Chapter the Thirty-Fourth.
Ay, Pedro,--Come you here with mask and lantern. Ladder of ropes and other moonshine tools-- Why, youngster, thou mayst cheat the old Duenna, Flatter the waiting-woman, bribe the valet; But know, that I her father play the Gryphon, Tameless and sleepless, proof to fraud or bribe, And guard the hidden, treasure of her beauty. THE SPANISH FATHER.
The tenor of our tale carries us back to the Castle of Lochleven, wherewe take up the order of events on the same remarkable day on whichDryfesdale had been dismissed from the castle. It was past noon, theusual hour of dinner, yet no preparations seemed made for the Queen'sentertainment. Mary herself had retired into her own apartment, whereshe was closely engaged in writing. Her attendants were together in thepresence-chamber, and much disposed to speculate on the delay ofthe dinner; for it may be recollected that their breakfast had beeninterrupted. "I believe in my conscience," said the page, "that havingfound the poisoning scheme miscarry, by having gone to the wrongmerchant for their deadly wares, they are now about to try how faminewill work upon us."
Lady Fleming was somewhat alarmed at this surmise, but comforted herselfby observing that the chimney of the kitchen had reeked that wholeday in a manner which contradicted the supposition.--Catherine Seytonpresently exclaimed, "They were bearing the dishes across the court,marshalled by the Lady Lochleven herself, dressed out in her highestand stiffest ruff, with her partlet and sleeves of cyprus, and her hugeold-fashioned farthingale of crimson velvet."
"I believe on my word," said the page, approaching the window also, "itwas in that very farthingale that she captivated the heart of gentleKing Jamie, which procured our poor Queen her precious bargain of abrother."
"That may hardly be, Master Roland," answered the Lady Fleming, who wasa great recorder of the changes of fashion, "since the farthingales camefirst in when the Queen Regent went to Saint Andrews, after the battleof Pinkie, and were then called _Vertugardins_--"
She would have proceeded farther in this important discussion, but wasinterrupted by the entrance of the Lady of Lochleven, who preceded theservants bearing the dishes, and formally discharged the duty of tastingeach of them. Lady Fleming regretted, in courtly phrase, "that the Ladyof Lochleven should have undertaken so troublesome an office."
"After the strange incident of this day, madam," said the Lady, "it isnecessary for my honour and that of my son, that I partake whatever isoffered to my involuntary guest. Please to inform the Lady Mary that Iattend her commands."
"Her Majesty," replied Lady Fleming, with due emphasis on the word,"shall be informed that the Lady Lochleven waits."
Mary appeared instantly, and addressed her hostess with courtesy, whicheven approached to something more cordial. "This is nobly done, LadyLochleven," she said; "for though we ourselves apprehend no danger underyour roof, our ladies have been much alarmed by this morning's chance,and our meal will be the more cheerful for your presence and assurance.Please you to sit down."
The Lady Lochleven obeyed the Queen's commands, and Roland performed theoffice of carver and attendant as usual. But, notwithstanding what theQueen had said, the meal was silent and unsocial; and every effort whichMary made to excite some conversation, died away under the solemn andchill replies of the Lady of Lochleven. At length it became plain thatthe Queen, who had considered these advances as a condescension on herpart, and who piqued herself justly on her powers of pleasing, becameoffended at the repulsive conduct of her hostess. After looking with asignificant glance at Lady Fleming and Catherine, she slightly shruggedher shoulders, and remained silent. A pause ensued, at the end of whichthe Lady Douglas spoke:--"I perceive, madam, I am a check on the mirthof this fair company. I pray you to excuse me--I am a widow--alone herein a most perilous charge---deserted by my grandson--betrayed by myservant--I am little worthy of the grace you do me in offering me aseat at your table, where I am aware that wit and pastime are usuallyexpected from the guests."
"If the Lady Lochleven is serious," said the Queen, "we wonder by whatsimplicity she expects our present meals to be seasoned with mirth. Ifshe is a widow, she lives honoured and uncontrolled, at the head of herlate husband's household. But I know at least of one widowed woman inthe world, before whom the words desertion and betrayal ought never tobe mentioned, since no one has been made so bitterly acquainted withtheir import."
"I meant not, madam, to remind you of your misfortunes, by the mentionof mine," answered the Lady Lochleven, and there was again a deepsilence.
