kenilworth-第121章
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woman is withdrawn from my knowledge； and sequestered in some
secret place of this Castleif she be not transferred to some
place of seclusion better fitted for bad designs。 This must be
reformed； my lordI speak it as authorized by her fatherand
this ill…fated marriage must be avouched and proved in the
Queen's presence； and the lady placed without restraint and at
her own free disposal。 And permit me to say it concerns no one's
honour that these most just demands of mine should be complied
with so much as it does that of your lordship。〃
The Earl stood as if he had been petrified at the extreme
coolness with which the man； whom he considered as having injured
him so deeply； pleaded the cause of his criminal paramour； as if
she had been an innocent woman and he a disinterested advocate；
nor was his wonder lessened by the warmth with which Tressilian
seemed to demand for her the rank and situation which she had
disgraced； and the advantages of which she was doubtless to share
with the lover who advocated her cause with such effrontery。
Tressilian had been silent for more than a minute ere the Earl
recovered from the excess of his astonishment； and considering
the prepossessions with which his mind was occupied； there is
little wonder that his passion gained the mastery of every other
consideration。 〃I have heard you； Master Tressilian；〃 said he；
〃without interruption； and I bless God that my ears were never
before made to tingle by the words of so frontless a villain。
The task of chastising you is fitter for the hangman's scourge
than the sword of a nobleman； but yetVillain； draw and defend
thyself！〃
As he spoke the last words； he dropped his mantle on the ground；
struck Tressilian smartly with his sheathed sword； and instantly
drawing his rapier； put himself into a posture of assault。 The
vehement fury of his language at first filled Tressilian； in his
turn； with surprise equal to what Leicester had felt when he
addressed him。 But astonishment gave place to resentment when
the unmerited insults of his language were followed by a blow
which immediately put to flight every thought save that of
instant combat。 Tressilian's sword was instantly drawn； and
though perhaps somewhat inferior to Leicester in the use of the
weapon； he understood it well enough to maintain the contest with
great spirit； the rather that of the two he was for the time the
more cool； since he could not help imputing Leicester's conduct
either to actual frenzy or to the influence of some strong
delusion。
The rencontre had continued for several minutes； without either
party receiving a wound； when of a sudden voices were heard
beneath the portico which formed the entrance of the terrace；
mingled with the steps of men advancing hastily。 〃We are
interrupted；〃 said Leicester to his antagonist； 〃follow me。〃
At the same time a voice from the portico said； 〃The jackanape is
rightthey are tilting here。〃
Leicester； meanwhile； drew off Tressilian into a sort of recess
behind one of the fountains； which served to conceal them； while
six of the yeomen of the Queen's guard passed along the middle
walk of the Pleasance； and they could hear one say to the rest；
〃We shall never find them to…night among all these squirting
funnels； squirrel cages； and rabbit…holes； but if we light not on
them before we reach the farther end； we will return； and mount a
guard at the entrance； and so secure them till morning。〃
〃A proper matter；〃 said another； 〃the drawing of swords so near
the Queen's presence； ay； and in her very palace as 'twere！ Hang
it； they must be some poor drunken game…cocks fallen to sparring
'twere pity almost we should find themthe penalty is chopping
off a hand； is it not？'twere hard to lose hand for handling a
bit of steel； that comes so natural to one's gripe。〃
〃Thou art a brawler thyself； George；〃 said another； 〃but take
heed； for the law stands as thou sayest。〃
〃Ay；〃 said the first； 〃an the act be not mildly construed； for
thou knowest 'tis not the Queen's palace； but my Lord of
Leicester's。〃
〃Why； for that matter； the penalty may be as severe；〃 said
another 〃for an our gracious Mistress be Queen； as she is； God
save her； my Lord of Leicester is as good as King。〃
〃Hush； thou knave！〃 said a third； 〃how knowest thou who may be
within hearing？〃
They passed on； making a kind of careless search； but seemingly
more intent on their own conversation than bent on discovering
the persons who had created the nocturnal disturbance。
They had no sooner passed forward along the terrace； than
Leicester； making a sign to Tressilian to follow him； glided away
in an opposite direction； and escaped through the portico
undiscovered。 He conducted Tressilian to Mervyn's Tower； in
which he was now again lodged； and then； ere parting with him；
said these words； 〃If thou hast courage to continue and bring to
an end what is thus broken off； be near me when the court goes
forth to…morrow； we shall find a time； and I will give you a
signal when it is fitting。〃
〃My lord；〃 said Tressilian； 〃at another time I might have
inquired the meaning of this strange and furious inveteracy
against me。 But you have laid that on my shoulder which only
blood can wash away； and were you as high as your proudest wishes
ever carried you； I would have from you satisfaction for my
wounded honour。〃
On these terms they parted； but the adventures of the night were
not yet ended with Leicester。 He was compelled to pass by
Saintlowe's Tower； in order to gain the private passage which led
to his own chamber； and in the entrance thereof he met Lord
Hunsdon half clothed； and with a naked sword under his arm。
〃Are you awakened； too； with this 'larum； my Lord of Leicester？〃
said the old soldier。 〃'Tis well。 By gog's nails； the nights
are as noisy as the day in this Castle of yours。 Some two hours
since I was waked by the screams of that poor brain…sick Lady
Varney； whom her husband was forcing away。 I promise you it
required both your warrant and the Queen's to keep me from
entering into the game； and cutting that Varney of yours over the
head。 And now there is a brawl down in the Pleasance； or what
call you the stone terrace…walk where all yonder gimcracks
stand？〃
The first part of the old man's speech went through the Earl's
heart like a knife； to the last he answered that he himself had
heard the clash of swords； and had come down to take order with
those who had been so insolent so near the Queen's presence。
〃Nay； then；〃 said Hunsdon； 〃I will be glad of your lordship's
company。〃
Leicester was thus compelled to turn back with the rough old Lord
to the Pleasance； where Hunsdon heard from the yeomen of the
guard； who were under his immediate command； the unsuccessful
search they had made for the authors of the disturbance； and
bestowed for their pains some round dozen of curses on them； as
lazy knaves and blind whoresons。 Leicester also thought it
necessary to seem angry that no discovery had been effected； but
at length suggested to Lord Hunsdon； that after all it could only
be some foolish young men who had been drinking healths pottle…
deep； and who should be sufficiently scared by the search which
had taken place after them。 Hunsdon； who was himself attached to
his cup； allowed that a pint…flagon might cover many of the
follies which it had caused； 〃But；〃 added he； 〃unless your
lordship will be less liberal in your housekeeping； and restrain
the overflow of ale； and wine； and wassail； I foresee it will end
in my having some of these good fellows into the guard…house； and
treating them to a dose of the strappado。 And with this warning；
good night to you。〃
Joyful at being rid of his company； Leicester took leave of him
at the entrance of his lodging； where they had first met； and
entering the private passage； took up the lamp which he had left
there； and by its expiring light found the way to his own
apartment。
CHAPTER XXXIX。
Room！ room！ for my horse will wince
If he comes within so many yards of a prince；
For to tell you true； and in rhyme；
He was foal'd in Queen Elizabeth's time；
When the great Earl of Lester
I
