From these thoughts he was recalled to what was going on by Rodomont, who called out, “Here is one of the murtherous villains2 who attacked your Highness. Will it please you to question him?”
Philip turned at the words, and by the light of the torches which were held towards him, was enabled to examine the captive. The man, whose hands were tied behind his back by a belt, was of middle height, and rather powerful frame, and seemed to be decently attired3; but his garments were sullied with blood, which flowed from several bodily wounds, as well as from a deep gash4 across the temple. His head was uncovered, and his matted black locks were dabbled5 in gore6. His features, which were strongly marked, and remarkably7 stern in expression, were of a ghastly hue8; but notwithstanding the smarting of his wounds and evident faintness from loss of blood, his looks were resolute9 and his black eyes blazed fiercely. He did not quail10 in the least before the searching and terrible glance fixed11 upon him by the Prince.
“Do any of you know this man?” demanded Philip, after regarding him stedfastly for a short space.
“By the body of Saint Alphonso, which reposes12 at Zamora! I should blush to avow13 myself acquainted with the felon14 hound,” rejoined Rodomont. “But luckily I have never seen him before; and everyone else appears to be in the same predicament. How art thou called, fellow? 68Speak out, or the thumb-screw shall force the truth from thee.”
“Torture would not make me speak,” replied the man, firmly. “But I have no desire to conceal15 my name. It will profit you little to know it. I am called Derrick Carver, and I am of Brightelmstone, in Sussex.”
“Derrick, thou art most appropriately named Carver,” rejoined Rodomont; “but instead of carving16 his Highness, as was thine atrocious design, thou shalt thyself be carved by the knife of the executioner.”
“By whom wert thou instigated17 to this attempt?” demanded Philip. “Some greater hand than thine own is manifest in the design.”
“A far greater hand,” rejoined Derrick Carver. “The hand of Heaven is manifest in it.”
“Deceive not thyself, insensate villain1,” rejoined Rodomont. “’Tis the Prince of Darkness who hath inspired the black design. He has deserted18 thee, as he deserts all his servants.”
“I am no bond slave of Satan, but a faithful servant of the Most High,” said Carver. “It was Heaven’s wish that I should fail; but though my sword has been turned aside, there are others left that shall find the tyrant19 out.”
“There is clearly some conspiracy20 on foot,” said Osbert, who by this time had joined the Prince. “I have my own suspicions at its author, which I will presently communicate to your Highness. But that these are hired assassins is certain. By their own showing, they were to have a hundred rose-nobles each for the deed.”
“Said I not right that Beelzebub was at the bottom of it?” cried Rodomont. “A hundred rose-nobles! Is that the sum for which thou hast bartered21 thy soul, thou damnable Derrick? Wert thou to be paid in French coin—ha! Carver?”
“Your suspicions tend the same way as mine own, I perceive, Sir,” observed Osbert.
“Mine tend towards the French Ambassador, M. de Noailles,” rejoined Rodomont. “I speak it openly. I’ll be sworn this attempt is his excellency’s contrivance.”
“Like enough,” said Philip. “But the truth must be wrung22 from that villain’s lips.”
69“Nothing can be extorted23 from me, seeing I have nothing to confess,” rejoined Derrick Carver, boldly. “I cannot answer for the motives24 that actuated those engaged with me, but my own were righteous in intent. I meant to free the Protestant Church from its deadliest enemy, and my country from subjection to Spain. I have failed; but, I say again, others will not fail, for there are many to take my place. The blood of the saints will not be shed in vain, but will cry out incessantly25 for vengeance26.”
“Peace, blasphemer!” exclaimed Rodomont, “or we will have thy tongue plucked forth27.”
“Hear me out, and then deal with me as you list,” said Derrick Carver. “I am no hired assassin. Scarce half an hour ago I was lamenting28 the perilous29 condition of the Church and the realm, when I heard that the enemy of both was in Southampton, almost unattended. Those who told me this designed to slay30 him, and I unhesitatingly joined them, without fee or promise of reward, being moved thereto, as I deemed, by a divine impulse. That is all I have to say.”
“Let him be kept in some place of security till he can be further interrogated,” said the Prince. “And let the clothes of the villain who fell by my hand be searched to see whether there are any papers about him that may lead to the discovery of his employer.”
“It shall be done,” replied Rodomont. “As to this Derrick Carver, he shall be clapped in the dungeon31 below the Bar-gate, the strongest prison in Southampton, and if we have to put him to the question, ordinary and extraordinary, we will have the truth from him. But your Highness may take my word for it, ’tis a French design.”
“I thank you for your zeal32, good Master Bittern,” said Philip, “and in consideration of the services you have rendered me, I am content to overlook the freedom of speech in which you indulged a little while since. But I must enjoin33 you to be more careful in future.”
“I shall not fail,” replied Rodomont, bowing respectfully. “My excuse is, that I knew not whom I was addressing. Your Highness may ever count on my loyalty35 and devotion,” he added, placing his hand upon his heart.
At this juncture36 the priest, who had officiated in the little 70chapel of the Domus Dei during Philip’s visit to it, entered the court with his assistants, and after inclining himself reverently38 before the Prince, proceeded to congratulate him on his miraculous39 preservation40.
Replying in suitable terms, Philip declared he was so fully34 convinced of Heaven’s interposition in his behalf, that he desired at once to offer up thanks for his providential deliverance, and prayed the holy father to accompany him to the chapel37 for that purpose.
The priest readily assented41, and led the way to the sacred edifice42, into which, after a brief delay, Philip, with Osbert and the rest of the assemblage, including even Derrick Carver, were admitted.
Again the tapers43 were lighted at the altar, and again the Prince knelt down before it; but this time there was no fair devotee beside him to distract his thoughts, and his prayers were full of fervour and gratitude44.
It was a strange and solemn scene, and impressed even Rodomont and his companions, whom recent events had served to sober.
The demeanour of Derrick Carver was stern and unmoved; but when the priest uttered a heartfelt prayer for the Prince’s deliverance, he could not repress a groan45. As Osbert looked round at this moment, he fancied he could discern, within the deep recess46 of the doorway47, the figure of Constance Tyrrell. If it were so, however, she had vanished before the others quitted the chapel.
His devotions over, Philip arose, and in taking leave of the priest, promised the holy man an offering to Saint Julian, the patron saint of the chapel. He then bowed to the others, and declining further attendance, passed forth with Osbert, and proceeding48 to the quay49, entered the boat which was waiting for him, and returned to the “Santissima Trinidada.”
At the same time Derrick Carver was conveyed by Rodomont and the others to the Bar-gate, and locked up in one of the gloomiest cells of its subterranean50 dungeon.
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1
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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3
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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dabbled
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| v.涉猎( dabble的过去式和过去分词 )；涉足；浅尝；少量投资 | |
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6
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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7
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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reposes
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的第三人称单数 ) | |
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13
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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15
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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17
instigated
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| v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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21
bartered
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| v.作物物交换，以货换货( barter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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23
extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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25
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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27
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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28
lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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29
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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30
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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31
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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32
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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33
enjoin
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| v.命令；吩咐；禁止 | |
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34
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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35
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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36
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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37
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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38
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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39
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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40
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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41
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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43
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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44
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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45
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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46
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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47
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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48
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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49
quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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50
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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