Middletown transcript., 1891-02-05
THE LADY PENELOPE.

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THE LADY PENELOPE.
In going out of Casterbridge by the
low-lying road which eventually con-
ducts to the town OF Ivell, you see on
the right hand an ivied manor-house,
fanked by battlemented towers and
more than usually distinguished BY
the size Of the many mullioned win
dows. Though still of good capacity
the building is much reduced from its
| original grand proportions it has,
moreover. been shorn of the fair es-
tate which once appertained to 10,
with the exception of q few acres of
park land Immediately around the
mansion. This was formerly the seat
of the ancient and knightly family of
the Drenghards, or Drenchards, now
extinct in the male line, whose name,
according to The local chronicles, was
interpreted to mean Strenusls Niles vel
Potator, though certain members Of
the family were averse to the latter
signi6cation, and a duel was fought
BY one of them on that account, as is
we'll known. But this is beside the
story.
In the early part Of the reign Of the
first King James there was visiting
near this place of the Drenghards a
lady of noble family and extraordi-
nary beauty. She possessed no great
wealth, it was said, but was sufficient
ly endowed. Her beauty was so per-
feet and her manner so enhancing
that suitors seemed to spring out Of
the ground wherever she went-a
sufficient cause Of anxiety to the
Countess, her mother, her only living
parent. Of these there were three in
particular, whom neither her mothers
complaints of prematurity nor the
ready raillerY Of the maiden herself
could efectually put off. The said
gallants were a certain Sir John Gale,
a Sir William Hervy, and the we'll
known Sir George Drenghard, one of
the Drenghard family before mention
ed. They had, curiously enough, all
been equally honored with the dis
tinction of knighthood, and their
schemes for seeing her we're manifold,
each fearing that one Of the Others
would steal a march over himself.
Not content with calling on every
imaginable excuse at the house of the
relative with whom she sojourned,
they intercepted her in rides and
walks, and if any one ofthem chanced
to surprise another in the act Of pay
ing her marked attentions, the en-
counter often ended in an altercation
Of great violence. So heated and inn
passioned, indeed, would they become
that the lady hardly felt herself safe
in their company at such times, not
withstanding that she was brave and
buxom damsel, not easily put out and
with daring spirit of humor in her
composition, if not of coquetry.
On one of these occasions which
had taken place in her relatives
grounds, and was unusually bitter,
threatening to result in duel, she
found il necessary to assert herself
Turning haughtily upon the pair Of
disputants she declared that which,
ever should be the first to break the
peace between them, whatever the
provocation, that man should never
be admitted to her presence again ;
and thus would she effectually stultify
the aggressor by making the promo
ton Of a quarrel a distinct bar to its
object
While the two knights were wearing
rather a crestfallen appearance at her
reprimand the third, never far off,
came upon the scene, and she repeat
ed her caveat to him also. Seeing,
then, how great was the concern Of
all at her peremptory mood the lady'a
mood softened, and she said, with a
roguish smile;
"Have patience, have patience,
you foolish men! Only bide your
time quietly !; and. in faith, I will
marry you all in turn"
They laughed heartily at this sally,
all H three together, as though they
were the best of friends, at which she
blushed, and showed some embarass-
ment-not having realized that her
arch Jest would haYe sounded SO
strange when uttered. The meeting
which resulted thus, however. had its
good effect in checking the bitterness
of their rivalry; and they repeated
her speech to their relatives and ac-
quaintances with a hilarious frequen-
cy c. and publicity that the lady little
| OWNED, or she might have blushed
and felt more embarrassment still.
In the course Of time the position
revolved itself, and the beauteous
Lady Penelope Gas 1e was called
made up her mind; her choice being
the eldest of the three knights, Sil
George Drenghard, owner Of the
mansion aforesaid, which thereupon
became her home and her husband
being a pleasant man, and his family,
though not SO noble. of as good re-
pute as her own, all things seemed tc
show that she reckoned wisely in
honoriDg him with her preference.
But what may lie behind the still
silent veil of the future none can fore
tell. In the course Of a few months
the husband of her choice died of hii
convivialities Gas if, indeed, to beal
out his nancy, and the Lady Penelope
was left alone as mistress of his house
BY this time she had apparently quite
forgotten her careless declaration tC
her lovers collectively but the luyerI
themselves had not forgotten it, ant
as she would now be free to tax,
a second one Of them, Sir John Gall
appeared at her door as early in hel
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