by Walter Scott
Chapter the Twenty-Sixth.
Why, what an intricate impeach is this! I think you all have drank of Circe's cup. If here you housed him, here he would have been; If he were mad, he would not plead so coldly. COMEDY OF ERRORS.
The course of our story, leaving for the present Halbert Glendinningto the guidance of his courage and his fortune, returns to the Towerof Glendearg, where matters in the meanwhile fell out, with which it ismost fitting that the reader should be acquainted.
The meal was prepared at noontide with all the care which Elspeth andTibb, assisted by the various accommodations which had been suppliedfrom the Monastery, could bestow on it. Their dialogue ran on asusual in the intervals of their labour, partly as between mistress andservant, partly as maintained by gossips of nearly equal quality.
"Look to the minced meat, Tibb," said Elspeth; "and turn the broacheven, thou good-for-nothing Simmie,--thy wits are harrying birds' nests,child.--Weel, Tibb, this is a fasheous job, this Sir Piercie lyingleaguer with us up here, and wha kens for how lang?"
"A fasheous job indeed," answered her faithful attendant, "and littlegood did the name ever bring to fair Scotland. Ye may have your handsfuller of them than they are yet. Mony a sair heart have the Pierciesgiven to Scots wife and bairns with their pricking on the Borders.There was Hotspur and many more of that bloody kindred, have sate in ourskirts since Malcolm's time, as Martin says!"
"Martin should keep a well-scrapit tongue in his head," said Elspeth,"and not slander the kin of any body that quarters at Glendearg; forby,that Sir Piercie Shafton is much respected with the holy fathers of thecommunity, and they will make up to us ony fasherie that we may havewith him, either by good word or good deed, I'se warrant them. He is aconsiderate lord the Lord Abbot."
"And weel he likes a saft seat to his hinder end," said Tibb; "I haveseen a belted baron sit on a bare bench, and find nae fault. But an yeare pleased, mistress, I am pleased."
"Now, in good time, here comes Mysie of the Mill.--And where hae yebeen, lass for a's gane wrang without you?" said Elspeth.
"I just gaed a blink up the burn," said Mysie, "for the young lady hasbeen down on her bed, and is no just that weel--So I gaed a gliff up theburn."
"To see the young lads come hame frae the sport, I will warrant you,"said Elspeth. "Ay, ay, Tibb, that's the way the young folk guide us,Tibbie--leave us to do the wark, and out to the play themsells."
"Ne'er a bit of that, mistress," said the Maid of the Mill, strippingher round pretty arms, and looking actively and good-humouredly roundfor some duty that she could discharge, "but just--I thought ye mightlike to ken if they were coming back, just to get the dinner forward."
"And saw ye ought of them then?" demanded Elspeth.
"Not the least tokening," said Mysie, "though I got to the head of aknowe, and though the English knight's beautiful white feather couldhave been seen over all the bushes in the Shaw."
"The knight's white feather!" said Dame Glendinning; "ye are a sillyhempie--my Halbert's high head will be seen farther than his feather,let it be as white as it like, I trow."
Mysie made no answer, but began to knead dough for wastel-cake with alldespatch, observing that Sir Piercie had partaken of that dainty, andcommended it upon the preceding day. And presently, in order to placeon the fire the _girdle_, or iron plate on which these cates were to bebaked, she displaced a stew-pan in which one of Tibb's delicacies weresubmitted to the action of the kitchen fire. Tibb muttered betwixt herteeth--"And it is the broth for my sick bairn, that maun make roomfor the dainty Southron's wastel-bread. It was a blithe time in WightWallace's day, or good King Robert's, when the pock-puddings gatnaething here but hard straiks and bloody crowns. But we will see how itwill a' end."
Elspeth did not think it proper to notice these discontented expressionsof Tibbie, but they sunk into her mind; for she was apt to considerher as a sort of authority in matters of war and policy, with whichher former experience as bower-woman at Avenel Castle made her betteracquainted than were the peaceful inhabitants of Halidome. She onlyspoke, however, to express her surprise that the hunters did not return.
