to have and to hold-第51章

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〃I　will　tell　you　all；　Captain　Percy；　I　will　tell　you　everything。　。　。　。　She　never　believed　you　dead；　and　she　begged　upon　her　knees　that　we　would　allow　her　to　go　in　search　of　you　with　Master　Rolfe。　That　could　not　be；　my　husband；　in　duty　to　the　Company；　could　not　let　her　have　her　will。　Master　Rolfe　went；　and　she　sat　in　the　window；　yonder；　day　after　day；　watching　for　his　return。　When　other　parties　went　out；　she　besought　the　men；　as　they　had　wives　whom　they　loved；　to　search　as　though　those　loved　ones　were　in　captivity　and　danger；　when　they　grew　weary　and　fainthearted；　to　think　of　her　face　waiting　in　the　window。　。　。　。　Day　after　day　she　sat　there　watching　for　them　to　come　back；　when　they　were　come；　then　she　watched　the　river　for　Master　Rolfe's　boats。　Then　came　word　down　the　river　　that　he　had　found　no　trace　of　you　whom　he　sought；　that　he　was　on　his　way　back　to　Jamestown；　that　he　too　believed　you　dead。　。　。　。　We　put　a　watch　upon　her　after　that；　for　we　feared　we　knew　not　what；　there　was　such　a　light　and　purpose　in　her　eyes。　But　two　nights　ago；　in　the　middle　of　the　night；　the　woman　who　stayed　in　her　chamber　fell　asleep。　When　she　awoke　before　the　dawn；　it　was　to　find　her　gone。〃

〃To　find　her　gone？〃　I　said　dully。　〃To　find　her　dead？〃

She　locked　her　hands　together　and　the　tears　came　faster。　〃Oh；　Captain　Percy；　it　had　been　better　so！　…　it　had　been　better　so！　Then　would　she　have　lain　to　greet　you；　calm　and　white；　unmarred　and　beautiful；　with　the　spring　flowers　upon　her。　。　。　。　She　believed　not　that　you　were　dead；　she　was　distraught　with　grief　and　watching；　she　thought　that　love　might　find　what　friendship　missed；　she　went　to　the　forest　to　seek　you。　They　that　were　sent　to　find　and　bring　her　back　have　never　returned〃　…

〃Into　the　forest！〃　I　cried。　〃Jocelyn；　Jocelyn；　Jocelyn；　come　back！〃

Some　one　pushed　me　into　a　chair；　and　I　felt　the　warmth　of　wine　within　my　lips。　In　the　moment　that　the　world　steadied　I　rose　and　went　toward　the　door　to　find　my　way　barred　by　Rolfe。

〃Not　you；　too；　Ralph！〃　he　cried。　〃I　will　not　let　you　go。　Look　for　yourself！〃

He　drew　me　to　the　window；　Master　Sandys　gravely　making　place　for　us。　From　the　window　was　visible　the　neck　of　land　and　the　forest　beyond；　and　from　the　forest；　up　and　down　the　river　as　far　as　the　eye　could　reach；　rose　here　and　there　thin　columns　of　smoke。　Suddenly；　as　we　stared；　three　or　four　white　smoke　puffs；　　like　giant　flowers；　started　out　of　the　shadowy　woods　across　the　neck。　Following　the　crack　of　the　muskets　…　fired　out　of　pure　bravado　by　their　Indian　owners　…　came　the　yelling　of　the　savages。　The　sound　was　prolonged　and　deep；　as　though　issuing　from　many　throats。

I　looked　and　listened；　and　knew　that　I　could　not　go；　…　not　now。

〃She　was　not　alone；　Ralph；〃　said　Rolfe；　with　his　arm　about　me。　〃On　the　morning　that　she　was　missed；　they　found　not　Jeremy　Sparrow　either。　They　tracked　them　both　to　the　forest　by　the　footprints　upon　the　sand；　though　once　in　the　wood　the　trail　was　lost。　The　minister　must　have　been　watching；　must　have　seen　her　leave　the　house；　and　must　have　followed　her。　How　she；　and　he　after　her；　passed　through　the　gates；　none　know。　So　careless　and　confident　had　we　grown　…　God　forgive　us！　…　that　they　may　have　been　left　open　all　that　night。　But　he　was　with　her；　Ralph；　she　had　not　to　face　it　alone〃　…　His　voice　broke。

For　myself；　I　was　glad　that　the　minister　had　been　there；　though　I　knew　that　for　him　also　I　should　grieve　after　a　while。

At　the　firing　and　the　shouting　West　had　rushed　from　the　room；　followed　by　his　fellow　Councilors；　and　now　the　Governor　clapped　on　his　headpiece　and　called　to　his　men　to　bring　his　back…and…breast。　His　wife　hung　around　his　neck；　and　he　bade　her　good…by　with　great　tenderness。　I　looked　dully　on　at　that　parting。　I　too　was　going　to　battle。　Once　I　had　tasted　such　a　farewell；　the　pain；　the　passion；　the　sweetness；　but　never　again；　…　never　again。

