lay morals-第31章

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ow　of　his　own　lantern。　　Mr。　Archer　greeted　him　with　　civility；　but　the　old　man　was　in　no　humour　of　compliance。　　He　　guided　the　new…comer　across　the　court…yard；　looking　sharply　　and　quickly　in　his　face；　and　grumbling　all　the　time　about　the　　cold；　and　the　discomfort　and　dilapidation　of　the　castle。　　He　　was　sure　he　hoped　that　Mr。　Archer　would　like　it；　but　in　truth　　he　could　not　think　what　brought　him　there。　　Doubtless　he　had　　a　good　reason　…　this　with　a　look　of　cunning　scrutiny　…　but；　　indeed；　the　place　was　quite　unfit　for　any　person　of　repute；　　he　himself　was　eaten　up　with　the　rheumatics。　　It　was　the　most　　rheumaticky　place　in　England；　and　some　fine　day　the　whole　　habitable　part　（to　call　it　habitable）　would　fetch　away　bodily　　and　go　down　the　slope　into　the　river。　　He　had　seen　the　cracks　　widening；　there　was　a　plaguy　issue　in　the　bank　below；　he　　thought　a　spring　was　mining　it；　it　might　be　tomorrow；　it　　might　be　next　day；　but　they　were　all　sure　of　a　come…down　　sooner　or　later。　　'And　that　is　a　poor　death；'　said　he；　'for　　any　one；　let　alone　a　gentleman；　to　have　a　whole　old　ruin　　dumped　upon　his　belly。　　Have　a　care　to　your　left　there；　these　　cellar　vaults　have　all　broke　down；　and　the　grass　and　hemlock　　hide　'em。　　Well；　sir；　here　is　welcome　to　you；　such　as　it　is；　　and　wishing　you　well　away。'

And　with　that　Jonathan　ushered　his　guest　through　the　tower　　door；　and　down　three　steps　on　the　left　hand　into　the　kitchen　　or　common　room　of　the　castle。　　It　was　a　huge；　low　room；　as　　large　as　a　meadow；　occupying　the　whole　width　of　the　habitable　　wing；　with　six　barred　windows　looking　on　the　court；　and　two　　into　the　river　valley。　　A　dresser；　a　table；　and　a　few　chairs　　stood　dotted　here　and　there　upon　the　uneven　flags。　　Under　the　　great　chimney　a　good　fire　burned　in　an　iron　fire…basket；　a　　high　old　settee；　rudely　carved　with　figures　and　Gothic　　lettering；　flanked　it　on　either　side；　there　was　a　hinge　table　　and　a　stone　bench　in　the　chimney　corner；　and　above　the　arch　　hung　guns；　axes；　lanterns；　and　great　sheaves　of　rusty　keys。

Jonathan　looked　about　him；　holding　up　the　lantern；　and　　shrugged　his　shoulders；　with　a　pitying　grimace。　　'Here　it　　is；'　he　said。　　'See　the　damp　on　the　floor；　look　at　the　moss；　　where　there's　moss　you　may　be　sure　that　it's　rheumaticky。　　　Try　and　get　near　that　fire　for　to　warm　yourself；　it'll　blow　　the　coat　off　your　back。　　And　with　a　young　gentleman　with　a　　face　like　yours；　as　pale　as　a　tallow…candle；　I'd　be　afeard　of　　a　churchyard　cough　and　a　galloping　decline；'　says　Jonathan；　　naming　the　maladies　with　gloomy　gusto；　'or　the　cold　might　　strike　and　turn　your　blood；'　he　added。

Mr。　Archer　fairly　laughed。　　'My　good　Mr。　Holdaway；'　said　he；　　'I　was　born　with　that　same　tallow…candle　face；　and　the　only　　fear　that　you　inspire　me　with　is　the　fear　that　I　intrude　　unwelcomely　upon　your　private　hours。　　But　I　think　I　can　　promise　you　that　I　am　very　little　troublesome；　and　I　am　　inclined　to　hope　that　the　terms　which　I　can　offer　may　still　　pay　you　the　derangement。'

