Windsor Castle

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  III.

  Of the Visit of the Two Guildford Merchants to the Forester's Hut.

  Tristam Lyndwood did not return home till late in the evening; and wheninformed of the cardinal's visit, he shook his head gravely.

  "I am sorry we went to the hunting party," he observed. "ValentineHagthorne said mischief would come of it, and I wish I had attended tohis advice."

  "I see no mischief in the matter, grandsire," cried Mabel. "On thecontrary, I think I have met with excellent fortune. The good cardinalpromises me a high destiny, and says the king himself noticed me."

  "Would his regards had fallen anywhere than on you," rejoined Tristram."But I warrant me you told the cardinal your history--all you know ofit, at least."

  "I did so," she replied; "nor did I know I was doing any harm."

  "Answer no such inquiries in future," said Tristram angrily.

  "But, grandfather, I could not refuse to answer the cardinal," shereplied, in a deprecating voice.

  "No more excuses, but attend to my injunctions," said Tristram. "Haveyou seen Morgan Fenwolf to-day?"

  "No; and I care not if I never see him again," she replied pettishly.

  "You dislike him strangely, Mab," rejoined her grandfather; "he is thebest keeper in the forest, and makes no secret of his love for you."

  "The very reason why I dislike him," she returned.

  "By the same rule, if what the cardinal stated be true--though, trustme, he was but jesting--you ought to dislike the king. But get mysupper. I have need of it, for I have fasted long."

  Mabel hastened to obey, and set a mess of hot pottage and other viandsbefore him. Little more conversation passed between them, for the oldman was weary, and sought his couch early.

  That night Mabel did nothing but dream of the king--of stately chambers,rich apparel, and countless attendants. She awoke, and finding herselfin a lowly cottage, and without a single attendant, was, like otherdreamers of imaginary splendour, greatly discontented.

  The next morning her grandsire went again to Bray Wood, and she wasleft to muse upon the event of the previous day. While busied aboutsome trifling occupation, the door suddenly opened, and Morgan Fenwolfentered the cottage. He was followed by a tall man, with a countenanceof extreme paleness, but a noble and commanding figure. There wassomething so striking in the appearance of the latter person, that itriveted the attention of Mabel. But no corresponding effect was producedon the stranger, for he scarcely bestowed a look upon her.

  Morgan Fenwolf hastily asked whether her grandsire was at home, or nearat hand, and being answered in the negative, appeared much disappointed.He then said that he must borrow the skiff for a short while, as hewished to visit some nets on the lake. Mabel readily assented, andthe stranger quitted the house, while Fenwolf lingered to offer someattention to Mabel, which was so ill received that he was fain to hurryforth to the boathouse, where he embarked with his companion. As soon asthe plash of oars announced their departure, Mabel went forth to watchthem. The stranger, who was seated in the stern of the boat, for thefirst time fixed his large melancholy eyes full upon her, and did notwithdraw his gaze till an angle of the lake hid him from view.

  Marvelling who he could be, and reproaching herself for not questioningFenwolf on the subject, Mabel resolved to repair the error when theskiff was brought back. But the opportunity did not speedily occur.Hours flew by, the shades of evening drew on, but neither Fenwolf northe stranger returned.

  Soon after dusk her grandfather came home. He did not express the leastastonishment at Fenwolf's prolonged absence, but said that he was sureto be back in the course of the evening, and the skiff was not wanted.

  "He will bring us a fine jack or a carp for dinner to-morrow, I'llwarrant me," he said. "If he had returned in time we might have hadfish for supper. No matter. I must make shift with the mutton pie and arasher of bacon. Morgan did not mention the name of his companion, yousay?"

  "He did not," replied Mabel; "but I hope he will bring him with him. Heis the goodliest gentleman I ever beheld."

  "What! a goodlier gentleman than the king!" cried Tristram.

  "Nay, they should not be compared," replied Mabel: "the one is stoutand burly; the other slight, long-visaged, and pale, but handsomewithal--very handsome."

  "Well, I daresay I shall see him anon," said Tristram. "And now forsupper, for I am as sharp-set as a wolf; and so is old Hubert," headded, glancing affectionately at the hound by which he was attended.

