CHAPTER VIII.
THE JAILER'S DAUGHTER.
As Viviana set foot on those fatal stairs, which so many have trod, andnone without feeling that they took their first step towards thescaffold, she involuntarily shrank backward. But it was now too late toretreat; and she surrendered her hand to Topcliffe, who assisted her upthe steps. Half-a-dozen men-at-arms, with a like number of wardersbearing torches, were present; and as it was necessary that Topcliffeshould deliver his warrant into Sir William Waad's own hands, hecommitted his prisoner to the warders, with instructions to them to takeher to the guard-room near the By-ward Tower, while he proceeded to thelieutenant's lodgings.
It was the first time Viviana had beheld the terrible pile in which shewas immured, though she was well acquainted with its history, and withthe persecutions which many of the professors of her faith had enduredwithin it during the recent reign of Elizabeth; and as the light of thetorches flashed upon the grey walls of the Bloody Tower, and upon theadjoining ramparts, all the dreadful tales she had heard rushed to herrecollection. But having recovered the first shock, the succeedingimpressions were powerless in comparison, and she accompanied thewarders to the guard-room without expressing any outward emotion. Here aseat was offered her, and as the men considerately withdrew, she wasable to pursue her reflections unmolested. They were sad enough, and itrequired all her firmness to support her.
When considering what was likely to befal her in consequence of heradherence to the fortunes of Fawkes and his companions, she had oftenpictured some dreadful situation like the present, but the reality farexceeded her worst anticipations. She had deemed herself equal to anyemergency, but as she thought upon the dark menaces of the Earl ofSalisbury, she felt it would require greater fortitude than she hadhitherto displayed to bear her through her trial. Nor were hermeditations entirely confined to herself. While trembling for theperilous situation of Guy Fawkes, she reproached herself that she couldnot requite even in thought the passionate devotion of Humphrey Chetham.
"What matters it now," she thought, "that I cannot love him? I shallsoon be nothing to him, or to any one. And yet I feel I have done himwrong, and that I should be happier if I _could_ requite his attachment.But the die is cast. It is too late to repent, or to retreat. My heartacquits me of having been influenced by any unworthy motive, and I willstrive to endure the keenest pang without a murmur."
Shortly after this, Topcliffe returned with Sir William Waad. On theirentrance, Viviana arose, and the lieutenant eyed her with somecuriosity. He was a middle-aged man, tall, stoutly-built, and havingharsh features, stamped with an expression of mingled cunning andferocity. His eyes had a fierce and bloodthirsty look, and wereovershadowed by thick and scowling brows. Saluting the captive withaffected courtesy, he observed,
"So you refuse to answer the interrogations of the Privy Council, madam,I understand. I am not sorry for it, because I would have the merit ofwringing the truth from you. Those who have been most stubborn outsidethese walls, have been the most yielding within them."
"That will not be my case," replied Viviana, coldly.
"We shall see," returned the lieutenant, with a significant glance atTopcliffe.
Ordering her to follow him, he then proceeded along the ward in thedirection of the Bloody Tower, and passing beneath its arched gateway,ascended the steps on the left, and led her to his lodgings. Enteringthe habitation, he mounted to the upper story, and tracking a longgallery, brought her to a small circular chamber in the Bell Tower. Itssole furniture were a chair, a table, and a couch.
"Here you will remain for the present," observed the lieutenant, smilinggrimly, and placing a lamp on the table. "It will depend upon yourselfwhether your accommodations are better hereafter."
With this, he quitted the cell with his attendants, and barred the dooroutside.
Left alone, Viviana, who had hitherto restrained her anguish, sufferedit to find vent in tears. Never had she felt so utterly forlorn anddesolate. All before her was threatening and terrible, full of dangers,real and imaginary; nor could she look back upon her past career withoutsomething like remorse.
"Oh, that Heaven would take me to itself!" she murmured, clasping herhands in an agony of distress, "for I feel unequal to my trials. Oh,that I had perished with my dear father! For what dreadful fate am Ireserved?--Torture,--I will bear it, if I _can_. But death by the handsof the public executioner,--it is too horrible to think of! Is there noway to escape _that_?"
