the virgin of the sun-第15章

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sit　at　meat　with　him。〃

Deleroy　stamped　his　foot；　but　the　end　of　it　was　that　I　was　summoned　to
the　high　table　where　the　lady　Blanche　made　place　for　me　beside　her；
while　Deleroy　sat　himself　down　between　two　splendid　dames　at　the　other
end　of　the　board。

Here；　then；　I　stayed　by　Blanche　who；　I　noted；　wore　the　ruby　heart
encircled　by　serpents。　Indeed；　this　was　the　first　thing　of　which　she
spoke　to　me；　saying；

〃It　looks　well　upon　my　robe；　does　it　not；　and　I　thank　you　for　it；
Master　Hubert；　who　know　surely　that　it　is　not　my　cousin　Deleroy's
gift；　but　yours；　since　for　it　you　will　never　see　your　money。〃

By　way　of　answer　I　looked　at　the　sumptuous　plate　and　furnishings；　the
profusion　of　the　viands；　and　the　number　of　the　serving…men。　Reading　my
thought；　she　replied；

〃Aye；　but　pledged；　all　of　it。　I　tell　you；　Master　Hubert；　that　we　are
starved　hounds；　though　we　live　in　a　kennel　with　golden　bars。　And　now
they　would　pawn　you　that　kennel　also。〃

Then；　while　I　wondered　what　to　say；　she　began　to　talk　of　our　great
adventure　in　bygone　years；　recalling　every　tiny　thing　that　had
happened　and　every　word　that　had　been　spoken　between　us；　some　of　which
I　had　forgotten。　Of　one　thing　only　she　said　nothingthe　kisses　with
which　we　parted。　Amongst　much　else；　she　spoke　of　how　the　ancient　sword
had　shorn　through　the　armour　of　the　French　knight；　and　I　told　her　that
the　sword　was　named　Wave…Flame　and　that　it　had　come　down　to　me　from　my
ancestor；　Thorgrimmer　the　Viking；　and　of　what　was　written　on　its
blade；　to　all　of　which　she　listened　greedily。

〃And　they　thought　you　not　fit　to　sit　at　meat　with　them；　you　whose　race
is　so　old　and　who　are　so　great　a　warrior；　as　you　showed　that　day。　And
it　is　to　you　that　I　owe　my　life　and　more　than　life；　to　you　and　not　to
them。〃

So　saying　she　shot　a　glance　at　me　that　pierced　me　through　and　through；
as　my　arrows　had　pierced　the　Frenchmen；　and　what　is　more　beneath　the
cover　of　the　board　for　a　moment　let　her　slim　hand　rest　upon　my　own。

After　this　for　a　while　we　were　silent；　for　indeed　I　could　not　speak。
Then　we　talked　on　as　we　could　do　well　enough；　since　there　was　no　one
on　my　left　where　the　board　ended；　and　on　Blanche's　right　was　a　fat　old
lord　who　seemed　to　be　deaf　and　occupied　himself　in　drinking　more　than
he　should　have　done。　I　told　her　much　about　myself；　also　what　my　mother
had　said　to　me　on　the　day　of　the　Burning；　and　of　how　she　had
prophesied　that　I　should　be　a　wanderer；　words　at　which　Blanche　sighed
and　answered：

〃Yet　you　seem　to　be　well　planted　in　London　and　in　rich　soil；　Master
Hubert。〃

〃Aye；　Lady；　but　it　is　not　my　native　soil　and　for　the　rest　we　go　where
Fate　leads　us。〃

〃Fate！　What　does　that　word　bring　to　my　mind？　I　have　it；　yonder　Moor　of
yours　who　makes　those　jewels。　He　has　the　very　eyes　of　Fate　and　I　fear
him。〃

〃That　is　strange；　Lady；　and　yet　not　so　strange；　for　about　this　man
there　is　something　fateful。　Ever　he　swears　to　me　that　I　shall
accompany　him　to　some　dim　land　where　he　was　born；　of　which　land　he　is
a　prince。〃

Then　I　told　her　all　the　story　of　Kari；　to　which　she　listened　open…eyed
and　wondering；　saying　when　I　had　finished；

〃So　you　saved　this　poor　wanderer　also；　and　doubtless　he　loves　you
well。〃

〃Yes；　Lady；　almost　too　well；　seeing　that　at　times　he　is　jealous　of　me；
though　God　knows　I　did　little　for　him　save　pick　him　from　a　crowd　upon
the　quay。〃

〃Ah！　I　guess　it；　who　saw　him　watching　you　the　other　day。　Yet　it　is
strange；　for　I　thought　that　only　women　could　be　jealous　of　men；　and
men　of　women。　Hush！　they　are　mocking　us　because　we　talk　so　friendly。〃

I　looked　up；　following　her　glance；　and　saw　that　Deleroy　and　the　two
fine　ladies　between　whom　he　sat；　all　of　whom　appeared　to　have　had
enough　of　wine；　were　pointing　at　us。　Indeed；　in　a　silence；　such　as　now
and　again　happens　at　feasts；　I　heard　one　of　them　say；