Mary at length addressed Lady Fleming. "We can commit no deadly sinshere, _ma bonne_, where we are so well warded and looked to; but if wecould, this Carthusian silence might be useful as a kind of penance.If thou hast adjusted my wimple amiss, my Fleming, or if Catherine hathmade a wry stitch in her broidery, when she was thinking of somethingelse than her work, or if Roland Graeme hath missed a wild-duck on thewing, and broke a quarrel-pane [Footnote: Diamond-shaped; literally,formed like the head of a _quarrel_, or arrow for the crossbow.] ofglass in the turret window, as chanced to him a week since, now is thetime to think on your sins and to repent of them."
"Madam, I speak with all reverence," said the Lady Lochleven; "but I amold, and claim the privilege of age. Methinks your followers might findfitter subjects for repentance than the trifles you mention, and somention--once more, I crave your pardon--as if you jested with sin andrepentance both."
"You have been our taster, Lady Lochleven," said the Queen, "I perceiveyou would eke out your duty with that of our Father Confessor--and sinceyou choose that our conversation should be serious, may I ask you whythe Regent's promise--since your son so styles himself--has not beenkept to me in that respect? From time to time this promise has beenrenewed, and as constantly broken. Methinks those who pretend themselvesto so much gravity and sanctity, should not debar from others thereligious succours which their consciences require."
"Madam, the Earl of Murray was indeed weak enough," said the LadyLochleven, "to give so far way to your unhappy prejudices, and areligioner of the Pope presented himself on his part at our town ofKinross. But the Douglass is Lord of his own castle, and will not permithis threshold to be darkened, no not for a single moment, by an emissarybelonging to the Bishop of Rome."
"Methinks it were well, then," said Mary, "that my Lord Regent wouldsend me where there is less scruple and more charity."
"In this, madam," answered the Lady Lochleven, "you mistake the natureboth of charity and of religion. Charity giveth to those who are indelirium the medicaments which may avail their health, but refuses thoseenticing cates and liquors which please the palate, but augment thedisease."
"This your charity, Lady Lochleven, is pure cruelty, under thehypocritical disguise of friendly care. I am oppressed amongst you as ifyou meant the destruction both of my body and soul; but Heaven will notendure such iniquity for ever, and they who are the most active agentsin it may speedily expect their reward."
At this moment Randal entered the apartment, with a look so muchperturbed, that the Lady Fleming uttered a faint scream, the Queen wasobviously startled, and the Lady of Lochleven, though too bold and proudto evince any marked signs of alarm, asked hastily what was the matter?
"Dryfesdale has been slain, madam," was the reply; "murdered as soon ashe gained the dry land by young Master Henry Seyton."
It was now Catherine's turn to start and grow pale--"Has the murderer ofthe Douglas's vassal escaped?" was the Lady's hasty question.
"There was none to challenge him but old Keltie, and the carrierAuchtermuchty," replied Randal; "unlikely men to stay one of thefrackest [Footnote: Boldest--most forward.] youths in Scotland ofhis years, and who was sure to have friends and partakers at no greatdistance."
"Was the deed completed?" said the Lady.
"Done, and done thoroughly," said Randal; "a Seyton seldom strikestwice--But the body was not despoiled, and your honour's packet goesforward to Edinburgh by Auchtermuchty, who leaves Keltie-Bridge earlyto-m
orrow--marry, he has drunk two bottles of aquavitae to put thefright out of his head, and now sleeps them off beside his cart-avers."[Footnote: Cart-horses.]
There was a pause when this fatal tale was told. The Queen and LadyDouglas looked on each other, as if each thought how she could bestturn the incident to her own advantage in the controversy, which wascontinually kept alive betwixt them--Catherine Seyton kept her kerchiefat her eyes and wept.
"You see, madam, the bloody maxims and practice of the deluded Papists,"said Lady Lochleven.
"Nay, madam," replied the Queen, "say rather you see the deservedjudgment of Heaven upon a Calvinistical poisoner."
"Dryfesdale was not of the Church of Geneva, or of Scotland," said theLady of Lochleven, hastily.
"He was a heretic, however," replied Mary; "there is but one true andunerring guide; the others lead alike into error."
"Well, madam, I trust it will reconcile you to your retreat, thatthis deed shows the temper of those who might wish you at liberty.Blood-thirsty tyrants, and cruel men-quellers are they all, fromthe Clan-Ranald and Clan-Tosach in the north, to the Ferniherst andBuccleuch in the south--the murdering Seytons in the east, and--"
"Methinks, madam, you forget that I am a Seyton?" said Catherine,withdrawing her kerchief from her face, which was now coloured withindignation.
"If I had forgot it, fair mistress, your forward bearing would havereminded me," said Lady Lochleven.
"If my brother has slain the villain that would have poisoned hisSovereign, and his sister," said Catherine, "I am only so far sorry thathe should have spared the hangman his proper task. For aught farther,had it been the best Douglas in the land, he would have been honoured infalling by the Seyton's sword."
