red eve-第9章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


death　between　our　families　of　which　no　man　can　foresee　the　end。
Moreover；　how　can　you　marry；　seeing　that　a　brother's　blood　runs
between　you？〃

〃It　is　on　John's　head；〃　she　answered　sadly；　〃not　on　Hugh's　hand。　I
warned　him；　and　Hugh　spared　him　once。　What　more　could　we　do？〃

〃I　know　not；　Eve；　I　only　know　what　you　have　done；　you　and　Hugh　and
Grey　Dick。　Four　dead　and　two　wounded；　that's　the　bill　I　must　discharge
as　best　I　may。　Doubtless　too　soon　there　will　be　more　to　follow；
whether　they　be　Claverings　or　de　Cressis。　Well；　we　must　take　things　as
God　sends　them；　and　leave　Him　to　balance　the　account。

〃But　there　is　no　time　to　lose　if　Hugh's　neck　is　to　escape　a　halter。
Speak　you；　Father　Andrew；　who　are　wise　and　old；　and　have　this　matter
in　hand。　Oh！　Hugh；　Hugh；　you　were　born　a　fighter；　not　a　merchant　like
your　brethren；〃　and　he　pointed　to　three　young　men　who　all　this　while
had　stood　silently　behind　him　looking　upon　their　youngest　brother　with
grave　disapproval。　〃Yes；　the　old　Norman　blood　comes　out　in　you；　and
the　Norman　mail　suits　you　well；〃　he　added　with　a　flash　of　pride；　〃and
so　there's　an　endor　a　beginning。　Now；　Sir　Andrew；　speak。〃

〃Master　de　Cressi；〃　said　the　old　priest；　〃your　son　Hugh　rides　to
London　on　an　errand　of　mine　which　I　think　will　save　his　neck　from　that
halter　whereof　you　spoke　but　now。　Are　those　four　mounted　men　that　you
promised　me　ready　to　companion　him？〃

〃They　will　be　within　an　hour；　Father；　but　not　before；　since　six　good
horses　cannot　be　laid　hands　on　in　the　dead　of　night；　being　stabled
without　the　gates。　But　what　is　this　message　of　yours；　and　to　whom　does
Hugh　go？〃

〃To　his　Grace　Edward　the　King；　none　less；　Geoffrey　de　Cressi；　with
that　which　shall　earn　pardon　for　him　and　Dick　the　Archer；　or　so　I
believe。　As　for　what　it　is　I　may　not　tell　you　or　any　man。　It　has　to　do
with　great　matters　of　State　that　are　for　the　King's　ear　alone；　and　I
charge　you；　every　one；　on　your　honour　and　your　safety；　to　make　no
mention　of　this　mission　without　these　walls。　Do　you　swear；　Geoffrey　de
Cressi；　and　you；　his　sons？〃

Then　one　by　one　they　swore　to　be　secret　as　the　grave；　and　Eve　swore
also；　though　of　her　he　had　sought　no　promise。　When　this　was　finished
Sir　Andrew　asked　if　any　of　his　brothers　accompanied　Hugh；　saying　that
if　so　they　must　arm。

〃No；〃　answered　Master　de　Cressi；　〃one　of　the　family　is　enough　to　risk
as　well　as　four　of　our　best　servants。　My　sons　bide　here　with　me；　who
may　need　their　help；　though　they　are　not　trained　to　arms。〃

〃Perhaps　it　is　as　well；〃　said　Sir　Andrew　drily；　〃though　were　I　their
agewell；　let　that　be。　Now；　son　Hugh；　before　you　eat　do　you　and　Eve
come　with　me　into　the　church。〃

At　these　words　Hugh　flushed　red　with　joy；　and　opened　his　lips　to
speak。

〃Nay；　nay；〃　broke　in　Sir　Andrew；　with　a　frown；　〃for　a　different
purpose　to　that　which　is　in　your　mind。　Man；　is　this　a　time　for
marrying　and　giving　in　marriage？　And　if　it　were；　could　I　marry　you　who
are　stained　with　new…shed　blood？　'Tis　that　you　both　may　be　absolved
from　the　guilt　of　that　blood　and　learn　the　penance　which　God　decrees
to　you　through　the　mouth　of　me；　His　unworthy　minister；　in　payment　of
its　shedding。　Thus　you；　son；　may　go　forth　upon　your　great　adventure
with　a　clean　heart；　and　you；　daughter；　may　await　what　shall　befall
with　a　quiet　mind。　Say；　are　you　willing？〃

Now　they　bowed　their　heads　and　answered　that　they　were；　though　Eve
whispered　to　Hugh　that　she　misdoubted　her　of　this　talk　of　penance。

〃So　do　I；〃　he　replied；　beneath　his　breath；　〃but　he　is　a　merciful
confessor　and　loves　us。　From　some　it　might　be　harder。〃

They　passed　down　the　stairs；　followed　by　Master　de　Cressi　and　his
sons；　into　the　entrance　hall；　where　Grey　Dick　stood　watching　by　the
door。

