The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-16

Scott takes a great historical liberty
in this novel by making the countess
Of Derby Catholic. She was French
been Charlotte de Ia Trenouille. The
story of her execution by William
Christian IL a true one and her auto
cratic and high handed exercise of the
regal rights that she claimed over the
Isle Of Man caused much xrouble for
her.
According to most historical accounts.
William Christian was a brave and pa.
triotic gentleman, who died as the re-
suit of his adherence TO principle and
Justice and not as betting punishment
for treachery. He had no brother Ed
that name in the novel is purely q cree
aturc Of Action
Before the civil war of Cronwell's
day the superb battlements OF Martini
dale Castle, the home OF the proud
Peverils fthe Peak, looked down on
Major Bridgenorth's Moultrassie Hail.
as an oak in Martindale Chase used
to look down the young. struggling
growths that were planted around the
smaller house. But after the defeat of
the cavaliers the ruined and blackened
castle compared disadvantageousIy
enough with the hall. which gained az
the castle lost, for Major Bridgenorth
was as jealous a roundhead as Sir Ge-
offrey Peveril was q ryalist
He did not, however, permit his poll
itics to make him bad neighbor. In
deed, he used his influence with his
victorious party to such effect that he
not only saved Sir Geonrrey from dam
ger OF life and limb but succeeded
in preventing the sequestration OF his
estates. The heavy fne which was I'm.
posed on him was paid by Major
Bridgenorth, who took In exchange Q
part of the estate adjoining his own
home. and for security for the rest Of
the sum took mortgages on the Peveril
domain.
Major Bridgenorth was keen busi-
moss man, as behtted a plain person
whose Immediate ancestors had been
in trade. He did not lose by his bar
gain, but neither did he exact undue
interest or profit, but made the terms
so easy and generous that even the hot
pride of Sir Godfrey found no occasion
for offense.
There was the less strain in their re-
lations since Briogenorth, although q
loyal believer in the pHlneiples Of his
party, had been greatly shocked at the
unexpected trial and execution OF the
King, and, while he did not wish to
see the monarchy restored by force OF
arms, was inclined to believe that to
bring back the heir of the royal FAM
fly on terms that would assure England
her liberties would be far preferable
to the military domination of the Cronn-
wellians.
Then there came an occurrence which
bound the two families more closely
together still. Major Bridgenorth's
wife died. Their infant daughter was
left in a condition so precarious that
1t seemed impossible she should live
Lady Peveril. ever the good angel for
all around her, at once took the child
and saved her.
Major Bridgenorth, broken utterly by
the loss of his wife, and superstitious-
" afraid that the same fate might
strike his child IL he essayed to keep
her in his lonely house. yielded readily
and gratefully to Lady Peveril when
she begged TO be permitted to keep
the infant. So 1t came about that
Alice Bridgenorth grew up with Ju-
lian Peveril. and Sir Godfrey made IL
a daily part OF his ride to stop at the
windows of Moultrassie Hall and re-
port her condition to her lonely father,
who rarely saw any one except his own
servants, and, save for that morning
visit, sat silent and brooding in his
great library.
He was reused in a measure from
his stupor by the news that Charles
II. had arrived; and he Joined Sir Geof-
frey in the measures necessary 70 se-
cure their part OF the country for the
King, which was done as peacefully
there as in other parts Of England.
For all that. II was this very Restor-
alton which was to cause the first Sc
rfous difference between the two fams
ilies and to malxe-the old cavalier and
the old roundhead bitter foes.
While Sir Godfrey was at Whitehall
to pay his respects to the King. which
that ungratefuI and forgetful sover-
eign received heedlessly and without