How to extricate himself from the dilemma in which he was placed, Lord
Roos scarcely knew. But he had a good deal of self-possession, and it
did not desert him on the present trying occasion. After such
consideration as circumstances permitted, he could discern only one
chance of escape, and though well-nigh hopeless, he resolved to adopt
it. If consummate audacity could carry him through--and it was required
in the present emergency--he had no lack of it.
Hitherto, not a word had passed between him and the intruders on his
privacy. Lady Lake seemed to enjoy his confusion too much to do anything
to relieve it, and his wife was obliged to regulate her movements by
those of her mother. Without breaking the silence, which by this time
had become painfully oppressive, he proceeded to deposit the still
inanimate person of the Countess of Exeter upon a couch, and, casting a
handkerchief, as if undesignedly, over her face, he marched quickly up
to the spot where Diego was standing, and said to him, in a deep,
determined tone, but so low as not to be overheard by the others:
"You have betrayed me, villain; and unless you obey me unhesitatingly,
and corroborate all my assertions, however startling they may appear,
you shall pay for your treachery with your life."
This done, he turned towards the two ladies, and with more calmness than
might have been expected, addressed himself to Lady Lake:
"You imagine you have made an important discovery, Madam," he said; "a
discovery which will place me and a noble lady, whose reputation you and
your daughter seek to injure, in great perplexity. And you conclude
that, being completely (as you fancy) in your power, I shall consent to
any terms you and Lady Roos may propose, rather than suffer you to go
forth from this chamber and reveal what you have seen in it. Is it not
so, Madam?"
"Ay, my lord," Lady Lake replied, bitterly. "You have stated the matter
correctly enough, except in one particular. We do not _imagine_ we have
made a discovery; because we are quite sure of it. We do not _fancy_ you
will agree to our terms; because we are certain you will only too gladly
screen yourself and the partner of your guilt from exposure and
disgrace, at any sacrifice. And allow me to observe, that the tone
adopted by your lordship is neither befitting the circumstances in which
you are placed, nor the presence in which you stand. Some sense of shame
must at least be left you--some show of respect (if nothing more) ought
to be observed towards your injured wife. Were I acting alone in this
matter, I would show you and my lady of Exeter no consideration
whatever; but I cannot resist the pleadings of my daughter; and for her
sake--and _hers_ alone--I am content to suspend the blow, unless forced
to strike; in which case, nothing shall stay my hands."
"I thank your ladyship for your clemency," said Lord Roos, with mock
humility.
"O, my dear lord! do not for ever close the door between us!" cried Lady
Roos. "Return to me, and all shall be forgiven."
"Peace, Elizabeth!" exclaimed Lady Lake, impatiently. "Know you not,
from sad experience, that your husband is inaccessible to all gentle
entreaty? His heart is steeled to pity. Solicit not that which is your
right, and which must be conceded, whether he like or not. Let him bend
the knee to you. Let him promise amendment, and implore pardon, and it
will then be for you to consider whether you will extend forgiveness to
him."
Lady Roos looked as if she would fain interrupt her mother, but she was
too much under her subjection to offer a remark.
"It is time to undeceive you, Madam," said Lord Roos, wholly unmoved by
what was said. "I am not in the strait you suppose; and have not the
slightest intention of soliciting Lady Roos's pardon, or making any
promise to her."
"O mother! you see that even _you_ fail to move him," said Lady Roos,
tearfully. "What is to happen to me?"
"You will make me chide you, daughter, if you exhibit this weakness,"
cried Lady Lake, angrily. "Let me deal with him. In spite of your
affected confidence, my lord, you cannot be blind to the position in
which you stand. And though you yourself personally may be careless of
the consequences of a refusal of our demands, you cannot, I conceive, be
equally indifferent to the fate of the Countess of Exeter, which that
refusal will decide."
"I am so little indifferent to the safety of the Countess, Madam, that I
cannot sufficiently rejoice that she is out of the reach of your
malice."
"How, my lord!" exclaimed Lady Lake, astounded at his assurance. "Out of
reach, when she is here! You cannot mean," she added, with an
undefinable expression of satisfaction, "that she is dead?"
"Dead!" ejaculated Lady Roos; "the Countess dead! I thought she was only
in a swoon."
"What riddle is it you would have us read, my lord?" demanded Lady Lake.
"No riddle whatever, Madam," replied Lord Roos. "I only mean to assert
that the person you behold upon that couch is not the Countess of
Exeter."
