Part 10 (2/2)
”My lord, as I am with thee in the chiefest thought of thine heart, I make bold to inform thee of a virulent action that is about to be made against thee; one flagrant of state intrigue and court duplicity.”
”Damme, what now?” and his Lords.h.i.+p leaned heavily upon the table; the conversation at the monastery recurring to his mind with force as Janet proceeded.
”Not being able to contain my anxiety for Mistress Penwick, I wrapt myself and went forth in the storm to watch and listen for aught of her return. I pa.s.sed some little distance within the confines of the forest, and was soon put upon my guard by the approaching tramp of horses' feet, and then, low-keyed voices, and in very truth I thought my lady was come; instead, three hors.e.m.e.n came within a few feet of my hiding and one said,--'We are even now hard by the Castle courtyard; 'tis possible the lackeys are waiting for the beauty who is perchance now started from the monastery. Didst ever see such beauty?' They halted and dismounted some distance from the open road. Then one said,--''Twill send his Majesty to madness when he sees before him such perfect mould, suing for his most gracious clemency toward our cause.' ''Tis a wonder my lord of Crandlemar does not take such beauty to wife,' said another. 'He may bid her farewell when once her fame reaches the Court; and 'twill be there in less than two days from this hour. Who will remain with the despatches while we find that rascal Christopher?' ''Twill best serve for one to go, and two guard the horses and bags. Thou hadst best go, Twinkham, thou art as subtle as the wind. Prod the villain Christopher to haste and enjoin upon him secrecy in the name of His Most Catholic Majesty, the Pope,--and do not thou be hindered by some scullion wench.' These things I heard, well-seasoned with imprecation against the king. I hastened from the _rendezvous_ to my chamber and thought upon it, and--and there is naught can be done, unless thou wed Mistress Penwick straightway.”
His Lords.h.i.+p fell into furious rage, and vowed he would sever Christopher's head from his rotting body with a cleaver, and honour him not with a thought of Tyburn Hill. He would burn yonder monastery and all within to ashes for the wind to carry away; and he would lock Katherine in the tower with his own hands; and he started toward the door, half-dressed as he was, and flung it wide open.
Her Grace of Ellswold stood upon the threshold with a warning finger raised.
”Thou hast a clamourous tongue, Cedric; the doctor hath enjoined silence, as holding for the moment the greatest good for his Grace.”
”Now G.o.d forgive me! I was so wrought upon by foul communication I am well nigh distraught.--How is his Grace?”
”He is resting quietly; but I thought but now, as I heard thy voice--indistinctly, 'tis true,--his pulse did flutter extraly.”
”Dear aunt, forgive; thou shalt not be thus annoyed again.” He turned and strode up and down the room with bent head.
Janet watched him narrowly, wondering the while that any female, of whatsoever age, could withstand such fine mould, masculine grace and handsome features; such strong heart and hot blood. What maid beside her Lambkin would not be overjoyed to see him so mad with love of her?
Who could resist kneeling before him and pleading, and watch his anger take flight; and feel his strong arms raise her and fold the maiden bosom to his heart, where 'twould throb and flutter as he held it close pressed--ah! 'twas not his anger that would kill, nay! nay!
'twas his tender pa.s.sion.
”Janet, these are troublous times come upon us. They have come within these walls. We have traitors about us. That knave Christopher shall die by the hand of the lowest scullion in the kitchen; for 'twould dishonour a better to mix with blood of swine. And thou wilt take thy mistress to the tower and there be bolted in, and 'twill be given out that her ladys.h.i.+p is ill and must needs have quiet--”
”If my lord values her health, 'twould be best to put her in a less windy chamber; the room is large and ill-heated for damp, spring days.”
”Canst keep her safe where she is?”
”Aye, leave it to me, my lord.”
”And thou shalt allow of no communication with those outside, save her Grace, and Angel thou canst rely upon--stay--thou mayest allow Constance to keep my lady company.”
”Nay, my lord, I would refute the idea of safety in my Lady Constance.”
”'Sdeath, what meanest thou; art thou also turned from serving me?”
”My lord, dost remember the night thou didst have dancers from London?
Lady Constance sat late with Mistress Penwick, and at last complained of thirst and they two stole below stair and I followed, and as if by accident Lady Constance brought Mistress Katherine to the curtained archway, and she saw thee swaying in thy cups, and after a while my lady led mistress to her room while she hastened away to a room apart and donned the garb of one of the dancing maids and came to thee as a gipsy, and she told thee false things concerning Mistress Penwick--”
”Is what thou sayest true, or is't thou art going mad?”
”'Tis true, my lord, as Mistress Penwick will tell thee if thou carest to ask.”
”And Constance would do such an act?--” he spoke half aloud and incredulously,--”Nay, I cannot and do not believe it! Thou must have dreamt it, Janet,--and yet,--I did have like visions!--Thou art right; no one shall see thy mistress, no one, mind, but Angel and her Grace.
'Tis possible the king may send for me within a few days; and if so, I must go and leave thee to fight the battle alone. Art able, Janet?”
”Trust me, my lord.”
<script>