CHAPTER XXXIV.
Another day elapsed, and another. The sunshine mingled with the shade;as is ever the case in human life; but there were no dark clouds.Sometimes, for many hours, Chartley and Iola could obtain not a singlemoment for private intercourse. At others, a whole sweet hour was wonfrom the great adversary of love, the world. Lord Calverly perceivednot, or did not seem to perceive, that anything was changed; and thelady abbess set off to rejoin her nuns, as ignorant of the secrets ofIola's heart as she had come. Thus wore away the second day, tilltowards nightfall, when the whole party of the castle returned fromtheir evening ride, and entered the great court. The porter did notventure to stop his lord's horse, as he passed the archway; but hefollowed him into the court, with a quick step, saying aloud--
"Lord Fulmer is returned, my lord, and wishes to speak with yourlordship instantly. He is in the little hall."
The old nobleman dismounted from his horse, and, leaving Iola andConstance to the care of the rest, hurried up the manifold steps whichled to the door.
Chartley's cheek flushed, as he heard the words the porter spoke; but,as he stood by Iola's side, assisting her to dismount, she said in alow but earnest tone--
"Chartley, to your tower, till you can command yourself--I beseech--Ientreat you--if you love me."
Chartley bowed his head in sign of acquiescence; and, not consideringthat Lord Fulmer could not know all that had passed between Iola andhimself, since his departure, he consoled himself with the thought,"If this lord keeps the spirit which he has hitherto displayed, hewill soon seek me in my chamber."
Thus thinking, he turned away to the apartments assigned to him, whileIola, Constance, and Sir William Arden entered the main body of thebuilding. The latter, however, seeing Iola take her cousin's arm, andwhisper something in her ear, tarried in the great hall, while the twofair girls ascended the stairs.
The words of Iola to her cousin were--"Come with me, Constance.Something tells me in my heart that the hour of trial is coming. Letme meet it at once, before my spirit sinks with anticipation. But Imust have something to lean on, dear cousin. You be my support."
They walked on, till they reached the door of the little hall; and itwas not climbing the steps of the stairs, though they were many, thatmade Iola's breath come short and quick. It was the beating of theanxious heart. She opened the door at once, however, and went in. Heruncle and Lord Fulmer were standing together at some distance on theright of the door in earnest conversation; and, as soon as Iola andher cousin entered, Lord Calverly retreated towards the oriel window,saying to his companion--
"Come hither, come hither."
But Iola would not give up the ground; and, though she walked to theother end of the hall, she remained in the room. She turned an anxiousand eager gaze towards her uncle and Lord Fulmer, however, andwhispered to Constance--"I knew it--see how eagerly they speak."
They spoke so long that the suspense was very painful; but, at length,they turned, as if to come towards the two ladies, and Lord Fulmersaid aloud--
"Upon my honour and my faith, not a word shall be uttered without yourpermission;" and then they advanced with a quick step, Lord Calverlyonly saying in reply--
"So be it then."
Iola gazed at them in the dim light, for the sun was by this timedown; and her hand clasped tight upon her cousin's arm--
"Now, God help me," she murmured.
"Iola, my dear niece," said Lord Calverly, approaching, "I have acommunication to make to you, which will take you somewhat bysurprise; but you have received an education which will make youalways submit to duty, I am sure, unmurmuring. This noble lord herehas just informed me of circumstances which render it absolutelynecessary that we should pass over all preliminaries, and that youshould give him your hand immediately, according to the contractentered into long ago."
"Iola gasped, and tried to answer, but her voice failed her; and LordCalverly went on to say--
"It is somewhat sudden in verity and truth; but he must depart forDorset by daybreak to-morrow, and therefore the marriage ceremony mustbe performed to-night. The priest will be ready in the chapel at ten,and--"
"Impossible!" said Iola, in a firm and almost indignant tone; for thiswas worse than she had expected, and it roused her anger. "What, twohours' notice to prepare for the most important step of all a woman'slife And does this noble lord think to conciliate affection, or to winesteem, by such indecent haste, by such a rude insult to all thefeelings of my heart?"
