OF HOW I PLAYED KNIGHT-ERRANT, AND OF MY LADY’S GRATITUDE
WHEN my lady had left the room and the swish of her silken skirts
had ceased I hastened to take my departure, for I did not doubt that
if it was discovered I had come alone and that the troopers of whose
presence I had talked so glibly existed only in my own imagination, her
ladyship would take active measures for the recovery of the paper in my
possession.
I stepped through the window, therefore, and sought the spot where I
had left my horse. I took the bridle in my hand, and, avoiding the
avenue leading to the gates, led him through the tangled undergrowth
until we came out, some hundred yards below, upon the road.
Here I halted and looked back. There was no sound to break the
stillness save the soft sighing of the night wind in the branches
overhead. At my feet the white road stretched away into the night,
silent and lonely.
I lost no time, therefore, in mounting, and a few minutes later,
without molestation, reached the village.
As I rode up the main street I saw that the troopers had quartered
themselves upon the inhabitants; for a dozen or more were lounging in
the open doorways upon either side of the road, who upon catching sight
of my face, stiffened their backs and saluted me as I passed. Before
the inn itself a noisier group were gathered, whose laughter and jests
died away for a moment as I dismounted, to again break out with renewed
clamour when I had crossed the threshold.
Calling for a light, I made my way to the little chamber that I had
previously occupied. Carefully fastening the door behind me and
satisfying myself that I was indeed alone, I set the candle upon the
little table and drew the precious paper from my breast--the paper big
with the fate of my lady’s freedom! Perhaps in the temper of the times
her life! For I well knew that in the nation’s present state of panic
the government would have little consideration and respect for either
rank or sex. And ’twas well known that the Earl of Ingram was one of
James’s most trusted councillors.
The paper itself was a small sheet of coarse white parchment and was
folded into three.
As I stood turning it over in my hands, on a sudden my lady’s face
seemed to confront me.
Again I went over the scene so lately enacted, again I heard her clear
voice raised in pleading, and moved by some impulse of I know not what,
I laid the paper unopened upon the table, and with the candle in my
hand I went down on my knees upon the dusty floor.
Presently in the corner of the room farthest from the window I found
that which I sought--a loosened board.
With the aid of my sword I raised one end of this, and in the cavity
beneath I slipped the fateful parchment, replacing afterwards the board
and removing all traces of my handiwork. It was not until this was
accomplished that I breathed more freely, and I sought my couch with a
distinctly lighter heart.
It was late next morning when I awoke, and the bright June sunshine
was streaming into the room through the little latticed window. I
dressed hastily and descended to the inn parlour, where I found the two
cornets already at the table. During the meal I gathered from Cornet
Graham some information respecting Cleeve. The village itself and the
surrounding farms belonging to the Ingram family contained some eight
hundred inhabitants; but of this number, fully two hundred--being the
young and able-bodied men--were serving under the earl in Ireland.
Of the remaining number some eighty only were males, and these the
greybeards or youths too young to endure the arduous duties of the
Irish campaign.
When I had made myself acquainted with such gossip as he had at his
command, I gave the cornets their orders for the day, and returning
to my room, arrayed myself in full uniform. Also whilst in London I
had taken the opportunity of visiting a tailor’s shop in the Haymarket
and purchasing to myself sundry little fripperies of attire, such as
a lace cravat and fashionable peruke, the which I smiled at myself
for donning. Nevertheless, I was minded to look my best when I again
presented myself at Cleeve.
My vanity satisfied, I made my way to the stables, and mounting my
horse, set out for the manor.
Evidently my arrival had been expected, and my lady had given her
orders as to my future treatment; for as I reined in my horse and
dismounted before the door, of a sudden it opened, and the steward
came to the head of the steps. Behind him I caught a glimpse of a
little group of servants, most of whom were women, who regarded me with
feminine curiosity.
“Is it your pleasure to enter, sir?” said the steward respectfully,
though the sullen hate in his eyes belied his deferential manner.
“And my horse?” I said curtly, ascending the steps.
