CHAPTER XXV.
Each of the guests retired to his chamber; but, for some little time,there was a considerable degree of bustle and movement in the castle,pages and servants hurrying to and fro in attendance upon theirmasters, and serving men clearing away the dishes from the hall, whilescullions scraped the trenchers, and the pantry-men cleaned out thecups. Such operations however were not long in the performance; andgradually the whole building resumed its quiet. A light might be seenin a window here and there; and a lamp, which burned all night long inthe high tower, served as a sort of beacon to any traveller wanderingin the darkness, showing him afar where Chidlow castle stood. Thebattlements all around were dark and solitary; for there were verystrict laws at that time in force, against collecting what might beconsidered a garrison, in the fortified houses of the nobility, ormaintaining, except in a few special cases, watch and ward within theold baronial castles. The policy of Richard, indeed, seems to havebeen somewhat similar to that which was pursued in France, nearly twocenturies later, by the famous Cardinal de Richelieu; and he evidentlyaimed at breaking down the feudal power, which had often rendered thegreat barons such formidable enemies of the crown. He lived not longenough, indeed, to carry out his object, or to enforce his laws; butstill the proclamation was in force against giving badges and liveriesto retainers, or, in other words, against maintaining a regular armedforce, arrayed and organised under certain symbols, and independent ofthe crown. This law, it is true, was openly violated by many. Everygreat house in the land was filled with armed men; badges wereretained, and displayed, in various instances; and many a castle wasas strictly guarded as if it had been a royal fortress. But all whosought favour or courtly advancement were scrupulous to observe theking's will; and, as Lord Calverly was one of these, all outward signsof military precaution had been given up. The chief cannonier hadbecome the master porter; and the warders were now called porter'smen. The great gates, however, were still closed, bolted, and locked,the drawbridge raised, and the portcullis let down at the hour of ten;and the posterns were shut an hour earlier; but, in every otherrespect, defensive measures, and, above all, military display, wereabandoned, and an appearance of security was assumed, which, in truth,no one felt in England during the short reign of Richard III.
All then was tranquil and quiet in Chidlow castle by half an hourbefore midnight; and, although it was evident that some were stillwatchers within its walls and towers, yet the greater part of theguests were sound asleep, and almost all the others preparing forrepose.
At about a quarter to twelve, however, Lord Fulmer, with a lamp in hishand, issued forth from his sleeping-chamber, and walked along theexceedingly narrow passage into which it opened. Our ancestors of thatage, and of the ages before them, were not very careful to providebroad corridors or staircases for their guests. The greater and thelesser halls, the gallery, if a castle had one, several namelesschambers--which were frequently to be found in what poetically wouldbe called the lady's bower, but which about that time was moregenerally denominated the lady's lodging--and, in short, all rooms ofstate were spacious and magnificent enough; but many of the bed-roomswere exceedingly small; and, where they were on a larger scale, forthe reception of more distinguished guests, the neighbouring passageswere curtailed in proportion.
Along this passage then walked the young nobleman, with a slow andthoughtful step. He had had time for meditation, and passion hadsomewhat cooled down. His irritation had taken a more gloomy and sterncharacter, but it was not the less persisting. "I will know all," hethought, "and then judge and act."
Turning sharply to the right, at the end of the first ten or fifteenyards, he entered and crossed a large sort of vestibule, occupying onehalf of the space in one of the flanking towers.
It had two windows in it, through one of which the moon was shiningbrightly, marking the stone floor with the chequered shadows of theleaden frame-work. He passed on, however, and then, turning to hisleft, paused and opened a door, which admitted him to a littleante-room. Two or three small beds were ranged around, of that kindcalled by the French "_lit de sangle_;" but they were not occupied,for their intended tenants, consisting of a page and two ordinaryattendants, were seated at a little table in the middle of the room,gambling with dice. They all started up, however, when the youngnobleman entered; and, in answer to his question, whether Sir Edwardhad retired to sleep, replied:--
"Oh, dear no, my lord. He will not go to bed for some time;" and thepage, stepping forward, opened the door of the inner chamber, sayingaloud, "Lord Fulmer, sir."
On advancing into the room, while the boy held back the tapestry,Fulmer found Sir Edward Hungerford, with another person, standingbefore a table, on which was spread out a large piece ofviolet-coloured satin, whereunto were being applied, by the inferiorpersonage, an enormous pair of shears. The entrance of the youngnobleman made them both start; and the first exclamation of Sir Edwardwas, "My God, you've cut it askew. Heaven and earth, what shall we donow? There will never be enough in that corner to purfle the sleeves."
