CHAPTER III.
THE ESCAPE PREVENTED.
Viviana having retired to her chamber, apparently to rest, a long andanxious consultation was held by the conspirators as to the next stepsto be pursued. Garnet was of opinion that, as the Earl of Salisbury wasaware of a conspiracy against the state being on foot among theCatholics, their project ought to be deferred, if not altogetherabandoned.
"We are sure to be discovered," he said. "Arrests without end will takeplace. And such rigorous measures will be adopted by the Earl, suchinquiries instituted, that all will infallibly be brought to light.Besides, we know not what Tresham may have revealed. He denies havingbetrayed our secret, but no credit can be attached to his assertions."
"Shall we examine him again, father," cried Catesby, "and wring thetruth from him by threats or torture?"
"No, my son," replied Garnet; "let him remain where he is till morning.A night of solitary confinement, added to the stings of his own guiltyconscience, is likely to produce a stronger effect upon him than anytorments we could inflict. He shall be interrogated strictly to-morrow,and, I will answer for it, will make a full confession. But even if hehas revealed nothing material, there exists another and equally seriousground of alarm. I allude to your meeting with the Earl on the river. Ishould be the last to counsel bloodshed. But if ever it could bejustified, it might have been so in this case."
"I would have slain him if I had had my own way," returned Catesby, witha fierce and reproachful look at Fawkes.
"If I have done wrong, I will speedily repair my error," observed thelatter. "Do you desire his death, father? and will you absolve me fromthe deed?" he added, turning to Garnet.
"It is better as it is," replied Garnet, making a gesture in thenegative. "I would not have our high and holy purpose stained by commonslaughter. The power that delivered him into your hands, and stayedthem, no doubt preserved him for the general sacrifice. My first fearwas lest, having noticed the barrels of powder within the boat, he mighthave suspected your design. But I am satisfied his eyes were blinded,and his reason benighted, so that he could discern nothing."
"Such was my own opinion, father," replied Fawkes. "Let us observe theutmost caution, but proceed at all hazards with the enterprise. If wedelay, we fail."
"Right," returned Catesby; "and for that counsel I forgive you forstanding between me and our enemy."
Upon this, it was agreed that if nothing occurred in the interim, morepowder should be transported to the habitation in Westminster on thefollowing night,--that Fawkes and Catesby, who might be recognised bySalisbury's description, should keep close house during the day,--andthat the rest of the conspirators should be summoned to assist indigging the mine. Prayers were then offered up by the two priests fortheir preservation from peril, and for success in their enterprise;after which, they threw themselves on benches or seats, and courtedslumber. All slept soundly except Fawkes, who, not being able to closehis eyes, from an undefinable apprehension of danger, arose, andcautiously opening the door, kept watch outside.
Shortly afterwards, Viviana, who had waited till all was quiet, softlydescended the stairs, and, shading her light, gazed timorously round.Satisfied she was not observed, she glided swiftly and noiselessly tothe fire-place, and endeavoured to raise the flag. But it resisted allher efforts, and she was about to abandon the attempt in despair, whenshe perceived a bolt on one side, that had escaped her notice. Hastilywithdrawing it, she experienced no further difficulty. The stonerevolved on hinges like a trap-door, and lifting it, she hurried downthe steps.
Alarmed by her approach, Tresham had retreated to the further end of thevault, and snatching up a halbert from the pile of weapons, cried, in avoice of desperation--
"Stand off! I am armed, and have severed my bonds. Off, I say! You shallnot take me with life."
"Hush!" cried Viviana, putting her finger to her lips, "I am come to setyou free."
"Do I behold an inhabitant of this world?" cried Tresham, crossinghimself, and dropping the halbert, "or some blessed saint? Ah!" heexclaimed, as she advanced towards him, "it is Viviana Radcliffe--mypreserver. Pardon, sweet lady. My eyes were dazzled by the light, andyour sudden appearance and speech,--and I might almost say looks,--mademe think you were some supernatural being come to deliver me from thesebloody-minded men. Where are they?"
"In the room above," she replied, in a whisper,--"asleep,--and if youspeak so loud you will arouse them."
"Let us fly without a moment's delay," returned Tresham, in the sametone, and hastily picking up a rapier and a dagger.
"Stay!" cried Viviana, arresting him. "Before you go, you must tell mewhat you are about to do."
"We will talk of that when we are out of this accursed place," hereplied.