As this hideous thought occurred to her, she uttered a loud andprolonged scream, and fell senseless on the floor. When she recovered itwas daylight; and, weak and exhausted, she crept to the couch, andthrowing herself upon it, endeavoured to forget her misery in sleep.But, as is usually the case with the afflicted, it fled her eyelids, andshe passed several hours in the severest mental torture, unrelieved by asingle cheering thought.
About the middle of the day, the door of the cell was opened by an oldwoman with a morose and forbidding countenance, attended by a youngerfemale, who resembled her in all but the expression of her features (herlook was gentle and compassionate), and who appeared to be her daughter.
Without paying any attention to Viviana, the old woman took a small loafof bread and other provisions from a basket she had brought with her,and placed them on the table. This done, she was about to depart, whenher daughter, who had glanced uneasily at the couch, observed in akindly tone,
"Shall we not inquire whether we can be of service to the poor younglady, mother?"
"Why should we concern ourselves about her, Ruth?" returned the oldwoman, sharply. "If she wants anything, she has a tongue, and can speak.If she desires further comforts," she added, in a significant tone,"they must be _paid_ for."
"I desire nothing but death," groaned Viviana.
"The poor soul is dying, I believe," cried Ruth, rushing to the couch."Have you no cordial-water about you, mother?"
"Truly have I," returned the old woman; "and I have other thingsbesides. But I must be paid for them."
As she spoke she drew from her pocket a small, square, Dutch-shapedbottle.
"Give it me," cried Ruth, snatching it from her. "I am sure the younglady will pay for it."
"You are very kind," said Viviana, faintly. "But I have no means ofdoing so."
"I knew it," cried the old woman, fiercely. "I knew it. Give me back theflask, Ruth. She shall not taste a drop. Do you not hear, she has nomoney, wench? Give it me, I say."
"Nay, mother, for pity's sake," implored Ruth.
"Pity, forsooth!" exclaimed the old woman, derisively. "If I, and thyfather, Jasper Ipgreve, had any such feeling, it would be high time forhim to give up his post of jailer in the Tower of London. Pity for a_poor_ prisoner! Thou a jailer's daughter, and talk so. I am ashamed ofthee, wench. But I thought this was a rich Catholic heiress, and hadpowerful and wealthy friends."
"So she is," replied Ruth; "and though she may have no money with hernow, she can command any amount she pleases. I heard Master Topcliffetell young Nicholas Hardesty, the warder, so. She is the daughter of thelate Sir William Radcliffe, of Ordsall Hall, in Lancashire, and soleheiress of his vast estates."
"Is this so, sweet lady?" inquired the old woman, stepping towards thecouch. "Are you truly Sir William Radcliffe's daughter?"
"I am," replied Viviana. "But I have said I require nothing from you.Leave me."
"No--no, dear young lady," rejoined Dame Ipgreve, in a whining tone,which was infinitely more disagreeable to Viviana than her previousharshness, "I cannot leave you in this state. Raise her head, Ruth,while I pour a few drops of the cordial down her throat."
"I will not taste it," replied Viviana, putting the flask aside.
"You would find it a sovereign restorative," replied Dame Ipgreve, witha mortified look; "but as you please. I will not urge you against yourinclination. The provisions I have been obliged to bring you are toocoarse for a daintily-nurtured maiden like you,--but you shall haveothers presently."
"It is
needless," rejoined Viviana. "Pray leave me."
"Well, well, I am going," rejoined Dame Ipgreve, hesitating. "Do youwant to write to any one? I can find means of conveying a lettersecretly out of the Tower."
"Ah!" exclaimed Viviana, raising herself. "And yet no--no--I dare nottrust you."
"You may," replied the avaricious old woman,--"provided you pay mewell."
"I will think of it," returned Viviana. "But I have not strength towrite now."
"You must not give way thus,--indeed, you must not, dear lady," saidRuth, in a voice of great kindness. "It will not be safe to leave you.Suffer me to remain with you."
"Willingly," replied Viviana; "most willingly."
