Part 15 (1/2)
”What contract?” asked Geoffrey.
”A good and valid one. When I said this morning that I would give my daughter to the man who brought me the Dragon alive or dead, did I say I would give him the Dragon too? So choose which you will take, for both you cannot have.”
At this Elaine turned pale as death, and Geoffrey stood dumb.
Had anybody looked at the Dragon, it was easy to see the beast was much agitated.
”Choose!” said Sir G.o.dfrey. ”'Tis getting too cold to stay here. What?
You hesitate between my daughter and a miserable reptile? I thought the lads of France were more gallant. Come, sir! which shall it be?
The lady or the Dragon?”
”Well,” said Geoffrey, and his blood and heart stood still (and so did Elaine's, and so did another person's), ”I--I--think I will choose the l--lady.”
”Hurrah!” cheered the household once more.
”Oh, Lord!” said the Dragon, but n.o.body heard him.
”Indeed!” observed Sir G.o.dfrey. ”And now we'll chain him in my bear-pit till morning, and at noon he shall be burned alive by the blazing f.a.gots. Let us get some sleep now.”
The cloud of slimly-clad domestics departed with slow steps, and many a look of fear cast backward at the captured monster.
”This Dragon, sir,” said Geoffrey, wondering at his own voice, ”will die of thirst in that pit. Bethink you how deep is his habit of drinking.”
”Ha! I have often bethought me,” retorted Sir G.o.dfrey, rolling his eyes over the empty barrels. ”But here! I am a man of some heart, I hope.”
He seized up a bucket and ran to the hogshead containing his daughter's native cowslip wine.
”There!” he observed when the bucket was pretty well filled. ”Put that in to moisten his last hours.”
Then the Baron led the way round the Manor to the court-yard where the bear-pit was. His daughter kept pace with him not easily, for the excellent gentleman desired to be a decent distance away from the Dragon, whom young Geoffrey dragged along in the rear.
[Ill.u.s.tration: HVCKBALD BELIEVES HE WILL TAKE JVST A LITTLE SIP]
CHAPTER IX
Leaues much Room for guessing about Ch. X
[Ill.u.s.tration]
As they proceeded towards the bear-pit, having some distance to go, good-humour and benevolence began to rise up in the heart of Sir G.o.dfrey.
”This is a great thing!” he said to Miss Elaine. ”Ha! an important and joyful occurrence. The news of it will fly far.”
”Yes,” the young lady replied, but without enthusiasm. ”The cattle will be safe now.”
”The cattle, child! my Burgundy! Think of that!”
”Yes, papa.”