The Last of the Barons — Complete
Page 58
CHAPTER IV. THE FOSTER-BROTHERS.
Sir Marmaduke Nevile was sunning his bravery in the Tower Green, amidstthe other idlers of the court, proud of the gold chain and the goldspurs which attested his new rank, and not grieved to have exchanged thesolemn walls of Middleham for the gay delights of the voluptuous palace,when to his pleasure and surprise, he perceived his foster-brother enterthe gateway; and no sooner had Nicholas entered, than a bevy of theyounger courtiers hastened eagerly towards him.
"Gramercy!" quoth Sir Marmaduke, to one of the bystanders, "what hathchanced to make Nick Alwyn a man of such note, that so many wingsof satin and pile should flutter round him like sparrows round anowl?--which, by the Holy Rood, his wise face somewhat resembleth."
"Know you not that Master Alwyn, since he hath commenced trade forhimself, hath acquired already the repute of the couthliest goldsmithin London? No dague-hilts, no buckles are to be worn, save those that hefashions; and--an he live, and the House of York prosper--verily, MasterAlwyn the goldsmith will ere long be the richest and best man fromMile-end to the Sanctuary."
"Right glad am I to hear it," said honest Marmaduke, heartily; andapproaching Alwyn, he startled the precise trader by a friendly slap onthe shoulder.
"What, man, art thou too proud to remember Marmaduke Nevile? Come to mylodgment yonder, and talk of old days over the king's canary."
"I crave your pardon, dear Master Nevile."
"Master--avaunt! Sir Marmaduke,--knighted by the hand of LordWarwick,--Sir Marmaduke Nevile, lord of a manor he hath never yet seen,sober Alwyn."
Then drawing his foster-brother's arm in his, Marmaduke led him to thechamber in which he lodged.
The young men spent some minutes in congratulating each other on theirrespective advances in life: the gentleman who had attained competenceand station simply by devotion to a powerful patron, the trader who hadalready won repute and the prospect of wealth by ingenuity, application,and toil; and yet, to do justice, as much virtue went to Marmaduke'sloyalty to Warwick as to Alwyn's capacities for making a fortune. Mutualcompliments over, Alwyn said hesitatingly,--
"And dost thou find Mistress Sibyll more gently disposed to thee thanwhen thou didst complain to me of her cruelty?"
"Marry, good Nicholas, I will be frank with thee. When I left the courtto follow Lord Warwick, there were rumours of the gallantries of LordHastings to the girl, which grieved me to the heart. I spoke to herthereof bluntly and honourably, and got but high looks and scornfulwords in return. Good fellow, I thank thee for that squeeze of the handand that doleful sigh. In my absence at Middleham, I strove hard toforget one who cared so little for me. My dear Alwyn, those Yorkshirelasses are parlously comely, and mighty douce and debonaire. So Istormed cruel Sibyll out of my heart perforce of numbers."
"And thou lovest her no more?"
"Not I, by this goblet! On coming back, it is true, I felt pleasedto clank my gold spurs in her presence, and curious to see if my newfortunes would bring out a smile of approval; and verily, to speaksooth, the donzell was kind and friendly, and spoke to me so cheerly ofthe pleasure she felt in my advancement, that I adventured again a fewwords of the old folly. But my lassie drew up like a princess, and I ama cured man."
"By your troth?"
"By my troth!"
Alwyn's head sank on his bosom in silent thought. Sir Marmaduke emptiedhis goblet; and really the young knight looked so fair and so gallant,in his new surcoat of velvet, that it was no marvel if he should findenough food for consolation in a court where men spent six hours a dayin making love,--nor in vain.
"And what say they still of the Lord Hastings?" asked Alwyn, breakingsilence. "Nothing, I trow and trust, that arraigns the poor lady'shonour, though much that may scoff at her simple faith in a nature sovain and fickle. 'The tongue's not steel, yet it cuts,' as the proverbsaith of the slanderer."
"No! scandal spares her virtue as woman, to run down her cunningas witch! They say that Hastings hath not prevailed, nor sought toprevail,--that he is spell-bound. By Saint Thomas, from a maid of suchcharacter Marmaduke Nevile is happily rescued!"