“Shall be looked to, never fear,” he replied; then, raising his voice:
“Martin!” he cried; and at his call the youth who had accompanied him
upon the ride to Exeter came slowly forward from the group behind.
“Take this gentleman’s horse to the stables.”
“And see that he lacks for nothing,” I said grimly, “or you will regret
it, my friend!”
For I had not forgotten this same youth’s insolence to me upon the
road, and I was determined to show these people that for the present,
at least, I was their master.
When he had moved away, muttering and cursing to himself, I followed
the steward to the dining hall, which I have previously described.
Everything in it was as I had seen it upon my first arrival, only the
room was empty.
“My lady is out?” I said carelessly.
“No,” the steward answered slowly; “she is not out, but----”
“She is not desirous of seeing me, you would say?” I answered quickly.
“Be frank, man! I understand. And for the present it is a matter of
indifference to me, as I intend to make myself acquainted with the
gardens and the cliffs adjoining. But you will prepare a room for
me,” I continued, watching him out of the corner of my eye; “and also
inform your mistress that I dine at noon, and must then request their
ladyships’ presence.”
The start he gave did not escape me.
“My ladies will dine with you?” he stammered.
“Certainly,” I replied harshly. “Is there any reason why they should
not? Or does it require another necklet to teach you that I am a man
to be obeyed?” And with this parting shot I left him. At the threshold
of the room I turned. He still stood in the centre of the floor,
apparently bereft of speech.
“The hour is noon,” I said quietly, “and I beg that they will not keep
me waiting.”
Arrived in the open air, for the first time I remembered that I had not
as yet seen the gigantic figure of Sampson Dare; and encountering the
youth Martin, I asked what had become of him.
He looked up for a moment from his task.
“He is not here,” he said, scowling.
“I asked you _where_ he was,” I answered dryly.
“In London, then, if it will please you,” he retorted sullenly.
“Ah!” was all I said in reply. And turning on my heel, I left him. But
I understood perfectly upon what errand the man had gone, and I saw by
this, even if I had not received ample proof already, that my lady was
not a woman to let the grass grow under her feet. Doubtless she had
powerful friends in London whom she trusted to interest government
on her behalf. If so, I thought, time alone will show whether her
confidence was misplaced.
For the present, at least, I held the winning cards.
From the stables I took the first broad path, and finally came to the
cliffs, where I stumbled upon the little path which we had ascended
fourteen days previously in the darkness and storm.
And the longer I looked at it, the more I wondered that our attempt
on such a night had not ended in disaster. Even by daylight it was no
pleasant task to tread the narrow ledge, as I discovered for myself
when I essayed to make the descent. No pleasant knowledge, that a
single slip or a momentary giddiness would precipitate me into the
sapphire sea, slumbering peacefully a hundred feet below.
Nevertheless, I persevered in the attempt, and in due time reached the
beach.
On the flat slab of rock at the bottom of the steps I paused. The tide
was fast coming in, and the first waves were gently rocking the boat,
that still lay where we had before seen it, in the little bay beneath
the cliff.
The sun beat fiercely down upon my head and sparkled upon the crests
of the waves, until the whole surface of the water resembled a sea of
burnished silver. Presently my eyes lighted upon something that roused
in me a momentary curiosity. The beach, as I have previously said,
was composed of small, grey pebbles; but about ten feet from the foot
of the cliff lay a patch of hard sand, some twelve feet square, its
smooth, yellow surface showing plainer by reason of the slate-coloured
shingle surrounding it. How it had come in such a place was beyond my
imagination to fathom.
For some minutes I stood gazing over the sea; then, turning, I retraced
my steps, and passing idly through the sunlit gardens, reached the
house.
It wanted a few minutes to the hour when I entered the dining hall, and
I saw that my instructions had been obeyed.
In the centre of the room, a table, laden with massive silver plate,
had been set out for three. I laid aside my hat and sword and waited
for my guests’ appearance with a heart that beat more rapidly than was
its wont.
Nevertheless, it was five minutes past the hour of noon when the
steward appeared in the doorway.
“How is this?” I said curtly. “You carried my message?”
“My ladies would know if you command their presence?” he answered
slowly.