"What feelings?" demanded Lord Calverly, sharply. "I see, my lord, itis as you thought. Hark you, lady, I am not a man to be trifled with.I have ruled my own household well and steadily; and, please God, Iwill rule you too. No one has ever been suffered to disobey me; andyou shall not be the first. Go and prepare. What, ho, without there?"he continued, turning to the door; and a servant running up, hesaid--"Bring lights here. Where is Lord Chartley?"
"Gone to his apartments, noble lord," replied the man.
"Set a guard at his door," said Lord Calverly. "Let his servants passin and out, but not himself."
Then turning again to Iola, with an angry tone, he said--
"Marry! The feelings of your heart! We begin to understand them,niece. What have the feelings of your heart to do with a contract ofmarriage already signed and sealed?"
"Everything," replied Iola; "in as far as upon them depends whether Iwill or will not fulfil a contract entered into without my consent,and which therefore cannot be binding on me."
"Idle nonsense," cried Lord Calverly; "you know little of the law ofthe land, my learned gentlewoman. God's my life! We shall soon havechits out of a nunnery-school setting up for chief justices. Thecontract was entered into by your guardians on your behalf, and isbinding upon you by law."
"Then let him appeal to the law to enforce it," said Iola; "for by myact and my will, it shall never be fulfilled."
"Nay, nay, my dear uncle," said Constance, "you are too harsh withher. Think what a surprise this must be, when you yourself told methat the king had not yet given his consent to the marriage, and thatit must be put off for a month or two, till he and the queen could bepresent. Of course, she marvels at this sudden change; for I told herexactly what you told me."
"More fool you, wench," answered her uncle, who was irritated beyondmeasure, at the first opposition he had ever met with, from one whomhe conceived to be dependent on himself. "Circumstances have changed;and now we must pass over royal consents, and all such triflingmatters. She is a disobedient hussy, and shall bow her pride to mywill this very night, or my name is not Calverly. Away to yourchamber, madam, and prepare as fast as possible. You have two hours tothink. So make your mind up, as best you may, to yield obedience, oryou will find I will force you."
Lord Fulmer had stood during this conversation, which was so rapid ashardly to admit of interruption, in no very enviable state of mind,and with looks by no means calm or dignified. He had thought himselffirmer and sterner than he really was, and now he hesitated andregretted.
"Stay, stay, my lord," he said. "Iola, let me beseech you--dear lady,let me plead."
"Hush, my lord," answered Iola, giving him a cold and shuddering look."Your cause has been put upon its proper footing, force. My nobleuncle, prompted by you, speaks the first feelings of your heart. Noafter thought can now avail. You and he may drag me to the altar. Youand he may cause a vain ceremony to be performed, turn a deaf ear tomy rejection of the vows tendered me, and commit what violence youwill. But you cannot make me your wife; for that depends upon myself;and the words which would constitute me such shall never be uttered bythese lips in favour of a man whom I never loved, and whom I nowscorn."
"This is all vain," exclaimed Lord Calverly, his rage only increasing."Argue not with her, my lord; she will learn her duty when she is yourwife. This very night--ay, as the clock strikes ten--the ceremonyshall be performed in the chapel of the castle, whether she will ornot; and, once that sacrament received, the union is indissoluble. Mychaplain wil
l administer it. He will have no scruples to obey mycommands, when I show him the contract. Away to your chamber,disobedient wench, and be ready to perform what you cannot refuse."
With a slow step, and still leaning on her cousin's arm, Iola quittedthe hall, mounted a few steps near the hall door, passed through thelong corridor which ran round that side of the castle, and then turnedinto the passage, leading to her own chamber. Constance marvelled thatshe trembled not; but Iola's step was firm and light, though somewhatslow. She opened the door of the ante-room, and looked in; but therewas no one there, and it was dark and vacant.
"What will you do, dear Iola? How can I help you?"
"No way, dear Constance," replied her cousin, "but by giving me anhour for calm thought. Keep my girl, Susan, way from me. Tell her, Iwant no lights for an hour, and only wish to think."