"Sir Marmaduke," then said Alwyn, in a grave and earnest voice, "itbehooves me, as true friend, though humble, and as honest man, to givethee my secret, in return for thine own. I love this girl. Ay, ay! thouthinkest that love is a strange word on a craftsman's lips, but 'coldflint hides hot fire.' I would not have been thy rival, Heaven forefend!hadst thou still cherished a hope, or if thou now wilt forbid myaspiring; but if thou wilt not say me nay, I will try my chance indelivering a pure soul from a crafty wooer."
Marmaduke stared in great surprise at his foster-brother; and though, nodoubt, he spoke truth when he said he was cured of his love for Sibyll,he yet felt a sort of jealousy at Alwyn's unexpected confession, andhis vanity was hurt at the notion that the plain-visaged trader shouldattempt where the handsome gentleman had failed.--However, his blunt,generous, manly nature after a brief struggle got the better of thesesore feelings; and holding out his hand to Alwyn, he said, "My dearfoster-brother, try the hazard and cast thy dice, if thou wilt. Heavenprosper thee, if success be for thine own good! But if she be given towitchcraft (plague on thee, man, sneer not at the word), small comfortto bed and hearth can such practices bring!"
"Alas!" said Alwyn, "the witchcraft is on the side of Hastings,--thewitchcraft of fame and rank, and a glozing tongue and experienced art.But she shall not fall, if a true arm can save her; and 'though Hope bea small child; she can carry a great anchor.'"
These words were said so earnestly, that they opened new light intoMarmaduke's mind; and his native generosity standing in lieu ofintellect, he comprehended sympathetically the noble motives whichactuated the son of commerce.
"My poor Alwyn," he said, "if thou canst save this young maid,--whomby my troth I loved well, and who tells me yet that she loveth me as asister loves,--right glad shall I be. But thou stakest thy peace of mindagainst hers! Fair luck to thee, say I again,--and if thou wilt risk thychance at once (for suspense is love's purgatory), seize the moment. Isaw Sibyll, just ere we met, pass to the ramparts, alone; at this sharpseason the place is deserted; go."
"I will, this moment!" said Alwyn, rising and turning very pale; butas he gained the door, he halted--"I had forgot, Master Nevile, that Ibring the king his signet-ring, new set, of the falcon and fetter-lock."
"They will keep thee three hours in the anteroom. The Duke of Clarenceis now with the king. Trust the ring to me, I shall see his highness erehe dines."
Even in his love, Alwyn had the Saxon's considerations of business; hehesitated--"May I not endanger thereby the king's favour and loss ofcustom?" said the trader.
"Tush, man! little thou knowest King Edward; he cares naught for theceremonies: moreover, the Neviles are now all-puissant in favour. Iam here in attendance on sweet Lady Anne, whom the king loves as adaughter, though too young for sire to so well-grown a donzell; and aword from her lip, if need be, will set all as smooth as this gorget oflawn!"
Thus assured, Alwyn gave the ring to his friend, and took his way atonce to the ramparts. Marmaduke remained behind to finish the canary andmarvel how so sober a man should form so ardent a passion. Nor was hemuch less surprised to remark that his friend, though still speakingwith a strong provincial accent, and still sowing his discourse withrustic saws and proverbs, had risen in language and in manner with therise of his fortunes. "An he go on so, and become lord mayor," mutteredMarmaduke, "verily he will half look like a gentleman!"
To these meditations the young knight was not long left in peace. Amessenger from Warwick House sought and found him, with the news thatthe earl was on his road to London, and wished to see Sir Marmaduke themoment of his arrival, which was hourly expected. The young knight'shardy brain somewhat flustered by the canary, Alwyn's secret, and thissudden tidings, he hastened to obey his chief's summons, and forgot,till he gained the earl's mansion, the signet ring intrusted to him byAlwyn. "What matters it?" said he then, philosophically,--"the king hathri
ngs eno' on his fingers not to miss one for an hour or so, and I darenot send any one else with it. Marry, I must plunge my head in coldwater, to get rid of the fumes of the wine."