"An they come not back the sooner," said Tibb, "they will fare the waur,for the meat will be roasted to a cinder--and there is poor Simmie thatcan turn the spit nae langer: the bairn is melting like an icicle inwarm water--Gang awa, bairn, and take a mouthful of the caller air, andI will turn the broach till ye come back."
"Rin up to the bartizan at the tower-head, callant," said DameGlendinning, "the air will be callerer there than ony gate else, andbring us word if our Halbert and the gentleman are coming down theglen."
The boy lingered long enough to allow his substitute, Tibb Tacket,heartily to tire of her own generosity, and of his cricket-stool by theside of a huge fire. He at length returned with the news that hehad seen nobody. The matter was not so remarkable as far as HalbertGlendinning was concerned, for, patient alike of want and of fatigue, itwas no uncommon circumstance for him to remain in the wilds till curfewtime. But nobody had given Sir Piercie Shafton credit for being so keena sportsman, and the idea of an Englishman preferring the chase to hisdinner was altogether inconsistent with their preconceptions of thenational character. Amidst wondering and conjecturing, the usualdinner-hour passed long away; and the inmates of the tower, taking ahasty meal themselves, adjourned their more solemn preparations untilthe hunters' return at night, since it seemed now certain that theirsport had either carried them to a greater distance, or engaged them fora longer time than had been expected.
About four hours after noon, arrived, not the expected sportsmen, butan unlooked for visitant, the Sub-Prior from the Monastery. The sceneof the preceding day had dwelt on the mind of Father Eustace, who wasof that keen and penetrating cast of mind which loves not to leaveunascertained whatever of mysterious is subjected to its inquiry. Hiskindness was interested in the family of Glendearg, which he had nowknown for a long time; and besides, the community was interested in thepreservation of the peace betwixt Sir Piercie Shafton and his youthfulhost, since whatever might draw public attention on the former,could not fail to be prejudicial to the Monastery, which was alreadythreatened by the hand of power. He found the family assembled, all butMary Avenel, and was informed that Halbert Glendinning had accompaniedthe stranger on a day's sport. So far was well. They had not returned;but when did youth and sport conceive themselves bound by set hours? andthe circumstance excited no alarm in his mind.
While he was conversing with Edward Glendinning touching his progressin the studies he had pointed out to him, they were startled by a shriekfrom Mary Avenel's apartment, which drew the whole family thither inheadlong haste. They found her in a swoon in the arms of old Martin, whowas bitterly accusing himself of having killed her; so indeed it seemed,for her pale features and closed eyes argued rather a dead corpse than aliving person. The whole family were instantly in tumult. Snatching herfrom Martin's arms with the eagerness of affectionate terror, Edwardbore her to the casement, that she might receive the influence of theopen air; the Sub-Prior, who, like many of his profession, had someknowledge of medicine, hastened to prescribe the readiest remedies whichoccurred to him, and the terrified females contended with, and impededeach other, in their rival efforts to be useful.
"It has been ane of her weary ghaists," said Dame Glendinning.
"It's just a trembling on her spirits, as her blessed mother used tohave," said Tibb.
"It's some ill news has come ower her," said the miller's maiden;while burnt feathers, cold water, and all the usual means of restoringsuspended animation, were employed alternately, and with little effect.
At length a new assistant, who had joined the group unobserved, tenderedhis aid in the following terms:--"How is this, my most fair Discretion?What cause hath moved the ruby current of life to rush back to thecitadel of the heart, leaving pale those features in which itshould have delighted to meander for ever?--Let me approach her," hesaid,"--with this sovereign ess
ence, distilled by the fair hands of thedivine Urania, and powerful to recall fugitive life, even if it weretrembling on the verge of departure."
