CHAPTER XI.
THE SUBTERRANEAN DUNGEON.
Regarding Viviana with a smile of savage satisfaction, Sir William Waadcommanded Jasper Ipgreve, who accompanied him, to convey her to one ofthe subterranean dungeons below the Devereux Tower.
"She cannot escape thence without your connivance," he said; "and youshall answer to me for her safe custody with your life."
"If she escapes again, your worship shall hang me in her stead,"rejoined Ipgreve.
"My instructions from the Earl of Salisbury state that it is the King'spleasure that she be allowed a short interview with Guy Fawkes," saidthe lieutenant, in a low tone. "Let her be taken to his cell to-morrow."
The jailer bowed, and motioning the guard to follow him with Viviana, heled the way along the inner ward till he arrived at a small strong doorin the wall a little to the north of the Beauchamp Tower, which heunlocked, and descended into a low cavernous-looking vault. Striking alight, and setting fire to a torch, he then led the way along a narrowgloomy passage, which brought them to a circular chamber, from whichother passages diverged, and selecting one of them, threaded it till hecame to the door of a cell.
"Here is your dungeon," he said to Viviana, as he drew back the heavybolts, and disclosed a small chamber, about four feet wide and six long,in which there was a pallet. "My dame will attend you soon."
With this, he lighted a lamp, and departing with the guard, barred thedoor outside. Viviana shuddered as she surveyed the narrow dungeon inwhich she was placed. Roof, walls, and floor were of stone; and theaspect of the place was so dismal and tomb-like, that she felt as if shewere buried alive. Some hours elapsed before Dame Ipgreve made herappearance. She was accompanied by Ruth, who burst into tears onbeholding Viviana. The jailer's wife had brought a few blankets andother necessaries with her, together with a loaf of bread and a jug ofwater. While disposing the blankets on the couch, she never ceasedupbraiding Viviana for her former flight. Poor Ruth, who was compelledto assist her mother, endeavoured by her gestures and looks to convey tothe unfortunate captive that she was as much devoted to her as ever.Their task completed, the old woman withdrew, and her daughter, castinga deeply-commiserating look at Viviana, followed her, and the door wasbarred without.
Determined not to yield to despondency, Viviana knelt down, andaddressed herself to Heaven; and, comforted by her prayers, threwherself on the bed, and sank into a peaceful slumber. She was awakenedby hearing the bolts of her cell withdrawn, and the next moment Ruthstood before her.
"I fear you have exposed yourself to great risk in thus visiting me,"said Viviana, tenderly embracing her.
"I would expose myself to any risk for you, sweet lady," replied Ruth."But, oh! why do I see you here again? The chief support of Guy Fawkesduring his sufferings has been the thought that you were at liberty."
"I surrendered myself in the hope of beholding him again," rejoinedViviana.
"You have given a fond, but fatal proof of your affection," returnedRuth. "The knowledge that you are a captive will afflict him more thanall the torments he has endured."
"What torments _has_ he endured, Ruth?" inquired Viviana with a look ofanguish.
"Do not ask me to repeat them," replied the jailer's daughter. "They aretoo dreadful to relate. When you behold his shattered frame and alteredlooks, you will comprehend what he has undergone."
"Alas!" exclaimed Viviana, bursting into tears, "I almost fear to beholdhim."
"You must prepare for a fearful shock," returned Ruth. "And now, madam,I must take my leave. I will endeavour to see you again to-morrow, butdare not promise to do so. I should not have been able to visit you now,but that my father is engaged with Lord Mounteagle."
"With Lord Mounteagle!" cried Viviana. "Upon what business?
"Upon a foul business," rejoined Ruth. "No less than the destruction ofMr. Tresham, who is now a prisoner in the Tower. Lord Mounteagle came tothe Well Tower this evening, and I accidentally overheard him propose tomy father to administer poison to the person I have named."
"I do not pity their victim," returned Viviana. "He is a double-dyedtraitor, and will meet with the fate he deserves."
"Farewell, madam," said Ruth. "If I do not see you again, you will knowthat you have one friend in this fortress who deeply sympathizes withyour afflictions."
So saying, she withdrew, and Viviana heard the bolts slipped gently intotheir sockets.