"You shall not stir a footstep," she rejoined, placing herselfresolutely between him and the outlet, "till you have sworn neither tobetray your confederates, nor to do them injury."
"May Heaven requite me, if I forgive them!" cried Tresham between hisground teeth.
"Remember!--you are yet in their power," she rejoined. "One word fromme, and they are at your side. Swear!--and swear solemnly, or you do notquit this spot."
Tresham gazed at her fiercely, and griped his dagger, as if determinedto free himself at any cost.
"Ah!" she ejaculated, noticing the movement, "you are indeed a traitor.You have neither sense of honour nor gratitude, and I leave you to yourfate. Attempt to follow me, and I give the alarm."
"Forgive me, Viviana," he cried, abjectly prostrating himself at herfeet, and clinging to the hem of her dress. "I meant only to terrifyyou; I would not injure you for worlds. Do not leave me with theseruthless cut-throats. They will assuredly murder me. Do not remain withthem yourself, or you will come to some dreadful end. Fly with me, and Iwill place you beyond their reach--will watch over your safety. Or, ifyou are resolved to brave their fury, let me go, and I will take anyoath you propose. As I hope for salvation I will not betray them."
"Peace!" cried Viviana, contemptuously. "If I set you free, it is not tosave you, but them."
"What mean you?" asked Tresham, hesitating.
"Question me not, but follow," she rejoined, "and tread softly, as youvalue your life."
Tresham needed no caution on this head, and as they emerged from thetrap-door in breathless silence, and he beheld the figures of hissleeping foes, he could scarcely muster sufficient courage to passthrough them. Motioning him to proceed quickly, Viviana moved towardsthe door, and to her surprise found it unfastened. Without pausing toconsider whence this neglect could arise, she opened it, and Tresham,who trembled in every limb, and walked upon the points of his feet,stepped forth. As he crossed the threshold, however, a powerful graspwas laid upon his shoulder, and a drawn sword presented to his breast,while the voice of Fawkes thundered in his ear, "Who goes there? Speak,or I strike."
While the fugitive, not daring to answer, lest his accents should betrayhim, endeavoured vainly to break away, Viviana, hearing the struggle,threw open the door, and exclaimed, "It is Tresham. I set him free."
"You!" cried Fawkes, in astonishment. "Wherefore?"
"In the hope that his escape would induce you to abandon your design,and seek safety in flight," she rejoined. "But you have thwarted mypurpose."
Fawkes made no reply, but thrust Tresham forcibly into the house, andcalled to Catesby, who by this time had been roused with the others, toclose and bar the door. The command was instantly obeyed, and as Catesbyturned, a strange and fearful group met his view. In the midst stoodTresham, his haggard features and palsied frame bespeaking the extremityof his terror. His sword having been beaten from his grasp by Fawkes,and his dagger wrested from him by Keyes, he was utterly defenceless.Viviana had placed herself between him and his assailants, and screeninghim from their attack, cried--
"Despatch me. The fault is mine--mine only--and I am ready to pay thepenalty. Had I not released him, he would not have attempted to escape.I am the rightful victim."
"Sh
e speaks the truth," gasped Tresham. "If she had not offered toliberate me, I should never have thought of flying. Would to Heaven Ihad never yielded to her solicitations!"
"Peace, craven hound!" exclaimed Fawkes, furiously; "you deserve to diefor your meanness and ingratitude, if not for your treachery. And it isfor this miserable wretch, Viviana," he added, turning to her, "that youwould have placed your friends in such fearful jeopardy,--it is for him,who would sacrifice you without scruple to save himself, that you nowoffer your own life?"
"I deserve your reproaches," she rejoined, in confusion.
"Had I not fortunately intercepted him," pursued Fawkes, "an hour wouldnot have elapsed ere he would have returned with the officers; and weshould have changed this dwelling for a dungeon in the Tower,--thesebenches for the rack."
"In pity stab me!" cried Viviana, falling at his feet. "But oh! do notwound me with your words. I have committed a grievous wrong; but I wasignorant of the consequences; and, as I hope for mercy hereafter, mysole motive, beyond compassion for this wretched man, was to terrify youinto relinquishing your dreadful project."
"You have acted wrongfully,--very wrongfully, Viviana," interposedGarnet: "but since you are fully convinced of your error, no more needbe said. There are seasons when the heart must be closed againstcompassion, and when mercy becomes injustice. Go to your chamber, andleave us to deal with this unhappy man."