〃Whither　go　they？〃　he　asked　of　Sir　Andrew；　〃for　their　road　is　mine。〃

〃To　confession　at　God's　altar；〃　answered　the　old　priest。　〃Do　you　come
also；　Richard？〃

〃Oh！〃　he　replied；　〃I　hoped　it　had　been　to　breakfast。　As　for　confession
I　have　naught　upon　my　soul　save　that　I　shot　too　low　at　the　Frenchman。〃

〃Bide　where　you　are；　O　man　of　blood；〃　said　Sir　Andrew　sternly：　〃and
pray　that　a　better　mood　be　given　to　you　before　it　is　too　late。〃

〃Ay；　Father；〃　he　answered　unabashed。　〃I'll　pray；　and　it　is　as　well
that　one　should　wait　to　watch　the　door　lest　you　should　all　presently
become　men　of　blood　against　your　will。〃

Turning　to　the　right；　Sir　Andrew　led　them　down　steps　to　a　passage
underground　that　joined　the　Temple　to　the　Church　of　the　Holy　Virgin
and　St。　John。　It　was　but　short；　and　at　the　end　of　it　they　found　a
massive　door　which　he　unbolted；　and；　passing　this　door；　entered　the
great　building；　whereof　the　silence　and　the　icy　cold　struck　them　like
blows。　They　had　but　two　lanterns　between　them；　one　of　which　Master　de
Cressi　and　his　elder　sons　took　with　them　to　the　nave　of　the　church。
Bearing　the　other；　Sir　Andrew　departed　into　the　vestry；　leaving　Hugh
and　Eve　seated　together　in　the　darkness　of　the　chancel　stalls。

Presently　his　light　reappeared　in　the　confessional；　where　he　sat
robed；　and　thither　at　his　summons　went　first　Hugh　and　then　Eve。　When
their　tales　were　told；　those　who　watched　in　the　nave　of　the　splendid
buildingwhich；　reared　by　the　Knights　Templar；　was　already　following
that　great　Order　to　decay　and　ruinsaw　the　star　of　light　he　bore
ascend　to　the　high　altar。　Here　he　set　it　down；　and；　advancing　to　the
rail；　addressed　the　two　shadowy　figures　that　knelt　before　him。

〃Son　and　daughter；〃　he　said；　〃you　have　made　confession　with　contrite
hearts；　and　the　Church　has　given　you　absolution　for　your　sins。　Yet
penance　remains；　and　because　those　sins；　though　grievous　in
themselves；　were　not　altogether　of　your　own　making；　it　shall　be　light。
Hugh　de　Cressi　and　Eve　Clavering；　who　are　bound　together　by　lawful
love　between　man　and　woman　and　the　solemn　oath　of　betrothal　which　you
here　renew　before　God；　this　is　the　penance　that　I　lay　upon　you　by
virtue　of　the　authority　in　me　vested　as　a　priest　of　Christ：　Because
between　you　runs　the　blood　of　John　Clavering；　the　cousin　of　one　of　you
and　the　brother　of　the　other；　slain　by　you；　Hugh　de　Cressi；　in　mortal
combat　but　yester　eve；　I　decree　and　enjoin　that　for　a　full　year　from
this　day　you　shall　not　be　bound　together　as　man　and　wife　in　the　holy
bonds　of　matrimony；　nor　converse　after　the　fashion　of　affianced
lovers。　If　you　obey　this　her　command；　faithfully；　then　by　my　mouth　the
Church　declares　that　after　the　year　has　gone　by　you　may　lawfully　be
wed　where　and　when　you　will。　Moreover；　she　pronounces　her　solemn
blessing　on　you　both　and　her　dreadful　curse　upon　any　and　upon　all　who
shall　dare　to　sunder　you　against　your　desires；　and　of　this　blessing
and　this　curse　let　all　the　congregation　take　notice。〃

Now　Hugh　and　Eve　rose　and　vanished　into　the　darkness。　When　they　had
gone　the　priest　celebrated　a　short　mass；　but　two　or　three　prayers　and
a　blessing；　which　done；　all　of　them　returned　to　the　Preceptory　as　they
had　come。

Here　food　was　waiting　for　them；　prepared　by　the　old　Sister　Agnes。　It
was　a　somewhat　silent　meal　of　which　no　one　ate　very　much　except　Grey
Dick；　who　remarked　aloud　that　as　this　might　be　his　last　breakfast　it
should　be　plentiful；　since；　shriven　or　unshriven；　it　was　better　to　die
upon　a　full　stomach。

Master　de　Cressi　called　him　an　impious　knave。　Then　he　asked　him　if　he
had　plenty　of　arrows；　because　if　not　he　would　find　four　dozen　of　the
best　that　could　be　made　in　Norwich　done　up　in　a　cloak　on　the　grey
horse　he　was　to　ride；　and　a　spare　bow　also。