Thus speaking, Sir Piercie Shafton knelt down, and most gracefullypresented to the nostrils of Mary Avenel a silver pouncet-box,exquisitely chased, containing a sponge dipt in the essence which herecommmended so highly. Yes, gentle reader, it was Sir Piercie Shaftonhimself who thus unexpectedly proffered his good offices! his cheeks,indeed, very pale, and some part of his dress stained with blood, butnot otherwise appearing different from what he was on the precedingevening. But no sooner had Mary Avenel opened her eyes, and fixed themon the figure of the officious courtier, than she screamed faintly, andexclaimed,--"Secure the murderer!"
Those present stood aghast with astonishment, and none more so than theEuphuist, who found himself so suddenly and so strangely accused bythe patient whom he was endeavouring to succour, and who repelled hisattempts to yield her assistance with all the energy of abhorrence."Take him away!" she exclaimed--"take away the murderer!"
"Now, by my knighthood," answered Sir Piercie, "your lovely facultieseither of mind or body are, O my most fair Discretion, obnubilated bysome strange hallucination. For either your eyes do not discern that itis Piercie Shafton, your most devoted Affability, who now standsbefore you, or else, your eyes discerning truly, your mind hath mosterroneously concluded that he hath been guilty of some delict orviolence to which his hand is a stranger. No murder, O most scornfulDiscretion, hath been this day done, saving but that which your angryglances are now performing on your most devoted captive."
He was here interrupted by the Sub-Prior, who had, in the meantime, beenspeaking with Martin apart, and had received from him an account of thecircumstances, which, suddenly communicated to Mary Avenel, had thrownher into this state. "Sir Knight," said the Sub-Prior, in a very solemntone, yet with some hesitation, "circumstances have been communicatedto us of a nature so extraordinary, that, reluctant as I am to exercisesuch authority over a guest of our venerable community, I am constrainedto request from you an explanation of them. You left this tower early inthe morning, accompanied by a youth, Halbert Glendinning, the eldest sonof this good dame, and you return hither without him. Where, and at whathour, did you part company from him?"
The English knight paused for a moment, and then replied,--"I marvelthat your reverence employs so grave a tone to enforce so light aquestion. I parted with the villagio whom you call Halbert Glendinningsome hour or twain after sunrise."
"And at what place, I pray you?" said the monk.
"In a deep ravine, where a fountain rises at the base of a huge rock; anearth-born Titan, which heaveth up its gray head, even as--"
"Spare us farther description," said the Sub-Prior; "we know the spot.But that youth hath not since been heard of, and it will fall on you toaccount for him."
"My bairn! my bairn!" exclaimed Dame Glendinning. "Yes, holy father,make the villain account for my bairn!"
"I swear, good woman, by bread and by water,--which are the props of ourlife--"
"Swear by wine and wastel-bread, for these are the props of _thy_ life,thou greedy Southron!" said Dame Glendinning;--"a base belly-god, tocome here to eat the best, and practise on our lives that give it tohim!"
"I tell thee, woman," said Sir Piercie Shafton, "I did but go with thyson to the hunting."
"A black hunting it has been to him, poor bairn," replied Tibb; "and saeI said it wad prove since I first saw the false Southron snout of thee.Little good comes of a Piercie's hunting, from Chevy Chase till now."
"Be silent, woman," said the Sub-Prior, "and rail not upon the Englishknight; we do not yet know of any thing beyond suspicion."
"We will have his heart's blood!" said Dame Glendinning; and, secondedby the faithful Tibbie, she made such a sudden onslaught on the unluckyEuphuist, as must have terminated in something serious, had not themonk, aided by Mysie Happer, interposed to protect him from their fury.Edward had left the apartment the instant the disturbance broke out,and now entered, sword in hand, followed by Martin and Jasper, the onehaving a hunting spear in his hand, the other a cross-bow.
"Keep the door," he said to his two attendants; "shoot him or stab himwithout mercy, should he attempt to break forth; if he offers an escape,by Heaven he shall die!"
"How now, Edward," said the Sub-Prior; "how is this that you so farforget yourself? meditating violence to a guest, and in my presence, whorepresent your liege lord?"