"Stay with her, then, child," said Dame Ipgreve. "I will go and preparea nourishing broth for her. Take heed and make a shrewd bargain with herfor thy attendance," she added in a hasty whisper, as she retired.
Greatly relieved by the old woman's departure, Viviana turned to Ruth,and thanked her in the warmest terms for her kindness. A few minutessufficed to convert the sympathy which these two young persons evidentlyfelt towards each other into affectionate regard, and the jailer'sdaughter assured Viviana, that so long as she should be detained, shewould devote herself to her.
By this time the old woman had returned with a mess of hot broth, whichshe carried with an air of great mystery beneath her cloak. Viviana wasprevailed upon by the solicitations of Ruth to taste it, and foundherself much revived in consequence. Her slight meal ended, Dame Ipgrevedeparted, with a promise to return in the evening with such viands asshe could manage to introduce unobserved, and with a flask of wine.
"You will need it, sweet lady, I fear," she said; "for my husband tellsme you are in peril of the torture. Oh! it is a sad thing, that such asyou should be so cruelly dealt with! But we will take all the care ofyou we can. You will not forget to requite us. You must give me an orderon your steward, or on some rich Catholic friend. I am half a Papistmyself,--that is, I like one religion as well as the other,--and I likethose best, whatever their creed may be, who pay best. That is my maxim:and it is the same with my husband. We do all we can to scrape togethera penny for our child."
"No more of this, good mother," interrupted Ruth. "It distresses thelady! I will take care she wants nothing."
"Right, child, right," returned Dame Ipgreve;--"do not forget what Itold you," she added in a whisper.
And she quitted the cell.
Ruth remained with Viviana during the rest of the day, and it was agreat consolation to the latter to find that her companion was of thesame faith as herself,--having been converted by Father Poole, a Romishpriest who was confined in the Tower during the latter part ofElizabeth's reign, and whose sufferings and constancy for his religionhad made a powerful impression on the jailer's daughter. As soon asViviana ascertained this, she made Ruth, so far as she thought prudent,a confidante in her misfortunes, and after beguiling some hours inconversation, they both knelt down and offered up fervent prayers to theVirgin. Ruth then departed, promising to return in the evening with hermother.
Soon after it became dark, Dame Ipgreve and her daughter reappeared, theformer carrying a lamp, and the latter a basket of provisions. Ruth'scountenance was so troubled, that Viviana was certain that some freshcalamity was at hand.
"What is the matter?" she hastily demanded.
"Make your meal first, dear young lady," replied Dame Ipgreve. "Our newsmight take away your appetite, and you will have to pay for your supper,whether you eat it or not."
"You alarm me greatly," cried Viviana, anxiously. "What ill news do youbring?"
"I will not keep you longer in suspense, madam," said Ruth. "You are tobe examined to-night by the lieutenant and certain members of the PrivyCouncil, and if you refuse to answer their questions, I lament to sayyou will be put to the torture."
"Heaven give me strength to endure it!" ejaculated Viviana, in adespairing tone.
"Eat, madam, eat," cried Dame Ipgreve, pressing the viands upon her."You will never be able to go through with the examination, if youstarve yourself in this way."
"Are you sure," inquired Viviana, appealing to Ruth, "that it will takeplace so soon?"
"Quite sure," replied Ruth. "My father has orders to attend thelieutenant at midnight."
"Let me advise you to conceal nothing," insinuated the old woman. "Theyare determined to wring the truth from you,--and they _will_ do so."
"You are mistaken, good woman," replied Viviana, firmly. "I will diebefore I utter a word."
"You think so now," returned Dame Ipgreve, maliciously. "But the sightof the rack and the thumbscrews will alter your tone. At all events,support nature."
"No," replied Viviana; "as I do not desire to live, I will use no effortto sustain myself. They may kill me if they please."
"Misfortune has turned her brain," muttered the old woman. "I must takecare and secure my dues. Well, madam, if you will not eat the supper Ihave provided, it cannot be helped. I must find some one who will. Youmust pay for it all the same. My husband, Jasper Ipgreve, will bepresent at your interrogation, and I am sure, for my sake, he will useyou as lightly as he can. Come, Ruth, you must not remain here longer."