“Aye,” I cried impatiently. “_Command_ them, then, in the devil’s name!”
“I will not fail to give them your orders,” he retorted quickly, and
was gone ere I could make reply.
And presently they came.
Long ere they entered the room I heard the soft rustling of their gowns
and the click of their heels upon the polished oaken floor. The younger
sister’s face was pale, with a certain shrinking timidity in the covert
glance she stole at me. My lady’s face was stone, and her eyes were
hard and glittering. I bowed low to them on their entering, a salute
which the younger woman returned with a slight acknowledgment, and
which my lady totally ignored.
When they had seated themselves opposite me, and the steward had placed
the covers upon the table, I lost some of my original nervousness in
fulfilling the civilities of the table. And I strove to appear entirely
at my ease, praising the beauty of the gardens and the cooking of the
dishes before us. But to all my conversation--nay, even to direct
questions, the younger woman replied only in monosyllables--my lady not
at all.
And they made no pretence of eating what I pressed upon them. Stately
and still, they sat and looked at me. And gradually I froze!
They could not have hit upon a better device whereby to unnerve me.
Minute by minute, try as I would, my assumed air of assurance left me.
Beneath the gaze of my lady’s scornful eyes, of her rigid figure and
curled lip--that all proclaimed my presence as pollution--I felt the
hot blood mantling to my brow, and the words died stammering from my
tongue.
I strove to gather courage from the wine before me, and my hand was
shaking.
Presently I could bear it no longer, and I pushed my plate from me and
rose to my feet.
“If you would prefer for the future to dine alone, madam,” I said
sullenly, “you have my permission to do so.”
“I thank you for the concession, sir,” my lady said coldly; “which,
being prisoners, we have no right to expect. Also as our jailer,” she
continued with bitter emphasis, “is it permitted us to take our daily
ride alone?”
“Certainly,” I answered; though the scathing contempt in her voice and
eyes made me wince. “I see no reason against your doing so! And believe
me, madam,” I continued earnestly, “excepting in so far as my duty
here compels me, I have no desire to interfere with your actions or
restrain your freedom.” Yet I might have spared myself the confession,
for without a word of thanks from either of them they moved away. “And
one word more, madam,” I continued, as they reached the doorway; “the
paper----?” and I hesitated.
My lady turned quickly at the words.
“The paper which you stole, sir?” she said coldly.
“Which I---- You use a harsh phrase, madam,” I answered irrelevantly,
advancing a few paces nearer to her. On a sudden I was minded to prove
to her that she was unjust to me--to shame her for her words. “I had no
wish,” I continued in a low voice, “to use it to your injury, my lady,
and so----”
“You can spare me further, sir!” she interrupted icily. “Your insolence
I can bear for the present, but not your hypocrisy. That you are
present here to-day is insult enough to my womanhood; for the rest, I
pray you keep as far from me as the limits of this house permit.”
For a moment I stood before her tongue-tied and trembling. Then:
“Very well, madam,” I said harshly. “As you please! I was about to say
that this paper is no longer in my possession, but in the hands of
those who will make ruthless use of it should any accident befall me! I
am aware that the cliffs of Cleeve are dangerous,” I added meaningly;
and with a bow I went back to my seat.
But alone with my thoughts, I cursed the foolishness that had led me to
demand their presence, and I laid the humiliation I felt at my lady’s
door. Bah! ’twas a pitiful little triumph, and one worthy of her! As I
recalled the look that had shone in her eyes I bit my lip savagely and
strove with what appetite I could rally to complete my meal. But the
taste had gone from the dishes, the wine was sour.
Presently, in sheer ill humour with things in general, and with my lady
in particular, I rose from the table, and making my way to the stables,
mounted my horse and set out for the village.
Arrived there, I assembled the astonished troopers, and there for an
hour I drilled them in the little square before the inn. And well for
the knaves that they gave me no offence upon which to vent my rage, for
it would have gone hard with the offender, whomsoever he might have
been.
It was whilst engaged in this duty that I became aware of the clatter
of a horse’s hoofs approaching rapidly down the village street, and
looked up to meet my lady’s scornful eyes, a smile of disdain upon her
lips.
