Part 35 (1/2)

”Talbot!” cried Brooke.

”Tell him what I say,” was Talbot's calm reply.

”You are mad!” groaned Brooke.

”What is all this?” cried Lopez, angrily. ”What does the priest say?”

”The priest says that he will not go,” replied Brooke--”that he will stay by me.”

”Oh, he does, does he?” said Lopez. ”Well, that's all the better for you. You'll need him, especially if you persist in your obstinacy.”

Brooke translated this, and Talbot listened without a word.

Brooke was now ordered back into the mill, and he went, Talbot following. On reaching the loft, they both were silent for a long time. Brooke spoke first.

”Oh, Talbot, Talbot!” he cried, in a reproachful voice, ”why didn't you go? You had the chance.”

”Go!” exclaimed Talbot. ”What! go and leave you?”

”Of course,” said Brooke.

”What! when you have risked your life, and are in such danger of death, for me? Oh, Brooke, Brooke! Is this, then, your opinion of me?

Can you think me capable of such utter baseness?”

”Talbot,” said Brooke, ”it was to save your life that I left the tower, and now you will not save yourself.”

”Save myself! save my worthless life! I should scorn it if I must leave you to die. Never! never! Now, may G.o.d do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me--that is, till we escape and are out of danger. We must escape together. You shall never lay down your life for me.”

Talbot spoke with the air of one whose resolution was immovable.

Brooke's agitation was intense.

”Talbot,” he cried, ”you are mad. You don't know these men. They are remorseless fiends. They will wreak their vengeance on you as well as on me.”

”Let them,” said Talbot, firmly.

”I tell you,” cried Brooke, in vehement tones, ”that I have a duty to perform and a battle to fight. I have to be constant until death to my duty; but if you stay by me--if you remain--if you are still in peril--oh, Talbot! I shall be false to my duty--for your sake.”

”No, Brooke,” said Talbot, ”you will never be false to your duty for my sake. You will be true, and I will stand by you. You shall never see me deserting you. If you have any friends.h.i.+p for me, you will be glad to see your friend by your side in the hour of your trial.”

”It's not that--it's not that!” cried Brooke. ”Good heavens! you will not understand. Do you not see that if you remain you will soon be alone in the world, and then--who will defend you?”

”I understand well what you mean,” said Talbot, firmly. ”You expect to die, and do not wish to leave me here alone among these ruffians.

Never fear for me. Heaven will protect me. But you must know this well, and I say it once for all, I will not leave you. I cannot be false or dishonorable. I can die. Yes, Brooke, I can die, for I remember how you told me that I am an English lad. We Talbots have given up our lives in every generation for what we believe to be the good cause; and the last of the Talbots can die gladly rather than desert a friend.”

Brooke turned away. A sob burst from him. In vain he tried to restrain it. Then there followed an exceedingly bitter cry.

”Talbot! Talbot! By heaven, you'll break my heart!”