"Sir," said Brilliana, "if you give me your parole you shall have the
freedom of Harby."
Evander made her a ceremonious bow.
"Lady, you seem to me to be the only true gentleman on your side of
this quarrel, so I will give you my word and my sword."
Holding his sword by the blade, he extended it across the table to
Brilliana, whose hand caught its hilt with the firm grasp of one to
whom the manage of arms was not unfamiliar. As she stepped back with
her trophy Evander pushed the table aside to afford him passage from
his alcove, and, saluting the lady, took his former place between his
warders. Brilliana returned his salutation with a murmured "It is
well." Rufus, disengaging himself from the knot of discomfited
Cavaliers, moved towards her and addressed her with faintly
restrained impatience.
"In Heaven's name," he begged, "set this Cantwell on one side if you
tender him so precious. I have private news for you."
Brilliana's face wore something of a frown for her presuming friend.
"Indeed!" she answered, coldly. Then turning towards Halfman she
tendered to him Evander's sword, which he hastened to take from her,
kneeling as he did so.
"Captain Cloud is in your care," she said. "Pray you, withdraw your
prisoner a little."
Halfman rose, bearing Evander's sword, and went to Evander.
"Will you come this way?" he bade his captive, courteously enough. If
Brilliana chose to trust a Roundhead's word, her will was Halfman's
law. Evander again saluted Brilliana and followed Halfman to the
farther part of the hall. Here in a window-seat, out of ear-shot of
the other's speech, he seated himself to commune with his melancholy
reflections, while Halfman, after stationing Thoroughgood at a little
distance as a nominal guard upon the prisoner, dismissed Garlinge and
Clupp from the room and rejoined the Cavaliers. Brilliana, who had
still been standing with Sir Rufus, now addressed the others.
"Gentlemen," she said, "you must need sustenance after this morning's
work. You will find such poor cheer as Harby can offer in the
banqueting-hall. Captain Halfman, will you play the host for me?"
The Cavaliers, who were, indeed, sharp-set and ever-ready
trenchermen, welcomed the proposal each after his own fashion.
"Indeed," averred the Lord Fawley, "I would say good-day to a pasty."
"Ay," assented Radlett, "well met, beef or mutton." Ingrow
euphemized, "I shall be well content with bread and cheese and
dreams," as he glanced admiration at Brilliana. Bardon grunted, "I
would sell all my dreams for a slice of cold boar's head."
Halfman addressed them in the character of Father Capulet. "We have a
trifling foolish banquet towards." He turned towards the doors of the
banqueting-room with the famished gentlemen at his heels; then,
noticing that Sir Rufus remained with Brilliana, he stopped and
questioned him. "You, sir, will you not eat?"
Rufus answered him with an impatience that was almost anger. "No,
no," he said; "I have no hunger. Stay your stomachs swiftly,
friends."
He turned again to Brilliana, and stood opposite to her in silence
till Halfman and the Cavaliers had quitted the hall. Then Brilliana
spoke.
"Well, good news or bad?"
"Bad," Rufus answered. "Your cousin Randolph is a captive."
Brilliana gave a little cry of regret.
"Bad news, indeed! How did it chance?"
"In the battle," Rufus answered. "The King's standard-bearer was
slain and the King's flag fell into the rebel hands."
Brilliana clasped her hands with a sigh, and would have spoken, but
Rufus stayed her, hurrying on with his tale.
"That could not be endured, dear lady. So in the dusk Randolph and I
put orange scarfs about us that we might be taken for rogues of
Essex's regiment, and so, unchallenged, slipped into the enemy's
camp. Dear fortune led me to the tent of Lord Essex, and there I
found his secretary sitting and gaping at the precious emblem. I
snatched it from his fingers and made good my escape, gaining great
praise from his Majesty when I laid the sacred silk at his feet."
Brilliana's eyes swam with adoration. "Oh, my gallant friend!" she
cried, and held out her hands to him. He caught them both and kissed
them, whereat she instantly withdrew them and moved a little away. He
followed her, speaking low, passionately.
"Your words mean more than the King's words to me. You know that."
Brilliana did not look vastly displeased at this wild speech, but she
forced a tiny frown and set her finger to her lips.
"Hush!" she said. "What of Randolph?"
"Less fortunate than I," Rufus resumed, in calmer tones, "he ran into
the arms of a burly Parliament man, that Cambridge Crophead Mr.
Cromwell, who made him prisoner."
"Truly," said Brilliana, thoughtfully, "it is hard luck for him just
after his first battle. But 'twill be soon mended. They will exchange
him."
Even as she spoke she seemed surprised at the gloomy look that
reigned on Rufus's face. His tone was as gloomy as his face as he
said, "He was wearing the orange scarf of Essex."
"What then?" Brilliana questioned, still surprised; then, as
knowledge flashed upon her, she cried, quickly, "Ah, they will say
that he was a spy."
"Ay," Rufus answered, hotly, "the King's spy, God's spy upon enemies
of God and King, but still a spy in their eyes."
"But what is to be done?" Brilliana gasped.
"I would that I knew," Rufus answered. "His Majesty has interceded
for him and has gained him some days of grace. It is certain that my
Lord Essex, if he had his own way, would yield him. But he has not
his own way, for this stubborn Cromwell fellow clings to his
prisoner."
"Why is he so stubborn?" Brilliana asked. Rufus smiled sourly.
"Partly because, like all new-made soldiers, he is punctilious of the
rules of war. Partly because he hopes to turn his capture to some
account. Poor Randolph had upon him a letter in cipher from the King
to a certain lord. Randolph may buy his life with the key to the
cipher."