Edward stepped forward with his drawn sword in his hand. "Pardon me,reverend father," he said, "but in this matter the voice of naturespeaks louder and stronger than yours. I turn my sword's point againstthis proud man, and I demand of him the blood of my brother--the bloodof my father's son--of the heir of our name! If he denies to give me atrue account of him, he shall not deny me vengeance."
Embarrassed as he was, Sir Piercie Shafton showed no personal fear. "Putup thy sword," he said, "young man; not in the same day does PiercieShafton contend with two peasants."
"Hear him! he confesses the deed, holy father," said Edward.
"Be patient, my son," said the Sub-Prior, endeavouring to soothe thefeelings which he could not otherwise control, "be patient--thou wiltattain the ends of justice better through my means than thine ownviolence--And you, women, be silent--Tibb, remove your mistress and MaryAvenel."
While Tibb, with the assistance of the other females of the household,bore the poor mother and Mary Avenel into separate apartments, and whileEdward, still keeping his sword in his hand, hastily traversed the room,as if to prevent the possibility of Sir Piercie Shafton's escape,the Sub-Prior insisted upon knowing from the perplexed knight theparticulars which he knew respecting Halbert Glendinning. His situationbecame extremely embarrassing, for what he might with safety have toldof the issue of their combat was so revolting to his pride, that hecould not bring himself to enter into the detail; and of Halbert'sactual fate he knew, as the reader is well aware, absolutely nothing.
The father in the meanwhile pressed him with remonstrances, and prayedhim to observe, he would greatly prejudice himself by declining to givea full account of the transactions of the day. "You cannot deny," hesaid, "that yesterday you seemed to take the most violent offence atthis unfortunate youth; and that you suppressed your resentment sosuddenly as to impress us all with surprise. Last night you proposed tohim this day's hunting party, and you set out together by break of day.You parted, you said, at the fountain near the rock, about an hour ortwain after sunrise, and it appears that before you parted you had beenat strife together."
"I said not so," replied the knight. "Here is a coil indeed about theabsence of a rustical bondsman, who, I dare say, hath gone off (if he begone) to join the next rascally band of freebooters! Ye ask me, a knightof the Piercie's lineage, to account for such an insignificant fugitive,and I answer,--let me know the price of his head, and I will pay it toyour convent treasurer."
"You admit, then, that you have slain my brother?" said Edward,interfering once more; "I will presently show you at what price we Scotsrate the lives of our friends."
"Peace, Edward, peace--I entreat--I command thee," said the Sub-Prior."And you, Sir Knight, think better of us than to suppose you may spendScottish blood, and reckon for it as for wine spilt in a drunken revel.This youth was no bondsman--thou well knowest, that in thine own landthou hadst not dared to lift thy sword against the meanest subject ofEngland, but her laws would have called thee to answer for the deed. Donot hope it will be otherwise here, for you will but deceive yourself."
"You drive me beyond my patience," said the Euphuist, "even as theover-driven ox is urged into madness!--What can I tell you of a youngfellow whom I have not seen since the second hour after sunrise?"
"But can you explain in what circumstances you parted with him?" saidthe monk.
"What _are_ the circumstances, in the devil's name, which you desireshould be explained?--for although I protest against this constraint asalike unworthy and inhospitable, yet would
I willingly end this fray,provided that by words it may be ended," said the knight.
"If these end it not," said Edward, "blows shall, and that fullspeedily."
"Peace, impatient boy!" said the Sub-Prior; "and do you, Sir PiercieShafton, acquaint me why the ground is bloody by the verge of thefountain in Corri-nan-shian, where, as you say yourself, you parted fromHalbert Glendinning?"
Resolute not to avow his defeat if possibly he could avoid it, theknight answered in a haughty tone, that he supposed it was no unusualthing to find the turf bloody where hunters had slain a deer.
"And did you bury your game as well as kill it?" said the monk. "We mustknow from you who is the tenant of that grave, that newly-made grave,beside the very fountain whose margin is so deeply crimsoned withblood?--thou seest thou canst not evade me; therefore be ingenuous, andtell us the fate of this unhappy youth, whose body is doubtless lyingunder that bloody turf."