'Yes；　the　terms；'　said　Jonathan；　'I　was　thinking　of　that。　　As　　you　say；　they　are　very　small；'　and　he　shook　his　head。

'Unhappily；　I　can　afford　no　more；'　said　Mr。　Archer。　　'But　　this　we　have　arranged　already；'　he　added　with　a　certain　　stiffness；　'and　as　I　am　aware　that　Miss　Holdaway　has　matter　　to　communicate；　I　will；　if　you　permit；　retire　at　once。　　To…　night　I　must　bivouac；　to…morrow　my　trunk　is　to　follow　from　　the　〃Dragon。〃　　So　if　you　will　show　me　to　my　room　I　shall　wish　　you　a　good　slumber　and　a　better　awakening。'

Jonathan　silently　gave　the　lantern　to　Nance；　and　she；　turning　　and　curtseying　in　the　doorway；　proceeded　to　conduct　their　　guest　up　the　broad　winding　staircase　of　the　tower。　　He　　followed　with　a　very　brooding　face。

'Alas！'　cried　Nance；　as　she　entered　the　room；　'your　fire　　black　out；'　and；　setting　down　the　lantern；　she　clapped　upon　　her　knees　before　the　chimney　and　began　to　rearrange　the　　charred　and　still　smouldering　remains。　　Mr。　Archer　looked　　about　the　gaunt　apartment　with　a　sort　of　shudder。　　The　great　　height；　the　bare　stone；　the　shattered　windows；　the　aspect　of　　the　uncurtained　bed；　with　one　of　its　four　fluted　columns　　broken　short；　all　struck　a　chill　upon　his　fancy。　　From　this　　dismal　survey　his　eyes　returned　to　Nance　crouching　before　the　　fire；　the　candle　in　one　hand　and　artfully　puffing　at　the　　embers；　the　flames　as　they　broke　forth　played　upon　the　soft　　outline　of　her　cheek　…　she　was　alive　and　young；　coloured　with　　the　bright　hues　of　life；　and　a　woman。　　He　looked　upon　her；　　softening；　and　then　sat　down　and　continued　to　admire　the　　picture。

'There；　sir；'　said　she；　getting　upon　her　feet；　'your　fire　is　　doing　bravely　now。　　Good…night。'

He　rose　and　held　out　his　hand。　　'Come；'　said　he；　'you　are　my　　only　friend　in　these　parts；　and　you　must　shake　hands。'

She　brushed　her　hand　upon　her　skirt　and　offered　it；　blushing。

'God　bless　you；　my　dear；'　said　he。

And　then；　when　he　was　alone；　he　opened　one　of　the　windows；　　and　stared　down　into　the　dark　valley。　　A　gentle　wimpling　of　　the　river　among　stones　ascended　to　his　ear；　the　trees　upon　　the　other　bank　stood　very　black　against　the　sky；　farther　away　　an　owl　was　hooting。　　It　was　dreary　and　cold；　and　as　he　turned　　back　to　the　hearth　and　the　fine　glow　of　fire；　'Heavens！'　said　　he　to　himself；　'what　an　unfortunate　destiny　is　mine！'

