men of iron-第28章

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d　had　shown　himself　to　be。　〃But；　sir；〃　said　he；　after　a　little　space　of　silence；　when　Prior　Edward　had　ended；　〃to　hold　enmity　and　to　breed　treason　are　very　different　matters。　Haply　my　father　was　Bolingbroke's　enemy；　but；　sure；　thou　dost　not　believe　he　is　justly　and　rightfully　tainted　with　treason？〃

〃Nay；〃　answered　the　priest；　〃how　canst　thou　ask　me　such　a　thing？　Did　I　believe　thy　father　a　traitor；　thinkest　thou　I　would　thus　tell　his　son　thereof？　Nay；　Myles；　I　do　know　thy　father　well；　and　have　known　him　for　many　years；　and　this　of　him；　that　few　men　are　so　honorable　in　heart　and　soul　as　he。　But　I　have　told　thee　all　these　things　to　show　that　the　King　is　not　without　some　reason　to　be　thy　father's　unfriend。　Neither；　haply；　is　the　Earl　of　Alban　without　cause　of　enmity　against　him。　So　thou；　upon　thy　part；　shouldst　not　feel　bitter　rancor　against　the　King　for　what　hath　happed　to　thy　house；　nor　even　against　William　BrookhurstI　mean　the　Earl　of　Albanfor；　I　tell　thee；　the　worst　of　our　enemies　and　the　worst　of　men　believe　themselves　always　to　have　right　and　justice　upon　their　side；　even　when　they　most　wish　evil　to　others。〃

So　spoke　the　gentle　old　priest；　who　looked　from　his　peaceful　haven　with　dreamy　eyes　upon　the　sweat　and　tussle　of　the　world's　battle。　Had　he　instead　been　in　the　thick　of　the　fight；　it　might　have　been　harder　for　him　to　believe　that　his　enemies　ever　had　right　upon　their　side。

〃But　tell　me　this；〃　said　Myles；　presently；　〃dost　thou；　then；　think　that　I　do　evil　in　seeking　to　do　a　battle　of　life　or　death　with　this　wicked　Earl　of　Alban；　who　hath　so　ruined　my　father　in　body　and　fortune？〃

〃Nay；〃　said　Prior　Edward；　thoughtfully；　〃I　say　not　that　thou　doest　evil。　War　and　bloodshed　seem　hard　and　cruel　matters　to　me；　but　God　hath　given　that　they　be　in　the　world；　and　may　He　forbid　that　such　a　poor　worm　as　I　should　say　that　they　be　all　wrong　and　evil。　Meseems　even　an　evil　thing　is　sometimes　passing　good　when　rightfully　used。〃

Myles　did　not　fully　understand　what　the　old　man　meant；　but　this　much　he　gathered；　that　his　spiritual　father　did　not　think　ill　of　his　fighting　the　Earl　of　Alban　for　his　temporal　father's　sake。

So　Myles　went　to　France　in　Lord　George's　company；　a　soldier　of　fortune；　as　his　Captain　was。　He　was　there　for　only　six　months；　but　those　six　months　wrought　a　great　change　in　his　life。　In　the　fierce　factional　battles　that　raged　around　the　walls　of　Paris；　in　the　evil　life　which　he　saw　at　the　Burgundian　court　in　Paris　itself　after　the　trucea　court　brilliant　and　wicked；　witty　and　cruelthe　wonderful　liquor　of　youth　had　evaporated　rapidly；　and　his　character　had　crystallized　as　rapidly　into　the　hardness　of　manhood。　The　warfare；　the　blood；　the　evil　pleasures　which　he　had　seen　had　been　a　fiery；　crucible　test　to　his　soul；　and　I　love　my　hero　that　he　should　have　come　forth　from　it　so　well。　He　was　no　longer　the　innocent　Sir　Galahad　who　had　walked　in　pure　white　up　the　Long　Hall　to　be　knighted　by　the　King；　but　his　soul　was　of　that　grim；　sterling；　rugged　sort　that　looked　out　calmly　from　his　gray　eyes　upon　the　wickedness　and　debauchery　around　him；　and　loved　it　not。

Then　one　day　a　courier　came；　bringing　a　packet。　It　was　a　letter　from　the　Earl；　bidding　Myles　return　straightway　to　England　and　to　Mackworth　House　upon　the　Strand；　nigh　to　London；　without　delay；　and　Myles　knew　that　his　time　had　come。

It　was　a　bright　day　in　April　when　he　and　Gascoyne　rode　clattering　out　through　Temple　Bar；　leaving　behind　them　quaint　old　London　town；　its　blank　stone　wall；　its　crooked；　dirty　streets；　its　high…　gabled　wooden　houses；　over　which　rose　the　sharp　spire　of　St。　Paul's；　towering　high　into　the　golden　air。　Before　them　stretched　the　straight；　broad　highway　of　the　Strand；　on　one　side　the　great　houses　and　palaces　of　princely　priests　and　powerful　nobles；　on　the　other　the　Covent　Garden；　（or　the　Convent　Garden；　as　it　was　then　called）；　and　the　rolling　country；　where　great　stone　windmills　swung　their　slow…moving　arms　in　the　damp；　soft　April　breeze；　and　away　in　the　distance　the　Scottish　Palace；　the　White　Hall；　and　Westminster。