〃You　had　best　beware　lest　that　fair　white　dove　of　yours　does　not　slip
your　hand　and　begin　to　coo　in　another's　ear；　my　Lord　Deleroy；〃　and
heard　his　answer；

〃Nay；　I　have　her　too　fast；　and　who　cares　for　a　pining　dove　whereof　the
feathers　adorn　another's　cap？〃

Whilst　I　was　wondering　what　this　dark　talk　might　mean　the　company
broke　up；　the　lady　Blanche　gliding　away　through　a　door　at　the　back　of
the　dais；　followed；　as　I　noted；　by　Deleroy　who　seemed　flushed　and
angry。

Many　times　I　visited　that　prodigal　house　which　seemed　to　me　to　be　the
haunt　of　folk　who；　however　highly　placed　and　greatly　favoured　at
Court；　were　as　loose　in　their　lives　as　they　were　in　their　talk。
Indeed；　although　I　was　no　saint；　I　liked　them　not　at　all；　especially
the　men　with　their　scented　hair；　turned…up　shoes；　and　party…coloured
clothes。　Nor　as　I　thought；　did　Sir　Robert　Aleys　like　them；　who；
whatever　his　faults；　was　a　bluff　knight　of　the　older　sort；　who　had
fought　with　credit　in　the　French　wars。　Yet　I　noted　that　he　seemed　to
be　helpless　in　their　hands；　or　rather　in　those　of　Deleroy；　the　King's
favourite；　who　was　the　chief　of　all　the　gang。　It　was　as　though　that
gay　and　handsome　young　man　had　some　hold　over　the　old　soldier；　yes；
and　over　his　daughter　also；　though　what　this　might　be　I　could　not
guess。

Now　I　will　move　on　with　the　tale。　In　due　course　the　parchments　were
signed　and　delivered；　and　the　money　in　good　gold　was　paid　over　on　my
behalf；　after　which　the　great　household　at　Westminster　became　more
prodigal　than　before。　But　when　the　time　came　for　the　discharge　of　the
interest　due　not　a　groat　was　forthcoming。　Then　afterwards　there　was
talk　of　my　taking　over　certain　of　the　pledged　lands　in　lieu　of　this
interest。　Sir　Robert　suggested　this　and　I　assented；　because　Blanche
had　told　me　that　it　would　help　her　father。　Only　when　the　matter　was
set　on　foot　by　my　lawyers　was　it　found　that　these　lands　were　not　his
to　transfer；　inasmuch　as　they　had　been　already　mortgaged　to　their
value。

Then　there　was　a　fierce　quarrel　between　Sir　Robert　Aleys　and　the　lord
Deleroy；　at　which　I　was　present。　Sir　Robert　with　many　oaths　accused
his　cousin　of　having　forged　his　name　when　he　was　absent　in　France；
while　Deleroy　declared　that　what　he　did　was　done　with　due　authority。
Almost　they　drew　swords　on　each　other；　till　at　length　Deleroy　took
Aleys　aside　and　with　a　fierce　grin　whispered　something　into　his　ear
which　caused　the　old　knight　to　sink　down　on　a　stool　and　call　out；

〃Get　you　gone；　you　false　rogue！　Get　out　of　this　house；　aye；　and　out　of
England。　If　I　meet　you　again；　by　God's　Blood　I　swear　that　King's
favourite　or　no　King's　favourite；　I'll　throat　you　like　a　hog！〃

To　which　Deleroy　mocked　in　answer：

〃Good！　I'll　go；　my　gentle　cousin；　which　it　suits　me　well　to　do　who
have　certain　business　of　the　King's　awaiting　me　in　France。　Aye；　I'll
go　and　leave　you　to　settle　with　this　worthy　trader　who　may　hold　that
you　have　duped　him。　Do　it　as　you　will；　except　in　one　fashion；　of　which
you　know。　Now　a　word　with　my　cousin　Blanche　and　another　at　the　Palace
and　I　ride　for　Dover。　Farewell；　Cousin　Aleys。　Farewell；　worthy
merchant　for　whose　loss　I　should　grieve；　did　I　not　know　that　soon　you
will　recoup　yourself　out　of　gentle　pockets。　Mourn　not　over　me　over
much；　either　of　you；　since　doubtless　ere　so　very　long　I　shall　return。〃

Now　my　blood　flamed　up　and　I　answered：

〃I　pray　you　do　not　hurry；　my　lord；　lest　you　should　find　me　waiting　for
you　with　a　shield　and　a　sword　in　place　of　a　warrant　and　a　pen。〃

He　heard　and　called　out；　〃Fore　God；　this　chapman　thinks　himself　a
knight！〃

Then　with　a　mocking　laugh　he　went。



　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　CHAPTER　VI

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　MARRIAGEAND　AFTER

Sir　Robert　and　I　stood　facing　each　other　speechless　with　rage；　both　of
us。　At　length　he　said　in　a　hoarse　voice：