"I beg your worship's pardon," replied the other, without taking anymore notice of Lord Fulmer than his master had done. "There will bequite enough. If I cut it slant so, from the corner to the middle, itwill just leave what is needful for the bands."
"I want to speak with you, Hungerford," said the young nobleman. "Ipray you, send this fellow away."
"Wait a moment, wait a moment," replied the knight. "This is the mostimportant thing in life. You can't imagine what trouble it has givenus to devise.--Now, cut away, Master Graine, and let me see how youwill manage it?"
"Oh, quite easily," answered the other; and, delicately using hisshears, he cut the satin straight across, and then divided one part ofit into two, from which he again pared two long strips, pointing tothe whole in triumph, and saying, "There, worshipful sir, I toldyou--"
"Yes, yes, I see, I see," said Hungerford, in a meditative tone. "Itis a great question settled. Now, take them away; and, remember, Ishall want it by to-morrow night."
The man bowed and withdrew; and then, for the first time, Sir Edwardturned to Lord Fulmer, and invited him to be seated, saying, "That wasa momentous business, Fulmer; and your imprudent entrance so suddenlyhad well nigh spoiled all."
"I did not know that you were engaged upon matters of life and death,"replied Fulmer, bitterly, lifting up the tapestry at the same time, tosee that the tailor had closed the door behind him.
"I have somewhat of less importance to say," he then continued,seating himself, "but still of some moment to me."
"What is it, my dear lord?" asked Hungerford, taking a chairopposite. "I can conceive nothing very important, when compared withthe cutting out of a surcoat. However, I have seen that you have beenuneasy--or to speak more accurately, nearly as hot in your skin as apoor devil of a lollard, whom I once beheld, when I was a boy, burnedin a pitch barrel. He looked just as uncomfortable as you did atsupper, when one could get a sight of his face through the flames. Iwish you could bear as easy a mind as I do, and see the little valueof things that men make themselves uncomfortable about--and angryabout into the bargain, it would seem."
"Nay, I am not in the least angry," replied Fulmer, who believed hewas speaking truth. "I merely want to hear some simple facts to whichyou alluded somewhat mysteriously this morning. Marriage, you know,Hungerford," he continued, affecting a light and jesting tone, thebetter to conceal the bitter feelings within, "marriage, you know, isa matter of destiny; but, when a man is about to unite his fate to afair lady, it is quite as well that he should be made aware of allprevious passages, in order that he may take his measuresaccordingly."
"Upon my word, I disagree with you," answered Hungerford, with asmile. "No man should ever do anything that can make him uneasy. Calmand perfect indifference to all things in life is the only means ofobtaining that greatest blessing in life--tranquillity. If we have astock of enthusiasm, which must be spent upon something, it is muchbetter to spend it upon what you call trifles, becaus
e, if anymisadventure happens, the evil is easily repaired. Now, if when youcame in just now, you had made Master Graine irremediably damage thatpiece of satin, which I should have considered the greatest misfortunein the world, I could send a man on horseback to London or York, toget me another piece, and thus the evil is cured. But, if a man cutsanother man's throat, or makes his wife hate him by black looks andcold words, he cannot give his friend a new throat, or send to Yorkfor a new love."
"Pshaw!" exclaimed Fulmer, sharply. "I wish to Heaven you would beserious but for a moment."
"I am perfectly serious," replied Hungerford. "The only question is,which is the best philosophy, yours or mine? However, each man knowshis own nature. What do you wish to ask me?"
"Simply this," answered Fulmer. "What is the previous acquaintance towhich you alluded with a sneer, this morning, between my contractedwife, the Lady Iola St. Leger, and that very noble and excellentgentleman, the Lord Chartley?"
"With a sneer, my dear lord!" exclaimed Hungerford. "See what it is tobe of an imaginative disposition. I sneered not at all."
"Then the simple question," rejoined Fulmer, restraining his feelingswith a great effort, "what know you of their acquaintance?"
"Mighty little, my good lord," replied Sir Edward Hungerford, who was,to say the truth, a little amused by the eager impetuosity of hiscompanion, and somewhat inclined to spur him on, merely for the joke'ssake; but, knowing that the affair might have very seriousconsequences, he kept to the strict truth, and even within it, thoughhe could not refrain from playing a little with Fulmer's impatience."Be it known unto you then," he continued, "that somewhere about afortnight ago--let me see. It was on Monday----"
"The date matters little," said Fulmer, moodily. "All I want are thefacts."