It　was　the　first　time　that　Myles　had　seen　famous　London　town。　In　that　dim　and　distant　time　of　his　boyhood；　six　months　before；　he　would　have　been　wild　with　delight　and　enthusiasm。　Now　he　jogged　along　with　Gascoyne；　gazing　about　him　with　calm　interest　at　open　shops　and　booths　and　tall；　gabled　houses；　at　the　busy　throng　of　merchants　and　craftsmen；　jostling　and　elbowing　one　another；　at　townsfolkmen　and　damespicking　their　way　along　the　muddy　kennel　of　a　sidewalk。　He　had　seen　so　much　of　the　world　that　he　had　lost　somewhat　of　interest　in　new　things。　So　he　did　not　care　to　tarry；　but　rode；　with　a　mind　heavy　with　graver　matters；　through　the　streets　and　out　through　the　Temple　Bar　direct　for　Mackworth　House；　near　the　Savoy　Palace。

It　was　with　a　great　deal　of　interest　that　Myles　and　his　patron　regarded　one　another　when　they　met　for　the　first　time　after　that　half…year　which　the　young　soldier　had　spent　in　France。　To　Myles　it　seemed　somehow　very　strange　that　his　Lordship's　familiar　face　and　figure　should　look　so　exactly　the　same。　To　Lord　Mackworth；　perhaps；　it　seemed　even　more　strange　that　six　short　months　should　have　wrought　so　great　a　change　in　the　young　man。　The　rugged　exposure　in　camp　and　field　during　the　hard　winter　that　had　passed　had　roughened　the　smooth　bloom　of　his　boyish　complexion　and　bronzed　his　fair　skin　almost　as　much　as　a　midsummer's　sun　could　have　done。　His　beard　and　mustache　had　grown　again；　（now　heavier　and　more　mannish　from　having　been　shaved）；　and　the　white　seam　of　a　scar　over　the　right　temple　gave；　if　not　a　stern；　at　least　a　determined　look　to　the　strong；　square…jawed　young　face。　So　the　two　stood　for　a　while　regarding　one　another。　Myles　was　the　first　to　break　the　silence。

〃My　Lord；〃　said　he；　〃thou　didst　send　for　me　to　come　back　to　England；　behold；　here　am　I。〃

〃When　didst　thou　land；　Sir　Myles？〃　said　the　Earl。

〃I　and　my　squire　landed　at　Dover　upon　Tuesday　last；〃　answered　the　young　man。

The　Earl　of　Mackworth　stroked　his　beard　softly。　〃Thou　art　marvellous　changed；〃　said　he。　〃I　would　not　have　thought　it　possible。〃

Myles　smiled　somewhat　grimly。　〃I　have　seen　such　things；　my　Lord；　in　France　and　in　Paris；〃　said　he；　quietly；　〃as；　mayhap；　may　make　a　lad　a　man　before　his　time。〃

〃From　which　I　gather；〃　said　the　Earl；　〃that　many　adventures　have　befallen　thee。　Methought　thou　wouldst　find　troublesome　times　in　the　Dauphin's　camp；　else　I　would　not　have　sent　thee　to　France。〃

A　little　space　of　silence　followed；　during　which　the　Earl　sat　musingly；　half　absently；　regarding　the　tall；　erect；　powerful　young　figure　standing　before　him；　awaiting　his　pleasure　in　motionless；　patient；　almost　dogged　silence。　The　strong；　sinewy　hands　were　clasped　and　rested　upon　the　long　heavy　sword；　around　the　scabbard　of　which　the　belt　was　loosely　wrapped；　and　the　plates　of　mail　caught　and　reflected　in　flashing；　broken　pieces；　the　bright　sunlight　from　the　window　behind。

〃Sir　Myles；〃　said　the　Earl；　suddenly；　breaking　the　silence　at　last；　〃dost　thou　know　why　I　sent　for　thee　hither？〃

〃Aye；〃　said　Myles；　calmly；　〃how　can　I　else？　Thou　wouldst　not　have　called　me　from　Paris　but　for　one　thing。　Methinks　thou　hast　sent　for　me　to　fight　the　Earl　of　Alban；　and　lo！　I　am　here。〃

〃Thou　speakest　very　boldly；〃　said　the　Earl。　〃I　do　hope　that　thy　deeds　be　as　bold　as　thy　words。〃

〃That；〃　said　Myles；　〃thou　must　ask　other　men。　Methinks　no　one　may　justly　call　me　coward。〃

