MISTRESS SPITFIRE
By the same Author.
WHERE HIGHWAYS CROSS.
“His study of the first and only love of a middle-aged man who, for forty years, has lived only in his work and his thoughts, has no touch of conventionality, but is a singularly truthful and vivid rendering of the late, sudden, and almost convulsive blossoming of a supreme passion.”—Daily Chronicle.
“I very much doubt whether the story of a middle-aged man’s first and last love has ever been told with more of truth and tenderness than are found here.”—The New Age.
“A charming idyll. Thoroughly original, and cleverly worked out.”—Guardian.
LONDON: J. M. DENT & Co.
“Good day to you Master Poltroon!” says she
MISTRESS SPITFIRE
A Plain Account of Certain
Episodes in the History of
Richard Coope, Gent., and
of his Cousin, Mistress
Alison French, at the Time
of the Revolution, 1642-1644
REVISED AND EDITED
FROM THE ORIGINAL MS.
BY
J. S. FLETCHER
AUTHOR OF “WHEN CHARLES THE FIRST WAS KING,” ETC.
London
J. M. DENT & CO.
CHICAGO: A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1897
Second Edition
All Rights Reserved
To
MY FRIEND LIZZIE
The Frontispiece to this book is by Mr J. Walter West, and the Map has been specially drawn by Mr Lewis Kaberry.
[CONTENTS]
PAGE
Of certain Events which happened at East Hardwick Manor House, August 27-28, 1642[1]
Of my Meeting with my Kinsman, Anthony Dacre, at the Wayside Inn—of my Further Adventures, my Disinheritance by Sir Nicholas, and my Doings with the Parliamentarians—and of my Employment on an Important Mission by General Oliver Cromwell[42]
Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results—and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed[77]
Of Various Events of Importance which took place during one night, and caused us Considerable Uneasiness and Other Emotions[103]
Of my Reconciliation with Sir Nicholas, of his Last Wish, and of his Death and Our own Sore Straits[143]
Of my Remarkable Adventures with Gregory and our Fortunate Discovery, of Sir Nicholas’s Burial in his own House, and of my Flight with Mistress Alison[177]
Of our Adventures under the Bridge and the Privations we there Endured, and of my Interview with Fairfax and its Sad Results[207]
Of my Surprising Deliverance from Death, my last Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and of certain Notable Passages ’twixt Mistress Alison and Myself[235]
| Chapter I | Of certain Events which happened at East Hardwick Manor House, August 27-28, 1642. |