"To-morrow you must quit us," observed Fawkes, as she passed him.
"Quit you!" she exclaimed. "I will never offend again."
"I will not trust you," replied Fawkes, "unless--but it is useless toimpose restrictions upon you, which you will not--perhaps, cannotobserve."
"Impose any restrictions you please," replied Viviana. "But do not bidme leave you."
"The time is come when we _must_ separate," rejoined Fawkes. "See younot that the course we are taking is slippery with blood, and beset withperils which the firmest of your sex could not encounter?"
"I will encounter them nevertheless," replied Viviana. "Be merciful,"she added, pointing to Tresham, "and mercy shall be shown you in yourhour of need." And she slowly withdrew.
While this was passing, Catesby addressed a few words aside to Keyes andOldcorne, and now stepping forward, and fixing his eye steadily upon theprisoner, to note the effect of his speech upon him, said--
"I have devised a plan by which the full extent of Tresham's treacherycan be ascertained."
"You do not mean to torture him, I trust?" exclaimed Garnet, uneasily.
"No, father," replied Catesby. "If torture is inflicted at all, it willbe upon the mind, not the body."
"Then it will be no torture," observed Garnet. "State your plan, myson."
"It is this," returned Catesby. "He shall write a letter to LordMounteagle, stating that he has important revelations to make to him,and entreating him to come hither unattended."
"Here!" exclaimed Fawkes.
"Here," repeated Catesby; "and alone. We will conceal ourselves in suchmanner that we may overhear what passes between them, and if any attemptis made by the villain to betray our presence, he shall be immediatelyshot. By this means we cannot fail to elicit the truth."
"I approve your plan, my son," replied Garnet; "but who will convey theletter to Lord Mounteagle?"
"I will," replied Fawkes. "Let it be prepared at once, and the case willbe thought the more urgent. I will watch him, and see that he comesunattended, or give you timely warning."
"Enough," rejoined Garnet. "Let writing materials be procured, and Iwill dictate the letter."
Tresham, meanwhile, exhibited no misgiving; but, on the contrary, hiscountenance brightened up as the plan was approved.
"My life will be spared if you find I have not deceived you, will itnot?" he asked, in a supplicating voice.
"Assuredly," replied Garnet.
"Give me pen and ink, then," he cried, "and I will write whatever youdesire."
"Our secret is safe," whispered Catesby to Garnet. "It is useless totest him further."
"I think so," replied Garnet. "Would we had made this experimentsooner!"
"Do not delay, I entreat you," implored Tresham. "I am eager to prove myinnocence."
"We are satisfied with the proof we have already obtained," returnedGarnet.
Tresham dropped on his knees in speechless gratitude.
"We are spared the necessity of being your executioners, my son,"pursued Garnet, "and I rejoice at it. But I cannot acquit you of thedesign to betray us; and till you have unburthened your whole soul tome, and proved by severe and self-inflicted penance that you are reallypenitent, you must remain a captive within these walls."
"I will disguise nothing from you, father," replied Tresham, "and willstrive to expiate my offence by the severest penance you choose toinflict."
"Do this, my son," rejoined Garnet; "leave no doubt of your sincerity,and you may be yet restored to the place you have forfeited, and becomea sharer in our great enterprise."
"I will never trust him more," observed Fawkes.
"Nor I," added Keyes.
"_I_ will," rejoined Catesby: "not that I have more faith in him thaneither of you; but I will so watch him that he shall not dare to betrayus. Nay, more," he added, in an under tone, to Garnet, "I will turn histreachery to account. He will be a useful spy upon our enemies."
"If he can be relied on," observed Garnet.
"After this, you need have no fears," rejoined Catesby, with asignificant smile.
"The first part of your penance, my son," said Garnet, addressingTresham, "shall be to pass the night in solitary vigil and prayer withinthe vault. Number your transgressions, and reflect upon their enormity.Consider not only the injury your conduct might have done us, but theholy church of which you are so sinful a member. Weigh over all this,and to-morrow I will hear your confession; when, if I find you in astate of grace, absolution shall not be refused."
Tresham humbly bowed his head in token of acquiescence. He was then ledto the vault, and the flag closed over him, as before. This done, aftera brief conversation, the others again stretched themselves on thefloor, and sought repose.