惊婚记 英文版 Quentin Durward
瓦尔特.司各特 Sir Walter Scott
CHAPTER XXXI: THE INTERVIEW
Hold fast thy truth, young soldier. -- Gentle maiden,Keep you your promise plight -- leave age its subtleties,And gray hair'd policy its maze of falsehood,But be you candid as the morning sky,Ere the high sun sucks vapours up to stain it.
THE TRIAL
On the perilous and important morning which preceded the meetingof the two Princes in the Castle of Peronne, Oliver le Dain did hismaster the service of an active and skilful agent, making interestfor Louis in every quarter, both with presents and promises; sothat when the Duke's anger should blaze forth, all around shouldbe interested to smother, and not to increase, the conflagration.He glided like night, from tent to tent, from house to house, makinghimself friends, but not in the Apostle's sense, with the Mammonof unrighteousness. As was said of another active political agent,"his finger was in every man's palm, his mouth was in every man'sear;" and for various reasons, some of which we have formerly hintedat, he secured the favour of many Burgundian nobles, who eitherhad something to hope or fear from France, or who thought that,were the power of Louis too much reduced, their own Duke would belikely to pursue the road to despotic authority, to which his heartnaturally inclined him, with a daring and unopposed pace.
Where Oliver suspected his own presence or arguments might be lessacceptable, he employed that of other servants of the King; and itwas in this manner that he obtained, by the favour of the Count deCrevecoeur, an interview betwixt Lord Crawford, accompanied by LeBalafre, and Quentin Durward, who, since he had arrived at Peronne,had been detained in a sort of honourable confinement. Privateaffairs were assigned as the cause of requesting this meeting;but it is probable that Crevecoeur, who was afraid that his mastermight be stirred up in passion to do something dishonourably violenttowards Louis, was not sorry to afford an opportunity to Crawfordto give some hints to the young Archer, which might prove usefulto his master.
The meeting between the countrymen was cordial and even affecting.
"Thou art a singular youth," said Crawford, stroking the headof young Durward, as a grandsire might do that of his descendant."Certes, you have had as meikle good fortune as if you had beenborn with a lucky hood on your head."
"All comes of his gaining an Archer's place at such early years,"said Le Balafre; "I never was so much talked of, fair nephew,because I was five and twenty years old before I was hors de page(passed out of the rank of the page)."
"And an ill looking mountainous monster of a page thou wert, Ludovic,"said the old commander, "with a beard like a baker's shool, and aback like old Wallace Wight (so called because of his vigour andactivity)."
"I fear," said Quentin, with downcast eyes, "I shall enjoy thattitle to distinction but a short time -- since it is my purpose toresign the service of the Archer Guard."
Le Balafre was struck almost mute with astonishment, and Crawford'sancient features gleamed with displeasure. The former at lengthmustered words enough to say, "Resign! -- leave your place in theScottish Archers! -- such a thing was never dreamed of. I wouldnot give up my situation to be made Constable of France."
"Hush! Ludovic," said Crawford; "this youngster knows better howto shape his course with the wind than we of the old world do. Hisjourney hath given him some pretty tales to tell about King Louis;and he is turning Burgundian, that he may make his own little profitby telling them to Duke Charles."
"If I thought so," said Le Balafre, "I would cut his throat withmy own hand, were he fifty times my sister's son."
"But you would first inquire whether I deserved to be so treated,fair kinsman?" answered Quentin; "and you, my lord, know that Iam no tale bearer; nor shall either question or torture draw outof me a word to King Louis's prejudice, which may have come to myknowledge while I was in his service. -- So far my oath of dutykeeps me silent. But I will not remain in that services in which,besides the perils of fair battle with mine enemies, I am to beexposed to the dangers of ambuscade on the part of my friends."
