to have and to hold-第21章

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The　sun　was　sinking　when　I　reached　the　minister's　house；　and　going　into　the　great　room　drew　a　stool　to　the　table　and　sat　down　to　think。　Mistress　Percy　was　in　her　own　chamber；　in　the　room　overhead　the　minister　paced　up　and　down；　humming　a　psalm。　A　fire　was　burning　briskly　upon　the　hearth；　and　the　red　light　rose　and　fell；　…　now　brightening　all　the　room；　now　leaving　it　to　the　gathering　dusk。　Through　the　door；　which　I　had　left　open；　came　the　odor　of　the　pines；　the　fallen　leaves；　and　the　damp　earth。　In　the　churchyard　an　owl　hooted；　and　the　murmur　of　the　river　was　louder　than　usual。

I　had　sat　staring　at　the　table　before　me　for　perhaps　half　an　hour；　when　I　chanced　to　raise　my　eyes　to　the　opposite　wall。　Now；　on　this　wall；　reflecting　the　firelight　and　the　open　door　behind　me；　hung　a　small　Venetian　mirror；　which　I　had　bought　from　a　number　of　such　toys　brought　in　by　the　Southampton；　and　had　given　to　Mistress　Percy。　My　eyes　rested　upon　it；　idly　at　first；　then　closely　enough　as　I　saw　within　it　a　man　enter　the　room。　I　had　heard　no　footfall；　there　was　no　noise　now　behind　me。　The　fire　was　somewhat　sunken；　and　the　room　was　almost　in　darkness；　I　saw　him　in　the　glass　dimly；　as　shadow　rather　than　substance。　But　the　light　was　not　so　faint　that　the　mirror　could　not　show　me　the　raised　hand　and　the　dagger　within　its　grasp。　I　sat　without　motion；　watching　the　figure　in　the　glass　grow　larger。　When　it　was　nearly　upon　me；　and　the　hand　with　the　dagger　drawn　back　for　the　blow；　I　sprang　up；　wheeled；　and　caught　it　by　the　wrist。

A　moment's　fierce　struggle；　and　I　had　the　dagger　in　my　own　hand　and　the　man　at　my　mercy。　The　fire　upon　the　hearth　seized　on　a　pine　knot　and　blazed　up　brightly；　filling　the　room　with　light。　〃Diccon！〃　I　cried；　and　dropped　my　arm。

I　had　never　thought　of　this。　The　room　was　very　quiet　as；　master　and　man；　we　stood　and　looked　each　other　in　the　face。　He　fell　back　to　the　wall　and　leaned　against　it；　breathing　heavily；　into　the　space　between　us　the　past　came　thronging。

I　opened　my　hand　and　let　the　dagger　drop　to　the　floor。　〃I　suppose　that　this　was　because　of　last　night；〃　I　said。　〃I　shall　never　strike　you　again。〃

I　went　to　the　table；　and　sitting　down　leaned　my　forehead　upon　my　hand。　It　was　Diccon　who　would　have　done　this　thing！　The　fire　crackled　on　the　hearth　as　had　crackled　the　old　camp　fires　in　Flanders；　the　wind　outside　was　the　wind　that　had　whistled　through　the　rigging　of　the　Treasurer；　one　terrible　night　when　we　lashed　ourselves　to　the　same　mast　and　never　thought　to　see　the　morning。　Diccon！

Upon　the　table　was　the　minister's　inkhorn　and　pen。　I　drew　my　tablets　from　the　breast　of　my　doublet　and　began　to　write。　〃Diccon！〃　I　called；　without　turning；　when　I　had　finished。

He　came　slowly　forward　to　the　table；　and　stood　beside　it　with　hanging　head。　I　tore　the　leaf　from　the　book　and　pushed　it　over　to　him。　〃Take　it；〃　I　ordered。

〃To　the　commander？〃　he　asked。　〃I　am　to　take　it　to　the　commander？〃

I　shook　my　head。　〃Read　it。〃

He　stared　at　it　vacantly；　turning　it　now　this　way；　now　that。

〃Did　you　forget　how　to　read　when　you　forgot　all　else？〃　I　said　sternly。

He　read；　and　the　color　rushed　into　his　face。

〃It　is　your　freedom；〃　I　said。　〃You　are　no　longer　man　of　mine。　Begone；　sirrah！〃

He　crumpled　the　paper　in　his　hand。　〃I　was　mad；〃　he　muttered。

〃I　could　almost　believe　it；〃　I　replied。　〃Begone！〃

After　a　moment　he　went。　Sitting　still　in　my　place；　I　heard　him　heavily　and　slowly　leave　the　room；　descend　the　step　at　the　door；　and　go　out　into　the　night。