"Well, about a fortnight ago, then," continued Hungerford, "as I wasriding from London, I chanced to stumble upon my good friend LordChartley, at the little inn at Kimbolton. The whole place was occupiedby himself and his people; but he kindly made room for me, and gave mean excellent good supper, prepared by his own cook. The snipes wereexcellent; and there was an alaud of salmon, I never tasted anythingbetter--"
"Well, well, what then?" said Fulmer, quickly.
"Why, I thought him too good a companion to be parted with easily,"said Hungerford. "So we passed the evening in talking of Bohemia,where we had last met, and drawing savoury comparisons between thecookery of that rude land and good old England. Finding we weretravelling the same way, I joined myself to his train, which wasdiscreet and well ordered, having a friar to bless the meat, and acook to cook it. Good faith, it was a pleasant journey; and I putmyself in mind of the gentleman who gave crumbs to Lazarus; for I tookcare to be dressed in purple and fine linen, and with him I faredsumptuously every day. At length, one evening, after having dalliedaway some time at Tamworth, we stopped to sup at the abbey of St.Clare--an abbey of nuns, you know--"
"Yes, yes. I know all about it," replied Fulmer. "Go on."
"I had no inclination to go on, when I was there, I can assure you, mygood lord," said Hungerford, laughing; "for right happily did themerry little abbess entertain us, and not only supped with us herself,in the strangers' refectory, but brought a prioress as deaf as a post,and the two pretty cousins, her nieces, Iola and Constance. The LadyIola sat next to my noble friend; and, as a courteous gentleman, hedid his best to entertain her, and, to my thinking, succeeded. I couldhave made up my mind to lodge there for the night; but Chartley wasperemptory to go forward to Hinckley. So, after supper, we rode on.The friar, indeed, remained behind, pretending to be sick; and, whenwe had got some two miles through the wood, Chartley suddenlyperceived--how, I know not, for it was dark enough amongst thetrees--that some one had left the train. It turned out to be one ofSir Charles Weinant's men; for that smooth gentleman was withus--playing the traitor, if I mistake not. However, Chartley set spursto his horse to catch the deserter, telling us to ride on, and hewould overtake us. We good people did as he bade; but we got toHinckley before him, and were roused early the next morning from ourbeds, by news that his lordship was in danger, and needed our instanthelp. Arden was in the saddle in a moment; and away we went pell mell,getting what intelligence we could, till we came to the wood whichcovers the hills over the abbey. There we found the whole place fullof soldiers, searching a bit of the forest ground, for whom or what wecould not learn; and, at length, riding round between the wood and theabbey, we found Chartley, his tawny Moor, and half a dozen woodmen,keeping a pass between two banks against Catesby, and a good number ofthe king's soldiers."
He paused, and rubbed his temple, till Lord Fulmer exclaimed:--
"Well, what then?"
"Why, that is all I know, of my own knowledge," answered Hungerford,"except that Chartley's coat seemed somewhat worse for a night'slodging in the forest."
"There is something more, Sir Edward Hungerford," said Fulmer, in alow, stern, bitter tone. "I must know it."
"Perhaps it is better to tell the rest," said the knight; "although,you must remember, my good lord, that I now speak only what I havegathered from other people's conversation. Of course, Chartley had notplanted himself there, and embroiled himself with the king's troops,for nothing; and I made out, that his resistance was offered to coverthe retreat of a lady into the convent. She had, by some chance, beenout in the wood at night, and was cut off by the soldiers, who weresearching, it seems, for good old Doctor Morton, the bishop of Ely.Chartley had met with her, and gallantly escorted her through themidst of the men; but, to do him all justice, he spoke of her withknightly reverence; and moreover, I should have told you before, thatthis friar of his, who, as I said blessed the meat, was none otherthan the good bishop himself, in effecting whose escape Chartley hadthe principal share. Thus, he had a personal interest in the wholematter."
Fulmer pressed his hand upon his brow, and murmured: "Alone with himin the wood all night!"
"Nay, nay, my good lord, do not so disturb yourself," said Hungerford."Chartley is a man of very peculiar notions, and doubtless----"
"Pshaw!" said Lord Fulmer. "I do not disturb myself in the least,Doubtless, he is full of courtesy, and a man of high honour--All nightin the wood with him!--I will go out upon the ramparts and walk. Themoon is shining clear."
