Part 21 (2/2)
”Nay, what now?” he said, in a perplexed tone.
”I pray you, Father, be not wroth with me, for my reasons be strong, if I am so bold as to ask at you if you have yet received any order from the Queen's Majesty's Council, touching the disposing of Don John?”
”Art thou turning states-woman, my la.s.s? Nay, not I--not so much as a line.”
”Might I take on me, saving your presence, Father, to say so much as--I would you would yet again desire the same?”
”Why, my la.s.s, hath Don John offenced thee, that thou wouldst fain be rid of him? I would like him to tarry a while longer. What aileth thee?”
”Would you like him to marry Blanche, Father?”
”Blanche!--marry Blanche! What is come over thee, child? Marry Blanche!”
Sir Thomas's tone was totally incredulous. He almost laughed in his contemptuous unbelief.
”You crede it not, Father,” said Lucrece's voice--always even, and soft, and low. ”Yet it may be true, for all that.”
”In good sooth, my la.s.s: so it may. But what cause hast, that thou shouldst harbour such a thought?”
”Nought more than words overheard, Father,--and divers gifts seen-- and--”
”Gifts! The child showed us none.”
”She would scantly show _you_, Father, a pair of beads of coral, with a cross of enamel thereto--”
”Lucrece, dost thou _know_ this?”
Her father's tone was very grave and stern now.
”I do know it, of a surety. And if you suffer me, Father, to post you in a certain place that I wot of, behind the tapestry, you shall ere long know it too.”
Lucrece's triumphant malice had carried her a step too far. Her father's open, upright, honest mind was shocked at this suggestion.
”G.o.d forbid, girl!” he replied, hastily. ”I will not play the eavesdropper on my own child. Hast thou done this, Lucrece?”
Lucrece saw that she must make her retreat from that position, and she did so ”in excellent order.”
”Oh no, Father! how could I so? One day, I sat in the arbour yonder, and they two walked by, discoursing: and another day, when I sat in a window-seat in the hall, they came in a-talking, and saw me not. I could never do such a thing as listen unknown, Father!”
”Right, my la.s.s: but it troubled me to hear thee name it.”
Sir Thomas walked on, lost in deep thought. Lucrece was silent until he resumed the conversation.
”Beads, and a cross!” He spoke to himself.
”I could tell you of other gear, Father,” said the low voice of the avenger. ”As, a little image of Mary and John, which she keepeth in her jewel-closet; and a book wherein be prayers unto the angels and the saints. These he hath given her.”
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