CHAPTER XII.
ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN.
"O woman! lovely woman! nature made thee To temper man; we had been brutes without you."
Otway.
It was only by the exercise of the utmost energy that the soldiery andcamp followers of the Normans were prevented from looting the castle.They were somewhat appeased by an unlimited supply of ale from thecellars, and promises of money. Bonfires were lit in the enclosure, andcarcasses of sheep and oxen roasted thereat, the whole resolving itselfinto a grand carousal of drinking, singing, and rough jollity. A certainnumber of the better class were admitted to the castle, where the samekind of thing was repeated in much the same fashion.
In the large hall the leaders feasted and drank with little more ofrefinement and seemliness than the vulgar people, except that they drankwine and mead.
"Well, Captain Reynard!" said the Count. "Is all well?"
"All well, sire; the gates secured, the place explored, and, I think Imay add, the Saxons so thoroughly routed and cowed that they will havelittle stomach for more fighting yet awhile."
"That may be; but I fancy we should be found very unprepared if theydared venture an attempt to rescue their leader."
"You may depend upon me, Count, to keep a sharp look-out; I shall notclose my eyes in sleep until the sun rises to-morrow. But I have no fearthe Saxons will attempt a rescue. As I said, they are so thoroughlybeaten, and the remnant so glad to be able to escape with their lives,that they will venture no more."
An exceedingly busy and anxious time was spent by Alice and her maids intheir efforts to protect the domestics left in charge from the drunkenfrolics of both officers and men-at-arms. This would have been a taskutterly beyond their powers but for the watchful eye and sterndiscipline of the Count, who, despising the drunken excesses of hislieutenants, with ceaseless care and watchfulness kept watch and wardwithin and without the castle.
Alice and Jeannette, too, with the curiosity of their sex, and withever-increasing interest, explored the rooms of the castle, marvellinggreatly at the many tokens of taste and refinement manifested therein,and which they little expected to find in the castle of a Saxonchieftain.
Said Alice, "My interest grows strangely from day to day, Jeannette, inthis Saxon chieftain. I see no evidence of the boorishness I have alwaysassociated with the lives of the Barons of England. Now also that he isin such sore distress, and hath so sad a fate before him, my heartgrieves sorely for him."
"Yes, my lady, I cannot help thinking that these Saxons would despisethe beastly orgies proceeding under this roof, and outside."
"Yes, Jeannette; but what will it be on the morrow, when this Saxon isgiven over to their cruelty? It makes my blood curdle! Would I knew howto set him free! My heart tells me it would be an act of mercy done tomy own people as well as to him; for to spare my people the humiliationand degradation of the morrow's inhumanity were indeed a good deed,whether they would appreciate it or not."
"My lady, if you wish it, I warrant we can do it. I know how to setabout it. Paul Lazaire mounts guard, and I can coax the simpleton intoobeying me. I declare if I had to bid him stand on his head he would doit."
"But, Jeannette, that would probably get Paul into trouble. Perhaps itwould cost him his life. That would not do."
"Well, if you will not let me manage Paul, I cannot tell how to helpyou."
"But cannot we manage it without implicating Paul. I could make asleeping draught which would put him to rest speedily."
"Oh, that would be fine, my lady! Just the very thing! Put it in somemulled ale, and I will dose him."
"But how then, Jeannette? Have we courage to open the prison doors? I amafraid our nerves would fail us down in those damp and ghostly cells."
"Not at all, my lady. I will go; my heart will not fail me, for it wouldjust suit me to do it."
"Well, it sounds strange we should thus plot to deceive our people; butmy heart prompts me to do this deed, come what may."
"Yes, let us do it; but, as I said, let it be mulled ale, for I declareale is never too muddy for them, and they will drink it, no matter whatstuff you put in it."
"But how shall we convey it to him when it is made? That is our nextdifficulty, Jeannette."
"Oh, I'll convey it, never fear for me, lady. The little soft is foolenough to think I admire him. It will be such fun! I shall almost burstwith laughter when he gulps it down. I'll take him a tit-bit also, forhis supper. The simpleton will be overjoyed, and I expect he'll beginmaundering something about love," and Jeannette clapped her hands andskipped about gleefully. This was a matter that just jumped with hermadcap humour, and her high spirits could any time carry her through afrolic of this sort; but when fairly cornered, her nerves were subjectto complete collapse, and she became as helpless as any bird before theswoop of a hawk, unable to do anything but cower and helplessly flutter.