"Farewell, gay mistress," said the Lady of Lochleven, rising towithdraw; "it is such maidens as you, who make giddy-fashioned revellersand deadly brawlers. Boys must needs rise, forsooth, in the grace ofsome sprightly damsel, who thinks to dance through life as through aFrench galliard." She then made her reverence to the Queen, and added,"Do you also, madam, fare you well, till curfew time, when I willmake, perchance, more bold than welcome in attending upon your supperboard.--Come with me, Randal, and tell me more of this cruel fact."
"'Tis an extraordinary chance," said the Queen, when she had departed;"and, villain as he was, I would this man had been spared time forrepentance. We will cause something to be done for his soul, if weever attain our liberty, and the Church will permit such grace to aheretic.--But, tell me, Catherine, _ma mignone_--this brother of thine,who is so _frack_, as the fellow called him, bears he the same wonderfullikeness to thee as formerly?"
"If your Grace means in temper, you know whether I am so _frack_ as theserving-man spoke him."
"Nay, thou art prompt enough in all reasonable conscience," replied theQueen; "but thou art my own darling notwithstanding--But I meant, isthis thy twin-brother as like thee in form and features as formerly? Iremember thy dear mother alleged it as a reason for destining thee tothe veil, that, were ye both to go at large, thou wouldst surely get thecredit of some of thy brother's mad pranks."
"I believe, madam," said Catherine, "there are some unusually simplepeople even yet, who can hardly distinguish betwixt us, especially when,for diversion's sake, my brother hath taken a female dress,"--and asshe spoke, she gave a quick glance at Roland Graeme, to whom thisconversation conveyed a ray of light, welcome as ever streamed into thedungeon of a captive through the door which opened to give him freedom.
"He must be a handsome cavalier this brother of thine, if he be so likeyou," replied Mary. "He was in France, I think, for these late years, sothat I saw him not at Holyrood."
"His looks, madam, have never been much found fault with," answeredCatherine Seyton; "but I would he had less of that angry and headyspirit which evil times have encouraged amongst our young nobles. Godknows, I grudge not his life in your Grace's quarrel; and love him forthe willingness with which he labours for your rescue. But whereforeshould he brawl with an old ruffianly serving-man, and stain at oncehis name with such a broil, and his hands with the blood of an old andignoble wretch?"
"Nay, be patient, Catherine; I will not have thee traduce my gallantyoung knight. With Henry for my knight, and Roland Graeme for my trustysquire, methinks I am like a princess of romance, who may shortly set atdefiance the dungeons and the weapons of all wicked sorcerers.--Butmy head aches with the agitation of the day. Take me _La Mer DesHistoires_, and resume where we left off on Wednesday.--Our Lady helpthy head, girl, or rather may she help thy heart!--I asked thee for theSea of Histories, and thou hast brought _La Cronique d'Amour_."
Once embarked upon the Sea of Histories, the Queen continued herlabours with her needle, while Lady Fleming and Catherine read to heralternately for two hours.
As to Roland Graeme, it is probable that he continued in secret intentupon the Chronicle of Love, notwithstanding the censure which the Queenseemed to pass upon that branch of study. He now remembered a thousandcircumstances of voice and manner, which, had his own prepossession beenless, must surely have discriminated the brother from the sister; andhe felt ashamed, that, having as it were by heart every particular ofCatherine's gestures, words, and manners, he should have thought her,notwithstanding her spirits and levity, capable of assuming the boldstep, loud tones, and forward assurance, which accorded well enough withher brother's hasty and masculine character. He endeavoured repeatedlyto catch a glance of Catherine's eye, that he might judge how she wasdisposed to look upon him since he had made the discovery, but he wasunsuccessful; for Catherine, when she was not reading herself, seemedto take so much interest in the exploits of the Teutonic knights againstthe Heathens of Esthonia and Livonia, that he could not surprise her eyeeven for a second. But when, closing the book, the Queen commanded theirattendance in the garden, Mary, perhaps of set purpose, (for Roland'sanxiety could not escape so practised an observer,) afforded him afavourable opportunity of accosting his mistress. The Queen commandedthem to a little distance, while she engaged Lady Fleming in aparticular and private conversation; the subject whereof we learn, fromanother authority, to have been the comparative excellence of the highstanding ruff and the falling band. Roland must have been duller, andmore sheepish than ever was youthful lover, if he had not endeavoured toavail himself of this opportunity.