  Mabel placed the better part of a huge pie before him, which the oldforester attacked with great zeal. He then fell to work upon some slicesof bacon toasted over the embers by his granddaughter, and having washedthem down with a jug of mead, declared he had supped famously. Whiletaking care of himself, he did not forget his hound. From time to timehe threw him morsels of the pie, and when he had done he gave him alarge platterful of bones.

  "Old Hubert has served me faithfully nigh twenty years," he said,patting the hound's shaggy neck, "and must not be neglected."

  Throwing a log of wood on the fire, he drew his chair into theingle-nook, and disposed himself to slumber. Meanwhile, Mabel busiedherself about her household concern, and was singing a lulling melody toher grandfather, in a voice of exquisite sweetness, when a loud tap washeard at the door. Tristram roused himself from his doze, and old Hubertgrowled menacingly.

  "Quiet, Hubert--quiet!" cried Tristram. "It cannot be Morgan Fenwolf,"he added. "He would never knock thus. Come in, friend, whoever thouart."

  At this invitation two persons darkened the doorway. The foremost was aman of bulky frame and burly demeanour. He was attired in a buff jerkin,over which he wore a loose great surcoat; had a flat velvet cap on hishead; and carried a stout staff in his hand. His face was broad andhandsome, though his features could scarcely be discerned in thedoubtful light to which they were submitted. A reddish-coloured beardclothed his chin. His companion, who appeared a trifle the taller of thetwo, and equally robust, was wrapped in a cloak of dark green camlet.

  "Give you good e'en, friend," said the foremost stranger to theforester. "We are belated travellers, on our way from Guildfordto Windsor, and, seeing your cottage, have called to obtain somerefreshment before we cross the great park. We do not ask you to bestowa meal upon us, but will gladly pay for the best your larder affords."

  "You shall have it, and welcome, my masters," replied Tristram, "but I amafraid my humble fare will scarcely suit you."

  "Fear nothing," replied the other; "we have good appetites, and are notover dainty. Beshrew me, friend," he added, regarding Mabel, "you have acomely daughter."

  "She is my granddaughter, sir," replied Tristram.

  "Well, your granddaughter, then," said the other; "by the mass, a lovelywench. We have none such in Guildford, and I doubt if the king hath suchin Windsor Castle. What say you, Charles Brandon?"

  "It were treason to agree with you, Harry La Roy," replied Brandon,laughing, "for they say the king visits with the halter all those whodisparage the charms of the Lady Anne Boleyn. But, comparisons apart,this damsel is very fair."

  "You will discompose her, my masters, if you praise her thus to herface," said Tristram somewhat testily. "Here, Mab, bring forth all myscanty larder affords, and put some rashers of bacon on the fire."

  "Cold meat and bread will suffice for us," said Harry: "we will nottrouble the damsel to play the cook."

  With this Mabel, who appeared a good deal embarrassed by the presence ofthe strangers, spread a cloth of snow-white linen on the little table,and placed the remains of the pie and a large oven cake before them. Thenew-comers sate down, and ate heartily of the humble viands, he who hadanswered to the name of Harry frequently stopping in the course of hisrepast to compliment his fair attendant.

  "By our Lady, I have never been so waited on before," he added, risingand removing his stool towards the fire, while his companion took up aposition, with his back against the wall, near the fireplace. "And now,my pretty Mabel, have you never a cup of al
e to wash down the pie?"

  "I can offer you a draught of right good mead, master," said Tristram;"and that is the only liquor my cottage can furnish."

  "Nothing can be better," replied Harry. "The mead, by all means."

  While Mabel went to draw the liquor, Tristram fixed his eyes on Harry,whose features were now fully revealed by the light of the fire.

  "Why do you look at me so hard, friend?" demanded Harry bluffly.

  "I have seen some one very like you, master," replied Tristram, "and onewhom it is no light honour to resemble."

  "You mean the king," returned Harry, laughing. "You are not the firstperson who has thought me like him."

  "You are vain of the likeness, I see, master," replied Tristram, joiningin the laugh. "How say you, Mab?" he added to his granddaughter, who atthat moment returned with a jug and a couple of drinking-horns. "Whomdoes this gentleman resemble?"