"Oh, let her stay with me," implored Viviana. "I will make it well worthyour while to grant me the indulgence."
"What will you give?" cried the old woman, eagerly. "But no--no--I darenot leave her. The lieutenant may visit you, and find her, and then Ishould lose my place. Come along, Ruth. She shall attend you after theinterrogation, madam. I shall be there myself."
"Farewell, madam," sobbed Ruth, who was almost drowned in tears. "Heavengrant you constancy to endure your trial!"
"Be ruled by me," said the old woman. "Speak out, and secure your ownsafety."
She would have continued in the same strain, but Ruth dragged her away.And casting a commiserating glance at Viviana, she closed the door.
The dreadful interval between their departure and midnight was passed byViviana in fervent prayer. As she heard through the barred embrasure ofher dungeon the deep strokes of the clock toll out the hour of twelve,the door opened, and a tall, gaunt personage, habited in a suit of rustyblack, and with a large bunch of keys at his girdle, entered the cell.
"You are Jasper Ipgreve?" said Viviana, rising.
"Right," replied the jailer. "I am come to take you before thelieutenant and the council. Are you ready?"
Viviana replied in the affirmative, and Ipgreve quitting the cell,outside which two other officials in sable habiliments were stationed,led the way down a short spiral staircase, which brought them to anarrow vaulted passage. Pursuing it for some time, the jailer haltedbefore a strong door, cased with iron, and opening it, admitted thecaptive into a square chamber, the roof of which was supported by aheavy stone pillar, while its walls were garnished with implements oftorture. At a table on the left sat the lieutenant and three othergrave-looking personages. Across the lower end of the chamber a thickblack curtain was stretched, hiding a deep recess; and behind it, as wasevident from the glimmer that escaped from its folds, there was alight. Certain indistinct, but ominous sounds, issuing from the recess,proved that there were persons within it, and Viviana's quaking hearttold her what was the nature of their proceedings.
She had ample time to survey this dismal apartment and its occupants,for several minutes elapsed before a word was addressed to her by herinterrogators, who continued to confer together in an under tone, as ifunconscious of her presence. During this pause, broken only by theominous sounds before mentioned, Viviana scanned the countenances of thegroup at the table, in the hope of discerning in them some glimpses ofcompassion; but they were inscrutable and inexorable, and scarcely lessdreadful to look upon than the hideous implements on the walls.
Viviana wished the earth would open and swallow her, that she mightescape from them. Anything was better than to be left at the mercy ofsuch men. At certain times, and not unfrequently at the most awfulmoments, a double current of thought will flow through t
he brain, and atthis frightful juncture it was so with Viviana. While shuddering at allshe saw around her, nay, dwelling upon it, another and distinct train ofthought led her back to former scenes of happiness, when she wasundisturbed by any but remote apprehensions of danger. She thought ofher tranquil residence at Ordsall,--of the flowers she had tended in thegarden,--of her father, and of his affection for her,--of HumphreyChetham, and of her early and scarce-acknowledged attachment tohim,--and of his generosity and devotion, and how she had requited it.And then, like a sullen cloud darkening the fair prospect, arose thefigure of Guy Fawkes--the sombre enthusiast--who had unwittinglyexercised such a baneful influence upon her fortunes.
"Had he not crossed my path," she mentally ejaculated, "I might havebeen happy--might have loved Humphrey Chetham--might, perhaps, havewedded him!"
These reflections were suddenly dispersed by the lieutenant, who, in astern tone, commenced his interrogations.
As upon her previous examination, Viviana observed the utmost caution,and either refused to speak, or answered such questions only as affectedherself. At first, in spite of all her efforts, she trembled violently,and her tongue clove to the roof of her mouth. But after a while, sherecovered her courage, and regarded the lieutenant with a look asdetermined as his own.
"It is useless to urge me farther," she concluded. "I have said all Iwill say."
"Is it your pleasure, my lords," observed Sir William Waad to theothers, "to prolong the examination?"