"I have been longing this whole evening to ask of you, fair Catherine,"said the page, "how foolish and unapprehensive you must have thought me,in being capable to mistake betwixt your brother and you?"
"The circumstance does indeed little honour to my rustic manners," saidCatherine, "since those of a wild young man were so readily mistaken formine. But I shall grow wiser in time; and with that view I am determinednot to think of your follies, but to correct my own."
"It will be the lighter subject of meditation of the two," said Roland.
"I know not that," said Catherine, very gravely; "I fear we have beenboth unpardonably foolish."
"I have been mad," said Roland, "unpardonably mad. But you, lovelyCatherine--"
"I," said Catherine, in the same tone of unusual gravity, "have too longsuffered you to use such expressions towards me--I fear I can permit itno longer, and I blame myself for the pain it may give you."
"And what can have happened so suddenly to change our relation to eachother, or alter, with such sudden cruelty, your whole deportment to me?"
"I can hardly tell," replied Catherine, "unless it is that the eventsof the day have impressed on my mind the necessity of our observing moredistance to each other. A chance similar to that which betrayed to youthe existence of my brother, may make known to Henry the terms you haveused to me; and, alas! his whole conduct, as well as his deed, this day,makes me too justly apprehensive of the consequences."
"Fear nothing for that, fair Catherine," answered the page; "I am wellable to protect myself against risks of that nature."
"That is to say," replied she, "that you would fight with mytwin-brother to show your regard for his sister? I
have heard theQueen say, in her sad hours, that men are, in love or in hate, the mostselfish animals of creation; and your carelessness in this matter looksvery like it. But be not so much abashed--you are no worse than others."
"You do me injustice, Catherine," replied the page, "I thought but ofbeing threatened with a sword, and did not remember in whose hand yourfancy had placed it. If your brother stood before me, with his drawnweapon in his hand, so like as he is to you in word, person, and favour,he might shed my life's blood ere I could find in my heart to resist himto his injury."
"Alas!" said she, "it is not my brother alone. But you remember only thesingular circumstances in which we have met in equality, and I may sayin intimacy. You think not, that whenever I re-enter my father's house,there is a gulf between us you may not pass, but with peril of yourlife.--Your only known relative is of wild and singular habits, of ahostile and broken clan [Footnote: A broken clan was one who had nochief able to find security for their good behaviour--a clan of outlaws;And the Graemes of the Debateable Land were in that condition.]--therest of your lineage unknown--forgive me that I speak what is theundeniable truth."
"Love, my beautiful Catherine, despises genealogies," answered RolandGraeme.
"Love may, but so will not the Lord Seyton," rejoined the damsel.
"The Queen, thy mistress and mine, she will intercede. Oh! drive me notfrom you at the moment I thought myself most happy!--and if I shallaid her deliverance, said not yourself that you and she would become mydebtors?"
"All Scotland will become your debtors," said Catherine; "but for theactive effects you might hope from our gratitude, you must remember I amwholly subjected to my father; and the poor Queen is, for a long time,more likely to be dependant on the pleasure of the nobles of her party,than possessed of power to control them."
"Be it so," replied Roland; "my deeds shall control prejudice itself--itis a bustling world, and I will have my share. The Knight of Avenel,high as he now stands, rose from as obscure an origin as mine."
"Ay!" said Catherine, "there spoke the doughty knight of romance, thatwill cut his way to the imprisoned princess, through fiends and fierydragons!"
"But if I can set the princess at large, and procure her the freedomof her own choice," said the page, "where, dearest Catherine, will thatchoice alight?"
"Release the princess from duresse, and she will tell you," said thedamsel; and breaking off the conversation abruptly, she joined the Queenso suddenly, that Mary exclaimed, half aloud--
"No more tidings of evil import--no dissension, I trust, in my limitedhousehold?"--Then looking on Catherine's blushing cheek, and Roland'sexpanded brow and glancing eye--"No--no," she said, "I see all iswell--_Ma petite mignone_, go to my apartment and fetch me down--let mesee--ay, fetch my pomander box."
And having thus disposed of her attendant in the manner best qualifiedto hide her confusion, the Queen added, speaking apart to Roland, "Ishould at least have two grateful subjects of Catherine and you; forwhat sovereign but Mary would aid true love so willingly?--Ay, you layyour hand on your sword--your _petite flamberge a rien_ there--Well,short time will show if all the good be true that is protested to us--Ihear them toll curfew from Kinross. To our chamber--this old dame hathpromised to be with us again at our evening meal. Were it not for thehope of speedy deliverance, her presence would drive me distracted. ButI will be patient."