"He will never do that," Brilliana said, in proud confidence of the
courage of her house. She was silent for a moment; then she gave a
little cry of joy. "I think I can save him," she exclaimed. Rufus
stared at her as if she had lost her wits.
"Why, what can you do?" he asked, astonished. Brilliana answered with
a glance of profound wisdom. "I think I know a way," and she nodded
her head sagely. Then she turned and moved a little space across the
hall in the direction of that window-seat where Evander sat
ensconced. When she had advanced two or three paces she called to
him:
"Captain Cloud, pray favor me with your company for a few moments of
speech."
Evander's consciousness swam to the surface of a pool of gloomy
thought at her summons. He rose on the instant and came down the hall
towards her.
"I am at your service, lady," he said. Brilliana watched him closely
as she questioned.
"You say you are a friend of Mr. Cromwell?"
Evander seemed surprised at the interrogation, but he answered,
simply, "I am so favored."
"Does he cherish you in affection?" Brilliana pursued, still watching
him closely.
"He loved my father," said Evander. "If I dared to think it I should
say he loved me, too. Truly, he has shown me much regard."
Brilliana struck her palms sharply together with the air of one who
has solved a difficult problem.
"Your Mr. Cromwell has taken prisoner a cousin of mine whom he
threatens to kill as a spy. We will exchange you against Mr.
Cromwell's prisoner."
Evander looked steadily back at her with a hint of mild amusement at
the corners of his mouth.
"Colonel Cromwell will never exchange a spy," he responded,
decisively.
Rufus, who was listening to the conference, nodded his head in gloomy
assent. "That is like enough," he agreed. Brilliana stamped a foot
and her eyes snapped vexation.
"We shall see," she said, sharply. She turned away from the two men
and moved to a small table against the wall that carried writing
materials. Seating herself thereat, she took up a goose-quill and
began to write rapidly on a large sheet of paper. When she had
finished she looked round, and beckoned Rufus to her side that he
might hear what she had written. She read it aloud, with her eyes
fixed on Evander's impassive face.
"To Colonel Cromwell, serving with my Lord Essex in the
Parliamentary army lately at Edgehill. My cousin, Sir
Randolph Harby, is a prisoner in your hands. Your friend,
Mr. Evander Cloud, is a prisoner in mine. I will exchange my
prisoner for your prisoner; but the life of Mr. Evander
Cloud is answerable for the life of Randolph Harby. Such is
the sure promise and steadfast vow of his cousin and the
King's true subject, Brilliana Harby."
As she read, the dour face of Rufus brightened, and he rubbed his
hands in satisfaction at the close.
"By the Lord, an honest thought," he chuckled. "Swing Randolph, swing
rat-face."
Evander smiled disdainfully.
"I am no spy," he asserted, firmly, "and by the laws of war you have
no right to my life."
Brilliana turned on him tauntingly.
"You were taken a rebel in arms and your life is at my mercy."
"Then," said Evander, calmly, "add to your letter my wish that
Colonel Cromwell take no thought of me."
Brilliana stamped impatiently.
"I am not your secretary," she said, sharply.
"It does not matter," Evander answered, smoothly. "Colonel Cromwell
will follow the laws of war."
"I am sorry for you if he do," Brilliana declared. "We shall test the
strength of Colonel Cromwell's love." She called, loudly, "John
Thoroughgood."
Thoroughgood advanced to her from where he stood removed.
"Ride with a white flag," Brilliana went on; "ride hard to my Lord
Essex's army, wherever it may be. Where is my Lord Essex, Rufus?"
"They have retired, I think, upon Warwick," Rufus said, doubtfully.
"Well," Brilliana continued, "to the rebel army, wherever you can
find it. Deliver this letter into the hands of Colonel Cromwell.
Bring back his answer swiftly. Ride as if you were riding for your
life."
Thoroughgood saluted, took the letter, and turned to go. Brilliana
stopped him.
"First quarter Captain Cloud in the west room, and see him well
tended."
Evander bowed.
"I thank you," he said, and followed Thoroughgood out of the room.
Brilliana turned to Rufus.
"I trust you will all feast here to-night."
Rufus shook his head sadly.
"Tears in my eyes and heart, but not possible. We join the King
to-night for Banbury." He came close to her and spoke low. "Bright
Brilliana, will you not give me your golden promise ere I go?"
"You must not ask that yet," Brilliana pleaded. "I must know my own
mind."
Sir Rufus banged his hands together.
"By God, I know mine, and my mind is to win you if I have to kill a
regiment of rivals."
Brilliana pretended to shudder at his ferocity.
"Lord! you are a very violent lover."
Rufus did not deny her.
"I am a very earnest lover, a very desperate lover."
Brilliana made a gesture of protest.
"Fie, this is no love-talk time, when the King is fighting. Ride,
gallant Rufus, come back with loyal laurels and the flags of canting
rebels, and see how I shall welcome you."
Rufus caught her hands.
"Must I be content with this?" he asked, hotly.
"You must be content with this," Brilliana replied, coolly. "Here
come your brothers-in-arms."
The doors of the banqueting-hall opened, and Fawley, Radlett, Bardon,
Ingrow, and Halfman came in, all brighter for wine and food.
"'Tis boot and saddle, Rufus," Fawley cried.
"I am yours," Rufus answered. He bowed over Brilliana's fingers.
"Farewell, lady."
One and all they turned and left her, and as they tramped into the
air the chorus of the Cavalier song came back to her happy ears.
"And we will sing, boys, God bless the King, boys,
Cast up your hats, and cry Vive le Roy."