"Not the Countess!" exclaimed Lady Roos. "Oh, if this were possible!
But no, no! I cannot be deceived."
"I now see the reason why her face has been covered with a 'kerchief,"
cried Lady Lake. "But it shall not save her from our scrutiny."
So saying, she advanced towards the couch, with the intention of
removing the covering, when Lord Roos barred her approach.
"Not a step nearer, Madam," he cried, in a peremptory tone. "I will not
allow you to gratify your curiosity further. You and Lady Roos may make
the most of what you have seen; and proclaim abroad any tale your
imaginations may devise forth. You will only render yourselves
ridiculous, and encounter derision in lieu of sympathy. No one will
credit your assertions, because I shall be able to prove that, at this
moment, Lady Exeter is in a different part of the palace."
"This bold falsehood will not serve your turn, my lord. Whoever she may
be, the person on that couch shall be seized, and we shall then
ascertain the truth."
And she would have moved towards the door, if Lord Roos had not caught
hold of her arm, while at the same time he drew his sword. Thinking from
his fierce looks and menacing gestures that her mother might be
sacrificed to his fury, Lady Roos fell on her knees before him,
imploring pity; and she continued in this supplicating posture till Lady
Lake angrily bade her rise.
"You have come here without my permission, Madam," Lord Roos cried
furiously to his mother-in-law, "and you shall not depart until I
choose. Secure the door, Diego, and bring me the key. It is well," he
continued, as the injunction was obeyed.
Lady Lake submitted without resistance to the constraint imposed upon
her. She could not well do otherwise; for though her screams would have
brought aid, it might have arrived too late. And, after all, she did not
intend to settle matters in this way. But she betrayed no symptoms of
fear, and, as we have stated, ordered her daughter to discontinue her
supplications.
"And now, Madam," said Lord Roos, releasing Lady Lake, as he took the
key from Diego, "I will tell you who that person is," pointing to the
couch.
"Add not to the number of falsehoods you have already told, my lord,"
rejoined Lady Lake, contemptuously. "I am perfectly aware who she is."
"But I would fain hear his explanation, mother," said Lady Roos.
"What explanation can be offered?" cried Lady Lake. "Do you doubt the
evidence of your senses?"
"I know not what I doubt, or what I believe," exclaimed Lady Roos
distractedly.
"Then believe what I tell you, Bess," said her husband. "This is the
countess's handmaiden, Gillian Greenford."
"An impudent lie!" cried Lady Lake.
"A truth, my lady," interposed Diego. "A truth to which I am ready to
swear."
"No doubt of it, thou false knave, and double traitor! thou art worthy
of thy lord. There is no lie, however absurd and improbable, which he
can invent, that thou wilt not support. Thou art ready now to perjure
thyself for him; but let him place little reliance on thee, for thou
wilt do the same thing for us to-morrow."
"I scarcely think it probable, my lady," Diego replied, bowing.
Lady Lake turned from him in supreme disgust.
"Admitting for a moment the possibility of your lordship's assertion
being correct," said Lady Roos, "how comes Gillian Greenford (for so
methinks you name her) in her mistress's attire?"
"'T is easily explained, chuck," Lord Roos rejoined. "Anxious, no doubt,
to set herself off to advantage, she hath made free with the countess's
wardrobe. Your own favourite attendant, Sarah Swarton, hath often
arranged herself in your finest fardingales, kirtlets, and busk-points,
as Diego will tell you. Is it not so, rascal?"
"'T is precisely as my lord hath stated, my lady," said the Spaniard to
Lady Roos. "When Sarah Swarton hath been so habited, I have more than
once mistaken her for your ladyship."
"Yet Sarah is very unlike me," said Lady Roos.
"That only shows how deceptive appearances are, chuck, and how little we
ought to trust to them," observed Lord Roos.
"How can you suffer yourself to be thus duped, Elizabeth?" said Lady
Lake.
"Because her ladyship would rather believe me than you, Madam," rejoined
Lord Roos. "But she is _not_ duped."
"Heaven forgive him!" exclaimed Diego, aside.
"And supposing it were Gillian, how would the case be mended, as far as
you are concerned, Elizabeth?" said Lady Lake. "Are you not as much
injured by one as by the other?"
"It may be," replied her daughter, "but I am jealous only of the
Countess. I would kneel to any other woman, and thank her, who would
tear my husband from her embraces!"