He　went　to　bed；　but　sleep　only　visited　his　pillow　in　uneasy　　snatches。　　Outbreaks　of　loud　speech　came　up　the　staircase；　he　　heard　the　old　stones　of　the　castle　crack　in　the　frosty　night　　with　sharp　reverberations；　and　the　bed　complained　under　his　　tossings。　　Lastly；　far　on　into　the　morning；　he　awakened　from　　a　doze　to　hear；　very　far　off；　in　the　extreme　and　breathless　　quiet；　a　wailing　flourish　on　the　horn。　　The　down　mail　was　　drawing　near　to　the　'Green　Dragon。'　　He　sat　up　in　bed；　the　　sound　was　tragical　by　distance；　and　the　modulation　appealed　　to　his　ear　like　human　speech。　　It　seemed　to　call　upon　him　　with　a　dreary　insistence　…　to　call　him　far　away；　to　address　　him　personally；　and　to　have　a　meaning　that　he　failed　to　　seize。　　It　was　thus；　at　least；　in　this　nodding　castle；　in　a　　cold；　miry　woodland；　and　so　far　from　men　and　society；　that　　the　traffic　on　the　Great　North　Road　spoke　to　him　in　the　　intervals　of　slumber。



THE　GREAT　NORTH　ROAD　CHAPTER　III　…　　JONATHAN　HOLDAWAY



NANCE　descended　the　tower　stair；　pausing　at　every　step。　　She　　was　in　no　hurry　to　confront　her　uncle　with　bad　news；　and　she　　must　dwell　a　little　longer　on　the　rich　note　of　Mr。　Archer's　　voice；　the　charm　of　his　kind　words；　and　the　beauty　of　his　　manner　and　person。　　But；　once　at　the　stair…foot；　she　threw　　aside　the　spell　and　recovered　her　sensible　and　workaday　self。

Jonathan　was　seated　in　the　middle　of　the　settle；　a　mug　of　ale　　beside　him；　in　the　attitude　of　one　prepared　for　trouble；　but　　he　did　not　speak；　and　suffered　her　to　fetch　her　supper　and　　eat　of　it；　with　a　very　excellent　appetite；　in　silence。　　When　　she　had　done；　she；　too；　drew　a　tankard　of　home…brewed；　and　　came　and　planted　herself　in　front　of　him　upon　the　settle。

'Well？'　said　Jonathan。

'My　lord　has　run　away；'　said　Nance。

'What？'　cried　the　old　man。

'Abroad；'　she　continued；　'run　away　from　creditors。　　He　said　　he　had　not　a　stiver；　but　he　was　drunk　enough。　　He　said　you　　might　live　on　in　the　castle；　and　Mr。　Archer　would　pay　you；　　but　you　was　to　look　for　no　more　wages；　since　he　would　be　glad　　of　them　himself。'

Jonathan's　face　contracted；　the　flush　of　a　black；　bilious　　anger　mounted　to　the　roots　of　his　hair；　he　gave　an　　inarticulate　cry；　leapt　upon　his　feet；　and　began　rapidly　　pacing　the　stone　floor。　　At　first　he　kept　his　hands　behind　　his　back　in　a　tight　knot；　then　he　began　to　gesticulate　as　he　　turned。

'This　man　…　this　lord；'　he　shouted；　'who　is　he？　　He　was　born　　with　a　gold　spoon　in　his　mouth；　and　I　with　a　dirty　straw。　　He　　rolled　in　his　coach　when　he　was　a　baby。　　I　have　dug　and　　toiled　and　laboured　since　I　was　that　high　…　that　high。'　　And　　he　shouted　again。　　'I'm　bent　and　broke；　and　full　of　pains。　　　D'　ye　think　I　don't　know　the　taste　of　sweat？　　Many's　the　　gallon　I've　drunk　of　it　…　ay；　in　the　midwinter；　toiling　like　　a　slave。　　All　through；　what　has　my　life　been？　　Bend；　bend；　　bend　my　old　creaking　back　till　it　would　ache　like　breaking；　　wade　about　in　the　foul　mire；　never　a　dry　stitch；　empty　belly；　　sore　hands；　hat　off　to　my　Lord　Redface；　kicks　and　ha'pence；　　and　now；　here；　at　the　hind　end；　when　I'm　worn　to　my　poor　　bones；　a　kick　and　done　with　it。'　　He　walked　a　little　while　in　　silence；　and　then；　extending　his　hand；　'Now　you；　Nance　　Holdaway；'　says　he；　'you　come　of　my　blood；　and　you're　a　good　　girl。　　When　that　man　was　a　boy；　I　used　to　carry　his　gun　for　　him。　　I　carried　the　gun　all　day　on　my　two　feet；　and　many　a　　stitch　I　had；　and　chewed　a　bullet　for。　　He　rode　upon　a　horse；　　with　feathers　in　his　hat；　but　it　was　him　that　had　the　shots　　and　took　the　game　home。　　Did　I　complain？　　Not　I。　　I　knew　my　　station。　　What　did　I　ask；　but　just　the　chance　to　live　and　die　　honest？　　Nance　Holdaway；　don't　let　them　deny　it　to　me　…　don't　　let　them　do　it。　　I've　been　as　poor　as　Job；　and　as　honest　as　　the　day；　but　now；　my　girl；　you　mark　these　words　of　mine；　I'm　　getting　tired　of　it。'