"Nay, if he objects to lying in ambuscade," said the slow wittedLe Balafre, looking sorrowfully at the Lord Crawford, "I am afraid,my lord, that all is over with him! I myself have had thirty bushmentsbreak upon me, and truly I think I have laid in ambuscade twice asoften myself, it being a favourite practice in our King's mode ofmaking war."
"It is so indeed, Ludovic," answered Lord Crawford; "nevertheless,hold your peace, for I believe I understand this gear better thanyou do."
"I wish to Our Lady you may, my lord," answered Ludovic; "but itwounds me to the very midriff, to think my sister's son should fearan ambushment."
"Young man," said Crawford, "I partly guess your meaning. You havemet foul play on the road where you travelled by the King's command,and you think you have reason to charge him with being the authorof it."
"I have been threatened with foul play in the execution of theKing's commission," answered Quentin; "but I have had the goodfortune to elude it -- whether his Majesty be innocent or guilty inthe matter, I leave to God and his own conscience. He fed me whenI was a-hungered -- received me when I was a wandering stranger.I will never load him in his adversity with accusations which mayindeed be unjust, since I heard them only from the vilest mouths."
"My dear boy -- my own lad!" said Crawford, taking him in his arms.-- "Ye think like a Scot, every joint of you! Like one that willforget a cause of quarrel with a friend whose back is already atthe wall, and remember nothing of him but his kindness."
"Since my Lord Crawford has embraced my nephew," said Ludovic Lesly,"I will embrace him also -- though I would have you to know thatto understand the service of an ambushment is as necessary to asoldier as it is to a priest to be able to read his breviary."
"Be hushed, Ludovic," said Crawford; "ye are an ass, my friend, andken not the blessing Heaven has sent you in this braw callant. --And now tell me, Quentin, my man, hath the King any advice of thisbrave, Christian, and manly resolution of yours, for, poor man,he had need, in his strait, to ken what he has to reckon upon. Hadhe but brought the whole brigade of Guards with him! -- But God'swill be done. -- Kens he of your purpose, think you?"
"I really can hardly tell," answered Quentin; "but I assuredhis learned Astrologer, Martius Galeotti, of my resolution to besilent on all that could injure the King with the Duke of Burgundy.The particulars which I suspect, I will not (under your favour)communicate even to your lordship; and to the philosopher I was,of course, far less willing to unfold myself."
"Ha! -- ay!" answered Lord Crawford. -- "Oliver did indeed tellme that Galeotti prophesied most stoutly concerning the line ofconduct you were to hold; and I am truly glad to find he did so onbetter authority than the stars."
"He prophesy!" said Le Balafre, laughing; "the stars never toldhim that honest Ludovic Lesly used to help yonder wench of his tospend the fair ducats he flings into her lap."
"Hush! Ludovic," said his captain, "hush! thou beast, man! -- Ifthou dost not respect my gray hairs, because I have been e'en toomuch of a routier myself, respect the boy's youth and innocence,and let us have no more of such unbecoming daffing."
"Your honour may say your pleasure," answered' Ludovic Lesly; "but,by my faith, second sighted Saunders Souplesaw, the town souter ofGlen Houlakin, was worth Galeotti, or Gallipotty, or whatever yecall him, twice told, for a prophet. He foretold that all my sister'schildren, would die some day; and he foretold it in the very hourthat the youngest was born, and that is this lad Quentin -- who,no doubt, will one day die, to make up the prophecy -- the more'sthe pity -- the whole curney of them is gone but himself. And Saundersforetold to myself one day, that I should be made by marriage,which doubtless will also happen in due time, though it hath not yetcome to pass -- though how or when, I can hardly guess, as I carenot myself for the wedded state, and Quentin is but a lad. Also,Saunders predicted --"
"Nay," said Lord Crawford, "unless the prediction be singularlyto the purpose, I must cut you short, my good Ludovic; for bothyou and I must now leave your nephew, with prayers to Our Lady tostrengthen him in the good mind he is in; for this is a case inwhich a light word might do more mischief than all the Parliamentof Paris could mend. My blessing with you, my lad; and be in nohurry to think of leaving our body; for there will be good blowsgoing presently in the eye of day, and no ambuscade."