"But what will you do?" asked Constance.
"Not marry him," replied Iola; "no, not if he had an emperor's crownto lay at my feet. Does he think this the way to win a woman'sheart?--Leave me, leave me, dear Constance! Come again in an hour. Bythat time my resolution will be taken--" and as Constance turned sadlyaway and closed the door, Iola added, in a low voice to herself, "andexecuted."
Slowly and thoughtfully Constance trod her way back towards the lesserhall, pausing more than once, as if to consider some plan. When sheentered, the sconces were lighted, and her uncle and Lord Fulmer werestanding under one of them at some distance, still talking loud andeagerly.
"Nonsense, nonsense," cried Lord Calverly. "This is now my business.She will disobey my commands, will she? She shall be taughtbetter--" Then, seeing Constance, he raised his voice, as if he had notbeen speaking loud enough before, exclaiming, "Where have you leftthat little rebel, Constance?"
"In her chamber, my lord," replied Constance, in a sad tone.
"'Twere better you stayed for her," said her uncle.
"She sent me away, my lord," replied Constance, "refusing allconsolation."
"Well, well, let her sulk," answered the old nobleman. "We care notfor sullenness, so we have obedience. The storm will work itselfclear, my lord, never fear;" and he resumed his conversation withFulmer.
In the mean time, Constance glided out of the other door, and sought asmall room where the women servants of the castle were accustomed towork in the evening. She found her own maid there, but not Iola'sgirl, Susan; and, sending the former, to give her cousin's message,Constance proceeded through the lower passages of the house, and underthe lesser hall, to the great hall below. It was now fully lighted;but she found Sir William Arden still there walking up and down with aslow step, and his arms crossed upon his chest.
"I am very glad I have found you," said Constance, approaching him,with an eager and confiding look. "I have something to tell you."
"I thought so, dear lady," replied the knight. "I thought so, as soonas I heard of this young lord's return; and so I waited here, to seeif I could help. What is it? Two or three men came in, a few minutesago, and took down some partizans from the wall. What may that mean?"
"That they have set a guard at Lord Chartley's door," answeredConstance; "and that my uncle vows he will compel Iola to give herhand to Lord Fulmer at ten tonight."
"A guard at Chartley's door," exclaimed Arden. "Then something must bedone indeed. We must consult, dear lady; but let us seek some moreprivate place than this. You are not afraid to go with me?"
"Oh no," answered Constance, giving him her hand; "you persuaded me totell you so the other day. But come into the passage behind the hall.Few pass that way, I believe; and, we can speak freely there."
Thus saying, she led him to the farther end of the wide vaultedchamber, and thence, through a low-browed door, into a small narrowpassage, where a single lamp was twinkling. They both paused near thedoors and Constance then said, "What is to be done? You told me youwould help me on any occasion if you could. Now is the moment, mynoble friend."
"And so I will," answered Arden, frankly; "ay, if it should cost myheart's blood. But let me hear the whole. I will interrogate you inorder, my sweet witness. You say they have stationed a guard atChartley's door, and declare they will force Iola to marry this moodyboy at ten to-night. They must have discovered all that we havefancied between her and Chartley. Is it not so?"
"I can reach no other conclusion," answered Constance.
"Then, where is your fair cousin?" asked Arden.
"In her own chamber," implied Constance; "whence my uncle threatens todrag her down at the hour named, and force her to marry a man whom sheabhors."
"It has been done before now," said Arden, setting his teeth close."What does your cousin propose to do?"
"I know not," answered Constance. "She sent me away that she mightthink alone. She will refuse to the last, of that I am sure; and shewill have strength to do it firmly too; for her courage is far greaterthan I ever dreamt it would be."
"Think you the chaplain will perform the ceremony if she does refuse?"asked Arden, in a meditative tone.
"I fear so," answered Constance. "He is a mere creature of my uncle's,and, as you have seen, fat, sleek, and pliable, considering venison,and capon, and Gascon wine, much more than the service of the altar,or the conscience of his penitents."
