IN THE WHITE CASTLE
The landing was in possession of dark-faced, heavily bearded men, with
white turbans, baggy trousers, gray and gathered at the ankles, and
arms of every kind, bows, javelins, and cimeters.
The Prince, stepping from his boat, recognized them as Turkish
soldiers. He had hardly time to make the inspection, brief as it was,
before an officer, distinguished by a turban, kettle-shaped and
elaborately infolded, approached him.
"You will go with me to the Castle," he said.
The official's tone and manner were imperative. Suppressing his
displeasure, the Prince replied, with dignity:
"The Governor is courteous. Return to him with my thanks, and say that
when I decided to come on in the face of the storm, I made no doubt of
his giving me shelter until it would be safe to resume my journey. I
fear, however, his accommodations will be overtaxed; and since the
river is protected from the wind, it would be more agreeable if he
would permit me to remain here."
The response betrayed no improvement in manner:
"My order is to bring you to the Castle."
Some of the boatmen at this raised their eyes and hands toward heaven;
others crossed themselves, and, like men taking leave of hope, cried
out, "O Holy Mother of God!"
Yet the Prince restrained himself. He saw contention would be useless,
and said, to quiet the rowers: "I will go with you. The Governor will
be reasonable. We are unfortunates blown to his hands by a tempest, and
to make us prisoners under such circumstances would be an abuse of one
of the first and most sacred laws of the Prophet. The order did not
comprehend my men; they may remain here."
Lael heard all this, her face white with fear.
The conversation was in the Greek tongue. At mention of the law, the
Turk cast a contemptuous look at the Prince, much as to say, Dog of an
unbeliever, what dost thou with a saying of the Prophet? Then dropping
his eyes to Lael and the boatmen, he answered in disdain of argument or
explanation:
"You--they--all must go."
With that, he turned to the occupants of the other boat, and raising
his voice the better to be heard, for the howling of the wind was very
great, he called to them:
"Come out."
They were a woman in rich attire, but closely veiled, and a companion
at whom he gazed with astonishment. The costume of the latter perplexed
him; indeed, not until that person, in obedience to the order, erected
himself to his full stature upon the landing, was he assured of his sex.
They were the Princess Irene and Sergius the monk.
The conversation between them in the Homeric palace has only to be
recalled to account for their presence. Departing from Therapia at
noon, according to the custom of boatmen wishing to pass from the upper
Bosphorus, they had been carried obliquely across toward the Asiatic
shore where the current, because of its greater regularity, is supposed
to facilitate descent. When the storm began to fill the space above
Alem Daghy, they were in the usual course; and then the question that
had been put to the Prince of India was presented to the Princess
Irene. Would she land in Asia or recross to Europe?
The general Greek distrust of the Turks belonged to her. From infancy
she had been horrified with stories of women prisoners in their hands.
She preferred making Roumeli-Hissar; but the boatmen protested it was
too late; they said the little river by the White Castle was open, and
they could reach it before the storm; and trusting in their better
judgment, she submitted to them.
Sergius, on the landing, pushed the cowl back, and was about to speak,
but the wind caught his hair, tossing the long locks into tangle.
Seeing him thus in a manner blinded, the Princess took up the speech.
Drawing the veil aside, she addressed the officer:
"Art thou the Governor of the Castle?"
"No."
"Are we to be held guests or prisoners?"
"That is not for me to say."
"Carry thou then a message to him who may be the Governor. Tell him I
am the Princess Irene, by birth near akin to Constantine, Emperor of
the Greeks and Romans; that, admitting this soil is lawfully the
property of his master the Sultan, I have not invaded it, but am here
in search of temporary refuge. Tell him if I go to his Castle a
prisoner, he must answer for the trespass to my royal kinsman, who will
not fail to demand reparation; on the other hand, if I become his
guest, it must be upon condition that I shall be free to depart as I
came, with my friend and my people, the instant the wind and waves
subside. Yes, and the further condition, that he wait upon me as
becomes my station, and personally offer such hospitality as his Castle
affords. I shall receive his reply here."
The officer, uncouth though he was, listened with astonishment not in
the least disguised; and it was not merely the speech which impressed
him, nor yet the spirit with which it was given; the spell was in the
unveiled face. Never in his best dream of the perfected Moslem Paradise
had he seen loveliness to compare with it. He stood staring at her.
"Go," she repeated. "There will be rain presently."
"Who am I to say thou art?" he asked.
"The Princess Irene, kinswoman of the Emperor Constantine."
The officer made a low salaam to her, and walked hurriedly off to the
Castle.
His soldiers stood in respectful remove from the prisoners--such the
refugees must for the present be considered--leaving them grouped in
close vicinity, the Prince and the monk ashore, the Princess and Lael
seated in their boats.
