CHAPTER XLIX.
In a small room, in the stranger's lodging at the abbey of St. Clareof Atherston, lay the form of a wounded man, upon a low bed. A ladysat by the pillow weeping; and the abbess was near the head of thebed, with her eyes overflowing too, while the priest stood near, witha boy in white garments behind him.
"Not yet, not yet, good father," said the wounded man; "I am stillvery strong--too strong. Nay, weep not, Mary, you have shed tearsenough for me already in your life; and in good sooth thus would Idie. My heart is light and happy, my dear wife, and I look up in trustand hope. Knightly in my harness have I met my fate; and I am cheeredby my lady's love. I trust Richmond will come before I go; for, as myjourney is long, we might not meet again for many years; and I wouldfain insure all, that there be no shade on my departure."
"Lord Chartley expects him instantly, my noble son," replied theabbess; "he is waiting his arrival now under the gateway. Oh, had Iknown your rank, and dear ties to my poor brother St. Leger, when Ibut thought you a poor woodman, you should have had every tenant ofthe abbey to lead to fight for the house of Lancaster."
"The king!" said Chartley, opening the door; and, with a slow step,and look of sympathy, Henry entered and approached the dying man'sbed-side.
"How can I enough thank you, sir?" he said; "and how can I enoughregret the fate of such a knight?"
"Regret it not, sir," replied the other, gazing firmly in Henry'sface; "for I regret it not. Nor do I need thanks. I have fought forthat side on which I fought and bled in years gone by. I am content todie in arms. I wish no better. But I have a boon to crave, not forought done in this day's field, but for a service rendered months ago,when Bishop Morton bore to Henry of Richmond the proof of a plot toyield him to the hands of his fell enemy."
"I remember well," replied Henry; "but he told me he had those proofsfrom a poor woodman, who was called Boyd."
"He told you true," replied the other; "the woodman lies before you,but, none the less, Thomas Boyd, earl of Arran."
Henry started, and his politic mind ran on into the future; but hereplied, almost at once--
"I vowed that I would grant whatever boon was in my power to grant tothat same woodman, and I will not break my oath. Name your request, mynoble friend."
"It is but this," answered the earl, "that by your royal will andprerogative, passing over all opposition and obstacles, you will atonce, and without delay, unite in marriage a lady, called the LadyIola St. Leger, to that young lord standing behind you now."
"But," cried the abbess, "there is a contract--"
"Cease, cease, good mother," said the wounded man; "such contractsmust be thrown in the fire. There is a better contract between her andChartley."
"Nay, but my brother, her uncle," said the abbess, "he signed thecontract on her behalf with the Lord Fulmer."
"A better than her uncle signed the contract with that young lord,"replied the dying earl; "her father, lady abbess--her father, whomthis Lord Fulmer slew. Ay, marvel not, lady! Your brother's daughterdied, in his sad flight, when dark misfortune overwhelmed the house ofLancaster. There were then dangers and miseries as dark, over myhapless race; and that generous friend took my dear child, to save herand me from greater difficulties still, and passed her for his own.Slain by the foe, he had not time to tell his weaker but moreprosperous brother, or yourself; but the proofs are in my hands. Did Inot visit her here, more than ten years ago, and gaze at her, throughmy closed visor, lest the tears that washed my cheek should betray thesecret? Have I not watched over her ever since that hour, when I fellwounded for the house of Lancaster? But here are the proofs, my lord.Take them, and grant my boon. I would fain have seen them weddedbefore I die; but that cannot be, for I am waning fast; and now, letno vain mourning for the dead impede their union--no, not an hour. Doyou grant my boon, Henry of England?"
"I do, and willingly," replied Henry; "were that contract even valid,I would cast it to the winds, sooner than see the child wed theslaughterer of her father. But it cannot be valid. Nay, my good lord,I will do more. With these proofs in my hand, I will o'erstep allceremonies. You said but now, that you would fain see this union ereyour death. If you do really so will--if it will be comfort to you onyour bed of pain, from which I trust you will yet rise to health--letthe marriage take place at once, and I will justify it with mysanction. My first act of royalty shall be to bring a satisfaction toa friend who has served me."
"Alas, it cannot be, sir," replied the earl of Arran; "my child is faraway--at Coventry, they tell me; and my race is well nigh run. Ishall, indeed, rise from this bed to health, but it will be to healthimmortal, I do trust; but never more can I behold my child."
Sobs from the side of his pillow interrupted him, and, taking Mary'shand, he said, "Nay, Mary, nay!--My lord, the king, you were about tospeak."
"'Twas but to say," replied Henry, "that this may not be so impossibleas you think. I trust your hour is still far off. Your voice isstrong."
"Because my will is strong; but I interrupt you rudely," said theearl.
"However that may be--if to see your child safe, guarded by a marriagebond with one who can protect her strongly, and will love her truly,or I am no judge of men," replied Henry, "can bring comfort to you,even in this hour, 'tis not impossible--All wait here a moment."
He left the room, and in a few minutes returned, leading in Iolaherself.
"Now calmly, my good lord," he said, as the earl raised himselfquickly to catch her in his arms, "I sent for her from Lichfield toTamworth yesterday, thinking this good lord would meet her there.Three hours ago I sent for her on Bosworth field, bidding her join mehere, and purposing to unite her to my noble friend at once. Thus yourboon was granted, ere it was asked, and you must seek another. Shehas brought a bridesmaid with her, too, from Tamworth. The LadyConstance, too, I think they called her."
"Let it be quick," said the earl of Arran, in an altered voice,unclasping his arms from the fair form they held; "let it be quick!"
A few moments passed in explanation to Iola, and for a time she bentdown her eyes and wept. But the earl repeated, "Let it be quick! Iola,lose no time;" and, drying her eyes, she said, sadly but sweetly,
"I will obey you to the last, my father."
There was a group ranged round the bedside of the dying man, some fiveminutes after. The princess Mary held his hand in hers, and leaned herhead upon his shoulder. Iola's hand was clasped in that of Chartley;and the priest, with an open book, read hurriedly the binding words,while the low answer gave assent.
As he ended, the wounded man said, in a voice as strong as ever,"Amen!" and then placed his hand over his eyes.
It rested there.
They gazed upon him anxiously. He stirred not.
The priest hurried to his side, and removed the hand. He looked uponthe face of the dead.
THE END.
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