His companions replied in the negative, and the one nearest himremarked, "Is she aware what will follow?"
"I am," replied Viviana, resolutely, "and I am not to be intimidated."
Sir William Waad then made a sign to Ipgreve, who immediately steppedforward and seized her arm. "You will be taken to that recess," said thelieutenant, "where the question will be put to you. But, as we shallremain here, you have only to utter a cry if you are willing to avow thetruth, and the torture shall be stayed. And it is our merciful hope thatthis may be the case."
Summoning up all her resolution, and walking with a firm footstep,Viviana passed with Ipgreve behind the curtain. She there beheld two menand a woman--the latter was the jailer's wife, who instantly advanced toher, and besought her to confess.
"There is no help for it, if you refuse," she urged; "not all yourwealth can save you."
"Mind your own business, dame," interposed Ipgreve, angrily, "and assisther to unrobe."
Saying this, he stepped aside with the two men, one of whom was thechirurgeon, and the other the tormentor, while Dame Ipgreve helped totake off Viviana's gown. She then tied a scarf over her shoulders, andinformed her husband she was ready.
The recess was about twelve feet high, and ten wide. It was crossed nearthe roof, which was arched and vaulted, by a heavy beam, with pulleysand ropes at either extremity. But what chiefly attracted theunfortunate captive's attention was a couple of iron gauntlets attachedto it, about a yard apart. Upon the ground under the beam, andimmediately beneath that part of it where the gauntlets were fixed, werelaid three pieces of wood, of a few inches in thickness, and piled oneupon another.
"What must I do?" inquired Viviana, in a hollow voice, but withunaltered resolution, of the old woman.
"Step upon those pieces of wood," replied Dame Ipgreve, leading hertowards them.
Viviana obeyed, and as soon as she had set foot upon the pile, thetormentor placed a joint-stool beside her, and mounting it, desired herto place her right hand in one of the gauntlets. She did so, and thetormentor then turned a screw, which compressed the iron glove sotightly as to give her excruciating pain. He then got down, and Ipgrevedemanded if he should proceed.
A short pause ensued; but, notwithstanding her agony, Viviana made noanswer. The tormentor then placed the stool on the left side, andfastened the hand which was still at liberty within the other gauntlet.The torture was dreadful--and the fingers appeared crushed by thepressure. Still Viviana uttered no cry. After another short pause,Ipgreve said,
"You had better let us stop here. This is mere child's play comparedwith what is to come."
No answer being returned, the tormentor took a mallet and struck one ofthe pieces of wood from under Viviana's feet. The shock was dreadful,and seemed to dislocate her wrists, while the pressure on the hands wasincreased in a tenfold degree. The poor sufferer, who was resting on thepoints of her feet, felt that the removal of the next piece of woodwould occasion almost intolerable torture. Her constancy, however, didnot desert her, and, after the question had been repeated by Ipgreve,the second block was struck away. She was now suspended by her hands,and the pain was so exquisite, that nature gave way, and uttering apiercing scream, she fainted.
On recovering, she found herself stretched upon a miserable pallet, withRuth watching beside her. A glance round the chamber, which was of solidstone masonry, with a deep embrasure on one side, convinced her that shehad been removed to some other prison.
"Where am I?" she asked, in a faint voice.
"In the Well Tower, madam," replied Ruth: "one of the fortificationsnear the moat, and now used as a prison-lodging. My father dwells withinit, and you are under his custody."
"Your father," cried Viviana, shuddering as she recalled the sufferingsshe had recently undergone. "Will he torture me again?"
"Not if I can prevent it, dear lady," replied Ruth. "But hush! herecomes my mother. Not a word before her."
As Ruth spoke, Dame Ipgreve, who had been lingering at the door, enteredthe room. She affected the greatest solicitude for Viviana--felt herpulse--looked at the bandages fastened round her swollen and crippledfingers, and concluded by counselling her not to persist in refusing tospeak.
"I dare not tell you what tortures are in store for you," she said, "ifyou continue thus obstinate. But they will be a thousand times worsethan what you endured last night."
"When will my next interrogation take place?" inquired Viviana.