"Really, Jeannette, I think you treat this poor fellow rather toobadly," said Alice.
"It's only a joke, my lady. I like to tease him, he amuses me so!"
"Well, get him some supper, then, and I will make him some mulled ale.For this once, at least, we must ignore our consciences; but indeed, Ialmost think the end will justify the means, for this worthy Saxondeserves some better fate than the one awaiting him, and I care not if Ipermit the claims of humanity and of chivalry to triumph, even though itbe at the expense of my own people, of whose cruelty and greed I amheartily ashamed."
The evening hours were advancing rapidly towards the twelfth. Much ofthe clamour of the early hours of the night was effectually hushed inthe drunken slumbers of both officers and men, and at the dread hour theattempt at rescue was to be made; so Jeannette, fortifying herself forher humorous but somewhat daring feat, tripped boldly along thecorridors, torch in hand, bearing the repast prepared for her would-belover.
"There, you false man, that is a great deal too good for you!" she said,accosting Paul Lazaire, who was mounting guard over the cell in whichOswald was confined, and who, in great trepidation and fear, shrankbefore the ghostly advent of an unknown and muffled visitant at thedread hour of night.
"Oh! goodness me, my pretty Jeannette, is it you? I was quite startled.I thought it was a ghost, and I declare it's an angel."
"You thought it was that ugly Saxon wench I caught you kissing, youfalse man! That is what you thought."
"Tush, tush, Jeannette! Whenever will you forget that? You know I loveonly you. Give me a kiss, and let us be friends. I vow I will never lookat another Saxon wench as long as I live."
"Now, get off with you, if you please. You make a mistake if you think Iam going to be kissed by you, when you are so fond of kissing any dirtyhussy you meet."
"Now, don't, my fiery little wife! This is too bad--too bad foranything, Jeannette! You never have done with it."
"Don't you imagine you will have me for a wife unless you mend yourmanners very greatly. You shall have that dirty hussy of a Saxon for awife, and I will have Jaques Leroux. He is a smarter man than you are,any day; and if I but put up my finger to him, he will run after me."
"You don't mean it, Jeannette! Now, don't be cruel! You might just aswell say that you love me, for I know you do at heart, and you are onlyteasing me, as usual. I know you wouldn't have brought me this nicesupper if you hadn't thought something of me. Now, isn't it so,Jeannette? Just give me a kiss, and say you forgive me for that Saxonwench, and then I shall be happy;" and Paul endeavoured gallantly toplant a kiss on Jeannette's rosy cheek.
"Here, get off, will you, or else I'll scratch you!" said Jeannette,violently pushing Paul away. "I'm not going to go shares with a dirtySaxon. Mark that, Paul Lazaire! You will have to mend your mannersbefore you kiss me, I can tell you that much!"
"There you go again, Jeannette. You never will forget about that Saxonwench, I do believe; and you know it was only a joke."
"Now, just get your supper, and give up fooling, will you? or your alewill be cold, and I shall go
away and leave you," was the veryirresponsive reply of the dame.
Paul was really madly in love with Jeannette, but still he had to sparea considerable amount of affection for the steaming tankard of mulledale and the victuals, which she had brought him. So he raised thetankard to his lips, and gave a hearty drink.
"Bravo, Jeannette!" said he, smacking his lips. "What a lovely brew itis to be sure! How it warms the pit of my stomach! You'll make me ahappy man some day, I do declare, Jeannette."
"Now you are fooling again!" said Jeannette, giggling most immoderatelyat the gusto with which, unsuspectingly, he swallowed the potion. "Now,get your supper. I cannot spend the whole night with you here. So bequick, or I shall be missed."
Thus exhorted, Paul fell on the victuals with right good will, anddrained to the dregs the tankard of spiced ale, all the whileinterspersing his feeding by casting pitiful glances at Jeannette, whichmade that mercurial young damsel giggle more immoderately still.
"Don't go, Jeannette," said he beseechingly, as Jeannette was about toturn away. "It is a long time to the next watch, and you can't imaginehow creepy I feel in this passage, with that fearful Saxon insideclanking his irons, and tearing about, and not a soul within call if heshould break loose."
"Is that the cell in which he is confined?"