"Weak fool! I disown you," exclaimed Lady Lake, angrily.
"What a wife!" cried Diego, apart. "His lordship is quite unworthy of
her. Now I should appreciate such devotion."
At this juncture there was a slight movement on the part of Lady
Exeter, and something like a sigh escaped her.
"She revives!" whispered Lady Lake to her daughter. "We shall soon learn
the truth. I will find a means to make her speak. Well, my lord," she
added aloud, and speaking in a sarcastic tone, "if you will have it so,
it is idle to dispute it. But what will the Countess say, when she
discovers your infidelity?"
On this a brisker movement took place on the couch, and a hand was
raised as if to snatch away the 'kerchief.
"We have her," whispered Lady Lake triumphantly to her daughter.
"Surely," she proceeded aloud, "the Countess will deeply resent the
transfer of your affections to her handmaiden."
Lord Roos saw the peril in which he stood. A moment more and Lady Lake
had gained her point, and the Countess betrayed herself.
"Lady Exeter will place little reliance on any representations you may
make, Madam," he said, giving particular significance to his words,
"except so far as they concern herself, and then she will take care to
refute them. As to the circumstance of Gillian Greenford visiting me,
fainting in my arms (from excess of timidity, poor girl!) and being
discovered by you and Lady Roos in that position, the Countess will
laugh at it when it comes to her knowledge--as why should she do
otherwise? But she will feel very differently when she finds that you
and your daughter insist that it was she herself, and not her
handmaiden, whom you beheld. Rely on it, Madam, Lady Exeter will
contradict that assertion, and disprove it."
"Let it be disproved now. Let the person on that couch disclose her
features, and we shall then see whether she be the Countess or Gillian."
"Ay, let her do that, my lord,--let her speak to us," urged Lady Roos.
"Diablo! how is this request to be complied with, I marvel?" said Diego
apart.
But Lord Roos was too experienced a player to be defeated by this turn
in the game.
"Gillian has already been sufficiently annoyed," he cried; "and shall
not submit to this ordeal. Besides, she has relapsed into insensibility,
as you see."
"She does what your lordship wills her, it is clear," said Lady Lake,
contemptuously. "We know what construction to put upon your refusal."
"I care not what construction you put upon it," cried Lord Roos, losing
patience. "You and Lady Roos may think what you please, and act as you
please. Enough for me, you can prove nothing."
"Why, this is more like yourself, my lord," retorted Lady Lake,
derisively. "Having thrown aside the mask, you will be spared the
necessity of further subterfuge. The Countess, doubtless, will imitate
your example, lay aside her feigned insensibility, and defy us. She need
be under no apprehension; since she has your own warrant that we can
prove nothing."
"Your purpose, I perceive, is to irritate me, Madam," cried Lord Roos,
fiercely; "and so far you are likely to succeed, though you fail in all
else. I have no mask to throw off; but if you will have me declare
myself your enemy, I am ready to do so. Henceforth, let there be no
terms kept between us--let it be open warfare."
"Be it so, my lord. And you will soon find who will be worsted in the
struggle."
"Oh, do not proceed to these fearful extremities, dear mother, and
dearest husband!" cried Lady Roos, turning from one to the other
imploringly. "Cease these provocations, I pray of you. Be friends, and
not enemies."
"As you please--peace or war; it is the same to me," said Lord Roos.
"Meantime, I am wearied of this scene, and must put an end to it.
Diego!" And beckoning his servant to him, he whispered some directions
in his ear.
"My lord shall be obeyed," said Diego, as he received his commission.
"Gillian shall be conveyed with all care to her chamber."
"We must have some proof that she has been here," thought Lady Lake.
But how to obtain it? I have it. "Take these," she added in a whisper to
her daughter, and giving a pair of scissors; "and contrive, if possible,
to sever a lock of her hair before she be removed."
By a look Lady Roos promised compliance.
While this was passing, Diego had approached the couch; and fastening
the kerchief securely round the Countess's face, he raised her in his
arms, and moved towards the secret staircase, the tapestried covering of
which was held aside by Lord Roos to give him passage.
Rapidly as the Spaniard moved, he did not outstrip Lady Roos, whose
design being favoured by the escape from its confinement of one of the
Countess's long dark tresses, she had no difficulty of possessing,
herself of it in the manner prescribed by her mother. Lady Exeter was
aware of the loss she had sustained, and uttered a stifled cry; but this
was attributed to the fright natural to the occasion by Lord Roos, who
had not noticed what had taken place, and only caused him to hurry
Diego's departure. But before the latter had wholly disappeared with his
burthen, the perfumed and silken tress of hair was delivered to Lady
Lake, who muttered triumphantly as she received it--"This will convict
her. She cannot escape us now."