"And my blessing, too, nephew," said Ludovic Lesly; "for, since youhave satisfied our most noble captain, I also am satisfied, as induty bound."
"Stay, my lord," said Quentin, and led Lord Crawford a littleapart from his uncle. "I must not forget to mention that there isa person besides in the world, who, having learned from me thesecircumstances, which it is essential to King Louis's safety shouldat present remain concealed, may not think that the same obligationof secrecy, which attaches to me as the King's soldier, and ashaving been relieved by his bounty, is at all binding on her."
"On her!" replied Crawford; "nay, if there be a woman in the secret,the Lord have mercy, for we are all on the rocks again!"
"Do not suppose so, my lord," replied Durward, "but use your interestwith the Count of Crevecoeur to permit me an interview with theCountess Isabelle of Croye, who is the party possessed of my secret,and I doubt not that I can persuade her to be as silent as I shallunquestionably myself remain, concerning whatever may incense theDuke against King Louis."
The old soldier mused for a long time -- looked up to the ceiling,then down again upon the floor -- then shook his head -- and atlength said, "There is something in all this, which, by my honour,I do not understand. The Countess Isabelle of Croye! -- an interviewwith a lady of her birth, blood, and possessions! -- and thou araw Scottish lad, so certain of carrying thy point with her? Thouart either strangely confident, my young friend, or else you haveused your time well upon the journey. But, by the cross of SaintAndrew, I will move Crevecoeur in thy behalf; and, as he truly fearsthat Duke Charles may be provoked against the King to the extremityof falling foul, I think it likely he may grant thy request, though,by my honour, it is a comical one!"
So saying, and shrugging up his shoulders, the old Lord left theapartment, followed by Ludovic Lesly, who, forming his looks onthose of his principal, endeavoured, though knowing nothing of thecause of his wonder, to look as mysterious and important as Crawfordhimself.
In a few minutes Crawford returned, but without his attendant,Le Balafre. The old man seemed in singular humour, laughing andchuckling to himself in a manner which strangely distorted hisstern and rigid features, and at the same time shaking his head,as at something which he could not help condemning, while he foundit irresistibly ludicrous. "My certes, countryman," said he, "butyou are not blate -- you will never lose fair lady for faint heart!Crevecoeur swallowed your proposal as he would have done a cup ofvinegar, and swore to me roundly, by all the saints in Burgundy,that were less than the honour of princes and the peace of kingdomsat stake, you should never see even so much as the print of theCountess Isabelle's foot on the clay. Were it not that he had adame, and a fair one, I would have thought that he meant to breaka lance for the prize himself. Perhaps he thinks of his nephew,the County Stephen. A Countess! -- would no less serve you to beminting at? -- But come along -- your interview with her must bebrief. -- But I fancy you know how to make the most of little time-- ho! ho! ho! -- By my faith, I can hardly chide thee for thepresumption, I have such a good will to laugh at it!"
With a brow like scarlet, at once offended and disconcerted bythe blunt inferences of the old soldier, and vexed at beholdingin what an absurd light his passion was viewed by every person ofexperience, Durward followed Lord Crawford in silence to the Ursulineconvent, in which the Countess was lodged, and in the parlour ofwhich he found the Count de Crevecoeur.
"So, young gallant," said the latter sternly, "you must see thefair companion of your romantic expedition once more, it seems."
myself have had thirty bushmentsbreak upon me, and truly I think I have laid in ambuscade twice .
"That shall never be," said the Count de Crevecoeur. -- "LordCrawford, I make you judge. This young lady, the daughter of myold friend and companion in arms, the richest heiress in Burgundy,has confessed a sort of a -- what was I going to say? -- in short,she is a fool, and your man at arms here a presumptuous coxcomb.-- In a word, they shall not meet alone."
