Volume I Part 37 (2/2)
There was a frankness, an open and undisguised freedom of manner, in this address, which a.s.sured her. Her confidence returned, and she committed herself promptly to the issue. She felt her soul expand with the desire of contributing to his ultimate escape. All the ardour of her nature was concentrated in this generous and self-devoted feeling. Too innocent for suspicion she seemed to rise above its influence.
Silently, and with due caution, she led the unfortunate Earl to her own chamber, where, in a recess opening through the bed's head into the arras, he seemed secure from discovery.
Scarcely was this arrangement completed, ere a thundering knock announced the visitor. It was an officer of justice, attended by some half-dozen followers, who watched every avenue to the house whilst his message was delivered within.
This official delivered into the hands of Holt a warrant for the apprehension of O'Neale, Earl of Tyrone, a traitor, then suspected of being harboured in the mansion of Grislehurst, whom the occupier was commanded, on pain of being treated as an accomplice, to deliver into the hands of justice, for the due administering of those pains and penalties which were attached to his crime.
The loyal owner, fired with indignation at this foul charge, reb.u.t.ting the accusation with contempt.
”However loth,” said the messenger, ”I must execute mine office; and, seeing this first mission hath failed in its purpose, I have here a warrant of search. Mine orders are imperative.”
”I tell thee I have no plotters lurking here. Search and welcome;--but if thou findest aught in this house that smells of treason, the Queen may blot out my escutcheon. I'll dismount the _pheon_. The arrow-head shall return to its quiver. 'Twas honestly won, and, by our lady's grace, it shall be honestly worn!”
”We must obey,” said the officer; ”it shall be done with all courtesy and despatch.”
Holt bit his lips with rage and vexation. From the suspicion of harbouring and aiding the traitor Tyrone, his known loyalty and good faith should have protected him. He hoped, however, to throw back on the author of this foul slander the disgrace attached to it. Smothering his wrath, and brooding over its gratification, he accompanied the messenger, who, placing an additional guard at the main entrance, proceeded with a wary eye to the search. He carefully scrutinised the shape of the rooms, striking the walls and wainscots, measuring the capacity of the chambers, that no s.p.a.ce might be left unaccounted for either in one way or another. The concealed apartment in the chimney-range did not escape his examination. Closets, cupboards, folding-doors,--even the family pictures were turned aside, lest some strategem should lurk behind.
Holt, with a look of malicious satisfaction, beheld every fresh disappointment, which he followed with undisguised expressions of ill-will.
”Now for the women's apartments,” said the officer.
”I have but one daughter. Dost fancy that treason may be st.i.tched in her petticoat? Thinkest thou she would hide this invisible gallant in her bedchamber? 'Sdeath, that it should ha' come to this! But I'll have my revenge.”
”I would fain spare thee from this contumely, but”----
”But what?”
”I must search the house through; and though I doubt not now that our information is false, yet I may not disobey the mandate I have received.”
”Is this thy courtesy?”
”My courtesy must yet consist with the true and honest discharge of mine office. I wait not further parley.”
A short gallery communicated from the stairhead to the private chamber of Constance. They met her outside the door; and the timid girl grew pale as she beheld the officer led on by her father.
”Constance,” cried he, ”thy chamber smacks of treason: it must be purged from this suspicion. This mousing owl will search the crannies even of a woman's wits ere he sate his appet.i.te for discovery. Hast aught plotting in the hem of thy purfle, or in thy holiday ruff and fardingale? Come with us, wench;--the gallant Earl of Tyrone would sport himself bravely in thy bedchamber, pretty innocent!”
”If my gallantry were akin to mine office,--then, lady, would I spare thy bosom and mine own nature this extremity. Believe me, thou shall suffer no rudeness at my hands.”
The officer bowed low, observing her confusion and distress.
”Go with, us,” said her father, ”and leave not until our search is over.
Mayhap he may find a lover in thy shoe, or in the wrinkles of thy rose-tie.” He entered the chamber as he said this. It was a little room, tricked out with great elegance and beauty. Indian cabinets were there, and other costly ornaments, inlaid with ivory and pearl, in the arrangement of which, and of the other furniture, considerable taste was displayed. A lute lay in one corner;--tambour-work and embroidery occupied a recess near the window;--the clothes' presses showed their contents neatly folded, and carefully set out to the best advantage.
”I'faith, wench, thy chamber seems well fitted for so goodly a brace of guests--not a thread awry. Everything in trim order for thy gallants, mayhap. Thou hast not been at thy studies of late.--I have seen its interior in somewhat less orderly fas.h.i.+on. I marvel if it might not be pranked out for our coming. Now, to work, sir:--where does thy grubbing begin?”
Constance posted herself in a gloomy corner, where she could watch their proceedings almost unperceived. She hoped that in her chamber the search would not be so strict as in situations of more likelihood and probability for concealment. At any rate, the common feelings of delicacy and respect,--not quite extinct, she observed, even in this purveyor of justice,--would prevent any very exact and dangerous scrutiny. Nor was she deceived. He merely felt round the walls, opened the presses and closets, but did not disturb the bed furniture. He was retiring from the search, when her father scornfully taunted him with the ill success of his mission.
”I wonder thou hast not tumbled the bed topsy-turvy. I am glad to see thou hast yet some grace and manners in thy vocation. Now, Sir Messenger, to requite thee for this thy courtesy and forbearance, I will show thee a secret tabernacle, which all thy prying has not been able to discover.”
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