"You had better keep out of the moonlight, my good lord," saidHungerford, carelessly. "Stay, I will throw on a hood and come withyou."
"I would rather be alone," answered Lord Fulmer; and, taking up hislamp, he left the room.
Hurrying along the narrow passage, he soon reached that large opensort of vestibule, which I have mentioned, in one of the squareflanking towers; and there he paused, and stood for a moment or twowith his eyes fixed upon the ground in deep thought. After a while, asound, as of voices singing, came upon his ear. At first it did notwake him from his reverie; but gradually it seemed to steal upon hissenses and call his thoughts, at least in some degree, from that whichhad previously occupied them. There were seats on either side; and,setting down the lamp on one of them, he opened the window whichlooked to the south west, and through which the moonlight wasstreaming. The music then became more distinct, though it evidentlyproceeded from a great distance. It was calm, and sweet, and solemn; astrain of exquisite melody, not so rich and full in the harmony,indeed, as the anthems or masses of the Roman church, but yetapparently of a religious character. It seemed a hymn; and, afterlistening for a moment, Fulmer said:--
"This is strange! What can it mean? I will go forth and listen. Itseems to come from the wood, there. I shall hear better on thebattlements."
Descending the narrow winding staircase, which terminated the passageabout ten yards beyond the door of his own apartments, he entered theinner court, and thence, through a tall archway, reached the outercourt, beyond which lay the ramparts. Then ascending by the steps tothe top of the wall, he walked round, till he had reached a spotexactly below the window in the square tower. The music, however, hadceased; and he listened for some minutes in vain, though he th
ought heheard a murmur of many voices speaking or reading altogether.
The momentary excitement of curiosity passed away; and, sitting downupon a stone bench placed for the warders' temporary repose, ha leanedhis arm upon the battlement, and returned to his dark thoughts. Still,the calm and solemn scene around, the grey landscape lying stretchedout afar in the moonlight, the waving lines of hill and dale faintlytraced in the dim obscurity, the light mist lying in the hollows, abright gleaming line in the distance where the rays fell upon somesheet of water, the tall dark towers of the castle rising by his side,the blue sky overhead, flooded in the south west with silver radiance,and in the north and east speckled with gemlike stars, the motionlessair, the profound silence, seemed to calm and still his angryfeelings, if not to soften or remove them. There are things in life,which, like frost, harden while they tranquillize. Such was notaltogether the case with him, but still the root of bitterness was inhis heart.
He paused and thought; but, before many minutes had passed, the musicburst forth again, rising and falling in solemn swell and cadence,evidently many voices singing some holy song. It came from far; noarticulate sounds reached his ear; but music is a language--a languageunderstood by the whole earth--speaking grand truths to the heart;wordless, but more eloquent than all words. If he was not softenedbefore, he was softened now; if his spirit before had been tied downto earthly passions, it was now, for a time at least, elevated, abovehimself.
I have said "for a time;" for Richard had described him rightly. Hewas a man of varying moods, naturally generous, high-minded, kind, butsubject to all the impulses of the clay, and in whom there was aneverlasting warfare between the mortal and immortal. He thought ofIola, and her beauty, and the dreams which in his imaginative heart hehad dreamed of her; and still that wild and thrilling strain soundedin his ears amidst the solemn scene, raising his feelings up, aboveselfishness, and worldly lessons, to generous feelings and nobleaspirations. He thought what a grand though melancholy joy it would beto give her happiness even by the sacrifice of his own. Something ofpride might mingle with it too; for, in the picture of the mind, Iolawas seen confessing that she had misunderstood him, and admiring whereshe could not love; but still it was not a low pride; and he felt moresatisfied, more at peace with himself. His eyes wandered over thespace before him, and he recollected how he had seen it that very day,as he rode towards the castle, lighted up with sunshine, burstingforth into green life, and full of the song of birds. Now it was allgrey and still, with no sounds, but that faint echo-like hymn, pouringon the air like the dirge of departed hopes. It seemed a picture ofhis own fate, so lately lighted up with bright expectations, and nowall dark and cold.
Suddenly, on the green slope beyond the walls, he saw a figure--awoman's figure, clad in white. With a quiet gliding motion, it walkedquickly on; and, ere he had recovered from his surprise, it haddisappeared amongst the first trees at the nearest angle of the wood.He thought it looked like Iola, that its movements were like hers, soeasy, so effortless, so graceful. He turned towards the place where heknew her chamber was, and gazed up. There was a light still burningthere, and, as he gazed, a female figure passed across the window.