"A week hence, it may be,--or it may be sooner," returned the old woman."It depends upon the state you are in--and somewhat upon the fees yougive my husband, for he has a voice with the lieutenant."
"I would give him all I possess, if he could save me from furthertorture," cried Viviana.
"Alas! alas!" replied Dame Ipgreve, "you ask more than can be done. Hewould save you if he could. But you will not let him. However, we willdo all we can to mitigate your sufferings--all we can--provided you payus. Stay with her, child," she added, with a significant gesture to herdaughter, as she quitted the room, "stay with her."
"My heart bleeds for you, madam," said Ruth, in accents of the deepestcommiseration, as soon as they were alone. "You may depend upon myfidelity. If I can contrive your escape, I will,--at any risk tomyself."
"On no account," replied Viviana. "Do not concern yourself about memore. My earthly sufferings, I feel, will have terminated before furthercruelty can be practised upon me."
"Oh! say not so, madam," returned Ruth. "I hope--nay, I am sure you willlive long and happily."
Viviana shook her head, and Ruth, finding her very feeble, thought itbetter not to continue the conversation. She accordingly applied suchrestoratives as were at hand, and observing that the eyes of thesufferer closed as if in slumber, glided noiselessly out of the chamber,and left her.
In this way a week passed. At the expiration of that time, thechirurgeon pronounced her in so precarious a state, that if the torturewere repeated he would not answer for her life. The interrogation,therefore, was postponed for a few days, during which the chirurgeonconstantly visited her, and by his care, and the restoratives she wascompelled to take, she rapidly regained her strength.
One day, after the chirurgeon had departed, Ruth cautiously closed thedoor, and observed to her,
"You are now so far recovered, madam, as to be able to make an attemptto escape. I have devised a plan, which I will communicate to youto-morrow. It must not be delayed, or you will have to encounter asecond and more dreadful examination."
"I will
not attempt it if you are exposed to risk," replied Viviana.
"Heed me not," returned Ruth. "One of your friends has found out yourplace of confinement, and has spoken to me about you."
"What friend?" exclaimed Viviana, starting. "Guy Fawkes?--I mean----"And she hesitated, while her pale cheeks were suffused with blushes.
"He is named Humphrey Chetham," returned Ruth. "Like myself, he wouldrisk his life to preserve you."
"Tell him he must not do so," cried Viviana, eagerly. "He has doneenough--too much for me already. I will not expose him to furtherhazard. Tell him so, and entreat him to abandon the attempt."
"But I shall not see him, dear lady," replied Ruth. "Besides, if I readhim rightly, he is not likely to be turned aside by any selfishconsideration."
"You are right, he is not," groaned Viviana. "But this only adds to myaffliction. Oh! if you _should_ see him, dear Ruth, try to dissuade himfrom his purpose."
"I will obey you, madam," replied the jailer's daughter. "But I am wellassured it will be of no avail."
After some further conversation, Ruth retired, and Viviana was leftalone for the night. Except the slumber procured by soporific potions,she had known no repose since she had been confined within the Tower;and this night she felt more than usually restless. After ineffectuallyendeavouring to compose herself, she arose, and hastily robingherself--a task she performed with no little difficulty, her fingersbeing almost useless--continued to pace her narrow chamber.
It has been mentioned that on one side of the cell there was a deepembrasure. It was terminated by a narrow and strongly-grated loophole,looking upon the moat. Pausing before it, Viviana gazed forth. The nightwas pitchy dark, and not even a solitary star could be discerned; but asshe had no light in her chamber, the gloom outside was less profoundthan that within.
While standing thus, buried in thought, and longing for daybreak,Viviana fancied she heard a slight sound as of some one swimming acrossthe moat. Thinking she might be deceived, she listened more intently,and as the sound continued, she felt sure she was right in herconjecture. All at once the thought of Humphrey Chetham flashed uponher, and she had no doubt it must be him. Nor was she wrong. The nextmoment, a noise was heard as of some one clambering up the wall; a handgrasped the bars of the loophole, which was only two or three feet abovethe level of the water; and a low voice, which she instantly recognised,pronounced her name.