He　went；　and　the　Treasurer；　after　a　few　words　of　comfort　to　Lady　Wyatt；　was　gone　also。　Both　were　merciful；　and　spoke　not　to　me；　but　only　bowed　and　　turned　aside；　requiring　no　answering　word　or　motion　of　mine。　When　they　were　away；　and　there　was　no　sound　in　the　room　save　the　caged　bird's　singing　and　Lady　Wyatt's　low　sobs；　I　begged　Rolfe　to　leave　me；　telling　him　that　he　was　needed；　as　indeed　he　was；　and　that　I　would　stay　in　the　window　for　a　while；　and　then　would　join　him　at　the　palisade。　He　was　loath　to　go；　but　he　too　had　loved　and　lost；　and　knew　that　there　is　nothing　to　be　said；　and　that　it　is　best　to　be　alone。　He　went；　and　only　Lady　Wyatt　and　I　kept　the　quiet　room　with　the　singing　bird　and　the　sunshine　on　the　floor。

I　leaned　against　the　window　and　looked　out　into　the　street；　…　which　was　not　crowded　now；　for　the　men　were　all　at　their　several　posts；　…　and　at　the　budding　trees；　and　at　the　smoke　of　many　fires　going　up　from　the　forest　to　the　sky；　from　a　world　of　hate　and　pain　and　woe　to　the　heaven　where　she　dwelt；　and　then　I　turned　and　went　to　the　table；　where　had　been　set　bread　and　meat　and　wine。

At　the　sound　of　my　footstep　Lady　Wyatt　uncovered　her　face。　〃Is　there　aught　that　I　can　do　for　you；　sir？〃　she　asked　timidly。

〃I　have　not　broken　my　fast　for　many　hours；　madam；〃　I　answered。　〃I　would　eat　and　drink；　that　I　may　not　be　found　wanting　in　strength。　There　is　a　thing　that　I　have　yet　to　do。〃

Rising　from　her　chair；　she　brushed　away　her　tears；　and　coming　to　the　table　with　a　little　housewifely　eagerness　would　not　let　me　wait　upon　myself；　but　carved　and　poured　for　me；　and　then　sat　down　opposite　me　and　covered　her　eyes　with　her　hand。

〃I　think　that　the　Governor　is　quite　safe；　madam；〃　I　said。　〃I　do　not　believe　that　the　Indians　will　take　the　palisade。　It　may　even　be　that；　knowing　we　are　　prepared；　they　will　not　attack　at　all。　Indeed；　I　think　that　you　may　be　easy　about　him。〃

She　thanked　me　with　a　smile。　〃It　is　all　so　strange　and　dreadful　to　me；　sir；〃　she　said。　〃At　my　home；　in　England；　it　was　like　a　Sunday　morning　all　the　year　round；　…　all　stillness　and　peace；　no　terror；　no　alarm。　I　fear　that　I　am　not　yet　a　good　Virginian。〃

When　I　had　eaten；　and　had　drunk　the　wine　she　gave　me；　I　rose；　and　asked　her　if　I　might　not　see　her　safe　within　the　fort　before　I　joined　her　husband　at　the　palisade。　She　shook　her　head；　and　told　me　that　there　were　with　her　faithful　servants；　and　that　if　the　savages　broke　in　upon　the　town　she　would　have　warning　in　time　to　flee；　the　fort　being　so　close　at　hand。　When　I　thereupon　begged　her　leave　to　depart；　she　first　curtsied　to　me；　and　then；　again　with　tears；　came　to　me　and　took　my　hand　in　hers。　〃I　know　that　there　is　naught　that　I　can　say。　。　。　。　Your　wife　loved　you；　sir；　with　all　her　heart。〃　She　drew　something　from　the　bosom　of　her　gown。　〃Would　you　like　this？　It　is　a　knot　of　ribbon　that　she　wore。　They　found　it　caught　in　a　bush　at　the　edge　of　the　forest。〃

I　took　the　ribbon　from　her　and　put　it　to　my　lips；　then　unknotted　it　and　tied　it　around　my　arm；　and　then；　wearing　my　wife's　colors；　I　went　softly　out　into　the　street；　and　turned　my　face　toward　the　guest　house　and　the　man　whom　I　meant　to　kill。



CHAPTER　XXXVII　　IN　WHICH　MY　LORD　AND　I　PART　COMPANY


THE　door　of　the　guest　house　stood　wide；　and　within　the　lower　room　were　neither　men　that　drank　nor　men　that　gave　to　drink。　Host　and　drawers　and　chance　guests　alike　had　left　pipe　and　tankard　for　sword　and　musket；　and　were　gone　to　fort　or　palisade　or　river　bank。

