惊婚记 英文版 Quentin Durward
瓦尔特.司各特 Sir Walter Scott
CHAPTER XX: THE BILLET Page 2
As they crossed, the shouts of storm and successful violenceseemed to announce that the castle was in the act of being taken,and so dismal was the sound in Quentin's ears, that he could nothelp swearing aloud, "But that my blood is irretrievably devoted tothe fulfilment of my present duty, I would back to the wall, takefaithful part with the hospitable Bishop, and silence some of thoseknaves whose throats are full of mutiny and robbery!"
The lady, whose arm was still folded in his, pressed it lightlyas he spoke, as if to make him understand that there was a nearerclaim on his chivalry than the defence of Schonwaldt, while theBohemian exclaimed, loud enough to be heard, "Now, that I callright Christian frenzy, which would turn back to fight when loveand fortune both demand that we should fly.
earldom."Only Marthon," said Hayraddin?
"On, on -- with all the haste you can make. -- Horses wait us inyonder thicket of willows."
"There are but two horses," said Quentin, who saw them in themoonlight.
"All that I could procure without exciting suspicion -- and enough,"replied the Bohemian. "You two must ride for Tongres ere the waybecomes unsafe -- Marthon will abide with the women of our horde,with whom she is an old acquaintance. Know she is a daughter of ourtribe, and only dwelt among you to serve our purpose as occasionshould fall."
"Marthon!" exclaimed the Countess, looking at the veiled femalewith a shriek of surprise, "is not this my kinswoman?"
"Only Marthon," said Hayraddin. "Excuse me that little piece ofdeceit. I dared not carry off both the Ladies of Croye from theWild Boar of Ardennes."
savedlife and limb. There are many in.
"Wretch!" said Quentin, emphatically -- "but it is not -- shallnot be too late -- I will back to rescue the Lady Hameline."
"Hameline," whispered the lady, in a disturbed voice, "hangs onthy arm, to thank thee for her rescue."
"Ha! what! -- How is this?" said Quentin, extricating himself fromher hold, and with less gentleness than he would at any other timehave used towards a female of any rank. "Is the Lady Isabelle thenleft behind! -- Farewell -- farewell."
As he turned to hasten back to the castle, Hayraddin laid hold ofhim. -- "Nay, hear you -- hear you -- you run upon your death! Whatthe foul fiend did you wear the colours of the old one for? -- Iwill never trust blue and white silk again. But she has almost aslarge a dower -- has jewels and gold -- hath pretensions, too, uponthe earldom."
While he spoke thus, panting on in broken sentences, the Bohemianstruggled to detain Quentin, who at length laid his hand on hisdagger, in order to extricate himself.
"Nay, if that be the case," said Hayraddin, unloosing his hold,"go -- and the devil, if there be one, go along with you!"
And, soon as freed from his hold, the Scot shot back to the castlewith the speed of the wind.
Hayraddin then turned round to the Countess Hameline, who had sunkdown on the ground, between shame, fear, and disappointment.
"Here has been a mistake," he said, "up, lady, and come with me-- I will provide you, ere morning comes, a gallanter husband thanthis smock faced boy, and if one will not serve, you shall havetwenty."
The Lady Hameline was as violent in her passions, as she was vainand weak in her understanding. Like many other persons, she wenttolerably well through the ordinary duties of life, but in a crisislike the present, she was entirely incapable of doing aught, savepouring forth unavailing lamentations, and accusing Hayraddin ofbeing a thief, a base slave, an impostor, a murderer.
"Call me Zingaro," returned he, composedly, "and you have said allat once."
"Monster! you said the stars had decreed our union, and caused meto write -- Oh, wretch that I was!" exclaimed the unhappy lady.
"And so they had decreed your union," said Hayraddin, "had bothparties been willing -- but think you the blessed constellationscan make any one wed against his will? -- I was led into error withyour accursed Christian gallantries, and fopperies of ribbons andfavours -- and the youth prefers veal to beef, I think -- that 'sall. -- Up and follow me, and take notice, I endure neither weepingnor swooning."
"I will not stir a foot," said the Countess, obstinately.
"By the bright welkin, but you shall, though!" exclaimed Hayraddin."I swear to you, by all that ever fools believed in, that you haveto do with one, who would care little to strip you naked, bind youto a tree, and leave you to your fortune!"
"Nay," said Marthon, interfering, "by your favour she shall not bemisused. I wear a knife as well as you, and can use it. -- She isa kind woman, though a fool. -- And you, madam, rise up and followus. -- Here has been a mistake, but it is something to have savedlife and limb. There are many in yonder castle would give all thewealth in the world to stand where we do."
As Marthon spoke, a clamour, in which the shouts of victory weremingled with screams of terror and despair, was wafted to them fromthe Castle of Schonwaldt.
and followus. -- Here has been?
"Hear that, lady!" said Hayraddin, "and be thankful you are notadding your treble pipe to yonder concert. Believe me, I will carefor you honestly, and the stars shall keep their words, and findyou a good husband."
Like some wild animal, exhausted and subdued by terror amid fatigue,the Countess Hameline yielded herself up to the conduct of herguides, and suffered herself to be passively led whichever way theywould. Nay, such was the confusion of her spirits and the exhaustionof her strength, that the worthy couple, who half bore, half ledher, carried on their discourse in her presence without her evenunderstanding it."
"I ever thought your plan was folly," said Marthon. "Could youhave brought the young people together, indeed, we might have hada hold on their gratitude, and a footing in their castle. But whatchance of so handsome a youth wedding this old fool?"
"Rizpah," said Hayraddin, "you have borne the name of a Christian,and dwelt in the tents of those besotted people, till thou hast becomea partaker in their follies. How could I dream that he would havemade scruples about a few years' youth or age, when the advantagesof the match were so evident? And thou knowest, there would have beenno moving yonder coy wench to be so frank as this coming Countesshere, who hangs on our arms as dead a weight as a wool pack. Iloved the lad too, and would have done him a kindness: to wed himto this old woman was to make his fortune, to unite him to Isabellewere to have brought on him De la Marck, Burgundy, France -- everyone that challenges an interest in disposing of her hand. And thissilly woman's wealth being chiefly in gold and jewels, we shouldhave had our share. But the bow string has burst, and the arrowfailed. Away with her -- we will bring her to William with theBeard. By the time he has gorged himself with wassail, as is hiswont, he will not know an old Countess from a young one. Away, Rizpah-- bear a gallant heart. The bright Aldebaran still influences thedestinies of the Children of the Desert!"