Calamity is a rough master of ceremonies; it does not take its victims
by the hand, and name them in words, but bids them look to each other
for help. And that was precisely what the two parties now did.
Unsophisticated, and backward through inexperience, Sergius was
nevertheless conscious of the embarrassing plight of the Princess. He
had also a man's quick sense of the uselessness of resistance, except
in the way of protest. To measure the stranger's probable influence
with the Turks, he looked first at the Prince, and was not, it must be
said, rewarded with a return on which to found hope or encouragement.
The small, stoop-shouldered old man, with a great white beard, appeared
respectable and well-to-do in his black velvet cap and pelisse; his
eyes were very bright, and his cheeks hectic with resentment at the
annoyance he was undergoing; but that he could help out of the
difficulty appeared absurd.
Having by this time rescued his hair from the wind, and secured it
under his cowl, he looked next at Lael. His first thought was of the
unfitness of her costume for an outing in a boat under the quietest of
skies. A glance at the Princess, however, allayed the criticism; while
the display of jewelry was less conspicuous, her habit was quite as
rich and unsubstantial. It dawned upon him then that custom had
something to do with the attire of Greek women thus upon the water.
That moment Lael glanced up at him, and he saw how childlike her face
was, and lovely despite the anxiety and fear with which it was
overcast. He became interested in her at once.
The monk's judgment of the little old man was unjust. That master of
subtlety had in mind run forward of the situation, and was already
providing for its consequences.
He shared the surprise of the Turk when the Princess raised her veil.
Overhearing then her message to the Governor, delivered in a manner
calm, self-possessed, courageous, dignified, and withal adroit, he
resolved to place Lael under her protection.
"Princess," he said, doffing his cap unmindful of the wind, and
advancing to the side of her boat, "I crave audience of you, and in
excuse for my unceremoniousness, plead community in misfortune, and a
desire to make my daughter here safe as can be."
She surveyed him from head to foot; then turned her eyes toward Lael,
sight of whom speedily exorcised the suspicion which for the instant
held her hesitant.
"I acknowledge the obligation imposed by the situation." she replied;
"and being a Christian as well as a woman, I cannot without reason
justifiable in sight of Heaven deny the help you ask. But, good sir,
first tell me your name and country."
"I am a Prince of India exercising a traveller's privilege of
sojourning in the imperial city."
"The answer is well given; and if hereafter you return to this
interview, O Prince, I beg you will not lay my inquiry to common
curiosity."
"Fear not," the Prince answered; "for I learned long ago that in the
laws prescribed for right doing prudence is a primary virtue; and
making present application of the principle, I suggest, if it please
you to continue a discourse which must be necessarily brief, that we do
so in some other tongue than Greek."
"Be it in Latin then," she said, with a quick glance at the soldiers,
and observing his bow of acquiescence, continued, "Thy reverend beard,
O Prince, and respectable appearance, are warranties of a wisdom
greater than I can ever attain; wherefore pray tell me how I, a feeble
woman, who may not be able to release herself from these robbers,
remorseless from religious prejudice, can be of assistance to thy
daughter, now my younger sister in affliction."
She accompanied the speech with a look at Lael so kind and tender it
could not be misinterpreted.
"Most fair and gentle Princess, I will straight to the matter. Out on
the water, midway this and the point yonder, when too late for me to
change direction or stay my rowers, I saw a body of horsemen, whom I
judged to be soldiers, moving hurriedly down the river bank toward the
Castle. A band richly caparisoned, carrying two flags, one green, the
other red, moved at their head. The former, you may know, has a
religious signification, and is seldom seen in the field except a
person of high rank be present. It is my opinion, therefore, that our
arrest has some reference to the arrival of such a personage. In
confirmation you may yet hear the musical flourish in his honor."
"I hear drums and trumpets," she replied, "and admit the surmise an
ingenious accounting for an act otherwise unaccountable."
"Nay, Princess, with respect to thyself at least, call it a deed
intolerable, and loud with provocation."
"From your speech, O Prince, I infer familiarity with these faithless
barbarians. Perhaps you can make your knowledge of them so far
serviceable as to tell me the great man's name."
"Yes, I have had somewhat to do with Turks; yet I cannot venture the
name, rank or purpose of the newcomer. Pursuing the argument, however,
if my conjecture be true, then the message borne the Governor, though
spirited, and most happily accordant with your high degree, will not
accomplish your release, simply because the reason of the capture in
the first place must remain a reason for detaining you in the next. In
brief, you may anticipate rejection of the protest."
"What, think you they will hold me prisoner?"
"They are crafty."