’Twas but a moment’s glimpse I gained of her, the next and she had
passed; but for me the pleasure had gone from my task and again my
thoughts were embittered.
Accordingly I dismissed the men somewhat curtly, and turning my horse’s
head, rode past the church in the direction which my lady had taken.
I went at a foot pace, however, for I had no desire to overtake the
woman in front; at the same time, I was minded to ride as far as
Cleevesborough, the tall hill rising to the south of the village. To
overtake her? My faith, no! Henceforth I would avoid her and so follow
her advice. At the foot of the hill I fastened my horse to a straggling
thorn bush and ascended the rest of the way on foot. From the summit I
glanced below me.
Some two miles distant my lady showed as a rapidly moving speck
upon the ribbon of white road that wound down the valley. A mile
or so beyond her I could distinguish the upper portion of a large
black-timbered mansion rising above the surrounding trees. Long after
she had disappeared beneath the latter, I still remained upon the
summit of the hill, admiring the beauty of the scene. At length I
descended to where I had left my horse, and mounting, rode slowly down
to the level of the road. Arrived there, however, I determined that I
would not return by the way that I had come, but would strike inland
and make my way in a half circle back to Cleeve.
With this intention I crossed the road and entered the trees upon the
opposite side. I found that these did not continue for more than a
few hundred yards, giving place to a succession of little grass-grown
hollows, covered with sparse, brown bracken, and here and there a
scattered boulder breaking through the coarse turf.
In most of these depressions were pools of stagnant water and patches
of black bogland that required some caution in avoiding, so that it
was not without satisfaction that about a mile farther I came upon a
path. It was a mere bridle track running down the centre of the hollow,
and was little used, as I saw at once by the marks of the hoof prints
upon its surface, which were fully a week old. I set my face in the
direction of Cleeve, and the sorrel broke into a trot. The track led
from hollow to hollow, some broad, some narrow, and for the most part
with marshy, reed-grown ground on either side.
I rode with slackened rein, my hat pressed low upon my brow, and I gave
myself up to my thoughts--thoughts in which my lady strangely mingled.
The sun beat down with almost tropical heat upon me; and what little
wind there had been on the uplands above was here shut out by the
slopes upon either side.
How far I had proceeded thus I do not know, for lulled by the rhythmic
stroke of my horse’s hoofs, with half-closed eyes I took no account of
time.
On a sudden the sorrel stopped with a jerk that all but unseated me.
Then he commenced to back, and I felt his flanks quiver. In an instant
I was alert, and I searched the pathway in front with my eyes, thinking
perhaps some viper or creature of the bog had startled him. But I could
see nothing.
Slipping from the saddle, therefore, I soothed the frightened animal
as best I could, and glanced keenly around me. I was in a deeper
depression than any I had as yet traversed--a circular, cup-shaped
hollow, its sides sloping some quarter of a mile to the ridge above.
In front of me stretched the path, to right and left of it patches of
bogland, its black surface covered with slime and green water-weed.
Stay, was it the path? I bent and gazed fixedly at the track before
me, then, unbuckling my sword, I slowly advanced, probing the ground
in front of me. At the sixth step my sword encountered no resistance.
I drew back with a shudder, and, despite the heat of the day, a cold
chill ran down my back. Again I tested the spot with my sword. The
green mass quivered at my touch, but there was no solid ground, and in
a moment the truth flashed upon me.
The bog upon the right, which stretched some distance up the slope, had
slipped, undermining the path, which at a casual glance still retained
its ordinary appearance by reason of the green entangled weed floating
upon its stagnant surface.
Never had Nature cunningly concealed a man-trap more treacherous. But
for my horse’s sagacity I should have been--pah! the very thought of
sinking slowly beneath the noisome ooze made me shudder. I turned away,
and taking the bridle rein in my hand, I skirted round the smaller
patch of bogland on the left and regained the track beyond.