"If it be," said Sir Piercie, "they must have buried him alive; for Iswear to thee, reverend father, that this rustic juvenal parted from mein perfect health. Let the grave be searched, and if his body be found,then deal with me as ye list."
"It is not my sphere to determine thy fate, Sir Knight, but that of theLord Abbot, and the right reverend Chapter. It is but my duty to collectsuch information as may best possess their wisdom with the matters whichhave chanced."
"Might I presume so far, reverend father," said the knight, "I shouldwish to know the author and evidence of all these suspicions, sounfoundedly urged against me?"
"It is soon told," said the Sub-Prior; "nor do I wish to disguise it, ifit can avail you in your defence. This maiden, Mary Avenel, apprehendingthat you nourished malice against her foster-brother under a friendlybrow, did advisedly send up the old man, Martin Tacket, to follow yourfootsteps and to prevent mischief. But it seems that your evil passionshad outrun precaution: for when he came to the spot, guided by yourfootsteps upon the dew, he found but the bloody turf and the new coveredgrave; and after long and vain search through the wilds after Halbertand yourself, he brought back the sorrowful news to her who had senthim."
"Saw he not my doublet, I pray you?" said Sir Piercie; "for when I cameto myself, I found that I was wrapped in my cloak, but without my undergarment as your reverence may observe."
So saying, he opened his cloak, forgetting, with his characteristicalinconsistency, that he showed his shirt stained with blood.
"How! cruel man," said the monk, when he observed this confirmation ofhis suspicions; "wilt thou deny the guilt, even while thou bearest onthy person the blood thou hast shed?--Wilt thou longer deny that thyrash hand has robbed a mother of a son, our community of a vassal, theQueen of Scotland of a liege subject? and what canst thou expect, butthat, at the least, we deliver thee up to England, as undeserving ourfarther protection?"
"By the Saints!" said the knight, now driven to extremity, "if thisblood be the witness against me, it is but rebel blood, since thismorning at sunrise it flowed within my own veins."
"How were that possible, Sir Piercie Shafton," said the monk, "since Isee no wound from whence it can have flowed?"
"That," said the knight, "is the most mysterious part of thetransaction--See here!"
So saying, he undid his shirt collar, and, opening his bosom, showed thespot through--which Halbert's sword had passed, but already cicatrized,and bearing the appearance of a wound lately healed.
"This exhausts my patience, Sir Knight," said the Sub-Prior, "and isadding insult to violence and injury. Do you hold me for a child or anidiot, that you pretend to make me believe that the fresh blood withwhich your shirt is stained, flowed from a wound which has been healedfor weeks or months? Unhappy mocker, thinkest thou thus to blind us? Toowell do we know that it is the blood of your victim, wrestling with youin the desperate and mortal struggle, which has thus dyed your apparel."
The knight, after a moment's recollection, said in reply, "I will beopen with you, my father--bid these men stand out of ear-shot, and Iwill tell you all I know of this mysterious business; and muse not, goodfather, though it may pass thy wit to expound it, for I avouch to you itis too dark for mine own."
The monk commanded Edward and the two men to withdraw, assuring theformer that his conference with the prisoner should be brief, and givinghim permission to keep watch at the door of the apartment; without whichallowance he might, perhaps, have had some difficulty in procuringhis absence. Edward had no sooner left the chamber, than he despatchedmessengers to one or two families of the Halidome, with whose sonshis brother and he sometimes associated, to tell them that HalbertGlendinning had been murdered by an Englishman, and to require them torepair to the Tower of Glendearg without delay. The duty of revenge insuch cases was held so sacred, that he had no reason to doubt they wouldinstantly come with such assistance as would ensure the detention of theprisoner. He then locked the doors of the tower, both inner and outer,and also the gate of the court-yard. Having taken these precautions, hemade a hasty visit to the females of the family, exhausting himselfin efforts to console them, and in protestations that he would havevengeance for his murdered brother.