"They dare not!" and the Princess' cheek reddened with indignation. "My
kinsman is not powerless--and even the great Amurath"--
"Forgive me, I pray; but there was never mantle to cover so many crimes
as the conveniences kings call 'reasons of state.'"
She looked vaguely up the river which the tempest was covering with
promiscuous air-blown drifting; but recovering, she said: "It is for me
to pray pardon, Prince. I detain you."
"Not at all," he answered. "I have to remark next, if my conjecture
prove correct, a lady of imperial rank might find herself ill at ease
and solitary in a hold like this Castle, which, speaking by report, is
now kept to serve some design of war to come more particularly than
domestic or social life."
The imagination of the Princess caught the idea eagerly, and, becoming
active, presented a picture of a Moslem lair without women or
apartments for women. Her mind filled with alarm.
"Oh, that I could recall the message!" she exclaimed. "I should not
have tempted the Governor by offering to become his guest upon any
condition."
"Nay, do not accuse yourself. The decision was brave and excellent in
every view," he said, perceiving his purpose in such fair way. "For
see--the storm increases in strength; yonder"--he pointed toward Alem
Daghy--"the rain comes. Not by thy choice, O Princess, but the will of
God, thou art here!"
He spoke impressively, and she bent her head, and crossed herself twice.
"A sad plight truly," he continued. "Fortunately it may be in a measure
relieved. Here is my daughter, Lael by name. The years have scarcely
outrun her childhood. More at mercy than thyself, because without rank
to make the oppressor careful, or an imperial kinsman to revenge a
wrong done her, she is subject to whatever threatens you--a cell in
this infidel stronghold, ruffians for attendants, discomforts to cast
her into fever, separation from me to keep her afraid. Why not suffer
her to go with you? She can serve as tirewoman or companion. In villany
the boldest often hesitate when two are to be overcome."
The speech was effective.
"O Prince, I have not words to express my gratitude. I am thy debtor.
Heaven may have brought this crisis, but it has not altogether deserted
me--And in good time! See--my messenger, with a following! Let thy
daughter come, and sit with me now--and do thou stand by to lend me of
thy wisdom in case appeal to it become necessary. Quick! Nay, Prince,
Sergius is young and strong. Permit him to bring the child to me."
The monk made haste. Drawing the boat close to the shore, he gave Lael
his strong hand. Directly she was delivered to the Princess, and seated
beside her.
"Now they may come!"
Thus the Princess acknowledged the strength derivable from
companionship. The result was perceptible in her voice once more clear,
and her face actually sparkling with confidence and courage.
Then, drawn together in one group, the refugees awaited the officer.
"The Governor is coming," that worthy said, saluting the Princess.
Looking toward the Castle, the expectants beheld a score or more men
issuing from the gate on foot. They were all in armor, and each
complemented the buckler on his arm with a lance from which a colored
pennon blew out straight and stiff as a panel. One walked in front
singly, and immediately the Prince and Princess fixed upon him as the
Governor, and kept him in eye curiously and anxiously.
That instant rain in large drops began to fall. The Governor appeared
to notice the premonition, for looking at the angry sky he halted, and
beckoned to his followers, several of whom ran to him, received an
order, and then hastily returned to the Castle. He came on in quickened
gait.
Here the Prince, with his greater experience, noticed a point which
escaped his associates; and that was the extraordinary homage paid the
stranger.
At the landing the officer and soldiers would have prostrated
themselves, but with an imperious gesture, he declined the salutation.
The observers, it may be well believed, viewed the man afar with
interest; when near, they scanned him as persons under arraignment
study the judge, that from his appearance they may glean something of
his disposition. He was above the average height of men, slender, and
in armor--the armor of the East, adapted in every point to climate and
light service. A cope or hood, intricately woven of delicate steel
wire, and close enough to refuse an arrow or the point of a dagger,
defended head, throat, neck, and shoulders, while open at the face; a
coat, of the same artistic mail, beginning under the hood, followed
closely the contour of the body, terminating just above the knees as a
skirt. Amongst Teutonic and English knights, on account of its
comparative lightness, it would have been distinguished from an
old-fashioned hauberk, and called _haubergeon_. A sleeveless _surcoat_
of velvet, plain green in color, overlaid the mail without a crease or
wrinkle, except at the edge of the skirt. _Chausses_, or leggins, also
of steel, clothed the nether limbs, ending in shoes of thin lateral
scales sharply pointed at the toes. A slight convexity on top, and the
bright gold-gilt band by which, with regular interlacement, the cope
was attached, gave the cap surmounting the head a likeness to a crown.