'I　wouldn't　say　such　words；　at　least；'　said　Nance。

'You　wouldn't？'　said　the　old　man　grimly。　　'Well；　and　did　I　　when　I　was　your　age？　　Wait　till　your　back's　broke　and　your　　hands　tremble；　and　your　eyes　fail；　and　you're　weary　of　the　　battle　and　ask　no　more　but　to　lie　down　in　your　bed　and　give　　the　ghost　up　like　an　honest　man；　and　then　let　there　up　and　　come　some　insolent；　ungodly　fellow　…　ah！　if　I　had　him　in　　these　hands！　　〃Where's　my　money　that　you　gambled？〃　I　should　　say。　　〃Where's　my　money　that　you　drank　and　diced？〃　　〃Thief！〃　　is　what　I　would　say；　〃Thief！〃'　he　roared；　'〃Thief〃'

'Mr。　Archer　will　hear　you　if　you　don't　take　care；'　said　　Nance；　'and　I　would　be　ashamed；　for　one；　that　he　should　hear　　a　brave；　old；　honest；　hard…working　man　like　Jonathan　Holdaway　　talk　nonsense　like　a　boy。'

'D'　ye　think　I　mind　for　Mr。　Archer？'　he　cried　shrilly；　with　a　　clack　of　laughter；　and　then　he　came　close　up　to　her；　stooped　　down　with　his　two　palms　upon　his　knees；　and　looked　her　in　the　　eyes；　with　a　strange　hard　expression；　something　like　a　smile。　　　'Do　I　mind　for　God；　my　girl？'　he　said；　'that's　what　it's　come　　to　be　now；　do　I　mind　for　God？'

'Uncle　Jonathan；'　she　said；　getting　up　and　taking　him　by　the　　arm；　'you　sit　down　again；　where　you　were　sitting。　　There；　sit　　still；　I'll　have　no　more　of　this；　you'll　do　yourself　a　　mischief。　　Come；　take　a　drink　of　this　good　ale；　and　I'll　warm　　a　tankard　for　you。　　La；　we'll　pull　through；　you'll　see。　　I'm　　young；　as　you　say；　and　it's　my　turn　to　carry　the　bundle；　and　　don't　you　worry　your　bile；　or　we'll　have　sickness；　too；　as　　well　as　sorrow。'

'D'　ye　think　that　I'd　forgotten　you？'　said　Jonathan；　with　　something　like　a　groan；　and　thereupon　his　teeth　clicked　to；　　and　he　sat　silent　with　the　tankard　in　his　hand　and　staring　　straight　before　him。

'Why；'　says　Nance；　setting　on　the　ale　to　mull；　'men　are　　always　children；　they　say；　however　old；　and　if　ever　I　heard　a　　thing　like　this；　to　set　to　and　make　yourself　sick；　just　when　　the　money's　failing。　　Keep　a　good　heart　up；　you　haven't　kept　　a　good　heart　these　seventy　years；　nigh　hand；　to　break　down　　about　a　pound　or　t