However, we saw him no more that day; and only learnt
that he had left a message at the stables that dinner
was not to be kept waiting for him. Such a
message from Clarence would have caused a great commotion;
but it was quite natural and a matter of course from
him in the eyes of the elders, who knew nothing of
his parting with Ellen. However, there was
annoyance enough, when bedtime came, family prayers
were over, and still there was no sign of him.
My father sat up till one o’clock, to let
him in, then gave it up, and I heard his step heavily
mounting the stairs.
’Stafford. And you that are the King’s
friends, follow me.
Cade. And you that love the Commons, follow
me;
We will not leave one lord, one gentleman,
Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon.’
Act I. Henry VI.
The next day was Sunday, and no Griff appeared in
the morning. Vexation, perhaps, prevented us
from attending as much as we otherwise might have
done to Mr. Henderson when he told us that there
were rumours of a serious disturbance at Bristol; until
Emily recollected that Griff had been talking for
some days past of riding over to see his friend in
the cavalry regiment there stationed, and we all
agreed that it was most likely that he was there; and
our wrath began to soften in the belief that he might
have been detained to give his aid in the cause of
order, though his single arm could not be expected
to effect as much as at Hillside.
Long after dark we heard a horse’s feet, and
in another minute Griff, singed, splashed, and battered,
had hurried into the room— ‘It has
begun!’ he said. ’The revolution!
I have brought her—Lady Peacock.
She was at Clifton, dreadfully alarmed. She
is almost at the door now, in her carriage.
I’ll just take the pony, and ride over to
tell Eastwood in case he will call out the Yeomanry.’
The wheels were to be heard, and everybody hastened
out to receive Lady Peacock, who was there with her
maid, full of gratitude. I heard her broken
sentences as she came across the hall, about dreadful
scenes—frightful mob—she knew
not what would have become of her but for Griffith—the
place was in flames when they left it—
the military would not act—Griffith had
assured her that Mr. and Mrs. Winslow would be so
kind—as long as any place was a refuge
We really did believe we were at the outbreak of a
revolution or civil war, and, all little frets forgotten,
listened appalled to the tidings; how the appearance
of Sir Charles Wetherall, the Recorder of Bristol,
a strong opponent to the Reform Bill, seemed to have
inspired the mob with fury. Griff and his friend
the dragoon, while walking in Broad Street, were
astonished by a violent rush of riotous men and boys,
hooting and throwing stones as the Recorder’s
carriage tried to make its way to the Guildhall.
In the midst a piteous voice exclaimed —