"Then will I not speak a single word to the Countess in yourpresence," said Quentin, much delighted. "You have told me muchthat I did not dare, presumptuous as I may be, even to hope."
"Ay, truly said, my friend," said Crawford. "You have been imprudentin your communications; and, since you refer to me, and there is agood stout grating across the parlour, I would advise you to trustto it, and let them do the worst with their tongues. What, man! thelife of a King, and many thousands besides, is not to be weighedwith the chance of two young things whilly whawing in ilk other'sears for a minute."
So saying, he dragged off Crevecoeur, who followed very reluctantly,and cast many angry glances at the young Archer as he left theroom.
In a moment after, the Countess Isabelle entered on the other sideof the grate, and no sooner saw Quentin alone in the parlour, thanshe stopped short, and cast her eyes on the ground for the space ofhalf a minute. "Yet why should I be ungrateful," she said, "becauseothers are unjustly suspicious? -- My friend -- my preserver,I may almost say, so much have I been beset by treachery, my onlyfaithful and constant friend!"
As she spoke thus, she extended her hand to him through the grate,nay, suffered him to retain it until he had covered it with kisses,not unmingled with tears. She only said, "Durward, were we ever tomeet again, I would not permit this folly."
If it be considered that Quentin had guided her through so manyperils -- that he had been, in truth, her only faithful and zealousprotector, perhaps my fair readers, even if countesses and heiressesshould be of the number, will pardon the derogation.
But the Countess extricated her hand at length, and stepping a paceback from the grate, asked Durward, in a very embarrassed tone,what boon he had to ask of her? -- "For that you have a requestto make, I have learned from the old Scottish Lord, who came herebut now with my cousin of Crevecoeur. Let it be but reasonable,"she said, "but such as poor Isabelle can grant with duty and honouruninfringed, and you cannot tax my slender powers too highly. But,oh! do not speak hastily -- do not say," she added, looking aroundwith timidity, "aught that might, if overheard, do prejudice to usboth!"
"Fear not, noble lady," said Quentin sorrowfully; "it is not herethat I can forget the distance which fate has placed between us,or expose you to the censures of your proud kindred, as the objectof the most devoted love to one, poorer and less powerful -- notperhaps less noble -- than themselves. Let that pass like a dreamof the night to all but one bosom, where, dream as it is, it willfill up the room of all existing realities."
"Hush! hush!" said Isabelle "for your own sake -- for mine -- besilent on such a theme. Tell me rather what it is you have to askof me."
"Forgiveness to one," replied Quentin, "who, for his own selfishviews, hath conducted himself as your enemy."
"I trust I forgive all my enemies," answered Isabelle; "but oh,Durward! through what scenes have your courage and presence of mindprotected me! -- Yonder bloody hall -- the good Bishop -- I knewnot till yesterday half the horrors I had unconsciously witnessed!"
"Do not think on them," said Quentin, who saw the transient colourwhich had come to her cheek during their conference fast fading intothe most deadly paleness. -- "Do not look back, but look steadilyforward, as they needs must who walk in a perilous road. Hearkento me. King Louis deserves nothing better at your hand, of allothers; than to be proclaimed the wily and insidious politicianwhich he really is. But to tax him as the encourager of your flight-- still more as the author of a plan to throw you into the handsof De la Marck -- will at this moment produce perhaps the King'sdeath or dethronement; and, at all events, the most bloody warbetween France and Burgundy which the two countries have ever beenengaged in."
"These evils shall not arrive for my sake, if they can be prevented,"said the Countess Isabelle; "and indeed your slightest requestwere enough to make me forego my revenge, were that at any timea passion which I deeply cherish. Is it possible I would ratherremember King Louis's injuries than your invaluable services? --Yet how is this to be? -- When I am called before my Sovereign, theDuke of Burgundy, I must either stand silent or speak the truth.The former would be contumacy; and to a false tale you will notdesire me to train my tongue."