  "No one," returned Mabel, without raising her eyes.

  "No one," echoed Harry, chucking her under the chin. "Look me full inthe face, and you will find out your mistake. Marry, if I were the royalHenry, instead of what I am, a plain Guildford merchant, I should preferyou to Anne Boleyn."

  "Is that said in good sooth, sir?" asked Mabel, slightly raisingher eyes, and instantly dropping them before the ardent gaze of theself-styled merchant.

  "In good sooth and sober truth," replied Henry, rounding his arm andplacing his hand on his lusty thigh in true royal fashion.

  "Were you the royal Henry, I should not care for your preference," saidMabel more confidently. "My grandsire says the king changes his love asoften as the moon changes--nay, oftener."

  "God's death!--your grandsire is a false knave to say so! cried Harry.

  "Heaven help us! you swear the king's oaths," said Mabel. "And whereforenot, sweetheart?" said Harry, checking himself. "It is enough to makeone swear, and in a royal fashion too, to hear one's liege lord unjustlyaccused. I have ever heard the king styled a mirror of constancy. Howsay you, Charles Brandon?--can you not give him a good character?"

  "Oh! an excellent character," said Brandon. "He is constancyitself--while the fit lasts," he added, aside.

  "You hear what my friend says, sweetheart," observed Harry; "and Iassure you he has the best opportunities of judging. But I'll be swornyou did not believe your grand-sire when he thus maligned the king."

  "She contradicted me flatly," said Tristram. "But pour out the mead,girl; our guests are waiting for it."

  While Mabel, in compliance with her grandsire's directions, filled thehorn, the door of the cottage was noiselessly opened by Morgan Fenwolf,who stepped in, followed by Bawsey. He stared inquisitively at thestrangers, but both were so much occupied by the damsel that he remainedunnoticed. A sign from the old forester told him he had better retire:jealous curiosity, however, detained him, and he tarried till Harry hadreceived the cup from Mabel, and drained it to her health. He then drewback, closed the door softly, and joined a dark and mysterious figure,with hideous lineaments and an antlered helm upon its brows, lurkingoutside the cottage.

  Meanwhile, a cup of mead having been offered to Brandon, he observed tohis companion, "We must now be setting forth on our journey. Night isadvancing, and we have five long miles to traverse across the greatpark."

  "I would stay where I am," rejoined Harry, "and make a bench nearthe fire serve me in lieu of a couch, but that business requires ourpresence at the castle to-night. There is payment for our meal, friend,"he added, giving a mark to Tristram, "and as we shall probably returnto-morrow night, we will call and have another supper with you. Provideus a capon, and some fish from the lake."

  "You pay as you swear, good sir, royally," replied Tristram. "You shallhave a better supper to-morrow night."

  "You have a dangerous journey before you, sir," said Mabel. "They saythere are plunderers and evil spirits in the great park."

  "I have no fear of any such, sweetheart," replied Harry. "I have astrong arm to defend myself, and so has my friend Charles Brandon. Andas to evil spirits, a kiss from you will shield me from all ill."

  And as he spoke, he drew her towards him, and clasping her in his arms,imprinted a score of rapid kisses on her lips.

  "Hold! hold, master!" cried Tristram, rising angrily; "this may not be.'Tis an arrant abuse of hospitality."

  "Nay, be not offended, good friend," replied Harry, laughing. "I amon the look-out for a wife, and I know not but I may take yourgranddaughter with me to Guildford."

  "She is not to be so lightly won," cried Tristram; "for though I am buta poor forester, I rate her as highly as the haughtiest noble can ratehis child."

  "And with reason," said Harry. "Good-night, sweet-heart! By my crown,Suffolk!" he exclaimed to his companion, as he quitted the cottage, "sheis an angel, and shall be mine."

  "Not if my arm serves me truly," muttered Fenwolf, who, with hismysterious companion, had stationed himself at the window of the hut.

  "Do him no injury," returned the other; "he is only to be madecaptive-mark that. And now to apprise Sir Thomas Wyat. We must interceptthem before they reach their horses."