“No; I went with thee once to Lymington where I saw The Solent, and in the distance the Isle of Wight. But never have I been even across Southampton water.”
“True; I had forgot. Then thou wilt be entertained greatly, for we go through Wilts, 41 Gloucester and Worcester before we reach Stafford.”
And so conversing on through the woods they passed until at length they came to Bramshaw, a little village standing partly in Hampshire and partly in Wiltshire and forming the forest boundary. Before them swelled the rounded forms of the Wiltshire downs, and from their midst towered the spire of Salisbury with the mound of old Sarum looming darkly behind.
“I prithee tell me, father,” said Francis, “what is that which I see in yon distance? Methinks it looks like the tower of a church.”
“Its looks belie it not, Francis. It is the spire of the cathedral of Saint Mary, than which there is none higher in England. In the valley lies Salisbury where we will stop for rest and refreshment. Yon conical mound is Old Sarum which hath been a fortress from the earliest times. The fosse and rampart belong to the Roman period. In the vast plain which lies beneath it the Conqueror reviewed his victorious armies, and there also did the English landholders swear fealty to him.” 42
Francis looked with the delight of one who goes abroad for the first time. At the beautiful cathedral, then at the old fort, and lastly at the town itself which lay in the valley at the confluence of four rivers: the upper Avon, the Wiley, the Bourne and the Nadder. In the centre of the city was a large handsome square for the market-place from which the streets branched off at right angles. The streams flowed uncovered through the streets which added greatly to the picturesqueness of the place.
Lord Stafford turned into one of the side streets, and drew rein before a small inn, The Mermaid by name. As he rode into the courtyard the host hurried forward to greet him.
“Good my lord,” he said obsequiously, “light, and grace my poor house, I pray you. There be one here who hath waited since yester e’en to see you.”
“Beshrew me, sayst thou so!” ejaculated Lord Stafford. “I thought not to meet with any here. But oft must a man’s pleasuring be staid for by affairs of business. Is it not true, good Giles?”