The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 165: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 159 a p—-——81—0O0€00 TT “She then, with the same majestic and collected bearing, pas:ed on towards the sisterhood. ‘‘And as, in the same solemn procession, they glided back towards the convent, there was not a man present, no, not even the hardened Redgill, who would not, like Sir Charles, have bent his knee to Leoline. “Once more, Sir Charles plunged into the wild revelry of the age. “ Tis castle was thronged with guests. “Night after night the lighted halls shone down athwart the tranquil lake, ~* The beauty of his French bride, and the wealth of Sir Charles, attracted all the chivalry from far and near, “Yet gloom seized him in the midst of gladness, and the revel was welcome only as the escape from remorse. “The voice of scandal, however, soon began to mingle with that of envy at the pomp of Sir Charles. “The fair bride, if was said, weary of her lord, lavished her smiles on others. “The young and the fair were always most acceptable at the castle. “And ‘above all, her guilty love for Redgill scarcely affected disguise. “Sir Charles alone appeared unconscious of the - rumour; and though he had begun to neglect his bride, he relaxed not in his intimacy with Redgill. ‘Tt was noon, and the bride was sitting in her bower alone with her suspected lover. “Rich perfumes mingled with the fragrance of flowers, and various luxuries, unknown till then in English climes, gave a soft and effeminate character to the room. | “¢T tell thee, said the bride, petulantly, ‘that he begins to suspect; that’ I have seen him watch thee, and mutter as he watched, and play with the hilt of his dagger. Better let us fly ere it is too late, for his vengeance would be terrible were it once roused against us. Ah! why did I ever for- sake my own sweet land for’ these bleak shores ! There, love is not considered eternal, and incon- gtancy a crime worthy death.’ “‘ Peace, pretty one,’ said Redgill, carelessly ; ‘thou knowest not the laws of our foolish chivalry. Thinkest thou I could fly froma knight’s halls like a thief in the night? Why verily, even the red cross would not cover such dishonour. If thou fearest that thy dull lord suspects, why let-us part. The king hath sent to me. Ere evening I might be on my way thither.’ “¢ And I left to brave the barbarian’s rage alone ? Is this thy courage ?’ | “Nay, prate not so wildly,’ answered Redgill. ‘Surely, when the object of his suspicion is gone, thy woman’s art and thy French wiles can easily allay the jealous fiend. Do I not know thee ? Why thou wouldst fool all men—save Redgill,’ ' «¢ And thou, cruel, wouldst thou leave me ?’ said the bride, weeping; ‘how shall I live without thee ?’ “ Redgill laughed slightly. “Gan such eyes ever weep without a comforter ? But farewell ; I must not be found with thee. To- morrow I depart for Lon’on ; we shall meet again,’ “ Ag soon as the door closed on Redgill, the bride rose, and pacing the rocm, said— “* Selfish, selfis!i; how could I ever trust him? Yet I dare not brave Sic Charles alone. Surely it was his step that disturbed us in our yesterday’s incerview. Nay, I will fly, I can never want a companion,’ © } a «She clapped her hands. ‘A young page appeared. ‘She threw herself on her seat and wept bit- terly. “ The page approached. “ And love was mingled with his compassion. «Why weepest thou, dearest lady?’ said) he ; ‘igs there aught in which Conrade’s services—ser- vices—ah ! thou hast read his heart—his devotion may avail ?’ “Sir Charles had wandered out the whole day alone. j “His vassals had observed that his brow was more gloomy than was its wont, for he usually con- cealed whatever might prey within. “ Some of the most confidential of his servitors he had conferred with, and the conference had deep- ened the shadow of his countenance. “ He returned at twilight ; bis young wife did not honour the repast with her presence. “ She was unwell, and not to.be disturbed. The gay Redgill was the life of the board. «“ ¢ Thou carriest a sad brow to-day, Sir Charles,’ said he. ‘Good faith! thou hast caugbt it from the dull air.’ | “¢T have something troubles me,’ answered Sir Charles, forcing a smile, ‘which I would fain impart to thy friendly bosom. The night is clear, and the moon is up, let us go forth alone into the garden.’ “ Redgill rose. “ And he forgot not to gird on his sword as he fullowed the knight. ; “Sir Charles led’ the way to one of the most dis- tant terraces that overhung the lakes. ‘“‘* Redgill,’ said he, pausing, ‘answer me one question on thy honour. Was it thy step that left my lady’s bower yester eve at vesper ?’ “ Startled by so sudden a query, the wily Redgill faltered in his reply. “The red blood mounted to Sir Charles’s brow. “Nay, lie not. These eyes have not witnessed, but these ears have heard from others of my dis- honour.’ ‘* Ag Sir Charles spoke, Redgill’s eye resting on the water, perceived a ‘boat rowing fast’ over the lake. “The distance forbade him to see more than the outline of two figures within it. “She was right,’ thought he; ‘perhaps that boat already bears her from the danger.’ “ Drawing himself up to the full height of his tall stature, Redgill replied, haughtily, «“* Sir Charles, if thou hast deigned to question thy vassals, obtain from them only an answer.’ “* Enough,’ eried Sir Charles, losing patience, and striking Redgill with his clenched -hand. ‘Draw, traitor, draw !’ * * * 2 * “ Alone in his lofty tower, Lord Edward Warbeck watched the night deepen over the heavens, and communed mournfully with himself. “To what end, thought he, * have these strong affections, these capacities of love, this yearning after sympathy, been given me ? Unloved and un- known, I walk to my grave, and all the nobler tysteries of my heart are for ever to be untold,’ ‘Thus musing, he heard not the challenge of the warder on the wall, or the unbarring of the gate below, or the tread of footsteps along the winding stair. “The door’ was thrown suddenly open, and Sir Charles stood before him. «“* Comey he said, in a low voice, trembling with passion, ‘come, Iwill show thee that which shall gladden thy heart. - Twofold is Leoline avenged.’ comiclbooks.con