Philip next proceeded to the castle, in the principal court of which he found his arquebusiers drawn1 up. Long before this, the treasure had been locked up in one of the strongest chambers2 of the donjon. Not being familiar with a Norman castle, the Prince examined the ancient fortress4 with much interest, and, ascending5 to the summit of the keep, enjoyed the magnificent view commanded from it.
His inspection6 of the castle completed, Philip was conducted to a public place in the centre of the town, which derived7 its name of Saint Michael’s Place, from a venerable and beautiful church standing8 in the midst of it. Facing the east end of this reverend pile was the habitation designed for his temporary abode9.
In Saint Michael’s Place, as elsewhere, a large crowd had congregated10, who cheered the Prince lustily on his appearance, and did not seem inclined to disperse11 even when he had dismounted and entered his lodgings12.
The quaint13 architecture of the habitation, the bay-windows filled with painted glass, the low-raftered roofs, the walls panelled with oak darkened by age, the numerous small apartments, the stiff cumbrous furniture—all so different from the vast gilded14 saloons and open courts suited to another clime, with which he was familiar—were far from displeasing15 to Philip, and when the Earl of Arundel apologised for the scant16 accommodation of the place, the Prince courteously17 91assured him that the house was very much to his taste. “What sufficed for your great monarch18, Henry VIII.,” he said, “may well suffice for me.”
Pleading fatigue19, he then retired20 to a private chamber3, and was not disturbed until the return of the Count D’Egmont and Osbert Clinton from Winchester, when they were immediately admitted to his presence.
D’Egmont brought a letter from the Queen, which he delivered to the Prince, but, without manifesting any impatience22 to ascertain23 its contents, Philip laid it on the table beside which he was seated, and proceeded to question the Count as to his visit.
“Pass by all other matters,” he said, “and come to the point. What did her Majesty24 think of my nocturnal adventure? Was she satisfied with the explanation offered her?”
“Not entirely25, I fear, your Highness,” replied D’Egmont, “though she said little to warrant such a conclusion.”
“You were careful not to alarm her?” said Philip, turning to Osbert.
“She pressed me very shrewdly,” replied the young man, “but I trust I succeeded in allaying26 her suspicions, which were evidently aroused by the description I was obliged to give of your fair deliverer, Constance Tyrrell. Her Majesty inherits something of the disposition27 of her august sire, and is inclined to jealousy28.”
“That does not augur29 well for my future comfort. Jealousy in a wife is intolerable,” replied Philip. “Let us see what is said in her letter,” he added, opening it. “There is nothing here but congratulations on my safe arrival, and deep concern at the attack upon my person. Not a word as to my intended visit to Winchester. Apparently30, her Majesty does not attach much credence31 to that part of the story.”
“She is not easily imposed upon,” observed D’Egmont. “It must be admitted that your Highness has given her just cause for suspicion. She will not believe that eagerness to behold32 her induced you to quit the ship privily33 at night. Her penetration34 pointed35 to a different motive36, and all she heard seemed to confirm her doubts. At one moment she had resolved to come over to Southampton, but fortunately 92she relinquished37 that design. Mischief38 might else have been made by the opponents to the marriage.”
“Pshaw! I have no fears on that score,” said Philip. “But I am glad she did not come. She might have interfered39 with my plans.”
At this moment an usher40 entered, stating that Mistress Constance Tyrrell was without, and besought41 an audience of the Prince.
“By Saint Iago! this is better than I expected,” cried Philip, overjoyed. “Is she alone?”
“No, your Highness,” replied the usher. “The lady abbess of St. Mary, Winchester, is with her.”
“I would the lady abbess were in her nunnery, or anywhere but here!” exclaimed Philip, in a tone of pique42. “Admit them.”
On this the usher withdrew, and the next moment Constance entered the room, accompanied by a religious dame43 of very stately deportment. The abbess of Saint Mary was attired44 in a long black gown, the ample folds of which swept the ground. The sleeves of her robe were loose, and over her shoulders was spread a sable45 mantle46, with a hood47 attached to it. A barbe of plaited linen48 covered the lower part of her face, and, with the close-drawn hood, effectually concealed49 her features. On the entrance of the two ladies, D’Egmont and Osbert retired.
Stepping quickly towards Constance, Philip took her hand, preventing her from making the lowly obeisance50 she contemplated51. After greeting her very courteously, he turned to the abbess, and saluting52 her respectfully, said,—
“Holy mother, to what am I indebted for this visit? Can I serve you in aught?”