〃By　my　troth！〃　said　the　Earl；　smiling；　〃looking　upon　theelimbs　and　girth；　bone　and　sinewI　would　not　like　to　be　the　he　that　would　dare　accuse　thee　of　such　a　thing。　As　for　thy　surmise；　I　may　tell　thee　plain　that　thou　art　right；　and　that　it　was　to　fight　the　Earl　of　Alban　I　sent　for　thee　hither。　The　time　is　now　nearly　ripe；　and　I　will　straightway　send　for　thy　father　to　come　to　London。　Meantime　it　would　not　be　safe　either　for　thee　or　for　me　to　keep　thee　in　my　service。　I　have　spoken　to　his　Highness　the　Prince　of　Wales；　who；　with　other　of　the　Princes；　is　upon　our　side　in　this　quarrel。　He　hath　promised　to　take　thee　into　his　service　until　the　fitting　time　comes　to　bring　thee　and　thine　enemy　together；　and　to…morrow　I　shall　take　thee　to　Scotland　Yard；　where　his　Highness　is　now　lodging。〃

As　the　Earl　ended　his　speech；　Myles　bowed；　but　did　not　speak。　The　Earl　waited　for　a　little　while；　as　though　to　give　him　the　opportunity　to　answer。

〃Well；　sirrah；〃　said　he　at　last；　with　a　shade　of　impatience；　〃hast　thou　naught　to　say？　Meseems　thou　takest　all　this　with　marvellous　coolness。〃

〃Have　I　then　my　Lord's　permission　to　speak　my　mind？〃

〃Aye；〃　said　the　Earl；　〃say　thy　say。〃

〃Sir；〃　said　Myles；　〃I　have　thought　and　pondered　this　matter　much　while　abroad；　and　would　now　ask　thee　a　plain　question　in　all　honest　an　I　ha'　thy　leave。　〃

The　Earl　nodded　his　head。

〃Sir；　am　I　not　right　in　believing　that　thou　hast　certain　weighty　purposes　and　aims　of　thine　own　to　gain　an　I　win　this　battle　against　the　Earl　of　Alban？〃

〃Has　my　brother　George　been　telling　thee　aught　to　such　a　purpose？〃　said　the　Earl；　after　a　moment　or　two　of　silence。

Myles　did　not　answer。

〃No　matter；〃　added　Lord　Mackworth。　〃I　will　not　ask　thee　who　told　thee　such　a　thing。　As　for　thy　questionwell；　sin　thou　ask　it　frankly；　I　will　be　frank　with　thee。　Yea；　I　have　certain　ends　to　gain　in　having　the　Earl　of　Alban　overthrown。〃

Myles　bowed。　〃Sir；〃　said　he；　〃haply　thine　ends　are　as　much　beyond　aught　that　I　can　comprehend　as　though　I　were　a　little　child；　only　this　I　know；　that　they　must　be　very　great。　Thou　knowest　well　that　in　any　case　I　would　fight　me　this　battle　for　my　father's　sake　and　for　the　honor　of　my　house；　nevertheless；　in　return　for　all　that　it　will　so　greatly　advantage　thee；　wilt　thou　not　grant　me　a　boon　in　return　should　I　overcome　mine　enemy？〃

〃What　is　thy　boon；　Sir　Myles？〃

〃That　thou　wilt　grant　me　thy　favor　to　seek　the　Lady　Alice　de　Mowbray　for　my　wife。〃

The　Earl　of　Mackworth　started　up　from　his　seat。　〃Sir　Myles　Falworth〃he　began；　violently；　and　then　stopped　short；　drawing　his　bushy　eyebrows　together　into　a　frown　stern；　if　not　sinister。

Myles　withstood　his　look　calmly　and　impassively；　and　presently　the　Earl　turned　on　his　heel；　and　strode　to　the　open　window。　A　long　time　passed　in　silence　while　he　stood　there；　gazing　out　of　the　window　into　the　garden　beyond　with　his　back　to　the　young　man。

Suddenly　he　swung　around　again。　〃Sir　Myles；〃　said　he；　〃the　family　of　Falworth　is　as　good　as　any　in　Derbyshire。　Just　now　it　is　poor　and　fallen　in　estate；　but　if　it　is　again　placed　in　credit　and　honor；　thou；　who　art　the　son　of　the　house；　shalt　have　thy　suit　weighed　with　as　much　respect　and　consideration　as　though　thou　wert　my　peer　in　all　things；　Such　is　my　answer。　Art　thou　satisfied？〃

〃I　could　ask　no　more；〃　answered　Myles。



CHAPTER　29

That　night　Myles　lodged　at　Mackworth　House。　The　next　morning；　as　soon　as　he　had　broken　his　fast；　which　he　did　in　the　privacy　of　his　own　apartments；　the　Earl　bade　him　and　Gascoyne　to　make　ready　for　the　barge；　which　was　then　waiting　at　the　river　stairs　to　take　them　to　Scotland　Yard。

The　Earl　himself　accompanied　them；　and　as　the　heavy　snub…nosed　boat；　rowed　by　the　six　oarsmen　in　Mackworth　livery；　slid　slowly　and　heavily　up　against　the　stream；　the　Earl；　leaning　back　in　his　cushioned　seat；　pointed　out　the　various　inns