"Is it Humphrey Chetham?" she asked, advancing as near as she could tothe loophole.
"It is," was the reply. "Do not despair. I will accomplish yourliberation. I have passed three days within the Tower, and onlyascertained your place of confinement a few hours ago. I have contriveda plan for your escape, with the jailer's daughter, which she will makeknown to you to-morrow."
"I cannot thank you sufficiently for your devotion," replied Viviana, inaccents of the deepest gratitude. "But I implore you to leave me to myfate. I am wretched enough now, Heaven knows, but if aught should happento you, I shall be infinitely more so. If I possess any power overyou,--and that I do so, I well know,--I entreat, nay, I command, you todesist from this attempt."
"I have never yet disobeyed you, Viviana," replied the young merchant,passionately--"nor will I do so now. But if you bid me abandon you, Iwill plunge into this moat, never to rise again."
His manner, notwithstanding the low tone in which he spoke, was sodetermined, that Viviana felt certain he would carry his threat intoexecution; she therefore rejoined in a mournful tone,
"Well, be it as you will. It is in vain to resist our fate, I amdestined to bring misfortune to you."
"Not so," replied Chetham. "If I _can_ save you, I would rather die thanlive. The jailer's daughter will explain her plan to you to-morrow.Promise me to accede to it."
Viviana reluctantly assented.
"I shall quit the Tower at daybreak," pursued Chetham; "and when you areonce out of it, hasten to the stairs beyond the wharf at Petty Wales. Iwill be there with a boat. Farewell!"
As he spoke, he let himself drop into the water, but his foot slipping,the plunge was louder than he intended, and attracted the attention of asentinel on the ramparts, who immediately called out to know what wasthe matter, and not receiving any answer, discharged his caliver in thedirection of the sound.
Viviana, who heard the challenge and the shot, uttered a loud scream,and the next moment Ipgreve and his wife appeared. The jailer glancedsuspiciously round the room; but after satisfying himself that all wasright, and putting some questions to the captive, which she refused toanswer, he departed with his wife, and carefully barred the door.
It is impossible to imagine greater misery than Viviana endured thewhole of the night. The uncertainty in which she was kept as toChetham's fate was almost insupportable, and the bodily pain she hadrecently endured appeared light when compared with her present mentaltorture. Day at length dawned; but it brought with it no Ruth. Insteadof this faithful friend, Dame Ipgreve entered the chamber with themorning meal, and her looks were so morose and distrustful, that Vivianafeared she must have discovered her daughter's design. She did not,however, venture to make a remark, but suffered the old woman to departin silence.
Giving up all for lost, and concluding that Humphrey Chetham had eitherperished, or was, like herself, a prisoner, Viviana bitterly bewailedhis fate, and reproached herself with being unintentionally the cause ofit. Later in the day, Ruth entered the cell. To Viviana's eagerinquiries she replied, that Humphrey Chetham had escaped. Owing to thedarkness, the sentinel had missed his aim, and although the mostrigorous search was instituted throughout the fortress, he had contrivedto elude observation.
"Our attempt," pursued Ruth, "must be made this evening. The lieutenanthas informed my father that you are to be interrogated at midnight, thechirurgeon having declared that you are sufficiently recovered toundergo the torture (if needful) a second time. Now listen to me. Theoccurrence of last night has made my mother suspicious, and she watchesmy proceedings with a jealous eye. She is at this moment with a femaleprisoner in the Beauchamp Tower, or I should not be able to visit you.She has consented, however, to let me bring in your supper. You mustthen change dresses with me. Being about my height, you may easily passfor me, and I will take care there is no light below, so that yourfeatures will not be distinguished."
Viviana would have checked her, but the other would not be interrupted.
"As soon as you are ready," she continued, "you must lock the door uponme. You must then descend the short flight of steps before you, and passas quickly as you can through the room where you will see my father andmother. As soon as you are out of the door, turn to the left, and gostraight forward to the By-ward Tower. Show this pass to the warders. Itis made out in my name, and they will suffer you to go forth. Do thesame with the warders at the next gate,--the Middle Tower,--and again atthe Bulwark Gate. That passed, you are free."