Vainly, after Ruth's visit, did she try to compose herself. Sleep fledher eyes, and she was haunted all night by the image of Fawkes, haggardand shattered by torture, as he had been described by the jailer'sdaughter. Day and night were the same to her, and she could only computeprogress of the time by her own feelings, judging by which, she supposedit to be late in the day when she was again visited. The bolts of hercell being withdrawn, two men clad in long black gowns, and having hoodsdrawn over their faces, entered it. They were followed by Ipgreve; andViviana, concluding she was about to be led to the torture, endeavouredto string herself to its endurance. Though he guessed what was passingin her breast, Jasper Ipgreve did not care to undeceive her, butmotioning the hooded officials to follow him with her, quitted the cell.Seizing each a hand, the attendants led her after him along a number ofintricate passages, until he stopped before the door of a cell, which heopened.
"Be brief in what you have to say," he cried, thrusting her forward. "Ishall not allow you much time."
Viviana no sooner set foot in the cell than she felt in whose presenceshe stood. On a stool at the further end of the narrow chamber, with hishead upon his breast, and a cloak wrapped around his limbs, sat Fawkes.A small iron lamp, suspended by a rusty chain from the ceiling, servedto illumine his ghastly features. He lifted his eyes from the ground onher entrance, and recognising her, uttered a cry of anguish. Raisinghimself by a great effort, he opened his arms, and she rushed into them.For some moments, both continued silent. Grief took away theirutterance; but at length, Guy Fawkes spoke.
"My cup of bitterness was not sufficiently full," he said. "This alonewas wanting to make it overflow."
"I fear you will blame me," she replied, "when you learn that I havevoluntarily surrendered myself."
Guy Fawkes uttered a deep groan.
"I am the cause of your doing so," he said.
"You are so," she replied. "But you will forgive me when you know mymotive. I came here to urge you to repentance. Oh! if you hope that weshall meet again hereafter--if you hope that we shall inherit joys whichwill requite us for all our troubles, you will employ the brief timeleft you on earth in imploring forgiveness for your evil intentions."
"Having had no evil intentions," replied Fawkes, coldly, "I have nopardon to ask."
"The Tempter who led you into the commission of sin under the semblanceof righteousness, puts these thoughts into your heart," replied Viviana."You have escaped the commission of an offence which must have deprivedyou of the joys of heaven, and I am thankful for it. But if you remainimpenitent, I shall tremble for your salvation."
"My account will soon be settled with my Maker," rejoined Fawkes; "andhe will punish or reward me according to my deserts. I have actedaccording to my conscience, and can never repent that which I believe tobe a righteous design."
"But do you not now see that you were mistaken," returned Viviana,--"doyou not perceive that the sword which you raised against others has beenturned against yourself,--and that the Great Power whom you serve andworship has declared himself against you?"
"You seek in vain to move me," replied Fawkes. "I am as insensible toyour arguments as to the tortures of my enemies."
"Then Heaven have mercy upon your soul!" she rejoined.
"Look at me, Viviana," cried Fawkes, "and behold the wreck I am. Whathas supported me amid my tortures--in this dungeon--in the presence ofmy relentless foes?--what, but the consciousness of having actedrightly? And what will support me on the scaffold except the sameconviction? If you love me, do not seek to shake my faith! But it isidle to talk thus. You cann
ot do so. Rest satisfied we shall meet again.Everything assures me of it. Wretched as I appear in this solitary cell,I am not wholly miserable, because I am buoyed up by the certainty thatmy actions are approved by Heaven."
"I will not attempt to destroy the delusion, since it is productive ofhappiness to you," replied Viviana. "But if my earnest, heartfeltprayers can conduce to your salvation, they shall not be wanting."
As she spoke, the door of the cell was opened by Jasper Ipgreve, whostepped towards her, and seized her roughly by the hand.
"Your time has expired, mistress," he said; "you must come with me."
"A minute longer," implored Fawkes.
"Not a second," replied Ipgreve.
"Shall we not meet again?" cried Viviana, distractedly.
"Ay, the day before your execution," rejoined Ipgreve. "I have good newsfor you," he added, pausing for a moment, and addressing Fawkes. "Mr.Tresham, who I told you has been brought to the Tower, has been takensuddenly and dangerously ill."
"If the traitor perishes before me, I shall die content," observedFawkes.
"Then rest assured of it," said Viviana. "The task of vengeance isalready fulfilled."
She was then forced away by Ipgreve, and delivered by him to the hoodedofficials outside, who hurried her back to her dungeon.