When the main body had advanced within a
few hundred yards of the castle, they halted and seated
themselves on the turf. This step re-assured the garrison: it
was generally held to indicate that the intentions of the
invaders were not of a very settled or hostile character; that
they had visited the place probably in a spirit of frolic, and
if met with tact and civility might ultimately be induced to
retire from it without much annoyance. This was evidently the
opinion of Mr Mountchesney from the first, and when an uncouth
being on a white mule, attended by twenty or thirty miners,
advanced to the castle and asked for Lord de Mowbray, Mr
Mountchesney met them with kindness, saying that he regretted
his father-in-law was absent, expressed his readiness to
represent him, and enquired their pleasure. His courteous
bearing evidently had an influence on the Bishop, who dropping
his usual brutal tone mumbled something about his wish to
drink Lord de Mowbray's health.
"You shall all drink his health," said Mr Mountchesney
humouring him, and he gave directions that a couple of barrels
of ale should be broached in the park before the castle. The
Bishop was pleased, the people were in good humour, some men
began dancing, it seemed that the cloud had blown over, and Mr
Mountchesney sent up a bulletin to Lady de Mowbray that all
danger was past and that he hoped in ten minutes they would
all have disappeared.
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