"Yes, but he is very quiet just now. Perhaps he hears us talking; but Ican hear him tugging at the chains sometimes as though he would tear theplace down. He makes me feel as if next moment he'd burst open the door,and murder me. He is a most desperate fellow. You should have seen howhe fought on that wall; and there was another one who escaped, a fearfulman, too, at his weapons."
"Oh, I saw them, and I noticed how frightened you all were into thebargain. But are those the keys you have at your girdle?"
"Yes; this is the one for the door, and this other one for themanacles," said Paul, holding up a pair of rusty keys to Jeannette'sview. "I wish the watch was over," he added, shuddering, "or I had _unbon camarade_."
"Eh, bien! bon nuit, mon bonhomme," said Jeannette, gathering up theempty tankard, and flitting along the lonesome corridors back again toher mistress, who was waiting with feverish impatience for her return.
"What news have you, Jeannette? Did all go well?"
"Beautiful, my lady. He drank the ale, and praised it finely. I knew hewould do that, for those horrid men always praise ale. But the wonder tome is that the beastly stuff did not turn his stomach."
"Did you see the cell, then, in which the Saxon is confined?"
"Yes; and Paul showed me which is the key for the door, and which is forthe manacles; for he is chained fast to the wall, it appears."
"Oh, dear, I wish it was over, for I tremble from head to foot. It is adesperate enterprise, and would be both rash and indelicate if themercifulness of it did not demand the sacrifice. Dost thou fear toventure it, Jeannette?"
"Not a bit, my lady; I like to outwit those men folk, for they count usnothing, and it will be such a joke to see their blank looks in themorning! And won't the Baron rage and swear at the men-at-arms?"
"Oh, do hush, you foolish child, it is far too serious to jest about. Iwish your courage and lightheartedness may not fail you before our taskis accomplished! If a merciful Heaven do not help us, I fear me we shallnever accomplish our purpose."
"Let us make vow to Notre Dame, before we venture, that we will repeatfifty Aves and Credos if she help us, and give twenty silver pennies tothe holy Father at the next gathering of the Romescot."[1]
[Footnote 1: Peter's pence.]
"Well, we will see about that; but we had better get ready, for thedraught will soon take effect upon this sweetheart of yours."
"Stuff, my lady! He is a little finikin fellow, and simple to boot. I dobut tease him. He amuses me so much I really cannot help joking him."
Ere long these two frail women stole along the lonesome passages, havingfortified themselves as best they could for their task. Alice wasdreadfully nervous, but determined of purpose. Jeannette, however, wasjaunty enough at starting, and had it been the congenial task oftricking poor Paul Lazaire, her volatile temperament would have carriedher through; but she soon began to manifest, by many hysterical starts,that this dramatic adventure, which might become a tragedy, was tellingpowerfully upon her nerves.
They soon reached the place, however, where, as they anticipated, Paulwas found in a state of blissful insensibility to either friend or foe.He had speedily felt the soothing effect of the drug, and had sat downwith his back to the wall. But he had quickly slidden from that positionand was now lying flat along, in a sound sleep, and breathing heavily.
"Oh, dear!" almost shrieked Jeannette, as she witnessed Paul'sinsensible condition. "He's not dead, is he, my lady?"
"No, he is not, you simpleton! Now let us be quick, Jeannette! Reach thekeys from his girdle. May Heaven help us!" said Alice, devoutly crossingherself. But she dared not give utterance to her fears in presence ofher maid, whose condition was plainly visible to her.
Jeannette snatched the keys from Paul's girdle, and Alice thrust theclumsy piece of metal into the door; but she had to apply her utmoststrength ere the rusty bolt shot back with a loud snap. Then, applyingher strength to the heavy oaken door, it recoiled slowly on its rustyhinges, with a horrid, creaking noise which grated fearfully on theexcited nerves of the pair. Immediately, as the torch's flickering lightfell dimly across the cell, their eyes fell upon the captive chief, whowas chained to the wall by heavy chains, but nevertheless stood erect,with distended nostrils, clenched hands, and threatening attitude. Hewas evidently expecting a midnight assassin, and though manacled andbound hand and foot, he would fight it out to the end. Alice startedback, trembling violently, as she beheld the fierce attitude of Oswald;and the last spark of Jeannette's courage disappeared, for, with ashriek, she clutched the arm of her mistress and tried to drag her away.
"Hush, Jeannette! Be still," cried Alice beseechingly; "we shall bediscovered if you do not be quiet."