Arrived there, however, I did not at once ride forward. On the
contrary, I retraced my steps to the brink of the bog, for I was minded
to see how far the pathway was undermined. To the spot where I had
stood before upon the opposite side was, as near as I could judge,
some fifteen feet. I cast about for some means of warning travellers
of their danger; but there was nothing but the bare hillside around
me, and with a shrug I turned away. After all, what concern was it of
mine? Resolving, however, for the future to take to the ridges and to
avoid the low-lying ground, I remounted my horse and headed straight
for the top of the hollow, some quarter of a mile distant. I had all
but reached the summit of the slope when a dull sound struck upon my
ear--the regular thud, thud of a horse’s hoofs and of a horse ridden at
speed.
I drew rein in idle curiosity as to who the rider might be in such an
unfrequented spot. Nearer and nearer came the sound behind me, and a
minute or so later the horse and its rider flashed into sight.
It was my lady herself!
My lady mounted on the chestnut mare that I had so admired. And in a
moment I understood. The green track that had nearly proved fatal to me
led to the mansion I had seen from the summit of Cleevesborough, the
smooth turf forming a more pleasant bridle path to the village than the
dusty road.
Along this pathway my lady was sweeping at full gallop, was sweeping to
the death that lurked below! And I hated her!
But even as the thought came to me I gathered up the reins, drove in
my spurs, and in a moment I was thundering down the slope. Even now,
though years have lapsed, how the memory of that ride comes back to me!
Less than a quarter of a mile distant, at right angles to me, and
somewhat nearer than I to the green pitfall below, came the chestnut
at full gallop, spurning the ground from beneath her flying hoofs. And
with a certain shrinking of the heart I could in nowise account for,
moment by moment I realised that the sorrel I bestrode was no match for
the more thoroughbred and lighter weight of the animal before me. And
seeing this, I rose in my stirrups and shouted. It may have been that
my words were drowned in the thunder of our galloping hoofs. It may be,
seeing that it was I--nay, more likely, I thought bitterly, _because_
it was I--my lady took no heed. And in my heart I cursed the wilfulness
of this woman who would take naught from me, not even words of warning.
Yet this very wilfulness made me but the more resolved to save her--to
save her at all hazards! I settled myself, therefore, more firmly in
the saddle, and the race continued. And now less than two hundred yards
divided us--two hundred yards and the morass between.
Also, now that I was nearer, I realised that for once I had done my
lady an injustice, and that the animal beneath her was far beyond
her control. So clear, indeed, was the air, so brilliant the glaring
light, that I could mark the chestnut’s straining eyes and the white
foam flying from her lips--aye, and I could clearly distinguish the
outline of my lady’s graceful figure as she rose and fell to the mare’s
stride--could see the dainty head and glowing cheek, the proud, oval
face, and the stray tresses of golden hair escaping from beneath her
grey-velvet riding hat. And now she was but forty yards distant from
the brink, and spur as I would, the sorrel might do no more.
Again I rose in my stirrups.
“For God’s sake, beware of the bog, madam!” I shouted, pointing to the
ground between us. “Turn to the left! To the left!” For I saw that her
only chance lay in skirting round the smaller patch as I had previously
done. And now, indeed, despite her contempt for me, something in my
voice must have attracted my lady’s attention, and, accustomed as she
was to the nature of the surrounding country, her quick eyes discerned
her danger; for I saw her throw her whole weight upon the left rein.
But it was too late, nothing could stop the chestnut now, and seeing
this, my lady abandoned the attempt, and arriving at the brink, she
lifted the mare with her hand and essayed the leap instead.
For a moment, as she rose into the air, I closed my eyes, and but
opened them upon hearing the dull thud with which the mare alighted in
safety upon the near side.
Not quite, for her hind feet striking upon the very edge of the path,
the soft, spongy turf gave way beneath the shock, and she rolled back
into the bog.
Yet my lady was safe. Even in mid air she had freed her foot from
the stirrup, and as the mare struck the ground she sprang clear--to
fall, indeed, upon her hands and knees on the soft turf a dozen paces
distant.
A moment later I reached the spot and flung myself from the saddle. My
lady had already regained her feet.
“You are not hurt, madam?” I cried anxiously, forgetful for the moment
of the hatred between us.