A　door　opened；　and　Mistress　Jocelyn　Percy　came　into　the　great　room；　like　a　sunbeam　strayed　back　to　earth。　Her　skirt　was　of　flowered　satin；　her　bodice　of　rich　taffeta；　between　the　gossamer　walls　of　her　French　ruff　rose　the　whitest　neck　to　meet　the　fairest　face。　Upon　her　dark　hair　sat；　as　lightly　as　a　kiss；　a　little　pearl…bordered　cap。　A　color　was　in　her　cheeks　and　a　laugh　on　her　lips。　The　rosy　light　of　the　burning　pine　caressed　her；　…　now　dwelling　on　the　rich　dress；　now　on　the　gold　chain　around　the　slender　waist；　now　on　rounded　arms；　now　on　the　white　forehead　below　the　pearls。　Well；　she　was　a　fair　lady　for　a　man　to　lay　down　his　life　for。

〃I　held　court　this　afternoon！〃　she　cried。　〃Where　were　you；　sir？　Madam　West　was　here；　and　my　Lady　Temperance　Yeardley；　and　Master　Wynne；　and　Master　Thorpe　from　Henricus；　and　Master　Rolfe　with　his　Indian　brother；　…　who；　I　protest；　needs　but　silk　doublet　and　hose　and　a　month　at　Whitehall　to　make　him　a　very　fine　gentleman。〃

〃If　courage；　steadfastness；　truth；　and　courtesy　make　a　gentleman；〃　I　said；　〃he　is　one　already。　Such　an　one　needs　not　silk　doublet　nor　court　training。〃

She　looked　at　me　with　her　bright　eyes。　〃No；〃　she　repeated；　〃such　an　one　needs　not　silk　doublet　nor　　court　training。〃　Going　to　the　fire；　she　stood　with　one　hand　upon　the　mantelshelf；　looking　down　into　the　ruddy　hollows。　Presently　she　stooped　and　gathered　up　something　from　the　hearth。　〃You　waste　paper　strangely；　Captain　Percy；〃　she　said。　〃Here　is　a　whole　handful　of　torn　pieces。〃

She　came　over　to　the　table；　and　with　a　laugh　showered　the　white　fragments　down　upon　it；　then　fell　to　idly　piecing　them　together。　〃What　were　you　writing？〃　she　asked。　〃'To　all　whom　it　may　concern：　I；　Ralph　Percy；　Gentleman；　of　the　Hundred　of　Weyanoke；　do　hereby　set　free　from　all　service　to　me　and　mine'　〃　…

I　took　from　her　the　bits　of　paper；　and　fed　the　fire　with　them。　〃Paper　is　but　paper；〃　I　said。　〃It　is　easily　rent。　Happily　a　man's　will　is　more　durable。〃



CHAPTER　XVII　　IN　WHICH　MY　LORD　AND　I　PLAY　AT　BOWLS


THE　Governor　had　brought　with　him　from　London　the　year　before；　a　set　of　boxwood　bowls；　and　had　made；　between　his　house　and　the　fort；　a　noble　green。　The　generality　must　still　use　for　the　game　that　portion　of　the　street　that　was　not　tobacco…planted；　but　the　quality　flocked　to　the　Governor's　green；　and　here；　one　holiday　afternoon；　a　fortnight　or　more　from　the　day　in　which　I　had　drunk　to　the　King　from　my　lord's　silver　goblet；　was　gathered　a　very　great　company。　The　Governor's　match　was　toward；　…　ten　men　to　a　side；　a　hogshead　of　sweet…scented　to　the　victorious　ten；　and　a　keg　of　canary　to　the　man　whose　bowl　should　hit　the　jack。

The　season　had　been　one　of　unusual　mildness；　and　the　sunshine　was　still　warm　and　bright；　gilding　the　velvet　of　the　green；　and　making　the　red　and　yellow　leaves　swept　into　the　trench　to　glow　like　a　ribbon　of　flame。　The　sky　was　blue；　the　water　bluer　still；　the　leaves　bright…colored；　the　wind　blowing；　only　the　enshrouding　forest；　wrapped　in　haze；　seemed　as　dim；　unreal；　and　far　away　as　a　last　year's　dream。

The　Governor's　gilt　armchair　had　been　brought　from　the　church；　and　put　for　him　upon　the　bank　of　turf　at　the　upper　end　of　the　green。　By　his　side　sat　my　Lady　Temperance；　while　the　gayly　dressed　dames　and　the　men　who　were　to　play　and　to　watch　were　　accommodated　with　stools　and　settles　or　with　seats　on　the　green　grass。　All　were　dressed　in　holiday　clothes；　all　tongues　spoke；　all　eyes　laughed；　you　might　have　thought　there　was　not　a　heavy　heart　amongst　them。　Rolfe　was　there；　gravely　courteous；　quiet　and　ready；　and　by　his　side；　in　otterskin　mantle；　beaded　moccasins；　and　feathered　headdress；　the　Indian　chief；　his　brother…in…law；　…　the　bravest；　comeliest；　and　manliest　savage　with　whom　I　have　ever　dealt。　There；　too；　was　Master　Pory；　red　and　jovial；　with　an　eye　to　the　sack　the　servants　were　bringing　from　the　Governor's　house；　and　the　commander；　with　his　wife；　and　Master　Jeremy　Sparrow；　fresh　from　a　most　moving　sermon　on　the　vanities　of　this　world。　Captains；　Councilors；　and　Burgesses　aired　their　gold　lace；　and　their　wit　or　their　lack　of　it；　while　a　swarm　of　younger　adventurers；　youths　of　good　blood　and　bad　living；　come　from　home　for　the　weal　of　England　and　the　woe　of　Virginia；　went　here　and　there　through　the　crowd　like　gilded　summer　flies。