"I profess," said Catherine, who just then entered, "I would I could beHenry, with all a man's privileges, for one moment--I long to throw myplate at that confect of pride and formality, and ill-nature."
The Lady Fleming reprimanded her young companion for this explosion ofimpatience; the Queen laughed, and they went to the presence-chamber,where almost immediately entered supper, and the Lady of the castle.The Queen, strong in her prudent resolutions, endured her presence withgreat fortitude and equanimity, until her patience was disturbed bya new form, which had hitherto made no part of the ceremonial of thecastle. When the other attendant had retired, Randal entered, bearingthe keys of the castle fastened upon a chain, and, announcing thatthe watch was set, and the gates locked, delivered the keys with allreverence to the Lady of Lochleven.
The Queen and her ladies exchanged with each other a look ofdisappointment, anger, and vexation; and Mary said aloud, "We cannotregret the smallness of our court, when we see our hostess discharge inperson so many of its offices. In addition to her charges of principalsteward of our household and grand almoner, she has to-night done dutyas captain of our guard."
"And will continue to do so in future, madam," answered the LadyLochleven, with much gravity; "the history of Scotland may teach me howill the duty is performed, which is done by an accredited deputy--Wehave heard, madam, of favourites of later date, and as little merit,as Oliver Sinclair." [Footnote: A favourite, and said to be an unworthyone, of James V.]
"Oh, madam," replied the Queen, "my father had his female as well ashis male favourites--there were the Ladies Sandilands and Olifaunt,[Footnote: The names of these ladies, and a third frail favourite ofJames, are preserved in an epigram too _gaillard_ for quotation.] andsome others, methinks; but their names cannot survive in the memory ofso grave a person as you."
The Lady Lochleven looked as if she could have slain the Queen on thespot, but commanded her temper and retired from the apartment, bearingin her hand the ponderous bunch of keys.
"Now God be praised for that woman's youthful frailty!" said the Queen."Had she not that weak point in her character, I might waste my words onher in vain--But that stain is the very reverse of what is said ofthe witch's mark--I can make her feel there, though she is otherwiseinsensible all over.--But how say you, girls--here is a newdifficulty--How are these keys to be come by?--there is no deceiving orbribing this dragon, I trow."
"May I crave to know," said Roland, "whether, if your Grace were beyondthe walls of the castle, you could find means of conveyance to the firmland, and protection when you are there?"
"Trust us for that, Roland," said the Queen; "for to that point ourscheme is indifferent well laid."
"Then if your Grace will permit me to speak my mind, I think I could beof some use in this matter."
"As how, my good youth?--speak on," said the Queen, "and fearlessly."
"My patron the Knight of Avenel used to compel the youth educated in hishousehold to learn the use of axe and hammer, and working in wood andiron--he used to speak of old northern champions, who forged their ownweapons, and of the Highland Captain, Donald nan Ord, or Donald of theHammer, whom he himself knew, and who used to work at the anvil with asledge-hammer in each hand. Some said he praised this art, because hewas himself of churl's blood. However, I gained some practice in it,as the Lady Catherine Seyton partly knows; for since we were here, Iwrought her a silver brooch."
"Ay," replied Catharine, "but you should tell her Grace that yourworkmanship was so indifferent that it broke to pieces next day, and Iflung it away."
"Believe her not, Roland," said the Queen; "she wept when it was broken,and put the fragments into her bosom. But for your scheme--could yourskill avail to forge a second set of keys?"
"No, madam, because I know not the wards. But I am convinced I couldmake a set so like that hateful bunch which the Lady bore off even now,that could they be exchanged against them by any means, she would neverdream she was possessed of the wrong."
"And the good dame, thank Heaven, is somewhat blind," said the Queen;"but then for a forge, my boy, and the means of labouring unobserved?"
"The armourer's forge, at which I used sometimes to work with him, isthe round vault at the bottom of the turret--he was dismissed withthe warder for being supposed too much attached to George Douglas. Thepeople are accustomed to see me work there, and I warrant I shall findsome excuse that will pass current with them for putting bellows andanvil to work."
"The scheme has a promising face," said the Queen; "about it, my lad,with all speed, and beware the nature of your work is not discovered."
"Nay, I w
ill take the liberty to draw the bolt against chance visitors,so that I will have time to put away what I am working upon, before Iundo the door."
"Will not that of itself attract suspicion, in a place where it is socurrent already?" said Catherine.
"Not a whit," replied Roland; "Gregory the armourer, and every goodhammerman, locks himself in when he is about some master piece of craft.Besides, something must be risked."
"Part we then to-night," said the Queen, "and God bless you mychildren!--If Mary's head ever rises above water, you shall all risealong with her."