"Then we must contrive to give your cousin some support in herresistance," said Arden, gravely. "It must be done; for she shall notbe sacrificed, if I were to cleave Lord Fulmer to the chine with myown hand. But, upon my life, it is dangerous; for, if the king hasgiven his consent, and we stop it with the strong hand, we shall havethe wild boar upon us, and he is a savage beast."
"But his consent is not given," exclaimed Constance, eagerly. "That myuncle admitted, and said they would do without. From some words, too,I gathered that the marriage is to be concealed when it has takenplace."
"So, so, then our course is clear enough," answered Arden. "We willtake the king's part! Otherwise, dear Constance, I must have asked youto make up a little packet of plain clothes, and jump up _en croupe_behind your knight, and away with him to Britanny, as ladies did indays of old, if tales of knight errantry are true. Upon my life itwould be no bad plan."
"Nay, nay," said Constance, "speak seriously, Arden; for my heart isvery full of poor Iola just now."
"But one little corner left for me," answered Arden; and then moreseriously he added, "Well, well, I will stop this marriage. Fear not;we must begin soon, however; for it will not do to have strife in thechapel."
"There will not be bloodshed?" said Constance, with a look of terror.
"Oh no, I trust not," replied Arden. "That which requires secrecy issoon given up, when men find it must be made public. The king's namewill, I doubt not, be sufficient; but we must take means to preventanything like resistance being offered. How many men are there in thecastle, do you know?"
"There were thirty-five," answered Constance, "so my maid told me; butthree of those who came from the abbey with us, and ten of my uncle'smen, went well armed to guard my aunt back, and have not yet returned.Some, too, are cooks and kitchen men."
"We are ten," said Arden, musing. "That is quite enough; but yet wemust have recourse to stratagem, in order to make sure that no rashopposition brings on violence. Leave it to me, dear Constance, leaveit to me. You go to your own little chamber, say your prayers, and,when your hour is expired, go to your pretty cousin, and tell her, oldWilliam Arden says that they shall not marry her to any one againsther will. So let her keep a good heart, be firm, and fear not."
"Had I not better go and tell her now," said Constance, eager torelieve her cousin's anxiety.
"What, little soldier, not obey your general's orders," exclaimedArden, laughing. "No, no, we can do nothing yet, till the time comesnear; for I suppose you would not have me tell your uncle that it wasfrom you my information came. I must see signs of a wedding, before Iproceed to stop it. But be content; all shall be prepared; and you besecret, not to let any burst of joy betray that we have concertedmeasures of deliverance. Now, farewell, dear
Constance. Both you andIola keep quiet above, till all the hurly burly's done; for we shallhave hard words going, if nothing harder still, which God forfend."
"Oh, I beseech you, let there be no violence!" said Constance,imploringly.
"No, no, there shall be none," replied Arden. "If they assail not us,we will not assail them. But still women are better out of the way,"he added, kissing her hand; "for they scream, you know, Constance, andthat makes a noise."
With a faint smile Constance left him; and turning to the hall herecommenced his walk, till, at length, Lord Calverly came down,pausing suddenly, when he saw his guest there. The moment after hecalled for a servant, however, and gave him some orders in a lowvoice, while Arden turned at the other end of the hall, and in hisperambulations approached, the place where he stood.
"It has been a lovely day, and promises as fine a night, my lord,"said the knight, in the tone of ordinary conversation. "Methinks Iwill go and take a walk upon the battlements, a cup of wine, and thento bed; for I was stirring early to-day."
"Would I could be companion of your walk," replied Lord Calverly, withcourteous hypocrisy. "Nothing is pleasanter than a warm moonlightnight of summer; but I have dull business to be attended to; andbusiness, you know, Sir William, must supersede pleasure."
"Quite just, my lord, and wise," replied Arden, "as indeed is alwayswhat your lordship says. I will away, however, giving you good night.May success attend all honourable business, and then slumber bringrepose." Thus saying, he turned and left the hall; and the oldnobleman called loudly by name for some of his attendants.