Part 32 (1/2)
Sir G.o.dfrey struggled to his feet with an exclamation of surprise. His elder son turned round from the window; the younger said, ”_Ha, jolife_!
Now, Gille, go on thy perch, sweet heart!” and set the falcon on its perch. Agatha's work went down in a moment. Lady Foljambe alone seemed insensible to the news. At the same moment, the great doors at the end of the hall were flung open, and the seneschal, with a low bow to his master and mistress, cried--
”Room for the Duke's Grace of Brittany!”
As the new arrivals entered the hall, Lady Ba.s.set came in from the opposite end. The Duke, a fine, rather stern-looking man, strode forward until he reached the dais where the family sat; and then, doffing his crowned helmet, addressed himself to Sir G.o.dfrey Foljambe.
”Sir, I give you good even. King Edward your Lord greets you by me, and bids you give good heed to that which you shall find herein.”
At a motion from the Duke, quick and peremptory, one of his knights stepped forth and delivered the royal letter.
Sir G.o.dfrey took it into his hands with a low reverence, and bade his seneschal fetch Father Jordan, without whose a.s.sistance it was impossible for him to ascertain his Sovereign's bidding.
Father Jordan hastened in, cut the silken string, and read the letter.
”Messire,--Our will and pleasure is, that you shall entertain in your Manor of Hazelwood, for such time as shall be his pleasure, our very dear and well-beloved son, John, Duke of Brittany and Count de Montfort, neither letting nor deferring the said Duke from intercourse with our prisoner his mother, Margaret, d.u.c.h.ess of Brittany, but shall suffer him to speak with her at his will. And for so doing this shall be your warrant. By the King. At our Castle of Winchester, the morrow of Saint Roma.n.u.s.”
Lady Foljambe turned to the Duke and inquired when it would be his pleasure to speak with the prisoner.
”When her physician counts it meet,” said he, with a slight movement of his shapely shoulders, which did not augur much gratification at the prospect before him. ”By my faith, had not King Edward my father insisted thereon, then had I never come on so idle a journey. When I looked every morrow for news from Bretagne, bidding me most likely thither, to trot over half England for an old dame's diversion were enough to try the patience of any knight on earth! I shall not tarry long here, I do ensure you, his Highness' bidding fulfilled; and I trust your physician shall not long tarry me.”
Sir G.o.dfrey and Lady Foljambe were full of expressions of sympathy.
Lady Ba.s.set came forward, and spoke in a slightly cynical tone.
”Good morrow, my Lord,” said she to her brother. ”You came not to see me, I think, more in especial as I shall one of these days be an old woman, when your Grace's regard for me shall perish. Father Jordan, I pray you, let it not be long ere you give leave for this loving son to have speech of his mother. 'Twere pity he should break his heart by tarrying.”
Father Jordan nervously intimated that if the Countess were not asleep, he saw no reason why his Grace's visit should be delayed at all.
”Nay, but under your leave, my good host, I will eat first,” said the Duke; ”were it but to strengthen me for the ordeal which waiteth me.”
Lady Foljambe disappeared at once, on hospitable thoughts intent, and Sir G.o.dfrey was profuse in apologies that the suggestion should have needed to come from the Duke. But the only person in the hall who, except his sister, was not afraid of the Duke, stepped forth and spoke her mind.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
SATISFIED AT LAST.
”I am not eager, bold, Nor strong--all that is past: I'm ready _not_ to do, At last--at last.
”My half-day's work is done, And this is all my part; I give a patient G.o.d My patient heart.
”And grasp His banner still, Though all its blue be dim: These stripes, no less than stars, Lead after Him.”
”Fair Lord,” said Perrote de Carhaix, in the native tongue of both herself and the Duke, ”I am your old nurse, who held you in her arms as a babe, and who taught your infant lips to speak. I taught you the Ten Commandments of G.o.d; have you forgotten them? or do you call such words as you have spoken honouring your mother? Is this the reward you pay her for her mother-love, for her thousand anxieties, for her risked life? If it be so, G.o.d pardon you as He may! But when you too reach that point which is the common lot of all humanity--when you too lie awaiting the dread summons of the inevitable angel who shall lead you either into the eternal darkness or the everlasting light, beware lest your dearest turn away from you, and act by you as you have done by her!”
The Duke's black eyes shot forth fire. He was an exceedingly pa.s.sionate man.
”Mademoiselle de Carhaix, do you know that you are my subject?”
”I am aware of it, my Lord.”