Rolfe　and　I　were　to　play；　he　sat　on　the　grass　at　the　feet　of　Mistress　Jocelyn　Percy；　making　her　now　and　then　some　courtly　speech；　and　I　stood　beside　her；　my　hand　on　the　back　of　her　chair。

The　King's　ward　held　court　as　though　she　were　a　king's　daughter。　In　the　brightness　of　her　beauty　she　sat　there；　as　gracious　for　the　nonce　as　the　sunshine；　and　as　much　of　another　world。　All　knew　her　story；　and　to　the　daring　that　is　in　men's　hearts　her　own　daring　appealed；　…　and　she　was　young　and　very　beautiful。　Some　there　had　not　been　my　friends；　and　now　rejoiced　in　what　seemed　my　inevitable　ruin；　some　whom　I　had　thought　my　friends　were　gone　over　to　the　stronger　side；　many　who　in　secret　wished　me　well　still　shook　　their　heads　and　shrugged　their　shoulders　over　what　they　were　pleased　to　call　my　madness；　but　for　her；　I　was　glad　to　know；　there　were　only　good　words。　The　Governor　had　left　his　gilt　armchair　to　welcome　her　to　the　green；　and　had　caused　a　chair　to　be　set　for　her　near　his　own；　and　here　men　came　and　bowed　before　her　as　if　she　had　been　a　princess　indeed。

A　stir　amongst　the　crowd；　a　murmur；　and　a　craning　of　necks　heralded　the　approach　of　that　other　at　whom　the　town　gaped　with　admiration。　He　came　with　his　retinue　of　attendants；　his　pomp　of　dress；　his　arrogance　of　port；　his　splendid　beauty。　Men　looked　from　the　beauty　of　the　King's　ward　to　the　beauty　of　the　King's　minion；　from　her　costly　silk　to　his　velvet　and　miniver；　from　the　air　of　the　court　that　became　her　well　to　the　towering　pride　and　insolence　which　to　the　thoughtless　seemed　his　fortune's　proper　mantle；　and　deemed　them　a　pair　well　suited；　and　the　King's　will　indeed　the　will　of　Heaven。

I　was　never　one　to　value　a　man　by　his　outward　seeming；　but　suddenly　I　saw　myself　as　in　a　mirror；　…　a　soldier；　scarred　and　bronzed；　acquainted　with　the　camp；　but　not　with　the　court；　roughened　by　a　rude　life；　poor　in　this　world's　goods；　the　first　flush　of　youth　gone　forever。　For　a　moment　my　heart　was　bitter　within　me。　The　pang　passed；　and　my　hand　tightened　its　grasp　upon　the　chair　in　which　sat　the　woman　I　had　wed。　She　was　my　wife；　and　I　would　keep　my　own。

My　lord　had　paused　to　speak　to　the　Governor；　who　had　risen　to　greet　him。　Now　he　came　toward　us；　and　the　crowd　pressed　and　whispered。　He　bowed　low　to　Mistress　Percy；　made　as　if　to　pass　on；　then　came　to　a　stop　before　her；　his　hat　in　his　hand；　his　handsome　head　bent；　a　smile　upon　his　bearded　lips。

〃When　was　it　that　we　last　sat　to　see　men　bowl；　lady？〃　he　said。　〃I　remember　a　gay　match　when　I　bowled　against　my　Lord　of　Buckingham；　and　fair　ladies　sat　and　smiled　upon　us。　The　fairest　laughed；　and　tied　her　colors　around　my　arm。〃

The　lady　whom　he　addressed　sat　quietly；　with　hands　folded　in　her　silken　lap　and　an　untroubled　face。　〃I　did　not　know　you　then；　my　lord；〃　she　answered　him；　quite　softly　and　sweetly。　〃Had　I　done　so；　be　sure　I　would　have　cut　my　hand　off　ere　it　gave　color　of　mine　to〃　…

〃To　whom？〃　he　demanded；　as　she　paused。

〃To　a　coward；　my　lord；〃　she　said　clearly。

As　if　she　had　been　a　man；　his　hand　went　to　his　sword　hilt。　As　for　her；　she　leaned　back　in　her　chair　and　looked　at　him　with　a　smile。

He　spoke　at　last；　slowly　and　with　deliberate　emphasis。　〃I　won　then；〃　he　said。　〃I　shall　win　again；　my　lady；　…　my　Lady　Jocelyn　Leigh。〃

I　dropped　my　hand　from　her　chair　and　stepped　forward。　〃It　is　my　wife　to　whom　you　speak；　my　Lord　Carnal；〃　I　said　sternly。　〃I　wait　to　hear　you　name　her　rightly。〃

Rolfe　rose　from　the　grass　and　stood　beside　me；　and　Jeremy　Sparrow；　shoulderi