〃Your　pardon；　Master　Hastings；　for　the　affronts　that　this　bastard
lordling　has　put　upon　you；　an　honest　man。　I　tell　you　that　he　is　a
loose…living　knave；　as　you　would　agree　if　you　knew　all　his　story；　a
cockatrice　that　for　my　sins　I　have　nurtured　in　my　bosom。　'Tis　he　that
has　wasted　all　my　substance；　'tis　he　that　has　made　free　of　my　name；　so
that　I　fear　me　you　are　defrauded。　'Tis　he　that　uses　my　house　as　though
it　were　his　own；　bringing　into　it　vile　women　of　the　Court；　and　men
that　are　viler　still；　however　high　their　names　and　gaudy　their
attire；〃　and　he　choked　with　his　wrath　and　stopped。

〃Why　do　you　suffer　these　things；　sir？〃　I　asked。

〃Forsooth　because　I　must；〃　he　answered　sullenly；　〃for　he　has　me　and
mine　by　the　throat。　This　Deleroy　is　very　powerful；　Master　Hastings。　At
a　word　from　him　whispered　in　the　King's　ear；　I；　or　you；　or　any　man
might　find　ourselves　in　the　Tower　accused　of　treason；　whence　we　should
appear　no　more。〃

Then；　as　though　he　wished　to　get　away　from　the　subject　of　Deleroy　and
his　hold　upon　him；　he　went　on：

〃I　fear　me　that　your　money；　or　much　of　it；　is　in　danger　for　Deleroy's
bond　is　worthless；　and　since　the　land　is　already　pledged　without　my
knowledge；　I　have　nowhere　to　turn　for　gold。　I　tell　you　that　I　am　an
honest　man　if　one　who　has　fallen　into　ill　company；　and　this　wickedness
cuts　me　deep；　for　I　know　not　how　you　will　be　repaid。〃

Now　a　thought　came　to　me；　and　as　was　my　bold　fashion　in　all　business；
I　acted　on　it　instantly。

〃Sir　Robert　Aleys；〃　I　said；　〃should　it　be　pleasing　to　you　and　another；
I　can　see　a　way　in　which　this　debt　may　be　cancelled　without　shame　to
you　and　yet　to　my　profit。〃

〃Then　in　God's　name　speak　it！　For　I　see　none。〃

〃Sir；　in　bygone　time；　as　it　chanced　I　was　able　yonder　at　Hastings　to
do　some　service　to　your　daughter　and　in　that　hour　she　took　my　heart。〃

He　started　but　motioned　to　me　to　continue。

〃Sir；　I　love　her　truly　and　desire　more　than　anything　to　make　her　my
wife。　I　know　she　is　far　above　me　in　station；　still　although　but　a
merchant；　I　am　of　good　descent　as　I　can　prove　to　you。　Moreover；　I　am
rich；　for　this　money　that　I　have　advanced　to　you；　or　to　the　lord
Deleroy；　is　but　a　small　part　of　my　wealth　which　grows　day　by　day
through　honest　trade。　Sir；　if　my　suit　were　accepted　I　should　be　ready；
not　only　to　help　you　further　on　certain　terms；　but　by　deed　and　will　to
settle　most　of　it　upon　the　lady　Blanche　and　upon　our　children。　Sir；
what　say　you？〃

Sir　Robert　tugged　at　his　red　beard　and　stared　down　at　the　floor。
Presently　he　lifted　his　head　and　I　saw　that　his　face　was　troubled；　the
face　of　a　man；　indeed；　who　is　struggling　with　himself；　or；　as　I
thought；　with　his　pride。

〃A　fair　offer　fairly　put；〃　he　said；　〃but　the　question　is；　not　what　I
say；　but　what　says　Blanche。〃

〃Sir；　I　do　not　know　who　have　never　asked　her。　Yet　at　times　I　have
thought　that　her　mind　towards　me　is　not　unkind。〃

〃Is　it　so？　Well；　perhaps　now　that　hewell；　let　that　lie。　Master
Hastings；　you　have　my　leave　to　try　your　fortune　and　I　tell　you
straight　that　I　hope　it　will　be　good。　With　your　wealth　your　rank　may
be　soon　mended　and　you　are　an　honest　man　whom　I　should　be　glad　to
welcome　as　a　son；　for　I　have　had　enough　of　these　Court　knaves　and
painted　Jezebels。　But　if　such　is　your　fancy　towards　Blanche；　my
counsel　to　you　is　that　you　put　it　quickly　to　the　proofaye；　man；　at
once。　Mark　my　words；　for　such　a　swan　as　she　is　many　snares　are　set
beneath　the　dirty　waters　of　this　Court。〃

〃The　sooner　the　better；　sir。〃

〃Good。　I'll　send　her　to　you　and；　one　word　morebe　not　over　shy；　or
r