"And what will become of you?" asked Viviana, with a bewildered look.
"Never mind me," rejoined Ruth: "I shall be sufficiently rewarded if Isave you. And now, farewell. Be ready at the time appointed."
"I cannot consent," returned Viviana.
"You have no choice," replied Ruth, breaking from her, and hurrying outof the room.
Time, as it ever does, when expectation is on the rack, appeared to passwith unusual slowness. But as the hour at length drew near, Vivianawished it farther off. It was with the utmost trepidation that she heardthe key turn in the lock, and beheld Ruth enter the cell with theevening meal.
Closing the door, and setting down the provisions, the jailer's daughterhastily divested herself of her dress, which was of brown serge, as wellas of her coif and kerchief, while Viviana imitated her example. Withoutpausing to attire herself in the other's garments, Ruth then assistedViviana to put on the dress she had just laid aside, and arranged herhair and the head-gear so skilfully, that the disguise was complete.
Hastily whispering some further instructions to her, and explainingcertain peculiarities in her g
ait and deportment, she then pressed herto her bosom, and led her to the door. Viviana would have remonstrated,but Ruth pushed her through it, and closed it.
There was now no help, so Viviana, though with great pain to herself,contrived to turn the key in the lock. Descending the steps, she foundherself in a small circular chamber, in which Ipgreve and his wife wereseated at a table, discussing their evening meal. The sole light wasafforded by a few dying embers on the hearth.
"What! has she done, already?" demanded the old woman, as Vivianaappeared. "Why hast thou not brought the jelly with thee, if she has noteaten it all, and those cates, which Master Pilchard, the chirurgeon,ordered her? Go and fetch them directly. They will finish our repastdaintily; and there are other matters too, which I dare say she has nottouched. She will pay for them, and that will make them the sweeter. Goback, I say. What dost thou stand there for, as if thou wertthunderstruck? Dost hear me, or not?"
"Let the wench alone, dame," growled Ipgreve. "You frighten her."
"So I mean to do," replied the old woman; "she deserves to befrightened. Hark thee, girl, we must get an order from her on somewealthy Catholic family without delay--for I don't think she will standthe trial to-night."
"Nor I," added Ipgreve, "especially as she is to be placed on the rack."
"She has a chain of gold round her throat, I have observed," said theold woman; "we must get that."
"I have it," said Viviana, in a low tone, and imitating as well as shecould the accents of Ruth. "Here it is."
"Did she give it thee?" cried the old woman, getting up, and graspingViviana's lacerated fingers with such force, that she had difficulty inrepressing a scream. "Did she give it thee, I say?"
"She gave it me for you," gasped Viviana. "Take it."
While the old woman held the chain to the fire, and called to herhusband to light a lamp, that she might feast her greedy eyes upon it,Viviana flew to the door.
Just as she reached it, the shrill voice of Dame Ipgreve arrested her.
"Come back!" cried the dame. "Whither art thou going at this time ofnight? I will not have thee stir forth. Come back, I say."
"Pshaw! let her go," interposed Ipgreve. "I dare say she hath anappointment on the Green with young Nicholas Hardesty, the warder. Go,wench. Be careful of thyself, and return within the hour."
"If she does not, she will rue it," added the dame. "Go, then, and Iwill see the prisoner."
Viviana required no further permission. Starting off as she had beendirected on the left, she ran as fast as her feet could carry her; and,passing between two arched gateways, soon reached the By-ward Tower.Showing the pass to the warder, he chucked her under the chin, and,drawing an immense bolt, opened the wicket, and gallantly helped her topass through it. The like good success attended her at the Middle Tower,and at the Bulwark Gate. Scarcely able to credit her senses, anddoubting whether she was indeed free, she hurried on till she came tothe opening leading to the stairs at Petty Wales. As she hesitated,uncertain what to do, a man advanced towards and addressed her by name.It was Humphrey Chetham. Overcome by emotion, Viviana sank into hisarms, and in another moment she was placed in a wherry, which wasordered to be rowed towards Westminster.