She did not answer me. No doubt the fall had dazed her. Instead, she
turned in the direction of her horse and took two steps forward. But I
was too quick for her.
“Have a care, madam!” I cried, barring her further progress. “This is
no woman’s task, and the ground is dangerous. Trust me,” I continued
earnestly, “to do all that is possible to save your favourite.” I
turned from her as I spoke and made my way to the edge of the bog.
With eyes dilated with terror and blood-red nostrils distended, the
mare still struggled to regain her footing. At no little risk to
myself of being drawn into the bog, I succeeded at length in laying
hold of the rein, and I drove my heels into the turf and exerted all
my strength--aye, till the muscles of my back and arms cracked beneath
the strain--in a vain endeavour to assist her efforts. But though her
forefeet, indeed, rested upon the more solid ground, her struggles
were growing fainter and she was sinking rapidly. I saw that it was a
question of moments only, and there was but one expedient. Loosing hold
of the rein with my right hand, I drew my sword and thrust her lightly
in the breast.
At the touch of the steel she gave a snort of mingled pain and terror
and rose from her knees. Her hoofs caught, slipped upon the soft, wet
turf, caught again as I threw my weight into the scale, and the next
moment I was on my back upon the grass, and the hollow spun round me in
a golden mist. ’Twas but a second or two I lay there, however, for the
mare’s head had caught me fairly in the chest and the breath was gone
from my body. Then I slowly rose to my feet and turned to look behind
me. Twenty paces away my lady stood soothing the frightened animal,
that now stood quivering with terror from head to foot.
I approached her slowly, with a feeling of exultation in my breast. For
had I not proved my words to her and succeeded? Had I not by service
rendered placed her in my debt? Surely I had earned this woman’s
gratitude, and I would take it as my just reward. She did not look at
me as I approached. Instead, she drew a snow-white kerchief from the
bosom of her gown and with ostentatious care began to staunch the blood
that welled from the wound I had inflicted upon the mare’s breast. One
might almost have supposed that she thought more of this slight wound
than if the animal itself had been engulfed. Three paces from her was
a large flat boulder, one of many that lay scattered upon the turf. By
the side of this I halted. Still she did not turn her head.
Her hat had fallen back, revealing the tresses of golden hair straying
in wild disorder upon her neck. I had leisure to observe more closely
the exquisite symmetry of her figure, displayed as it was to its best
advantage by the tight-fitting riding coat she wore.
Feeling, I suppose, my eyes upon her, she deliberately turned her back
on me and continued her task as before. I waited two--three--minutes,
still she did not speak.
“Am I to have no thanks, madam?” I said at length in a low voice.
“It was a praiseworthy action,” she answered icily; “and as such
doubtless carries its own reward.”
On a sudden my exultation vanished at her words. It was borne in on me
that she would rather have been beholden to the meanest beggar upon
the road than to me. Yet I would not be discouraged so easily. Again I
broke the silence:
“I do not think that the animal is much hurt, madam,” I said humbly.
“’Tis but a flesh wound at most. Nevertheless, in case of further
mishap, may I be permitted to return with you?”
And then indeed she looked at me.
“The road is public property, I believe, sir!” she replied in the same
icy tone. “And I cannot prevent you, if you force your presence on me.
But if you were anything but what you are--if you laid any pretence to
being a gentleman, you would spare me _the loathing of your company_!”
I fell back then, indeed, as if she had struck me, and without a word
in reply I returned slowly to the sorrel’s side and made pretence of
tightening the girths with fingers that were trembling.
This was her gratitude! This my reward! Yet I consoled myself with
the thought that even yet she would be obliged to seek my assistance
in remounting, and I determined that I would not be the one to again
make advances. But I did not know my lady, nor had I taken into
consideration the fact of the boulders scattered plentifully around.
As with my back to her I fumbled at my saddle, I heard the mare’s
footsteps receding; and, turning sharply, was in time to see her
ladyship move slowly away.
Erect in the saddle, with never a backward glance, she urged the mare
into a canter, breasted the green slope, disappeared, and left me there
in the sunlit hollow--alone!