The scene was a graphic one truly. The two timid women stood on thethreshold of the cell, cowed by the savage attitude of the captive, andafraid to advance a step, though bent on doing a deed of mercy. Oswaldalso was strangely bewildered at the sight of such gentle visitors; for,as the torch was held aloft, the uncertain light revealed to him theforms of two timid and graceful women, and one of them, at least,bearing evidence of gentle blood and gentle manners. His muscles relaxedand his manacled hands fell to his side, and the heavy irons clankedhorribly in the vaulted cell. This still further terrified the visitors,and Jeannette, whose nerves were at their utmost tension, with a shriekinvoluntarily bounded over the sleeping form of Paul Lazaire, and fledlike the wind along the corridors, leaving her mistress alone with thecaptive chieftain. The awful silence was broken by Oswald, who said, "Benot afraid, gentle lady. I was expecting some red-handed murderer andthe cold steel; but methinks so fair a messenger should bear a messageof mercy."
"We have at least a merciful intent, Saxon. We saw your brave defence ofthe castle, and we would fain set you free if we can, for we know thebrutal designs of some of our people, and we would save our own peoplefrom dishonour, and you from a cruel death."
"Ah! then pity still exists in the breast of woman! I thought the worldwas emptied of such things."
"This can never be, sir knight, whilst honour and chivalry inspire thedeeds of knights and warriors; for such can never fail to inspire thesympathies of us weak women."
"Will you dare, then, fair lady, to carry out your beneficent purpose,and give me my liberty again, enemy though I be to thy people?"
"I have counted all costs, sir knight; and I dare, if so be that mywoman's strength can effect it."
"Here is my right hand, then. Ten thousand blessings on your woman'sheart if you can set it free once more!"
As he spoke he stretched out his right arm, loaded with the heavy andrusty fetters.
Alice boldly advanced and thrust the key into the lock, but her utmoststrength was
insufficient to force back the catch, whilst Oswald'sfetters prevented him from reaching one hand with the other. Aliceunloosed from her shoulders a collarette of rich lace, and wrapped itround the rusty key, the angles of which hurt her hand. Then, applyingagain her utmost strength, happily she succeeded in forcing back thestubborn bolt, and thus liberating Oswald's right hand.
ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN.]
"Thank Heaven for a limb at liberty! My good right hand, too," said he,stretching it to its utmost length for very joy. "Give me the key, now,fair lady, for I can myself undo the rest." Soon, one by one, thefetters were stripped off from his cramped and lacerated limbs, and hebounded from them free. Falling on his knees before Alice, he seized herhand and pressed it to his lips, exclaiming, "Tell me the name of mybenefactress, lady, for it shall be enshrined in my memory for ever."
"I am Alice de Montfort, and that was my maid," said Alice timidly, andblushing crimson.
"Alice de Montfort!" said Oswald, starting to his feet as one bewilderedat the avowal. Then, seizing the other trembling hand, he passionatelyexclaimed, "Nay, never blush, lady! So noble a name, so fair a form, andso generous a deed are worthily associated."
"Alas! I fear me, sir knight, some men, if they knew that I thus actedfalsely to my father and to my people, would despise me; but I havelearnt to despise the opinions of men, when the cause of humanity and ofchivalry claims my feeble help. We noticed your brave defence of yourhome, and the evil fortune which befel you; and we two weak women wereovertaken with pity, which is our woman's weakness. Thus we haveventured this deed. I would you should accept it as some atonement forthe violence and greed of my people. But tarry not, sir knight, Ibeseech you, lest this act be marred ere it be accomplished."
"How can I express my gratitude to you, gentle lady, for adventuring somuch in order that you might give me my life! But I would that the curseof Heaven may be upon me as an ingrate, if I forget, even for an hour,the debt I owe to you, and, if opportunity serve, I return not withinterest to thee and thine this act of mercy done to me in my extremity.But the time is urgent, as you say. So adieu, lady."
"Stay, sir knight; there is one other point--how will you make good yourescape? Had you not better go with us to our women's quarters? Then wemay devise with greater leisure some further means to ensure yourescape."
"If you will but lend me your cloak, lady, to disguise my form, I knowthis castle's resources, and I shall not fail to make my escape. As atoken of this, I will leave the cloak at the foot of the stair leadingto the tower. Adieu, lady! We shall meet again under happier auspices."
So saying, he bounded from the dungeon and disappeared in the darkness.