“For myself I seek nothing, Prince,” replied the abbess, in a voice that vibrated through Philip’s breast, occasioning him an uneasy feeling. “I am a messenger from the Queen to this young maiden53. Her Majesty, having been informed that, under Heaven, the chief instrument of your preservation54 from a great peril55 was Mistress Constance Tyrrell, who heroically shielded you from the weapons of assassins, has sent me to bring the damsel to Winchester. This is my mission, which I was enjoined56 to execute without delay; but I have consented to defer57 my departure for a short space, 93as Mistress Constance hath a request to prefer to your Highness.”
“I thank you for your consideration, holy mother,” replied Philip. “The fair Constance can ask nothing of me that I will not readily grant.”
“Make no rash promises, Prince,” remarked the abbess. “First hear her request.”
“I pray you speak, then, fair mistress,” said Philip, in an encouraging tone to Constance. “You need not apprehend58 a refusal.”
“The boon59 is greater than I ought to ask,” said Constance, trembling. “Yet I must summon courage to make it. In a word, then, your Highness, I would solicit60 pardon for the miserable61 wretch62 who dared to raise his sacrilegious hand against your royal person.”
“Pardon for that miscreant63!” exclaimed the abbess. “Impossible!”
“For myself I would willingly grant your request,” replied Philip, in a troubled tone, “but I have not the power. The Queen alone can pardon this offender64 against her laws. You must appeal to her.”
“But your Highness will second me,” observed Constance. “A word from you, and it will be done.”
“Be not too sure of that,” said the abbess, sternly. “The Queen is compassionate65, but just. To pardon a wretch like this would be fraught67 with evil consequences. It may not be.”
The force and decision with which these words were pronounced struck the Prince, and he looked hard at the abbess. But her features were wholly undistinguishable.
“The lady abbess is right,” he said, after a pause. “I fear the appeal to the Queen will be in vain. Yet say to her that, if possible, I would have the man spared.”
“The man is a heretic, as I understand,” remarked the abbess. “If he will abjure68 his errors, and discover his accomplices69, mercy may, perchance, be shown him—not otherwise.”
“I fear, then, he must die,” replied Constance. “He is obstinate70 in his opinions.”
“Then he deserves to perish,” rejoined the abbess, “and you are wrong in seeking to save him.”
94“My hope is to make him profitable to the Catholic Church,” said Constance. “If he be put to death now, he will be deemed a martyr71 by those of his own faith. In time I may bring about his recantation.”
“’Twere a good act, if you could accomplish it, fair Constance,” observed Philip; “but I fear you deal with impracticable material. But how comes it you take so much interest in this Derrick Carver, for such, if I recollect72 aright, is the caitiff’s name?”
“I know not whence my compassion66 for him springs,” she replied. “But I have visited him in his cell, and fancy I can discern something of good in him.”
“Be not deceived, damsel,” said the abbess. “There can be no good in one capable of the crime which this man hath attempted. But if you are in earnest as to his conversion73, I promise you you shall have an opportunity of attempting the work. I have interest enough with the Queen for that.”
“I am glad to hear you say so, holy mother,” observed the Prince. “And I shall rejoice if the fair Constance succeeds in her attempt. But be this as it may, I do not feel relieved from the weight of obligation I am under to her. When you present her to the Queen, say I shall be well pleased if her Majesty can place her among her gentlewomen.”
“I will do more,” rejoined the abbess. “I will use all the influence I possess with her Majesty to see the damsel well bestowed74 in marriage.”
“Not if I can prevent it,” thought Philip.
A suspicion in regard to the abbess, which the Prince had begun to entertain, being confirmed, he begged a word with her in private, and on her ready assent75, led her into the deep recess76 of a bay-window.
Entirely changing his manner towards her, he then said, “I know not how to account for it, holy mother, but while talking to you I could almost imagine myself engaged in converse77 with her Majesty.”
“A strange supposition,” observed the abbess, in a blander78 tone than before.
“It is the highest compliment I could pay you,” pursued Philip. “That you should resemble so admirable a sovereign is the best proof of your merit.”
95“I am much flattered by your Highness’s good opinion,” returned the abbess, still more blandly79; “but how can you tell that I am like the Queen, since you have never beheld80 her Majesty?”
“I can perfectly81 judge by the many descriptions given me of her,” said the Prince. “In disposition I am sure you are exactly like her. Remove your hood, I pray you, that I may see whether the resemblance extends to feature.”