In style this armor was common. The preference Eastern cavaliers showed
it may have been due in part at least to the fact that when turned out
by a master armorer, after years of painstaking, it left the wearer his
natural graces of person. Such certainly was the case here.
The further equipment of the man admits easy imagining. There were the
gauntlets of steel, articulated for the fingers and thumbs; a broad
flexible belt of burnished gold scales, intended for the cimeter, fell
from the waist diagonally to the left hip; light spurs graced the
heels; a dagger, sparkling with jewels, was his sole weapon, and it
served principally to denote the peacefulness of his errand. As there
was nothing about him to rattle or clank his steps were noiseless, and
his movements agile and easy.
These martial points were naturally of chief attraction to the Prince
of India, whose vast acquaintanceship with heroes and famous warriors
made comparison a habit. On her side, the Princess, to whom
accoutrement and manner were mere accessories, pleasing or otherwise,
and subordinate, sought the stranger's face. She saw brown eyes, not
very large, but exceedingly bright, quick, sharp, flying from object to
object with flashes of bold inquiry, and quitting them as instantly; a
round forehead on brows high-arched; a nose with the curvature of a
Roman's; mouth deep-cornered, full-lipped, and somewhat imperfectly
mustached and bearded; clear, though sunburned complexion--in brief, a
countenance haughty, handsome, refined, imperious, telling in every
line of exceptional birth, royal usages, ambition, courage, passion,
and confidence. Most amazing, however, the stranger appeared yet a
youth. Surprised, hardly knowing whether to be pleased or alarmed, yet
attracted, she kept the face in steady gaze.
Halting when a few steps from the group, the stranger looked at them as
if seeking one in especial.
"Have a care, O Princess! This is not the Governor, but he of whom I
spoke--the great man."
The warning was from the Prince of India and in Latin. As if to thank
him for a service done--possibly for identifying the person he
sought--the subject of the warning slightly bowed to him, then dropped
his eyes to the Princess. A light blown out does not vanish more
instantly than his expression changed.
Wonder--incredulity--astonishment--admiration chased each other over
his face in succession. Calling them emotions, each declared itself
with absolute distinctness, and the one last to come was most decided
and enduring. Thus he met her gaze, and so ardent, intense and
continuous was his, that she reddened cheek and forehead, and drew down
the veil; but not, it should be understood, resentfully.
The disappearance of the countenance, in effect like the sudden
extinguishment of a splendor, aroused him. Advancing a step, he said to
her, with lowered head and perceptible embarrassment:
"I come to offer hospitality to the kinswoman of the Emperor
Constantine. The storm shows no sign of abatement, and until it does,
my Castle yonder is at her order. While not sumptuous in appointment as
her own palace, fortunately there are comfortable apartments in it
where she can rest securely and with reserve. The invitation I presume
to make in the name of my most exalted master Sultan Amurath, who takes
delight in the amity existing between him and the Lord of Byzantium. To
lay all fear, to dispel hesitation, in his name again, together with
such earnest of good faith as lies in an appeal to the most holy
Prophet of God, I swear the Princess Irene shall be safe from
interruption while in the Castle, and free to depart from it at her
pleasure. If she chooses, this tender of courtesy may, by agreement,
here in the presence of these witnesses, be taken as an affair of
state. I await her answer."
The Prince of India heard the speech more astonished by the
unexceptional Latin in which it was couched than the propriety of the
matter or the grace of its delivery, though, he was constrained to
admit, both were very great. He also understood the meaning of the look
the stranger had given him at the conclusion of his warning to the
Princess, and to conceal his vexation, he turned to her.
That moment two covered chairs, brought from the Castle, were set down
near by, and the rain began to fall in earnest.
"See," said the Governor, "the evidence of my care for the comfort of
the kinswoman of the most noble Emperor Constantine. I feared it would
rain before I could present myself to her; nor that alone, fair
Princess--the chair must convict me of a wholesome dread of accusation
in Constantinople; for what worse could be said than that I, a faithful
Moslem, to whom hospitality is an ordination of religion, refused to
open my gates to women in distress because they were Christians. Most
noble and fair lady, behold how much I should esteem acceptance of my
invitation!"
Irene looked at the Prince of India, and seeing assent in his face,
answered:
"I will ask leave to report this courtesy as an affair of state that my
royal kinsman may acknowledge it becomingly."
The Governor bowed very low while saying:
"I myself should have suggested the course."
"Also that my friends"--she pointed to the Prince of India, and the
monk--"and all the boatmen, be included in the safeguard."
This was also agreed to; whereupon she arose, and for assistance
offered her hand to Sergius. Lael was next helped from the boat. Then,
taking to the chairs, the two were carried into the Castle, followed by
the Prince and the monk afoot.