She was
then far over the blue hills into Staffordshire, where another sun saw
her the wife of Sir John Stanley; immediately after which they departed
into Ireland.
Sir Thomas threw the reins on the neck of his choler, and, as tradition
reports, did then disinherit her for ever in favour of Sir Oskatell. How
far the latter might be privy to this resolve, or whether Sir Thomas,
goaded on aforetime to the aggrandisement of his name, seized the
present opportunity only as it served his purpose, both history and
tradition leave us without the means of deciding. There does, however,
seem reason to suspect some unfair solicitations practised on Sir
Thomas, which subsequent occurrences strongly corroborate; but
particularly the fact, that on his deathbed he solemnly revoked this
injustice, appointing Sir John Stanley his lawful heir, disinheriting
Sir Oskatell, save a slight provision hereafter named, and declaring his
illegitimacy. We would not lightly throw out an accusation of this
nature; but surely an act of retribution so unsparingly administered
would not have been put in force, had not past circumstances in some
measure rendered it just.
Pages:
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228