished Schemes for the Acquisition of an Earldom. These being Frustrated by the Untimely End of his Father, and the Confiscation of the Estates and Title, he shut himself off from the World, and Dedicated the Remainder of his Life to Science. This was not of long Duration, as he shortly afterwards met his End, owing to the Unfortunate Outcome of the Combination of two Hitherto Undiscovered Chemicals. S.P.

Mary

b. 1516. Married when still a Child to a Gentleman of Respectable Lineage. Her Calmness of Temper and Philosophical Outlook were the Admiration of her Acquaintances. Upon hearing the News of her Father's End she is Reported to have said: "There goes Joanna's Mission. God's Will be done." Her brother's Fate, as a Martyr to Science, induced her to remark that it might have been Foreseen from the First.

Henry, 6th Baron

b. 1517. Upon the death of his Father he Prudently withdrew to the Continent, but returned on hearing of his Brother's End, and by Careful Policy won back the confiscated Title and Estates. m. 1547, Adela, daughter of a Nobleman of Large Fortune, and managed to Survive the Reigns of Edward VI and Mary I. His Foresight led him secretly to Forsake the Old Religion during the latter years of Mary's reign, and to open Tentative Communications with the Protestant Party. Owing to an Unfortunate Remark he fell into Disfavour under Elizabeth, but managed to reinstate himself by the Judicious Tender of a Handsome Present. He afterwards withdrew to his Estates, but his latter years were Disturbed by the Impetuous Conduct of his Younger Son, whose Daring Spirit, and Astonishing Exploits occasioned him Grave Misgivings. He passed away, 1580, in the arms of his heir, Gerard, who was said greatly to resemble him.

Nicholas

b. 1518. He was Destined for the Church, but displayed so Vehement a Repugnance for the Vocation that the Project was abandoned. He Devoted his Life to the Consumption of Sack, and died of a Surfeit upon the Occasion of his Brother's Marriage. S.P.

Gerard, 7th Baron

b. 1546.

Adela

b. 1549.

NICHOLAS

b. 1551.

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

THESE OLD SHADES
SIMON THE COLDHEART
THE MASQUERADERS
THE GREAT ROXHYTHE
THE BLACK MOTH
HELEN
PASTEL
INSTEAD OF THE THORN