"Surely not," said Durward; "but let your evidence concerning Louisbe confined to what you yourself positively know to be truth; andwhen you mention what others have reported, no matter how credibly,let it be as reports only, and beware of pledging your own personalevidence to that, which, though you may fully believe, you cannotpersonally know to be true. The assembled Council of Burgundy cannotrefuse to a monarch the justice which in my country is rendered tothe meanest person under accusation. They must esteem him innocent,until direct and sufficient proof shall demonstrate his guilt. Now,what does not consist with your own certain knowledge, should beproved by other evidence than your report from hearsay."
"I think I understand you," said the Countess Isabelle.
"I will make my meaning plainer," said Quentin; and was illustratingit accordingly by more than one instance when the convent belltolled.
"That," said the Countess, "is a signal that we must part -- partfor ever! -- But do not forget me, Durward; I will never forgetyou -- your faithful services --"
She could not speak more, but again extended her hand, which wasagain pressed to his lips; and I know not how it was, that, inendeavouring to withdraw her hand, the Countess came so close tothe grating that Quentin was encouraged to press the adieu on herlips. The young lady did not chide him -- perhaps there was notime; for Crevecoeur and Crawford, who had been from some loopholeeye witnesses if not ear witnesses, also, of what was passing,rushed into the apartment, the first in a towering passion, thelatter laughing, and holding the Count back.
"To your chamber, young mistress -- to your chamber!" exclaimedthe Count to Isabelle, who, flinging down her veil, retired inall haste -- "which should be exchanged for a cell, and bread andwater. -- And you, gentle sir, who are so malapert, the time willcome when the interests of kings and kingdoms may not be connectedwith such as you are; and you shall then learn the penalty of youraudacity in raising your beggarly eyes --"
"Hush! hush! -- enough said -- rein up -- rein up," said the oldLord "and you, Quentin, I command you to be silent, and begone toyour quarters. -- There is no such room for so much scorn, neither,Sir Count of Crevecoeur, that I must say now he is out of hearing.-- Quentin Durward is as much a gentleman as the King, only, asthe Spaniard says, not so rich. He is as noble as myself, and Iam chief of my name. Tush, tush! man, you must not speak to us ofpenalties."
"My lord, my lord," said Crevecoeur impatiently, "the insolence ofthese foreign mercenaries is proverbial, and should receive ratherrebuke than encouragement from you, who are their leader."
"My Lord Count," answered Crawford, "I have ordered my command forthese fifty years without advice either from Frenchman or Burgundian;and I intend to do so, under your favour, so long as I shall continueto hold it."
"Well, well, my lord," said Crevecoeur, "I meant you no disrespect;your nobleness, as well as your age, entitle you to be privilegedin your impatience; and for these young people. I am satisfiedto overlook the past, since I will take care that they never meetagain."
"Do not take that upon your salvation, Crevecoeur," said the oldLord, laughing; "mountains, it is said, may meet, and why not mortalcreatures that have legs, and life and love to put those legs inmotion? Yon kiss, Crevecoeur, came tenderly off -- methinks itwas ominous."
"You are striving again to disturb my patience," said Crevecoeur,"but I will not give you that advantage over me. -- -- Hark! theytoll the summons to the Castle -- an awful meeting, of which Godonly can foretell the issue."
"This issue I can foretell," said the old Scottish lord, "thatif violence is to be offered to the person of the King, few ashis friends are, and surrounded by his shall neither fall alonenor unavenged; and grieved I am that his own positive orders haveprevented my taking measures to prepare for such an issue."
had arrived at Peronne,had been detained in a sort of honourable.
"My Lord of Crawford," said the Burgundian, "to anticipatesuch evil is the sure way to give occasion to it. Obey the ordersof your royal master, and give no pretext for violence by takinghasty offence, and you will find that the day will pass over moresmoothly than you now conjecture."