The prize was scarcely concealed when Lord Roos, sheathing the sword
which he had hitherto held drawn, advanced towards his mother-in-law.
"Now that the object of your disquietude is removed, Madam, it will not
be necessary to prolong this interview," he said.
"Have we then your lordship's permission to depart?" rejoined Lady Lake,
coldly. "We are not, I presume, to avail ourselves of the private means
of exit contrived for your amorous adventures, lest we should make other
discoveries."
"Your ladyship will leave by the way you entered," rejoined Lord Roos.
"I will attend you to the door--and unfasten it for you."
"Before we go, I would have a word with my husband--it may be my last,"
said Lady Roos to her mother. "I pray you withdraw a little, that we may
be alone."
"Better not," rejoined Lady Lake. But unable to resist her daughter's
imploring looks, she added, "Well, as you will. But it is useless."
With this she proceeded to the little passage, and remained there.
As Lady Roos turned to her husband, she saw, from the stern and
inflexible look he had assumed, that any appeal made to him would be
unavailing, and she attempted none. A moment elapsed before she could
utter a word, and then it was only a murmur to heaven for guidance and
support.
"What say you, Elizabeth?" demanded Lord Roos, thinking she had
addressed him.
"I asked for support from on High, William, and it has been accorded to
me," she replied in a low sweet voice. "I can now speak to you. It is
not to weary you with supplications or reproaches that I thus detain
you. I have something to impart to you, and I am sure you will eagerly
listen to it. Come nearer, that we may not be overheard."
Lord Roos, whose curiosity was aroused by her manner, obeyed her.
"I am all attention," he said.
"I feel I am in your way, William," she rejoined, in a deep whisper;
"and that you desire my death. Nay, interrupt me not; I am sure you
desire it; and I am equally sure that the desire will be gratified, and
that you will kill me."
"Kill you, Bess!" cried Lord Roos, startled. "How can you imagine aught
so frightful?"
"There is a power granted to those who love deeply as I do, of seeing
into the hearts of those they love, and reading their secrets. I have
read yours, William. Nay, be not alarmed. I have kept it to myself
hitherto, and will keep it to the end. You wish me dead, I say; and you
shall have your wish--but not in the way you propose. Having lost your
love, I am become indifferent to life--or, rather, life is grown
intolerable to me. But though death may be a release, it must not come
from your hand."
"You cannot mean to destroy yourself, Elizabeth?" cried Lord Roos,
appalled.
"I mean to trouble you no longer. I mean to make the last and greatest
sacrifice I can for you; and to save you from a crime--or, if you must
share the crime, at least to screen you from punishment. Look, here!"
she added, producing a small phial. "Bid me drink of this, and ere
to-morrow you are free, and I am at rest. Shall I do it?"
"No--no," rejoined Lord Roos, snatching the phial from her. "Live, Bess,
live!"
"Am I to live for you, William?" she cried, with inexpressible joy.
He made no answer, but averted his head.
"In mercy give me back the phial," she exclaimed, again plunged into the
depths of despair.
"I must refuse your request," he replied.
"Have you done, Elizabeth?" demanded Lady Lake, coming forth from the
passage.
"A moment more, mother," cried Lady Roos. "One word--one look!" she
added to her husband.
But he neither spoke to her, nor regarded her.
"I am ready to accompany you now, mother," said the poor lady faintly.
"Nerve yourself, weak-hearted girl," said Lady Lake, in a low tone.
"Revenge is ours."
"If I could only strike her without injuring him, I should not heed,"
thought Lady Roos. "But where he suffers, I must also suffer, and yet
more acutely."
And scarcely able to support herself, she followed her mother to the
door of the ante-chamber, which was unlocked, and thrown open for them
by her husband. He did not bid her farewell!
As Lady Lake passed forth, she paused for a moment, and said--
"To-morrow, my Lord, we will ascertain whether the tress of hair we have
obtained from the fair visitant to your chamber, matches with that of
Gillian Greenford or with the raven locks of the Countess of Exeter."
And satisfied with the effect produced by this menace, she departed with
her daughter, before Lord Roos could utter a reply.