“I cannot comply with your Highness’s request, as I have a vow82 which prohibits me from disclosing my countenance83 to any of your sex,” she replied; “but I will own that I am like the Queen.”
“I was quite sure of it,” said Philip. “Permit me for a moment to address you as her Majesty.”
“’Tis a strange whim,” replied the abbess, complacently84, “and I ought not to consent to it. But your Highness is singularly persuasive85. I am not without curiosity to know what you would say to the Queen.”
“What I have to say may sound like the language of passion, and may not suit your ears,” rejoined Philip.
“But, as the Queen, I may listen to it,” she rejoined, with something of tenderness in her tones.
“Then I would throw myself at your feet, as I do now,” cried Philip, kneeling as he spoke86. “I would press your hand to my lips, and assure you of my unalterable love and fidelity87. I would tell you how I have burned with impatience to behold you—how I have counted the hours of my long voyage, and have rejoiced as each day brought me nearer to you. In the strongest terms I could employ I would express my sense of the honour you have conferred upon me in choosing me for your husband, and I would endeavour to convince you that it will be the chief business of my life to increase your felicity and to extend your power. Not a cloud shall overshadow your future existence if I can drive it away—but all shall be serenity88 and sunshine. This is what I would say to the Queen,” he added, rising.
“Your language is so impassioned, Prince,” she returned, “that I am almost as much moved as her Majesty could be 96by your words. For the moment, I will suppose myself the Queen——”
“It is so understood,” interrupted Philip.
“I fear you feign89 this passion, Prince,” she continued. “To love one unknown, unseen, with the ardour you profess90, is impossible, and yet I ought not to say so, for though I have never beheld you till now, your image has long occupied my breast. I hope you may not be disappointed in me. It shall be my anxious study to win your affection by entire devotion and submission91 to your will, and I trust, with Heaven’s grace, to succeed.”
“Doubt it not,” replied the Prince, fervently92. “You are sole mistress of my heart, and will ever maintain paramount93 sway over it.”
“I am foolish to ask it,” she said, “yet I would fain have your assurance that it is not my crown that has enticed94 you hither?”
“Rest easy on that score,” rejoined the Prince. “You yourself are the magnet that has attracted me. You would have been as much prized without your kingdom as with it.”
“I cannot believe you; yet the assurance is so sweet, that I will yield to the delusion,” she rejoined. “But I must listen to these honeyed words no longer. Once more I must become the abbess.”
“To others, but not to me,” rejoined Philip.
On this, they left the recess, and returned to where Constance was standing.
“What shall be done for this damsel?” said Philip. “It pains me that I cannot grant her request.”
“Her request is most unreasonable95. Still, she has a great claim upon you,” replied the abbess. “I make no promise, but order the prisoner to be brought here for examination, and I will consider what can be done.”
Thanking her with a smile, Philip instantly summoned Osbert Clinton, and bade him bring Derrick Carver before him with all possible dispatch. He likewise ordered the immediate21 attendance of the Bishop96 of Cuen?a and Father de Castro.
With a profound obeisance, Osbert departed on his mission.
While this was passing, the abbess proceeded to the table, 97on which writing materials were placed, and wrote a few words on a sheet of paper, which she folded up, and, delivering it to the Prince, observed, in a significant tone, “You may need this anon. Not a word,” she added, with a gesture of caution.
After glancing at the paper, Philip placed it within his doublet.
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收听单词发音
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1
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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displeasing
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| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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allaying
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| v.减轻，缓和( allay的现在分词 ) | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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augur
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| n.占卦师；v.占卦 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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credence
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| n.信用，祭器台，供桌，凭证 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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privily
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| adv.暗中，秘密地 | |
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penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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41
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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pique
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| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
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43
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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44
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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45
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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46
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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47
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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48
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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49
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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50
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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51
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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52
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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53
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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54
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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55
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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56
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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58
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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59
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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60
solicit
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| vi.勾引；乞求；vt.请求，乞求；招揽(生意) | |
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61
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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64
offender
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| n.冒犯者，违反者，犯罪者 | |
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compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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67
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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abjure
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| v.发誓放弃 | |
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accomplices
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| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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72
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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73
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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74
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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76
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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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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blander
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| adj.（食物）淡而无味的( bland的比较级 )；平和的；温和的；无动于衷的 | |
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79
blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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80
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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81
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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82
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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83
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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84
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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85
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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86
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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87
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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88
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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89
feign
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| vt.假装，佯作 | |
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90
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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91
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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92
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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93
paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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94
enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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