Part 14 (2/2)
”One moment, young man, one moment, and a secret word in your ear. Wot you why it is that the King has sent for me?”
Nigel read terror in the dark cunning eyes which glanced in sidelong fas.h.i.+on into his. ”Nay, I know not.”
”I would I knew--I would I was sure ere I sought his presence.”
”You have but to cross the threshold, fair sir, and doubtless you will learn from the King's own lips.”
Sir Aymery seemed to gather himself as one who braces for a spring into ice-cold water. Then he crossed with a quick stride from the darkness into the light. The King stood up and held out his hand with a smile upon his long handsome face, and yet it seemed to the Italian that it was the lips which smiled but not the eyes.
”Welcome!” cried Edward. ”Welcome to our worthy and faithful Seneschal of Calais! Come, sit here before me at the board, for I have sent for you that I may hear your news from over the sea, and thank you for the care that you have taken of that which is as dear to me as wife or child. Set a place for Sir Aymery there, and give him food and drink, for he has ridden fast and far in our service to-day.”
Throughout the long feast which the skill of the Lady Ermyntrude had arranged, Edward chatted lightly with the Italian as well as with the barons near him. Finally, when the last dish was removed and the gravy-soaked rounds of coa.r.s.e bread which served as plates had been cast to the dogs, the wine-flagons were pa.s.sed round; and old Weathercote the minstrel entered timidly with his harp in the hope that he might be allowed to play before the King's majesty. But Edward had other sport afoot.
”I pray you, Nigel, to send out the servants, so that we may be alone.
I would have two men-at-arms at every door lest we be disturbed in our debate, for it is a matter of privacy. And now, Sir Aymery, these n.o.ble lords as well as I, your master, would fain hear from your own lips how all goes forward in France.”
The Italian's face was calm; but he looked restlessly from one to another along the line of his listeners.
”So far as I know, my liege, all is quiet on the French marches,” said he.
”You have not heard then that they have mustered or gathered to a head with the intention of breaking the truce and making some attempt upon our dominions?”
”Nay, sire, I have heard nothing of it.”
”You set my mind much at ease, Aymery,” said the King; ”for if nothing has come to your ears, then surely it cannot be. It was said that the wild Knight de Chargny had come down to St. Omer with his eyes upon my precious jewel and his mailed hands ready to grasp it.”
”Nay, sire, let him come. He will find the jewel safe in its strong box, with a goodly guard over it.”
”You are the guard over my jewel, Aymery.”
”Yes, sire, I am the guard.”
”And you are a faithful guard and one whom I can trust, are you not? You would not barter away that which is so dear to me when I have chosen you out of all my army to hold it for me?”
”Nay, sire, what reasons can there be for such questions? They touch my honor very nearly. You know that I would part with Calais only when I parted with my soul.”
”Then you know nothing of de Chargny's attempt?”
”Nothing sire.”
”Liar and villain!” yelled the King, springing to his feet and das.h.i.+ng his fist upon the table until the gla.s.ses rattled again. ”Seize him, archers! Seize him this instant! Stand close by either elbow, lest he do himself a mischief! Now do you dare to tell me to my face, you perjured Lombard, that you know nothing of de Chargny and his plans?”
”As G.o.d is my witness I know nothing of him!” The man's lips were white, and he spoke in a thin, sighing, reedy voice, his eyes wincing away from the fell gaze of the angry King.
Edward laughed bitterly, and drew a paper from his breast. ”You are the judges in this case, you, my fair son, and you, Chandos, and you, Manny, and you, Sir Hubert, and you also, my Lord Bishop. By my sovereign power I make you a court that you may deal justice upon this man, for by G.o.d's eyes I will not stir from this room until I have sifted the matter to the bottom. And first I would read you this letter. It is superscribed to Sir Aymery of Pavia, nomme Le Lombard, Chateau de Calais. Is not that your name and style, you rogue?”
”It is my name, sire; but no such letter has come to me.”
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