〃I　thank　you　for　the　arrows；　Master；　but　as　for　the　bow；　I　use　none
but　my　own；　the　black　bow　which　the　sea　brought　to　me　and　death　alone
shall　part　from　me。　Perchance　both　will　be　wanted；　since　the
Claverings　will　scarcely　let　us　out　of　the　sanctuary　if　they　can　help
it。　Still；　it　is　true　they　may　not　know　where　we　lie　hid；　and　that　is
our　best　chance　of　eating　more　good　breakfasts　this　side　the　grave。〃

〃A　pest　on　your　evil　talk；〃　said　de　Cressi　with　an　uneasy　laugh；　for
he　loved　Hugh　best　of　all　his　sons　and　was　afraid　of　him。　〃Get　through
safely；　man；　and　though　I　like　not　your　grim　face　and　bloody　ways　you
shall　lose　little　by　it。　I　promise　you；〃　he　added　in　a　whisper；　〃that
if　you　bring　my　boy　safe　home　again；　you　shall　not　want　for　all　your
life；　ay；　and　if　there　is　need；　I'll　pay　your　blood…scot　for　you。〃

〃Thank　you；　master；　thank　you。　I'll　remember；　and　for　my　part　promise
you　this；　that　if　he　does　not　return　safe；　Dick　the　Archer　never　will。
But　I　think　I'll　live　to　shoot　more　than　your　four　dozen　of　arrows。〃

As　he　spoke　there　came　a　knock　upon　the　outer　door　and　every　one
sprang　up。

〃Fear　not；〃　said　Sir　Andrew；　〃doubtless　it　will　be　the　men　with　the
horses。　I'll　go　look。　Come　you　with　me；　Richard。〃

Presently　he　returned；　saying　that　it　was　so；　and　that　Master　de
Cressi's　servants　were　waiting　with　the　beasts　in　the　courtyard。　Also
that　they　brought　tidings　that　some　of　the　Clavering　party　were　now　at
the　Mayor's　house；　rousing　him　from　his　sleep；　doubtless　to　lay
information　of　the　slayings　and　ask　for　warrant　to　take　those　who
wrought　them；　should　they　be　in　the　borough。

〃Then　we　had　best　be　going；〃　said　Hugh；　〃since　soon　they　will　be　here
with　or　without　their　warrant。〃

〃Ay；〃　answered　Sir　Andrew。　〃Here　are　the　papers。　Take　them；　Hugh；　and
hide　them　well；　and　if　any　accident　should　befall　you；　try　to　pass
them　on　to　Richard　that　they　may　be　delivered　into　the　King's　hands　at
Westminster。　Say　that　Sir　Andrew　Arnold　sends　you　on　business　that　has
to　do　with　his　Grace's　safety；　and　neither　of　you　will　be　refused　a
hearing。　Then　act　as　he　may　command　you；　and　maybe　ere　long　we　shall
see　you　back　at　Dunwich　pardoned。〃

〃I　think　it　is　the　Claverings　and　their　French　lord　who　need　pardon；
not　I；〃　said　Hugh。　〃But　be　that　as　it　may；　what　of　Eve？〃

〃Fear　not　for　Eve；　son；　for　here　she　bides　in　sanctuary　until　the
Frenchman　is　out　of　England；　or　perchance；〃　he　added　grimly；　〃under
English　soil。〃

〃Ay；　ay；　we'll　guard　the　maid；〃　broke　in　Master　de　Cressi。　〃Come！　to
saddle　ere　you　be　trapped。〃

So　they　descended　to　a　back　entrance；　and　through　it　into　the
courtyard；　where　the　four　armed　men　waited　with　six　good　horses；　one
of　them　Hugh's　own。　Here　he　bade　farewell　to　his　brothers；　to　his
father；　who　kissed　him　on　the　brow；　and　to　Sir　Andrew；　who　stretched
his　hand　above　his　head　in　blessing。　Then　he　turned　to　Eve　and　was
about　to　embrace　her　even　before　that　company；　when　Sir　Andrew　looked
at　him；　and；　remembering　the　penance　that　had　been　laid　upon　him；　he
but　pressed　her　hand；　whispering：

〃God　be　with　you；　sweetheart！〃

〃He　is　with　us　all；　but　I　would　that　you　could　be　with　me　also；〃　she
answered　in　the　same　low　voice。　〃Still；　man　must　forth　to　battle　and
woman　must　wait　and　watch；　for　that　is　the　world's　way。　Whate'er
befalls；　remember　that　dead　or　living　I'll　be　wife　to　no　man　but　you。
Begone　now　ere　my　heart　fails　me；　and　guard　yourself　well；　remembering
that　you　bear　in　your　breast　not　one　life；　but　two。〃

Then　Hugh　swung　himself　to　the　saddle　of　which　Grey　Dick　had　already
tested　the　girths　and　stirrup　leathers。　In　another　minute　the　six　of
them　were　clattering　over　the　stones　of　Middlegate　Street；　while　the
burgesses　of　Dunwich　peeped