I　crossed　the　empty　room　and　went　up　the　creaking　stairway。　No　one　met　me　or　withstood　me；　only　a　pigeon　perched　upon　the　sill　of　a　sunny　window　whirred　off　into　the　blue。　I　glanced　out　of　the　window　as　I　passed　it；　and　saw　the　silver　river　and　the　George　and　the　Esperance；　with　the　gunners　at　the　guns　watching　for　Indian　canoes；　and　saw　smoke　rising　from　the　forest　on　the　southern　shore。　There　had　been　three　houses　there；　…　John　West's　and　Minifie's　and　Crashaw's。　I　wondered　if　mine　were　burning；　too；　at　Weyanoke；　and　cared　not　if　't　was　so。

The　door　of　the　upper　room　was　shut。　When　I　raised　the　latch　and　pushed　against　it；　it　gave　at　the　top　and　middle；　but　there　was　some　pressure　from　within　at　the　bottom。　I　pushed　again；　more　strongly；　and　the　door　slowly　opened；　moving　away　whatever　thing　had　lain　before　it。　Another　moment；　and　I　was　in　the　room；　and　had　closed　and　barred　the　door　behind　me。

The　weight　that　had　opposed　me　was　the　body　of　　the　Italian；　lying　face　downwards；　upon　the　floor。　I　stooped　and　turned　it　over；　and　saw　that　the　venomous　spirit　had　flown。　The　face　was　purple　and　distorted；　the　lips　were　drawn　back　from　the　teeth　in　a　dreadful　smile。　There　was　in　the　room　a　faint；　peculiar；　not　unpleasant　odor。　It　did　not　seem　strange　to　me　to　find　that　serpent；　which　had　coiled　in　my　path；　dead　and　harmless　for　evermore。　Death　had　been　busy　of　late；　if　he　struck　down　the　flower；　why　should　he　spare　the　thing　that　I　pushed　out　of　my　way　with　my　foot？

Ten　feet　from　the　door　stood　a　great　screen；　hiding　from　view　all　that　might　be　beyond。　It　was　very　quiet　in　the　room；　with　the　sunshine　coming　through　the　window；　and　a　breeze　that　smelt　of　the　sea。　I　had　not　cared　to　walk　lightly　or　to　close　the　door　softly；　and　yet　no　voice　had　challenged　my　entrance。　For　a　minute　I　feared　to　find　the　dead　physician　the　room's　only　occupant；　then　I　passed　the　screen　and　came　upon　my　enemy。

He　was　sitting　beside　a　table；　with　his　arms　outstretched　and　his　head　bowed　upon　them。　My　footfall　did　not　rouse　him；　he　sat　there　in　the　sunshine　as　still　as　the　figure　that　lay　before　the　threshold。　I　thought　with　a　dull　fury　that　maybe　he　was　dead　already；　and　I　walked　hastily　and　heavily　across　the　floor　to　the　table。　He　was　a　living　man；　for　with　the　fingers　of　one　hand　he　was　slowly　striking　against　a　sheet　of　paper　that　lay　beneath　them。　He　knew　not　that　I　stood　above　him；　he　was　listening　to　other　footsteps。

The　paper　was　a　letter；　unfolded　and　written　over　with　great　black　characters。　The　few　lines　above　those　moving　fingers　stared　me　in　the　face。　They　ran　　thus：　〃I　told　you　that　you　had　as　well　cut　your　throat　as　go　upon　that　mad　Virginia　voyage。　Now　all's　gone；　…　wealth；　honors；　favor。　Buckingham　is　the　sun　in　heaven；　and　cold　are　the　shadows　in　which　we　walk　who　hailed　another　luminary。　There's　a　warrant　out　for　the　Black　Death；　look　to　it　that　one　meets　not　you　too；　when　you　come　at　last。　But　come；　in　the　name　of　all　the　fiends；　and　play　your　last　card。　There's　your　cursed　beauty　still。　Come；　and　let　the　King　behold　your　face　once　more〃　…　The　rest　was　hidden。

I　put　out　my　hand　and　touched　him　upon　the　shoulder；　and　he　raised　his　head　and　stared　at　me　as　at　one　come　from　the　grave。

Over　one　side　of　his　face；　from　temple　to　chin；　was　drawn　and　fastened　a　black　cloth；　the　unharmed　cheek　was　bloodless　and　shrunken；　the　lip　twisted。　Only　the　eyes；　dark；　sinister；　and　splendid；　were　as　they　had　been。　〃I　dig　not　my　graves　deep　enough；〃　he　said。　〃Is　she　behind　you　there　in　the　shadow？〃

Flung　across　a　chair　was　a　cloak　of　scarlet　cloth。　I　took　it　and　spread　it　out　upon　the　floor；　then　unsheathed　a　dagger　which　I　had　taken　from　the　rack　of　weapons　in　the　Governor's　hall。　〃Loosen　thy　poniard；　thou　murderer；〃　I　cried；　〃and　come　stand　with　me　upon　the　cloak。〃

〃Art　quick　or　dead？〃　he　answered。　〃I　will　not　fight　the　dead。〃　He　had　not　moved　in　his　seat；　and　there　was　a　lethargy　and　a　dullness　in　his　voi